Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on January 14, 2019, called to order at 7:02 PM by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. Supervisors Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney were present; Brad Bruner was absent. The meeting covered a mix of public health concerns, stormwater exemptions, and routine township business, adjourning in just over an hour.
- E. coli contamination complaint prompts inspection: Residents Rickey and Teresa Stroup reported standing water on their property that tested positive for E. coli and coliform bacteria. They are on public water and septic. The board directed the township's Sewage Enforcement Officer to inspect the situation.
- Nuisance letter authorized for Matamoras sinkhole: After Roadmaster Tim Belk confirmed a sinkhole on the Browns' property in Matamoras falls outside the state's right-of-way, the board voted 4-0 to send a formal nuisance letter requiring the owners to address it.
- Three stormwater management exemptions granted: The board unanimously approved exemption requests for Romberger (with a condition that the Roadmaster inspect once construction begins), Hoffman, and Tobias, all based on recommendations from Engineer Tim DeWire.
- Lettich & Zipay appointed for 2018 financial audit: The board approved a resolution appointing Lettich & Zipay to audit the township's financial records for fiscal year 2018.
- Farhat land development plan formally withdrawn: The board accepted the withdrawal of the Farhat Land Development Plans, under review since July 2018. The solicitor and engineer must still determine whether a new land development plan will be required for any future resubmission based on stormwater management review.
- 2019 Street Light Tax Resolution adopted: The board passed the annual streetlight assessment tax resolution for 2019.
- Eagle Scout fence project completed at Fort Halifax: Tanner Schmitt reported his snake rail fence project at Fort Halifax was finished with help from over 30 volunteers. His brother plans to build five picnic tables at the site the weekend of January 26.
- Halifax 225th anniversary planning underway: Scott McBurney reported that a planning committee is developing a list of events and seeking sponsors for the township's 225th anniversary celebration.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Tim DeWire (Engineer) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Interim bills through January 14, 2019 were approved (McBurney/Paul, 4-0). Unpaid bills were approved with the exception of a bill from Deibler, Straub and Troutman pending research (Schreffler/Paul, 4-0). Minutes from the December 10, 2018 meeting were approved (Paul/Schreffler, 4-0). The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC REPORT
EMC Tim Neiter reported that he attended the Dauphin County Hazard Mitigation Update Meeting held on December 13, 2018.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
The Planning Commission held its reorganization/regular meeting on January 8, 2019, re-elected the same officers, and accepted the Nightwine subdivision plans for review.
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Tim DeWire presented K & W's report dated December 28, 2018 for services in December. The report was placed on record.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky submitted his report dated January 3, 2019 for December services. He reported the Township is awaiting final payment in the UDITO matter, and noted the Farhat Land Development Plan has been withdrawn with a question pending on whether a new Land Development Plan is required for the resubmission, contingent on stormwater management plan review.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk reported pedestrian signs were placed on Camp Hebron Road. A nuisance letter was authorized to be sent to the Browns regarding a sinkhole on their Matamoras property that is outside the State's right of way (McBurney/Schreffler, 4-0). The road crew redirected water that had been crossing McClellan Road after receiving complaints.
ADMINISTRATIVE
A motion to accept a donation check from Lake Tobias, not related to any projects, was approved (Schreffler/Paul, 4-0).
OLD BUSINESS
Lettich & Zipay was appointed by resolution to perform the 2018 fiscal year audit (Schreffler/Paul, 4-0). Supervisor McBurney reported on the Halifax 225th Anniversary planning meeting, noting events are being planned and sponsors are being sought. No action was taken on keypad quotes for the building, deferred to next month. The Farhat Land Development Plan withdrawal letter was formally accepted (Paul/Schreffler, 4-0). Fee schedule items were deferred to the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Stormwater management exemption requests were approved for Romberger (with condition #2 from Engineer DeWire's January 9 memo), Hoffman (per DeWire's January 14 memo), and Tobias (per DeWire's January 11 memo), all passing 4-0. The 2019 Street Light Tax Resolution was adopted (Schreffler/Paul, 4-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. (Schreffler/Paul, 4-0).
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.