Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on September 11, 2023, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board's most consequential action was hiring a new Roadmaster following two executive sessions on personnel matters held in August. The meeting also saw several Fort Halifax Park initiatives move forward, a nuisance enforcement action, and a storm-damage permit fee waiver before adjourning at 8:07 p.m.
- New Roadmaster hired: James Matt Roland was unanimously approved as Roadmaster at a starting salary of $62,400/year plus a $310/month health benefit stipend, a township vehicle, gas card, credit card, and cell phone. He will also serve as Nuisance Officer and attend supervisor meetings. The hire is contingent on a background check. A $500 laptop was also approved for the position.
- Employee Manual updated: The board approved changes to the Halifax Township Employee Manual, including revised Paid Time Off terms and formal job descriptions.
- Fort Halifax Park events: The board approved the launch of a new Campfire Historical Speaker Series, with the first event set for September 22 at Fort Halifax Park. Cub Scout Pack 156 was approved to launch model rockets at the park on September 16, and Halifax Area Middle School 7th graders were approved for a September 27 field trip to study macro-invertebrate life in Armstrong Creek.
- Camping regulated at Fort Halifax: "Camping by Permit" signage was approved for the Fort Halifax Park campsite.
- Nuisance letter authorized: A pre-nuisance letter will be sent to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ashley for front-yard vegetation exceeding 12 inches, in violation of Nuisance Ordinance 2013-8 B.
- Storm-damage permit fee waived: The Kochenour building permit was approved without a fee, in recognition of roof and porch damage from the August 4 storm.
- Bicyclist signs declined: The board took no action on bicyclist signs for Camp Hebron Road, reasoning it would create an obligation to place similar signs throughout the township.
- Broadband inquiry: Resident Roz Ogden asked whether broadband service would return to Country Lane and Baddorf Road; no action was taken.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman / Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Sara Glace (Secretary) · Ryan Malone (Road Crew)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisors approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through September 11, 2023, both passing 5-0. The August 14, 2023 meeting minutes were approved 5-0, and the financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission accepted a subdivision plan submitted by Bradley Stone for the Geraldine Scheidler Property. The Commission discussed an upcoming scoping meeting with PennDOT for U & Me Properties, which plans to develop a triangle property into three different businesses. Discussion also continued on the Solar Ordinance.
ENGINEER REPORT
HRG, Inc. Engineer Alex Greenly reported that the Camp Hebron Culvert Replacement Easement Agreement for the affected property owner has been signed and obtained, and will be recorded later that week.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Stephanie Hoover presented the report. Supervisors approved 5-0 the first Campfire Historical Speaker Series event for September 22, 2023 at Fort Halifax Park. "Camping by Permit" signage at the park campsite was approved 5-0. A field trip for Halifax Area Middle School 7th graders led by Jessica McGuire to study macro-invertebrate life in Armstrong Creek on September 27, 2023 was approved 5-0.
NUISANCE REPORT
Supervisors voted 5-0 to send a pre-nuisance letter to Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Ashley for violation of Nuisance Ordinance 2013-8 B, specifically for permitting vegetation growth exceeding 12 inches in the front yard and conditions that could encourage rodents, insects, or invasive species.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Supervisors approved 5-0 the purchase of a new laptop for the Roadmaster with a $500 limit. Supervisors also approved 5-0 hiring James Matt Roland as Roadmaster contingent on a background check, with a starting annual salary of $62,400, a township vehicle, gas card, paid holidays, leave per the Employee Policy Manual, and a $310/month health benefits stipend.
OLD BUSINESS
Supervisors approved 5-0 changes to the Halifax Township Employee Manual updating Paid Time Off and including job descriptions. No action was taken on bicyclist signs for Camp Hebron Road, as the Board felt there was no need due to the obligation it would create to place signs throughout the township.
NEW BUSINESS
Supervisors approved 5-0 the 2024 Workshop Meeting dates of October 23, October 30, and November 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m., with advertisement in the Citizen Standard. The Kochenour Building Permit was approved 5-0 with no fee waived due to storm damage on August 4, 2023. Cub Scout Pack 156 was approved 5-0 to launch model rockets at Fort Halifax Park on September 16, 2023. Both candidate slates for the Unemployment Compensation Group and Health Insurance Cooperative Trust trustee boards were nominated 5-0. Deb Everly was nominated 5-0 as the Upper Dauphin County representative to the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.