Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm (October 23, 2017) — Personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on November 13, 2017, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel (chairman), Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting covered sewage enforcement, Act 537 planning, Fort Halifax Park improvements, and early steps toward the 2018 budget. An executive session on personnel matters had been held on October 23.
- Enforcement action authorized against Chris Hoover over sewage dispute: Hoover addressed the board during public comment, arguing he should not have to pay for a second dye test on his property. The board noted he had previously agreed to pay and voted unanimously to proceed with formal enforcement action.
- HRG hired for $900 to attend DEP meeting on Act 537: The board accepted a proposal from engineering firm HRG to represent the township at a meeting with the Pennsylvania DEP to address concerns about the township's Act 537 sewage facilities planning obligations.
- 2018 budget advertisement approved: The board authorized advertising the proposed 2018 budget for formal adoption at the December meeting.
- ASA Resolution approved for Brubakers in Reed Township: An Alternate Sewage Approval resolution was granted to allow the Brubakers in neighboring Reed Township to connect to Halifax Township's sewage system.
- Hale stormwater management application conditionally approved: The application was approved subject to conditions outlined in Engineer Tom Wilson's November 10 memo.
- Light-Heigel discontinuing SEO services in 2018: The township received notice that Light-Heigel will no longer provide Sewage Enforcement Officer services, creating a staffing gap the board will need to address.
- Fort Halifax Park updates: The roadmaster was directed to remove an overgrown bush at the Brickhouse. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported that railroad counsel is still reviewing the township's proposal for a crossing agreement, which would cost $500 annually. Scott McBurney reported plans with Dane Snyder to clean up the archaeological dig site.
- Camp Hebron traffic study planned for spring 2018: Deke Ryder confirmed that Camp Hebron will split the cost of a traffic study with the township, to be conducted in early spring.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor / Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisors approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through November 13, 2017. Minutes from the October 9, 2017 meeting were approved with wording changes to the Fort Halifax section, along with minutes from Budget Workshop meetings on October 16 and 30, 2017 and the Special Meeting on November 1, 2017. All motions carried 5-0.
EMC Report
EMC Tim Neiter reported attending a meeting with the Gaming Board and explained items relating to his EMC position request, including Everbridge, an annually-billed emergency notification program. The Board approved a $15.00 monthly stipend to cover data used by the EMC for the iPad (motion by Supervisor McBurney, second by Supervisor Bruner, 5-0).
Engineer Report
Engineer Tom Wilson provided an overview of his October 27, 2017 report. The Board conditionally approved the Hale Stormwater Management Application as stated in Engineer Wilson's memo dated November 10, 2017 (motion by Supervisor Bruner, second by Supervisor Paul, 5-0).
Solicitor Report
Solicitor Warshawsky reported progress on the Linda Stopfel matter involving lots 15 and 16 of Lenker Estates, with no resolution yet. In the Hoover v. Brown matter, the Browns are giving up rights to Hoover's property and abandoning the cesspool; Mr. Hoover has not paid for the second dye test he agreed to pay. The Board voted 5-0 to proceed with enforcement action against Mr. Hoover.
Roadmaster Report
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski submitted his October report. Guard rails will be put back on Matamoras Road. The Board approved having the Roadmaster remove an overgrown bush at the Brickhouse at Fort Halifax Park (5-0). Supervisor McBurney spoke with Dane Snyder about cleaning up the archaeological dig site at Fort Halifax Park, with plans to lay tarp and fill with dirt.
SEO Report / Administrative
SEO McFeaters submitted an activity report placed on record. The Township received a letter from Light-Heigel stating they are discontinuing SEO services in 2018.
Old Business
Solicitor Warshawsky reported that counsel for the Railroad is taking the Township's comments under advisement and would respond. If the Township reaches an agreement, it will cost $500 per year.
HRG submitted a letter of proposal to attend a meeting with DEP to address Township concerns. The Board accepted their proposal of $900 to attend (motion by Supervisor Paul, second by Supervisor Bruner, 5-0).
The Board accepted the Farhat extension request submitted to February 12, 2018 (motion by Supervisor Paul, second by Supervisor Bruner, 5-0).
After discussion on Act 172, the Board instructed Secretary Wentzel to invite active Halifax Township firefighters from the Halifax Fire Department to the December 11, 2017 meeting to offer input. Deke Ryder confirmed that Camp Hebron will split the cost of a traffic study to be conducted in early spring 2018.
New Business
The Board voted 5-0 to advertise the adoption of the 2018 Budget for next month. The Board waived the reading of the ASA Resolution and approved the ASA Resolution for the Brubakers in Reed Township (both motions carried 5-0, motions by Supervisor Bruner).
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.