Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on September 9, 2024, running nearly three hours. Chairman Kenneth Bechtel presided with Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, and Scott McBurney present; Steve Schreffler was absent. Infrastructure dominated the agenda, with multiple stormwater, drainage, and road improvement items moving forward. All motions passed unanimously 4-0.
- $14,700 drainage pipe replacement approved: The board awarded a contract to S.S. Witmer to replace the deteriorating 24-inch pipe at the intersection of Galli Road and Lauren Lane.
- Matamoras Road engineering study authorized: Engineer Alex Greenly of HRG, Inc. was directed to survey Matamoras Road with Roadmaster Matt Roland and develop plans to improve sight distance and address washout problems that worsened during heavy rains over the summer.
- 12 Hilltop Road stormwater plan conditionally approved: The stormwater management plan for 12 Hilltop Road received conditional approval, subject to five administrative conditions outlined in HRG's August 29 review letter.
- Black Shoulder Lane flood plain oversight: Alex Greenly was authorized to act as Flood Plain Administrator to review renovation plans and inspect buildings on Black Shoulder Lane for compliance with flood zone regulations.
- Sycamore Ridge highway occupancy permit conditionally approved: The Sycamore Ridge HOP application was conditionally approved, requiring the developer to execute a maintenance agreement for stormwater facilities within the PennDOT right-of-way.
- Two-year electric contract locked in: The board approved a COSTAR electric contract running from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026.
- Nuisance property enforcement ongoing: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported that property owners at 194 Kinsinger Road face a follow-up complaint if exterior conditions don't improve by September 20, and the nuisance at 3371 Peters Mountain Road will be revisited at the October meeting.
- Resident raised drainage concerns: Tiffany Lamb of 502 N. 2nd Street asked about responsibility for a drainage pipe running through her yard and bamboo encroachment from a neighboring property. The board advised that the pipe repair appears to be the homeowner's responsibility and recommended she contact PennDOT regarding the easement.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Alex Greenly (Engineer (HRG, Inc.)) · Matt Roland (Roadmaster) · Sara Glace (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Paul moved to approve paid and unpaid bills through September 9, 2024, both passing 4-0. Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Bruner moved to approve the August 12, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes, passing 4-0. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
A report was submitted from the September 4, 2024 Planning Commission meeting. Chairman Bechtel noted the Commission continued discussing the SALDO, Sign Ordinance, Flag Lot, Small Projects Provisions to Stormwater Management, and the Hale Land Development Plan, which were requested to be placed on the October agenda.
ENGINEER REPORT
HRG engineer Alex Greenly presented his September 6, 2024 report. The Board gave conditional approval for the 12 Hilltop Road stormwater management plan subject to Stormwater Management Administrative Comments 1-5 from HRG's August 29, 2024 letter (4-0). The Board also authorized Alex Greenly as Flood Plain Administrator to review plans and inspect buildings being renovated at Black Shoulder Lane for compliance with Flood Zone Regulations (4-0).
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Matt Roland reported that 25 MPH signs were installed on Boyer Street, a pipe was replaced at the Halifax Township line on Matamoras Road completing the Matamoras Dirt Road project, pole cutting and boom mowing was done on Bitting Road, boom mowing and tree trimming on Price Road, and inlets were cleaned out and shoulders brushed on Upper Middle Road.
NUISANCE REPORT
Solicitor Warshawsky advised that if the property owners at 194 Kinsinger Road did not make significant improvements to the exterior, a follow-up complaint would be issued on September 20, 2024. The nuisance at 3371 Peters Mountain Road would be revisited at the October 14, 2024 meeting if conditions had not changed.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board raised the question of local government responsibility for retaining records in the context of digitizing records. Solicitor Warshawsky provided the Municipal Records Retention Policy for the Board to review.
OLD BUSINESS
Supervisor McBurney reported that Commissioner Pries visited Fort Halifax on August 27, 2024, and the Township would apply for a Local Share Municipal Grant due October 3, 2024. The Board approved S.S. Witmer's bid of $14,700.00 to replace the 24" pipe at Galli Road and Lauren Lane (4-0). Chad Zimmerman of Dawood, representing Sycamore Ridge, requested items for the HOP application; the Board gave conditional approval upon execution of a HOP Maintenance Agreement requiring the developer to maintain facilities within PennDOT right-of-way (4-0). Roadmaster Matt Roland was directed to obtain quotes for a storage shed and wash bay for the October meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board authorized HRG engineer Alex Greenly to develop plans for Matamoras Road to improve sight distance and prevent washouts (4-0). Folk & Garber, Inc. was approved for annual heat pump service at $157.00 (4-0). The Board voted to nominate both candidates for PSATS Health Insurance and Unemployment Compensation trust boards (4-0). Budget workshop dates were set for October 21, October 28 at 7:00 p.m., and November 4, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. if necessary (4-0). Elias Thompson's agreement to temporarily place a mobile home on his property was extended eighteen months (4-0). A COSTAR 2-year electric contract from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026 was approved (4-0). Commander Sergeant Williard of the Pennsylvania State Police discussed community presence and issues to be addressed.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner moved and Supervisor Paul seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 p.m., passing 4-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.