Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held January 4, 2016: 6:15–6:50 pm and 9:20–9:35 pm — personnel issues
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on January 11, 2016, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman), Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The nearly two-hour session covered a wide range of business, highlighted by progress on a joint sidewalk project with Halifax Borough, a stormwater enforcement action, and discussion of a significant Local Services Tax surplus. All 15 motions passed unanimously.
Sidewalk grant moves forward with Halifax Borough: After Halifax Borough Mayor Jeff Enders warned that the TAPS Program was frustrated with delays and that bids must be ready by September 30, supervisors voted to proceed with Phase I of the joint sidewalk grant and retain the Borough's engineers. Dauphin County offered to help cover engineering costs. A second motion directed drafting an Intergovernmental Agreement among Halifax Township, Halifax Borough, and Halifax High School, along with exploring a sidewalk maintenance ordinance. Brad Bruner and Randy Paul were appointed as committee representatives.
Stormwater enforcement against Lehman: After Mr. Lehman missed the January 11 deadline to pay outstanding fees, the board voted to initiate legal enforcement proceedings for violation of the township's Stormwater Management Plan.
Local Services Tax windfall: The township collected $48,122.89 in LST for 2015 — nearly double the $24,000 budgeted. Chairman Kenneth Bechtel suggested the excess could go toward the Kieffer Road Project; a decision was deferred to next month's agenda.
SALDO fee schedule adopted: The board adopted a resolution establishing a formal fee schedule under the township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
Roadmaster vacation buyout: Roadmaster Corey Stazewski was approved for a payout of 156 hours of accrued vacation at $16.49/hour, totaling $2,572.44 from the General Fund.
Tobias Road bridges: Engineer Steve Roe estimated $10,000 to rate both Tobias Road bridges, with an additional $6,000 per linear mile to bond the unpaved road — at the landowner's expense. No action was taken; the board is waiting to hear from the logging entity that would use the bridges.
Fort Halifax park discussion: Scott McBurney raised the possibility of a public referendum on the future use of Halifax Park, noting that the original Key 93 Grant restricts the land to passive recreation and forbids agriculture. He reported meeting with Senator Teplitz about possible grant modifications. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky cautioned that referendums must be tied to taxes and suggested consulting the Conservancy first. The topic was tabled for next month.
Peter's Mountain Road safety: In response to resident Chris Hoover's concern about dangerous curves lacking chevron signs, the board voted to send a letter to PennDOT requesting improved signage on Peter's Mountain Road.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Steve Roe (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisors approved paid interim bills through January 11, 2016, unpaid bills, minutes from the December 14, 2015 regular meeting, and minutes from the January 4, 2016 re-organization meeting. All motions carried 5-0. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC REPORT
The Board of Supervisors recognized Tim Neiter for his service as Emergency Management Coordinator during 2015, specifically for bringing the Township into compliance with required reports.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Mr. Snody and his contractor Mr. Esh appeared before the Planning Commission regarding a proposed addition to an existing home. Based on Engineer Steve Roe's review, the plans were found insufficient, and it was recommended that Snody hire a professional land surveyor/engineer to complete a stormwater application per the Township's SALDO. The commission will reconvene to update the SALDO at the February Planning Commission meeting.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported the matter is still in the remedial process with progress being made. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky recommended deferring for another month, and the Board agreed.
The deadline for Mr. Lehman to pay owed fees passed without payment. The Board voted 5-0 to initiate enforcement proceedings for violation of the Stormwater Management Plan.
Chairman Bechtel asked Solicitor Warshawsky about the Quail Commons Pilot payment, noting the Township had not received any monies in 2015. Solicitor Warshawsky stated he would research the matter.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski requested permission to purchase two chainsaws and a blower for tree trimming throughout the Township at an approximate cost of $1,000.00. The Board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase from the Capital Improvements Fund.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board voted 5-0 to advertise the Planning Commission vacancy in the Upper Dauphin Sentinel.
The Board voted 5-0 to appoint Gary Shultz as the Vacancy Board chairman.
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski requested a buyout of 156 hours of accrued vacation time at $16.49 per hour, totaling $2,572.44. The Board voted 5-0 to approve the payout from the General Fund.
Chairman Bechtel reported that $48,122.89 was collected in Local Services Tax, well above the budgeted amount of $24,000 for 2015. The Board was asked to decide how to distribute the excess funds, with the matter placed on next month's agenda.
The appointed auditors held their re-organization on January 5, 2016, electing Ernest Schreffler as Chairman, Charnelle Etzweiler as Vice Chair, and Gwen Corsnitz as Secretary. They approved a wage of $13.50 for working Supervisors with a CDL and $11.50 without a CDL. An auditor will attend the Fire Department's annual audit on February 7.
OLD BUSINESS
The Board voted 5-0 to appoint the CPA firm of Lettich and Zipay to audit the Township's records for 2015.
Halifax Borough Mayor Jeff Enders explained that TAPS was unhappy the project wasn't advancing due to engineering costs. Dauphin County offered to assist with engineering fees. Bids must be signed by September 30. The Board voted 5-0 to move forward with Halifax Borough on Phase I of the Sidewalk Grant and retain the Borough's engineers. Supervisors Bruner and Paul were appointed as committee representatives. A second motion carried 5-0 to draft an Intergovernmental Agreement between Halifax Borough, Halifax Township, and Halifax High School and look into a Maintenance Ordinance.
Solicitor Warshawsky confirmed receipt of the green card from a letter sent to the sawmill entity planning to log via the Tobias Road Bridges. Engineer Roe estimated $10,000 to rate both bridges. Bonding the unpaved road under a Type I permit would cost $6,000 per linear mile at the landowner's expense. The Township will wait to hear from the parties involved.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board voted 5-0 to waive the reading of the Resolution, then voted 5-0 to adopt the Resolution establishing a fee schedule in accordance with SALDO.
Supervisor McBurney discussed the history of Halifax Park, funded by a Key 93 Grant that forbids agriculture and limits use to passive recreation. He met with Senator Teplitz about possible grant modifications and raised the idea of a referendum for township residents. Solicitor Warshawsky noted referendums must be based on taxes and suggested the Township talk to the Conservancy. The matter was placed on next month's agenda.
Chris Hoover contacted the Township about the lack of chevron signs on Peter's Mountain Road, raising vehicle safety concerns. The Board voted 5-0 to send a letter to PennDOT addressing the issue.
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