Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held October 31, 2016, 7:00 PM–7:30 PM — Engle-Rissinger Property
Summary
Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on November 14, 2016, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting ran just over two hours and covered a busy end-of-year agenda including ordinance adoptions, a subdivision approval, budget preparations, and active nuisance enforcement. Public comment was dominated by concerns about failing septic systems and the looming cost of connecting to public sewer infrastructure.
- Street light assessments restructured (5-0): The Board adopted a resolution reclassifying street light assessments into two tiers — $0.142 per foot of frontage for undeveloped parcels and $0.569 per foot for developed parcels.
- Maple Avenue speed limit reduced to 25 mph (5-0): An ordinance was adopted lowering the speed limit on Maple Avenue from 35 mph to 25 mph, directly responding to a concern raised by a resident during public comment.
- Ernest Schreffler subdivision approved (4-0, Steve Schreffler abstaining): Four waivers were granted — covering the preliminary plan, sidewalks, curbing, and the 150-foot road frontage requirement — and the subdivision plan was approved subject to the applicant addressing one comment in engineer Frank Lentz's report.
- 2017 budget advertised for adoption (5-0): The proposed 2017 budget was cleared for public advertisement ahead of formal adoption at a future meeting.
- CPA firm to replace elected auditors (5-0): The Township will advertise for a certified public accounting firm to conduct the 2016 fiscal year audit, moving away from the elected auditor process.
- Budget reallocations approved (5-0): Over $13,600 was reshuffled between line items — $12,742.15 moved out of Winter Maintenance into seasonal wages ($6,000) and vehicle/equipment repairs ($6,742.15), and $926.41 redistributed from Dues and Subscriptions into staff training, miscellaneous, and advertising accounts.
- Fort Halifax Park tree replacement approved (5-0): Following a request from Norma Shearer on behalf of the Friends of Fort Halifax, the Board agreed to have the Township pick up and plant three replacement sycamore trees at the park, with the Friends covering the purchase cost.
- DEP sewer order flagged by public: Fred Ford, chairman of the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority, informed the Board that DEP is ordering the Authority to build a new sewer plant, with construction expected within 2–3 years. Residents on Galli Road, Parmer Drive, and in Triangle Manor will eventually be required to connect to public sewer — a concern for residents like Marleen Broeckel already facing costly failing septic repairs.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Frank Lentz (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Norma Shearer reported that 3 sycamore trees died at Fort Halifax Park and found a replacement nursery in Mechanicsburg. The Friends of Fort Halifax offered to cover the cost, but needed the Township to pick up and plant the trees. Motion by Supervisor McBurney, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to allow the Township to pick up and plant the trees carried 5-0.
ROUTINE BUSINESS
Motion by Supervisor Paul, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve the paid interim bills through November 14, 2016 carried 5-0.
Motion by Supervisor Schreffler, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to pay the unpaid bills as of November 14, 2016 carried 5-0.
Motion by Supervisor Paul, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the October 10, 2016 minutes carried 5-0.
Motion by Supervisor Schreffler, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the minutes of the 2017 Budget Workshop held October 18, 2016 carried 5-0.
Motion by Supervisor Paul, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to approve the minutes of the 2017 Budget Workshop held October 24, 2016 carried 5-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Ernest Schreffler Subdivision plans with contingencies per Engineer Frank Lentz's November 7, 2016 report. Motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve four waivers: preliminary plan, sidewalks, curbing, and 150-foot road frontage requirement carried 4-0 with one abstention by Supervisor Schreffler.
Motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the subdivision plans with the condition that Engineer Frank Lentz's Comment #1 be addressed carried 4-0 with one abstention by Supervisor Schreffler.
The Planning Commission reviewed Engineer Frank Lentz's report on private driveway/lane regulations from other municipalities and asked Solicitor Warshawsky to draft a suitable ordinance for Halifax Township.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Warshawsky recommended no further action on the Welder Shop nuisance, stating that Chris Hoover is making every effort to be compliant. During public comment, Shelly Burtnett had thanked the Board for acting on the complaint, and Chris Hoover objected to name-calling at the previous meeting.
A check in the amount of $1,924.69 was received from the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau from the sale of 676 Dunkle School Road (Stewart Property).
ADMINISTRATIVE
Secretary/Treasurer Wendy Wentzel informed the Board of a QuickBooks training course for beginner and intermediate users at a cost of $125.00. The Board gave permission for Wendy Wentzel to attend the class.
Motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to redistribute $926.41 from Dues and Subscriptions ($280 to Staff Training, $196.41 to Miscellaneous, $450 to Advertising/Printing/Binding) and transfer $6,000 from Winter Maintenance to Seasonal Salaries & Wages and $6,742.15 to Vehicle/Equipment Repairs and Maintenance carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Street light assessments were reclassified into two categories: $0.142 per foot of frontage for undeveloped parcels and $0.569 for developed parcels. Motion to waive the reading of the resolution carried 5-0, and motion to approve the resolution carried 5-0.
Motion by Supervisor Schreffler, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to adopt the Maple Avenue Speed Reduction Ordinance reducing the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph carried 5-0. During public comment, Dan Shearer had expressed concern about the speed limit on Maple Avenue.
The Brother nuisance case is awaiting a hearing date from the District Justice. The Lenker nuisance has been resolved with no further action needed. The Ziegler nuisance has a hearing scheduled for December 5, 2016, which can be continued if cleanup progress is being made.
The Board discussed whether to proceed with rating the Tobias Road bridges. It was suggested to contact Sue Helm's office for funding the rating. Engineer Frank Lentz will review past quotes prepared by his firm.
Hill Drive is currently paved 50 feet wide. The Board considered removing blacktop on each side to leave 33 feet of pavement and return the footage to the landowners. No action was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Supervisor Paul, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to advertise the 2017 Proposed Budget for adoption carried 5-0.
Motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to advertise for appointment of a CPA firm to replace the Township's elected auditors for performing the 2016 fiscal year audit and to determine the firm's compensation carried 5-0.
Frank Wilmarth of the Friends of Fort Halifax reported that residents along the southern end of the park field are mowing beyond their property lines onto park property, and that brush and leaves had been dumped on Township property. It was suggested that "No Dumping" signs be erected.
Mike Bower, Business Manager for Halifax School District, attended to determine responsibility for replacing the flashing school signals, which were installed and paid for by the School District 15+ years ago. The Township currently pays for maintenance and electricity. The Second-Class Township Code allows but does not mandate the Township to cover replacement costs. Mr. Bower will take the information back to school officials.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to adjourn at 9:14 p.m. carried 5-0.
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