Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their final monthly business meeting of 2023 on December 11, convening at 7:04 p.m. and running nearly two and a half hours. All five supervisors were present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney, joined by Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, Engineer Alex Greenly, and Secretary Sara Glace. The meeting was dominated by year-end financial business, with the board adopting the 2024 budget and tax resolution, awarding an infrastructure contract, and clearing several land development matters before the new year.
- 2024 budget adopted unanimously after the board corrected an administrative error by separate motion. A Special Meeting was also scheduled for December 26 to adopt a Supplemental Appropriations Resolution to balance the outgoing 2023 budget.
- 2024 Tax Resolution (23-07-2023) approved 5-0, setting the township's tax rates for the coming year.
- Camp Hebron culvert contract awarded to Farhat Excavation for $93,705.60, the winning bid for the culvert replacement project.
- Emergency Operations Plan adopted via Resolution 23-06-2023, formalizing the township's updated emergency preparedness plan.
- PennDOT snow removal contract renewed, continuing the township's municipal snow removal agreement with PennDOT for the upcoming season.
- Financial security releases approved: The board released $34,742 of Rockstart Daycare's financial security (retaining $2,310 pending vegetation stabilization and as-built plans) and released the full remaining $12,400 held for Flight Source.
- HAWASA sewer extension update: Halifax Mayor Jeff Enders and Justin Mendinsky of HRG, Inc. briefed the board on the proposed sewer extension and On-Lot Disposal System abandonment process. Two public information meetings were announced for January 23 and January 30, 2024, at the Halifax Area High School Auditorium. Residents were directed to contact Brian McFeaters, the township's Sewage Enforcement Officer, for OLDS abandonment questions.
- Sunshine Act restrictions noted: The board reviewed a Commonwealth Court ruling prohibiting local agencies from adding non-emergency, non-de minimis items to meeting agendas mid-meeting. The decision, currently on appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, limits mid-meeting agenda additions to emergencies, minor items arising within 24 hours, and resident-raised matters not involving expenditures or contracts.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Alex Greenly (Engineer (HRG, Inc.)) · Sara Glace (Secretary) · Matt Roland (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to accept Farhat Excavation's bid of $93,705.60 for the Camp Hebron Culvert. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the paid interim bills through December 11, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the unpaid bills through December 11, 2023. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the November 13, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Supervisor McBurney abstaining due to absence from that meeting.
The Board scheduled a Special Meeting for Tuesday, December 26, 2023, to adopt a Supplemental Appropriations Resolution to balance the budget. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC REPORT
Chief Tim Neiter was present and submitted a report for November 2023.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Planning Commission met on Monday, December 4, 2023. Three plans were accepted for review: Billow Subdivision, Anderson Land Development (Solar Panel Farm), and Tobias Family Trust.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Vicki Vitolo, who is replacing Norma Shearer as president starting January 2024, was present and submitted a report for November 2023.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board reviewed a Commonwealth Court ruling that local agencies may not add non-emergency and non-de minimis items to agendas during meetings, limiting exceptions under Section 712.1 of the Sunshine Act to emergency business, de minimis business arising within 24 hours, and de minimis business raised by residents. The decision is being appealed to the Supreme Court, and townships were advised to comply in the meantime.
OLD BUSINESS
The Board directed that engineering bills related to Lenker Estates/Smith Homes be sent to the homeowners.
NEW BUSINESS
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to adopt the Halifax Township EOP Resolution 23-06-2023. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to dispense with the reading of the 2024 Tax Resolution 23-07-2023 (carried 5-0), then motioned to approve the resolution (carried 5-0).
The Board requested that Lee Lepka's variance letter be notarized.
Jeff Enders (Mayor) and Justin Mendinsky from HRG, Inc. gave an update on the Sewer Extension Project. Residents were advised to contact Brian McFeaters (SEO for Halifax Township) about OLDS abandonment. Two upcoming public meetings were announced for January 23 and January 30, 2024, at the Halifax Area High School Auditorium.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the Municipal Snow Removal Contract with PennDOT. Motion carried 5-0.
The Board asked Engineer Alex Greenly of HRG, Inc. to work on gathering paperwork for a Deed of Dedication at Fort Halifax Park related to the public railroad crossing.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to correct an administrative error (carried 5-0). Supervisor Schreffler then motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the 2024 Budget. Motion carried 5-0.
Max Stoner from Glace Associates, representing M5 Companies LLC, requested a final inspection to release the financial security for the Messick's Land Development Plan.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to release the remaining financial security of $12,400.00 for Flight Source. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to release $34,742.00 of the financial security for Rockstart Daycare, leaving $2,310.00 remaining for vegetation stabilization and as-built plans. Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to adjourn at 9:46 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.