Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on October 14, 2024, running from 7:00 to 9:20 p.m. Supervisors Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman), Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney were present; Brad Bruner was absent. The board worked through a full agenda spanning land development approvals, fire department funding, infrastructure projects, and a resident's request to lower a speed limit on a state highway.
Fort Halifax subdivision plan conditionally approved (4-0): The board granted four waivers from subdivision ordinance requirements — covering preliminary plat procedure, erosion and sediment control, lot width/coverage standards, and monuments and markers — then gave conditional approval to the Fort Halifax Plan.
$21,563.36 in fire relief funds donated to Halifax Fire Department (4-0): The full 2024 Volunteer Fire Relief allocation was directed to the Halifax Fire Department.
Speed limit reduction requested for North River Road (4-0): Resident Sean Bob, who lives where Tourist Park Road meets Route 147, asked the township to petition PennDOT to reduce the speed limit from 55 mph to 45 mph. The board voted to send the letter.
$50,000 state grant application announced: Scott McBurney reported he would be submitting a PA DCED Grant application for improvements to the Fort Halifax Farmhouse and Barn, a public railroad crossing, and the CPC.
Local Share Grant co-applicancy approved (4-0): The township agreed to serve as co-applicant with Camp Hebron and Graceful Acres for a Local Share Grant.
Financial security released for two projects: $13,235 was returned to Bechtel Farms for 212 Parmer Drive (3-0-1, Chairman Kenneth Bechtel abstaining), and $6,491 was returned to Robert Terry for a completed pole barn stormwater management project (4-0).
Township facility and infrastructure items: The board approved advertising the wash bay and pole building for bids, voted to explore modifications to the CAE storage units, and closed out the Camp Hebron Road culvert replacement with a final $495 payment to Farhat Excavation.
Michael Decker memorial deck: Vicki Vitolo of the Friends of Fort Halifax reported a tentative November 3 dedication for a memorial deck built with help from Dauphin County Technical School's building trades program, alongside an Eagle Scout project adding a fence around the herb garden.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/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
Supervisors approved paid and unpaid bills through October 14, 2024 (both 4-0). The September 9, 2024 regular meeting minutes were approved 3-0-1, with Supervisor Schreffler abstaining as he was not present at that meeting. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Hale Land Development time extension was approved 4-0, extending the deadline from August 29, 2024 to January 13, 2025. For the Fort Halifax subdivision plan, four waivers were granted 4-0 (Sections 404, 407.1X, 505.3a, and 602), and the plan received conditional approval 4-0.
ENGINEER REPORT
HRG, Inc. Engineer Alex Greenly presented his report on September 2024 services. The board voted 3-0-1 to release $13,235.00 in financial security to Bechtel Farms (212 Parmer Drive) in full, with Chairman Bechtel abstaining. A separate motion passed 4-0 to release $6,491.00 in financial security to Robert Terry for a pole barn stormwater management project.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Matt Roland reported that Tobias and Shammos School Road were regraded with material added, Seiders Road received shoulder backing material, one-third of the bamboo behind the Lamb property was removed, and fall road mowing began throughout the township.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Vicki Vitolo reported a tentative date of November 3, 2024 to dedicate a memorial deck in honor of Michael Decker. The deck is being built with the help of the Dauphin County Technical School building trades program, and an Eagle Scout fence around the herb garden is being constructed as part of an Eagle Scout Award project.
NUISANCE REPORT
Solicitor Warshawsky advised that a hearing for 194 Kinsinger Road is set for Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board of Supervisors concurred with the address assigned by Dauphin County Address Assignment for parcel number 29-031-009 at 14 Mountain Road.
OLD BUSINESS
The board voted 4-0 to become co-applicants to Camp Hebron and Graceful Acres for the Local Share Grant. Supervisor McBurney advised he would be submitting a PA DCED Grant application for $50,000.00 for the Fort Halifax Farmhouse and Barn. HRG Engineer Alex Greenly agreed to meet with Roadmaster Matt Roland to discuss options for the blind spot on Matamoras Road. No action was taken on Keiffer Road.
NEW BUSINESS
The board approved (all 4-0): Camp Hebron Road Culvert Replacement closeout with final payment of $495.00 to Farhat Excavation; PennDOT Agreement for Access to Electronic System for Sycamore Ridge; donation of $21,563.36 in volunteer fire relief money to Halifax Fire Department; advertisement of 2025 Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission meeting dates; exploration of modifications to CAE storage units; advertisement of wash bay and pole building. Sean Bob requested a speed limit reduction on North River Road (State Route 147) from 55 mph to 45 mph, and the board voted 4-0 to write PennDOT requesting the reduction. The 2025 estimated Liquid Fuels money is $182,397.25.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.