Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on April 8, 2024, with three of five supervisors present — Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Randy Paul, and Scott McBurney — while Brad Bruner and Steve Schreffler were absent. The meeting ran from 7:02 to 9:06 p.m. and was focused heavily on road infrastructure spending, with over $220,000 committed across engineering services, road materials, and equipment. A multi-owner land development plan also received conditional approval.
- Fort Halifax Road improvement project: Approved an $82,670 retainer agreement with HRG, Inc. for engineering services related to the public railroad crossing improvement on Fort Halifax Road.
- Matamoras Road dirt and gravel contract: Opened competitive bids — Meckley's Limestone Quarry at $131,400 and New Enterprise Stone & Lime, Co., Inc. at $120,336. The board awarded the contract to New Enterprise Stone & Lime at the lower bid.
- Road mower purchase: Approved a Del Marino mower with parts package for $16,015, and separately authorized advertising bid packets for McClellan Road work.
- Karki/Upreti/Kadariya land development: Granted four SALDO waivers covering preliminary plan procedure, driveway depiction for Lot 11, sinkhole improvement details, and curb/sidewalk requirements. Curbs and sidewalks were deferred with a plan note requiring future compliance if the township mandates them. The subdivision received conditional approval per HRG's April 1 engineering letter.
- Building permit violation: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported that Building Inspection Underwriters of PA issued a Notice of Violation to Ameer Farhat for erecting a Q-Hut at 637 South River Road without a building permit or proper inspections.
- Nuisance enforcement: Authorized pre-nuisance letters to 49 Pawnee Lane (more than three unregistered vehicles) and 3371 Peters Mountain Road (accumulation of junk). A separate complaint at 3764 Peters Mountain Road is being handled by Building Inspection Underwriters of PA.
- Fort Halifax Park: Approved opening the campsite from May 1 through November 1, and greenlit the Halifax Area School District's annual field trip for approximately 80 students on May 23.
- America250 Resolution declined: The board determined the America 250 Resolution was not beneficial to Halifax Township and took no action on it.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Alex Greenly (Engineer (HRG, Inc.)) · Matt Roland (Roadmaster) · Sara Glace (Secretary)
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the paid interim bills through April 8, 2024. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the unpaid bills through April 8, 2024. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the March 11, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 3-0.
EMC REPORT
Chief Tim Neiter was present and submitted a report for March 2024.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to grant four SALDO waivers for the Karki, Upreti, Kadariya, and Kadariya Land Development Plan: Section 404 (Preliminary Plan Procedure), Section 407.1.a.ii (driveway depiction for Lot 11), Section 508.8.b.i.20 (sinkhole improvement details), and deferred compliance with Section 606/607 (curbs/sidewalks), conditioned on a plan note requiring future installation if the township mandates it. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to give conditional approval to the Karki, Upreti, Kadariya, and Kadariya Land Development Plan, with conditions to be satisfied as set forth in the HRG letter dated April 1, 2024: Subdivision and Land Development Comment 1 and Administrative Comments 1-4. Motion carried 3-0.
ENGINEER REPORT
HRG, Inc. Engineer Alex Greenly was present and covered his report dated April 5, 2024, on services performed during March 2024.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Warshawsky reported that Building Inspection Underwriters of PA issued a Notice of Violation to Ameer Farhat for the absence of a building permit and proper inspections on a Q-Hut erected at 637 South River Road.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve painting an inlet for Elizabeth Swigart. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the purchase of a Del Marino mower plus parts package for $16,015.00. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the advertisement of McClellan Bid Packets. Motion carried 3-0.
Two bids were received for DSA Matamoras Dirt & Gravel: Meckley's Limestone Quarry at $131,400.00 and New Enterprise Stone & Lime, Co., Inc. at $120,336.00. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to award the bid to New Enterprise Stone & Lime, Co., Inc. for $120,336.00. Motion carried 3-0.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Norma Shear of Friends of Fort Halifax was present. Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve opening Fort Halifax Park campsite from May 1 to November 1. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the Halifax Area School District annual May field trip to Fort Halifax Park on May 23, 2024, with Science Teacher Jessica McGuire and approximately 80 students. Motion carried 3-0.
NUISANCE REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to send a pre-nuisance letter to 49 Pawnee Lane for more than three unregistered vehicles. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to send a pre-nuisance letter to 3371 Peters Mountain Road for an accumulation of junk. Motion carried 3-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Rob Gill, representative for Deibler, Straub & Troutman, presented an EMC Insurance dividend check and reviewed the township's insurance policy that is up for renewal in May 2024.
OLD BUSINESS
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the HRG, Inc. Fort Halifax Road Improvement Project Retainer Agreement for $82,670.00. Motion carried 3-0.
The Board of Supervisors asked Roadmaster Matt Roland to obtain three quotes from three different contractors for the building extension, to be presented at the next meeting on May 13, 2024.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the replacement of 21 LED lights in the Halifax Township Building for $2,200.00. Motion carried 3-0.
The Board of Supervisors determined that the America 250 Resolution is not something beneficial to Halifax Township. No action was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the Comcast Easement. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the advertisement of the 2023 Audit for Halifax Township. Motion carried 3-0.
Solicitor Warshawsky advised that a hearing is scheduled for April 9, 2024 at 11:20 a.m. at the Dauphin County Board of Assessment Appeals, which Jennifer Wolfe must attend. An update will be given at the next meeting.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to send a letter to GPS Management Property with a directive from PennDOT regarding a stormwater issue. Motion carried 3-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.