Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on October 9, 2023, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting covered a wide-ranging agenda including fire department funding, a stalled development plan, regional EMS concerns, and infrastructure planning, with all motions passing unanimously.
- $21,372.22 donated to Halifax Fire Department — The board approved passing along the 2023 Volunteer Fire Relief Money to the Halifax Fire Department.
- Halifax Commons given a hard deadline on time extension — The board required Halifax Commons to submit a properly executed time extension agreement by November 2, 2023, or face automatic denial of its development plan. If submitted, the review period would extend through January 4, 2024.
- Scheidler sewage facilities module approved — The board approved the Scheidler Sewage Facilities Planning Module and accompanying resolution under state Act 537 requirements.
- Solar ordinance headed for November vote — The Planning Commission forwarded its recommended solar ordinance draft to the board. Chairman Kenneth Bechtel asked supervisors to review it ahead of the November 13 meeting for finalization and advertisement.
- Camp Hebron culvert replacement moving to bid — Engineer Alex Greenly of HRG, Inc. reported the project will be advertised for bids, with construction planned for spring 2024 after children are out of school. The necessary easement has been obtained and recorded.
- $10,000 grant awarded for ADA deck at Fort Halifax Park — Friends of Fort Halifax reported that Bob Brightbill was awarded a grant to build an ADA-accessible deck at the Yeager House, planned for spring/summer 2024.
- Regional EMS study funding decision deferred to November — The Upper Dauphin Council of Government has applied for a Dauphin County gaming grant to fund a professional EMS study on ambulance coverage in northern Dauphin County. If the grant falls through, municipalities would be asked to share costs on a population-based formula. The board will vote at the November 13 meeting.
- PSATS retirement services decision postponed — The board felt it lacked sufficient information to commit to PSATS Trustees Insurance & Retirement Services for 2024 by the October 31 deadline and requested additional details for 2025 consideration.
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 (Roadcrew)
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned to approve paid interim bills through October 9, 2023 (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0). Supervisor Schreffler motioned to approve unpaid bills through October 9, 2023 (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0). Supervisor Paul motioned to approve the September 11, 2023 meeting minutes (seconded by Supervisor McBurney, passed 5-0). The financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission recommended the Solar Ordinance draft to the Board of Supervisors for finalization. Chairman Bechtel asked the Board to review the ordinance for the November 13, 2023 meeting to finalize and advertise.
ENGINEER REPORT
HRG, Inc. Engineer Alex Greenly reported that the Camp Hebron Culvert Replacement will be advertised for bids with work planned for spring 2024 after children are out of school. The easement has been obtained and recorded by Solicitor Warshawsky.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Norma Shearer reported on the second Campfire Historical Speaker Series event scheduled for October 28, 2023, featuring David Biser portraying John Harris, Jr. A hornets' nest found in the Granary building will be handled by Roadmaster Matt Roland upon his return. Bob Brightbill was awarded a $10,000 grant for a Yeager House deck to accommodate an ADA entrance, planned for spring/summer 2024.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board requested more information for 2025, determining there was not enough information to make an informed decision for 2024 by the October 31, 2023 deadline.
NEW BUSINESS
Supervisor Schreffler motioned (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0) that Halifax Commons must execute a properly submitted time extension agreement by November 2, 2023, for the plan to continue review until January 4, 2024. If not submitted by that date, the plan will be denied.
The Upper Dauphin Council of Government applied for a Dauphin County Gaming Grant (decision expected spring 2024) to fund a professional EMS study on ambulance coverage in the Northern Dauphin County service area. If the grant is not awarded, Upper Paxton Township requested municipalities pledge population-based fair share reimbursement via a Memorandum of Understanding. The Board decided to vote on the matter at the November 13, 2023 meeting.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0) to dispense with reading the resolution. A second motion by Supervisor Schreffler (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0) approved the Scheidler Sewage Facilities Planning Module and Resolution.
After discussion, the Board decided that Chairman Bechtel would speak with the property owner to communicate how Halifax Township would like to proceed.
Supervisor Bruner motioned (seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, passed 5-0) to donate $21,372.22 to the Halifax Fire Department.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0) to accept and approve advertisement of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission monthly meeting dates for 2024.
Supervisor McBurney gave a brief update on the Fort Halifax Feasibility Study. Discussion will continue at the November 13, 2023 Board of Supervisors meeting.
The Board decided to discuss the Fee Schedule and Subdivision & Land Development Plan Fees at workshop meetings scheduled for October 23, October 30, and November 6, 2023.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0) to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.