Reorganization
Summary
Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its annual reorganization meeting on January 5, 2009, with all five supervisors present: Norma Shearer, Linda Ruff, Carol Eppley, Ken Hoover, and Gary Shultz. The meeting's most contentious action was the appointment of Hoover Financial Services, Inc. as the township's new Secretary-Treasurer-Administrator, which drew public accusations of a Sunshine Law violation and a petition with 245 signatures opposing the change. The board also set staff salaries, retained professional service providers, and made appointments to regional boards and committees.
- Norma Shearer elected Chairman (4-1). Gary Shultz was also nominated but declined. Ken Hoover cast the sole opposing vote. Linda Ruff was elected Vice-Chairman unanimously.
- Hoover Financial Services, Inc. appointed Secretary-Treasurer-Administrator at $42,000/year (3-1, 1 abstention). Moved by Gary Shultz, seconded by Linda Ruff. Carol Eppley voted no; Ken Hoover abstained. Chairman Shearer stated the appointment had been acted on at the December meeting and detailed the board's financial rationale.
- Residents challenged the Secretary-Treasurer appointment as a Sunshine Law violation. Donna Rode and Flo Mallonee argued the position change was never discussed at a prior public meeting and was not advertised, referencing a petition with 245 signatures. Additional residents Donna Rode and Ilene Snyder voiced displeasure during closing public comment. The board did not reverse course.
- Motion to rename Road Master to "Director of Public Works" was withdrawn. Gary Shultz moved the title change; Linda Ruff objected because she had not been informed. Shultz rescinded the motion.
- Dale Shoop reappointed Road Master at $49,776/year with 5 weeks vacation, $3,000 retirement bonus, vision and dental insurance including spouse, and use of a township truck. Raymond Maus reappointed Road Crewman at $35,000/year with full family medical/vision/dental coverage, Medicare B reimbursement, 5 weeks vacation, $2,000 retirement bonus, and use of a township truck. Both approved unanimously.
- Professional services retained: Steve Dzuranin of Wix, Wenger & Weidner as Solicitor ($13,000 retainer, $180/hour); Tom Wilson of K&W Engineers ($200/month). Both unanimous.
- Appointed auditors approved 4-1. Dan Shearer, Bob Artman, and Lorie Mauser were named as appointed auditors, with Ken Hoover opposed. Patton & Lettich, CPAs were separately authorized to audit 2008 records (unanimous).
- $5 Per Capita Tax omitted from tax resolution. Resident Melinda Warfel pointed out during closing public comment that the per capita tax was missing from the 2009 tax resolution the board had just approved unanimously.
Who was there
Norma Shearer (Supervisor, Chairman) · Linda Ruff (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Dale Shoop (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
Election of Chairman
Dale Shoop served as temporary chairman for the election. Norma Shearer and Gary Shultz were nominated; Shultz declined. Norma Shearer was approved as Chair with all in favor except Ken Hoover, who opposed.
Election of Vice-Chairman
Linda Ruff was nominated and approved unanimously as Vice-Chair.
Appointments
Chairman Shearer stated this appointment was acted on at the December meeting. Hoover Financial Services, Inc. was appointed as Secretary-Treasurer-Administrator at an annual retainer of $42,000. Motion carried 3-1 with Carol Eppley opposed and Ken Hoover abstaining. Public commenters Donna Rode and Flo Mallonee objected that the position change violated the Sunshine Law and was not properly advertised.
Gary Shultz initially motioned to change the Road Master title to Director of Public Works but rescinded after Linda Ruff objected she knew nothing about it. Dale Shoop was then appointed Road Master at an annual salary of $49,776 with 5 weeks vacation, $3,000 retirement bonus, vision and dental insurance including spouse, and use of a Township truck. Motion carried unanimously.
Raymond Maus was appointed Road Crewman at an annual salary of $35,000 with medical, vision, and dental insurance (including spouse), Medicare B premium reimbursement, 5 weeks vacation, $2,000 retirement bonus, and use of a Township truck. Motion carried unanimously.
An hourly wage of $11.00 was approved for part-time laborers and drivers. Motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Employee Paid Holidays
Carol Eppley motioned to approve paid holidays for full-time employees: New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, and one Personal Day at the employee's discretion. Motion carried unanimously.
Appointments
Steve Dzuranin of Wix, Wenger & Weidner was retained as Solicitor at an annual retainer of $13,000 and hourly rate of $180, attending regular Township and Planning Commission meetings. Motion carried unanimously.
Tom Wilson of K&W Engineers was retained per terms in the agreement dated 12/18/08 at $200 per month, which includes attendance at regular Township and Planning Commission meetings, with a fee schedule for additional services. Motion carried unanimously.
Mike Brown was appointed SEO with the 2009 fee schedule proposed on 12/04/08. Steve Hoffman of K&W Engineers was appointed as Alternate SEO. Both motions carried unanimously.
The firm of Patton & Lettich, CPAs was authorized to audit the 2008 township records (unanimous). Dan Shearer, Bob Artman, and Lorie Mauser were approved as appointed auditors, with Ken Hoover opposed.
Dave Bitting was approved as Vacancy Board Chairman, who acts if the board fails to fill a vacancy within the mandated 30 days. Motion carried unanimously.
Jon Miller was approved for a 5-year appointment on the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority. Motion carried unanimously.
Jim Eppley and Jerry Hile were reappointed to the Planning Commission for another four-year term. Motion carried unanimously.
Multiple appointments were made unanimously: Mike Decker as Emergency Management Coordinator, Bob Stout as Deputy EMS Coordinator, Dale Shoop as Emergency Management Officer; Carol Eppley and Norma Shearer (alternate) to the Upper Dauphin Income Tax Advisory Board; Norma Shearer as Upper Dauphin COG Representative; Norma Shearer, Bob Artman, and Gary Shultz (alternate) as Valleys Regional Comprehensive Representatives; Florence McGuire as Northern Dauphin Revitalization Representative; Linda Ruff as PSATS State Convention voting delegate; and Ken Hoover to the Dauphin County Storm Water Management workgroup.
Approvals
Approved depositories: Susquehanna Bank for General and Liquid Fuel accounts, Halifax National Bank for Reserve General Funds CD and Light Tax Checking, and M&T Bank for Park Mortgage. Depository options for Master Site Plan Grant Funds and Ft. Halifax Park checking are still being researched. Motion carried unanimously.
The 2009 tax resolution was approved as presented. During public comment, Melinda Warfel noted the $5 Per Capita Tax was not included. Motion carried unanimously.
The reimbursable mileage rate for 2009 was approved at 55 cents per mile. Motion carried unanimously.
The 2009 intermunicipal equipment rental rate schedule was approved. Motion carried unanimously.
Biweekly pay periods were continued with pay day on the Wednesday following the end of the pay period. Supervisors are paid once monthly on the last pay day of the month. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Linda Ruff motioned for adjournment at 8:15 PM. Motion carried unanimously.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.