Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on August 14, 2023, called to order at 7:03 PM with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board worked through land development approvals, a long-term sewer agreement extension, and several letters of community support in a brisk one-hour session. Two items — the sewer authority agreement and a housing grant support letter — drew 4-1 split votes.
- Rockstart Daycare stormwater plan conditionally approved (5-0): The board granted two ordinance waivers — for driveway apron radii and 15-foot planted buffer yard requirements — then gave conditional approval of the daycare's stormwater management plan, contingent on addressing comments from engineer HRG, Inc.'s August 3 review letter.
- Sewer authority agreement extended to 2045 (4-1): The board voted to extend the Intermunicipal Service Agreement with the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority through August 31, 2045.
- Tri-County Housing support letter approved (4-1): During public comment, Gary Lenker of Tri-County Housing requested the board back a grant application to build six townhomes in the Keystone Community, with two units reserved for veterans. Scott McBurney moved to add the item to the agenda (5-0), then moved to approve the letter of support (4-1).
- Letters of support approved (5-0): The board also endorsed letters supporting the Halifax Girls Softball League and Upper Dauphin COG EMS.
- Building permit compliance: The board directed a letter be sent to David Cox and Shauna Michaels (Parcel #29-009-046) requesting they obtain a building permit and complete inspections to meet UCC codes.
- Planning Commission update: The commission accepted a development plan from U & Me Properties to build three businesses at the triangle property and continued work on a draft Solar Ordinance, expected at the September 6 Planning Commission meeting.
- New property address approved (5-0): 74A Creek Road, Halifax, PA 17032.
- Employee manual and roadmaster: The board requested draft job descriptions for part-time and seasonal employees along with a holiday PTO policy for the next meeting, and deferred the roadmaster advertisement to executive session.
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)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisor Paul moved and Supervisor Schreffler seconded to approve paid interim bills through August 14, 2023 (passed 5-0). Supervisor McBurney moved and Supervisor Paul seconded to approve unpaid bills through the same date (passed 5-0). July 10, 2023 meeting minutes were approved 4-0-1, with Supervisor McBurney abstaining due to absence from that meeting.
Planning Commission Recommendation
The Planning Commission met August 7, 2023 and accepted a plan from U & Me Properties to develop a property at the triangle into three different businesses. The Commission also continued lengthy discussion of the Solar Ordinance, with a draft to be presented at the September 6, 2023 meeting.
Engineer Report
HRG Engineer Alex Greenly was not present. Supervisor Bruner moved to approve two waivers for driveway apron radii (§502.8.h.i) and planted buffer yard requirements (§508.8.b & §512.1.c), passed 5-0. Supervisor McBurney then moved for conditional approval of the Rockstart Daycare Stormwater Management Plan contingent on completing comments from HRG's August 3, 2023 review letter, passed 5-0.
Nuisance Report
The Board requested a letter be sent to David Cox and Shauna Michaels (Parcel #29-009-046) asking them to obtain a building permit through Halifax Township and have inspections completed to comply with UCC codes.
Administrative
Supervisor Paul moved and Supervisor Schreffler seconded to approve the address 74A Creek Road, Halifax, PA 17032. Motion passed 5-0.
Discussion concluded with a request to type up job descriptions for part-time and seasonal employees for Board review at the next meeting, along with a draft of Paid Time Off for Holidays.
New Business
Supervisor Paul moved and Supervisor Schreffler seconded to approve the Halifax Girls Softball League Letter of Support. Motion passed 5-0.
Supervisor Schreffler moved and Supervisor Paul seconded to approve the Upper Dauphin COG EMS Letter of Support. Motion passed 5-0.
Supervisor Schreffler moved and Supervisor Paul seconded to approve the Agreement to Extend the Intermunicipal Service Agreement with Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority to August 31, 2045. Motion passed 4-1.
Gary Lenker of Tri-County Housing requested support during public comment for grant funding to build six townhomes, two for veterans. Supervisor McBurney moved to add the item to the agenda (passed 5-0), then moved to approve the Tri-County Housing Letter of Support (passed 4-1).
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner moved and Supervisor Schreffler seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Motion passed 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.