Monthly Business Meeting

Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Paul moved to approve paid interim bills through February 8, 2016 (passed 5-0). Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Schreffler moved to pay unpaid bills as of February 8, 2016 (passed 5-0). Minutes from the January 11, 2016 monthly business meeting were approved 5-0, and the financial report was placed on file for audit.

Engineer Steve Roe presented his report dated February 1, 2016, which was made part of the permanent records.

Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported forward progress on the Kline Nuisance matter with no action recommended at this time. He noted PennDOT's position that the Township is responsible for placing road signs on state roads at its own expense. The Board also approved 5-0 a motion by Supervisor McBurney to extend Workers' Compensation coverage for volunteer firemen and fire police performing duties outside their coverage jurisdiction.

Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported on the road sign responsibility issue, confirming PennDOT stated it is the Township's responsibility to place signs on state roads. The Board instructed him to place missing signs on Million Dollar Road. Chairman Bechtel noted Dale Good indicated additional signage will be placed at the top of Peters Mountain. Regarding the Pawnee Lane abandoned vehicles issue, letters were sent and all owners moved their vehicles except one, which was expected to be moved that weekend.

Light-Heigel submitted their report dated February 3, 2016 for services provided in January 2016. The report was made part of the permanent records.

Chairman Bechtel reported the Township received phone calls about interest in placing a tiny house in Halifax Township. He asked that Pat Stockard be contacted to attend the next Planning Commission meeting to provide guidance on the matter.

Sheetz will use the Township meeting room on February 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to conduct a job fair for its Halifax and Duncannon locations.

The Township sought an outside auditor for the Fire Department's financial records and received one quote of $5,000 for the audit plus $1,250 to prepare and file the 990 return. The Township will pursue additional quotes with the possibility of budgeting the audit for 2017.

Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Bruner moved to accept the application from Chad Lebo to serve on the Halifax Township Planning Commission. The motion passed 5-0.

The Board waived the reading and adopted the PSATS 457 Plan Ordinance. Both motions passed 5-0, with Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor McBurney moving to waive the reading and Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Paul moving to adopt.

The Board waived the reading and adopted the PSATS Health Insurance Cooperative Trust Ordinance. Both motions passed 5-0, with Supervisor Bruner moving to waive the reading and Supervisor Schreffler moving to adopt.

The Board waived the reading and adopted the Sewer Ordinance. Both motions passed 5-0, with Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Bruner making both motions.

Research confirmed the Township is in compliance with the requirement that 25% of Local Services Tax monies support the volunteer Fire Department and the Ambulance.

Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor McBurney moved to transfer $90,000 of non-committed monies from the General Fund to the Kieffer Road Project. The motion passed 5-0.

No response has been received from parties involved in using the bridges for logging. The Solicitor will send a follow-up letter advising parties to proceed at their own risk. The Board instructed the Roadmaster to seek email bids for rating the road bridges, with results to be disclosed at the next meeting.

The topic was tabled for a future meeting.

The Board discussed petitioning PennDOT to reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph, noting a traffic study may not be needed since the sidewalk will be in front of the school. Solicitor Warshawsky will draft a no parking ordinance and a sidewalk maintenance ordinance, and will send a draft intermunicipal agreement to the Halifax Borough Solicitor for feedback. All items were placed on next month's agenda.

The developer made two requests for release of financial security. The Board approved release of LOC 568 in the amount of $33,438.75 for completion of roadway improvements at Lenker Estates II (passed 5-0). For LOC 348, rather than releasing the full $166,394.80, the Board voted 5-0 to reduce it to $53,256.50 and request an amendment. The developer was directed to report back at the next meeting regarding either relaxation of the water line requirement or rebonding it.

James Markel resigned as Tax Collector on January 20, 2016 due to a conflict with his position in the Dauphin County Controller's Office. The Board accepted his resignation 5-0, appointed Melinda Warfel as Tax Collector to serve the remainder of the current term (passed 5-0), and appointed Sue Miller as deputy Tax Collector (passed 5-0).

The Township received multiple calls about drainage from a pipe on the King's Gym property on Rutter Road. Although it is a PennDOT road, the Township is responsible for stormwater. A letter will be sent to Armstrong Gym to address the drainage concern.

Quotes were presented for a new payloader, with DOOSAN offering the best value including trade-in of the Township's current payloader. Supervisor Paul and Supervisor McBurney moved to purchase the DOOSAN payloader for $131,000 with trade-in. The motion passed 5-0.

Dane Snyder and Nathan Troutman proposed holding a concert at Fort Halifax Park, partnering with a promoter with revenue from tickets, parking, and concessions. No date was set and no action was taken; they are open to suggestions.

Dane Snyder presented a plan for Halifax Schools to incorporate archeology education at Fort Halifax Park. Approximately 80-90 seventh graders would visit the park over a three-day period, tentatively in May. The Supervisors approved as long as the school and all participants are covered by insurance, with additional sessions planned for the fall.

Mr. Yoder of Yoder Construction breached the PILOT Agreement between Yoder Construction, the Township, the Halifax Schools, and Dauphin County. Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Schreffler moved to authorize the Solicitor to proceed with enforcement action to collect the PILOT. The motion passed 5-0.