Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on July 8, 2024, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board worked through a full agenda over nearly two and a half hours, approving a major infrastructure payment for a completed culvert replacement, granting conditional approval for a subdivision, escalating an ongoing nuisance enforcement case, and splitting on two smaller spending items.
- Camp Hebron culvert replacement — $96,691.10 approved (5-0): The board approved a change-order payment to Farhat Excavating, LLC for the completed culvert replacement, up from the original contract price of $93,705.60.
- Township building extension — $13,840 bid awarded to Gene Nye (5-0): The board approved Gene Nye's bid for a building extension project.
- Rowe Subdivision conditionally approved (5-0): The board granted three SALDO waivers covering preliminary plan procedure, plan scale, and curbs/sidewalks — with the sidewalk waiver conditioned on a plan note preserving the township's right to require them in the future — and gave conditional approval subject to HRG's engineering review comments.
- Zeigler nuisance case escalated (5-0): The nuisance at 194 Kinsinger Road is reportedly getting worse. The case has been transferred from the Magisterial District Judge to the Court of Common Pleas, with discovery served on Mark and Mrs. Zeigler. The board authorized sending another nuisance letter.
- Sycamore tree removal — $1,250 to Billows Landscaping (4-1): A storm toppled a sycamore tree on North River Road on Lance Chubb's property. Because the tree is protected under the township's Sycamore Tree Ordinance, the board voted to pay for its removal. Scott McBurney cast the lone no vote, arguing that the homeowner's insurance should cover storm-related property damage.
- Halifax Drama Club donation — $500 (4-1): The board approved a one-time donation with two complimentary tickets directed to a township employee. Steve Schreffler voted no.
- Halifax Ambulance workers' compensation — $3,643 approved: After a presentation by Frank Klinger on the ambulance association's financial concerns, the board agreed to pay the increased workers' compensation amount with the condition that HAARA shop for a better rate.
- Melissa Barrick granted sewer connection exemption (5-0): Barrick was exempted from a mandatory sewer line connection based on her certification from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
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.)) · Matt Roland (Roadmaster) · Sara Glace (Secretary)
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned to approve paid bills through July 8, 2024 (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0). Supervisor Schreffler motioned to approve unpaid bills through July 8, 2024 (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0). Supervisor McBurney motioned to approve the June 10, 2024 regular meeting minutes (seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, passed 5-0). The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC REPORT
Chief Tim Neiter was present and submitted a report for June 2024.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Chairman Bechtel reported the Planning Commission continued discussing the SALDO, Sign Ordinance, Flag Lot, and accepted Anderson Phase 2 for review. For the Rowe Subdivision, the Board granted three SALDO waivers (Section 404, Section 405.1.a, and Section 508.8.b.i.20) including deferred curb/sidewalk compliance with a note on the plan (passed 5-0), and gave conditional approval per HRG's June 7, 2024 letter addressing Subdivision Comment 2 and Administrative Comments 1-3 (passed 5-0).
ENGINEER REPORT
HRG Engineer Alex Greenly presented his report dated July 3, 2024. Supervisor McBurney motioned to release the remaining financial security of $2,310.00 for RockSTARt Daycare (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0).
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Warshawsky submitted his report dated July 3, 2024 on services during June. The report was placed on record.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Matt Roland submitted a report for June 2024 along with Ryan Malone and Colton Warfel. Roland advised that New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Inc. would be working on McClellan Road on July 10-11 and on Matamoras Road dirt on July 15-16, 2024, weather permitting.
SEO REPORT
A report was submitted for work done in June 2024.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Stephanie Hoover, member of the Friends of Fort Halifax, was present and submitted a report for June 2024.
NUISANCE REPORT
Solicitor Warshawsky advised that the Zeigler case was transferred from the Magisterial District Judge to the Courts, and discovery was sent to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Zeigler. The nuisance at 194 Kinsinger Road is reported to be getting worse. Supervisor Schreffler motioned to send another nuisance letter to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Zeigler (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0).
ADMINISTRATIVE
Supervisor McBurney motioned to renew CD 1 for another six months at 5.00% APY (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0).
OLD BUSINESS
Solicitor Warshawsky advised that he spoke with DCNR and learned that a 30-day notification to CPC is required prior to subdivision/deed approval.
Supervisor McBurney advised there would be a meeting on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, with Dauphin County to discuss the Fort Halifax Farmhouse and Barn.
Supervisor Paul motioned to approve Gene Nye's building extension bid of $13,840.00 (seconded by Supervisor McBurney, passed 5-0).
The Board discussed who is responsible for scheduling SEO inspections and, if Halifax Township is responsible, what the reimbursement fee should look like. No formal action was taken.
Supervisor Bruner motioned to grant Melissa Barrick an exemption from the requested sewer line connection pursuant to her Certification from the Department of Agriculture (seconded by Supervisor McBurney, passed 5-0).
NEW BUSINESS
The Board requested tallying all residents who attend the Spring Cleanup and dividing them by Borough and Township to determine the appropriate percentage-based cost split.
Item was tabled at this time.
Frank Klinger representing Halifax Ambulance presented financial concerns and future support ideas via PowerPoint. The Board agreed to pay the increased workers' compensation amount of $3,643.00 for Halifax Ambulance, with the condition to shop for a better rate.
A sycamore tree on North River Road came down in a storm on Lance Chubb's property; the tree is protected under the township's Sycamore Tree Ordinance, raising the question of removal responsibility. Supervisor Bruner motioned to hire Billows Landscaping to remove the tree for $1,250.00 (seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, passed 4-1). Supervisor McBurney voted nay, arguing that homeowner insurance should cover storm-related property damage.
The Board requested HRG Engineer Alex Greenly adjust Robert Terry's stormwater management billing to the $1,500.00 originally escrowed, rather than requiring Terry to pay additional engineering fees exceeding that amount.
Supervisor Paul motioned to make a one-time $500.00 donation to the Halifax Drama Club, with two tickets going to a township employee (seconded by Supervisor McBurney, passed 4-1). Supervisor Schreffler voted nay.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned to approve payment of $96,691.10 to Farhat Excavating, LLC for the Camp Hebron culvert replacement, reflecting a change order increase from the original contract price of $93,705.60 (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m. (seconded by Supervisor Paul, passed 5-0).
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.