Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on March 11, 2024, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The nearly three-hour session was dominated by infrastructure concerns, most notably the board's unanimous decision to pursue legal action against the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority over extensive road damage caused by an ongoing sewer extension project.
Board votes to sue Water and Sewer Authority over road damage (5-0): The sewer extension project has destroyed Creek Road, Triangle Manor, and Hill Drive, with State Route 225 expected to be affected next. The board directed Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky to send a letter of intent to sue the Authority for "millions of dollars" in damages, noting that Halifax Township holds the Highway Occupancy Permit for SR 225 and would be held responsible for those repairs.
Stormwater inspection bill settlement reached: After extended discussion, resident Steven Von Bueren agreed to pay $770.60 — half the bill from township engineer HRG, Inc. — stemming from a stormwater complaint. The board agreed to send him a letter confirming that amount as his full obligation.
Fort Halifax Park survey authorized (5-0): The board approved HRG, Inc. to survey the Fort Halifax Park farmhouse, barn, and surrounding land to begin a subdivision process, after confirming that the building envelope and park land currently share a single deed with an easement held by the Dauphin County Conservation District.
Doli awarded pipe replacement contract — up to $14,000 (5-0): Doli was authorized to replace a deteriorated 24-inch stormwater pipe at a maximum cost of $14,000.
JCB Grapple purchased for $8,200 (5-0): On Roadmaster Matt Roland's recommendation, the board approved buying a grapple attachment from the Capital Improvement Account.
Matamoras Dirt Road Project moves forward (5-0): The board approved advertising the project bid packet in Penn Live Newspaper to begin soliciting contractor bids.
PennDOT roundabout proposed at the Triangle: Marc Underberg called during the meeting to report that PennDOT wants to install a roundabout at the Triangle (Halifax Commons area) and requested an informal scoping meeting with a board member, the township engineer, and solicitor.
$186,063 in Liquid Fuels funds earmarked for road repairs: The township's 2024 allocation from PennDOT will be directed toward repairing McClellan and Ridge Roads. Separately, the Upper Dauphin Council of Governments was awarded a $51,000 grant for a regional EMS study covering Millersburg and Halifax.
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) · Sara Glace (Secretary) · Matt Roland (Roadmaster)
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the paid interim bills through March 11th, 2024. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the unpaid bills through March 11th, 2024. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the February 12th, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Chairman Bechtel abstaining due to being absent from the February 12th meeting.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Chairman Bechtel advised that the Karki Land Development Plan was tabled until the next Planning Commission meeting scheduled for April 1st, 2024. The SALDO Terms were made available for review at the next Planning Commission meeting.
ENGINEER REPORT
HRG, Inc. Engineer Alex Greenly presented his report dated March 7th, 2024, covering services during February 2024. He advised that a preconstruction meeting was held with Farhat Excavating on February 26th, 2024.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Marc Underberg called during the meeting to advise that PennDOT wishes to put a roundabout at the Triangle. He requested a Scoping Meeting (considered an Informal Meeting) to include one Board Member, the Township Engineer, and the Solicitor.
No action required as the Original Camp Hebron Cabin Plan was not recorded. Once changes have been made to the original plan, it will be ready for recording once signatures are obtained.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to authorize the purchase of a JCB Grapple for $8,200.00 from the Capital Improvement Account. Motion carried 5-0.
Roadmaster Matt Roland advised the Board that he would like to obtain a few more quotes before making a purchase. No action taken.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the advertisement of the Matamoras Dirt Road Project Bid Packet in the Penn Live Newspaper. Motion carried 5-0.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Scott Theurer of the Friends of Fort Halifax submitted a report. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to dispense with reading Resolution 24-03-2024 (carried 5-0), then motioned to approve the resolution (carried 5-0).
ADMINISTRATIVE
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to roll over the CD in the initial amount of $228,384.48 for another three months at 5.20% APR. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky advised that the Ziegler's Nuisance Complaint would be going before the Magisterial District Judge on March 19th, 2024. Nothing further to discuss.
HRG, Inc. Engineer Alex Greenly is working with Supervisor McBurney to stake out the railroad crossing at Fort Halifax Park.
Steven Von Bueren attended the meeting to discuss a stormwater inspection bill from HRG, Inc. resulting from a complaint received by the Board. After extended discussion about responsibility, an agreement was reached that Mr. Von Bueren would pay $770.60 (half the bill) and requested a letter confirming that amount.
Supervisor McBurney reported a walkthrough with Dauphin County at the Fort Halifax Farmhouse and Barn. The Board confirmed the building envelope and park land share the same deed with an easement agreement with Dauphin County Conservation District. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve HRG, Inc. to survey Fort Halifax Park land and building envelope for subdivision. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to allow Doli to replace the 24" pipe for a maximum of $14,000.00. Motion carried 5-0.
Geoffrey A. Brother was sent a Pre-Nuisance letter on February 16th, 2024, citing violations of Nuisance Ordinance 2013-8 Sections 2A and 2B for accumulating junk. It appears Mr. Brother has tried to resolve the matter, so no further action is currently needed.
The Board decided they would like more time to discuss the America250PA Dauphin County Resolution before approving it. No action taken.
The Board determined the current process for reimbursing residents for mailbox damage caused by snowplows is working and no changes are needed.
The Board found there is no viable solicitation ordinance or permit due to the Supreme Court ruling in Watchtower Bible and Tract Society v. Village of Stratton (2002), which held that requiring permits for door-to-door advocacy violates the First Amendment. The Board noted that private homeowners may post "no solicitation" signage on their property.
NEW BUSINESS
Creek Road, Triangle Manor, and Hill Drive have been destroyed by the Sewer Extension Project, with State Route 225 expected to be affected next. The Board was told little money is allocated for road repairs but the Township will be held responsible for SR 225 repairs. Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to have Solicitor Warshawsky send a letter to Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority stating the Township intends to sue for millions of dollars in road damages. Motion carried 5-0.
Building Inspection Underwriter Mike Gensemer advised that Ameer Farhat must obtain a building permit for his Q-Hut since it exceeds 1,600 square feet and requires UCC inspections.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve a $250.00 donation to Halifax Communities That Care. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve a new contract to lease a new printer for the Halifax Township Administrative Office. Motion carried 5-0.
Chairman Bechtel advised that Upper Dauphin COG was awarded $51,000.00 toward an EMS Study covering Millersburg and Halifax, Pennsylvania.
Halifax Township's 2024 Liquid Fuels Tax Fund allocation from PennDOT is $186,063.07. The Board would like to use the funds to repair McClellan and Ridge Road.
Supervisor Paul reported he had only one quote for LED light replacement and plans to obtain more. Chairman Bechtel proposed extending the Township office building to provide more storage area for filing.
Penn E&R notified the Township that PPL Electric Utilities intends to rebuild approximately 2.5 miles of existing transmission line to address reliability and operability issues, requiring approximately 27.8 acres of ground disturbance across residential, forested, meadow, agricultural, and utility land areas.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to adjourn at 9:44 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
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