Reorganization
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its annual Reorganization Meeting on January 6, 2025, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board unanimously elected Kenneth Bechtel as Chairman and Brad Bruner as Vice Chairman, then worked through a full slate of staff reappointments, compensation packages, professional service contracts, and financial decisions. No members of the public attended.
Sara Glace reappointed as Secretary/Treasurer and Open Records Officer at $24.30/hour with a $310/month health benefits stipend, retirement with up to 3% match, and mileage reimbursement. Her position was bonded at $1,000,000 coverage ($1,283 annual premium).
Matt Roland reappointed as Roadmaster at an annual salary of $64,584, plus a township vehicle, gas card, credit card, cell phone, $310/month health stipend, and retirement with up to 3% match.
Jay Bechtel approved as part-time CDL plow operator at $25.75/hour (4-0-1) — Chairman Kenneth Bechtel recused himself from both the discussion and the vote due to the family relationship. Minimum pay rates were also set: $19.00/hour for CDL operators and $15.50/hour for general laborers.
Nearly $836,000 in township funds repositioned: Two CDs at Mid Penn Bank ($248,721.59 and $587,686.69) were withdrawn and moved into a money market account with Edward Jones.
Professional service contracts renewed: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky at a $1,000/month retainer plus $200/hour thereafter; Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. as township engineer; Building Inspections Underwriters of PA as UCC inspectors; and Brian McFeaters and Carrie McFeaters as Sewage Enforcement Officers.
Inter-municipal equipment rental rates increased by $10/hour across all categories, with rates now ranging from $45/day for a trailer to $160/hour for the JCB.
Planning Commission members Randy Paul, Don Hentz, and Chad Lebo reappointed to four-year terms through December 31, 2028. A vacant seat on the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority (Ken Hoover's expired term) was deferred to the January monthly meeting.
Scott McBurney and Brad Bruner volunteered to attend the Harrisburg Area Transportation Study Meeting with Tri-County Regional Planning Commission representative Tanner Stroup.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor / Temporary Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Sara Glace (Secretary / Temporary Secretary) · Matt Roland (Roadmaster)
Meeting business
Election of Officers
Supervisor McBurney nominated and Supervisor Paul seconded Ken Bechtel as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2025. Motion carried 5-0 with no other nominations.
Supervisor Schreffler nominated and Supervisor Paul seconded Brad Bruner as Vice Chairman for 2025. Motion carried 5-0 with no other nominations.
Appointment of Secretary/Treasurer
Sara Glace was reappointed as Secretary/Treasurer for 2025 at $24.30/hour with a $310/month health benefits stipend, retirement with up to 3% match, mileage reimbursement, and paid holidays. She was also appointed Open Records Officer. Bonding was approved at $1,000,000 for an annual premium of $1,283.
Appointment of Roadmaster
Matt Roland was reappointed as Roadmaster for 2025 with an annual salary of $64,584, a township vehicle, gas card, cell phone, credit card, $310/month health benefits stipend, retirement with up to 3% match, and paid holidays. He also serves as Nuisance Officer.
Appointment of Road Crew
Ryan Malone was reappointed as full-time road crew at $25.87/hour with a township vehicle, and Colton Warfel was reappointed at $24.84/hour. Both receive $310/month health benefits stipend, $25/month cell phone stipend, gas card, retirement with up to 3% match, and paid holidays.
Approval of Laborer/Driver Pay Rates
Raymond Maus was approved at $15.00/hour as part-time. Jay Bechtel was approved at $25.75/hour as permanent part-time CDL plow operator (4-0-1, Chairman Bechtel abstaining). General minimum rates were set at $19.00/hour for CDL operators and $15.50/hour for non-CDL laborers. James Bainbridge was approved at $20.00/hour for CDL and $16.50/hour for non-CDL work.
Pay Periods and Holidays
Employee pay periods were set as bi-weekly with payday on the Wednesday following the end of the pay period; supervisors are paid monthly on the last payday of the month. Ten paid holidays were approved including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (plus eve and day after), Christmas (plus eve), and a floater day.
Appointment of Professionals
Bruce Warshawsky was reappointed as Solicitor at $1,000/month retainer plus $200/hour thereafter. Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. was reappointed as Engineer. Building Inspections Underwriters of PA was appointed as primary UCC Inspector with no alternate. Brian McFeaters and his daughter Carrie McFeaters were appointed as primary SEO with no alternate.
Administrative Appointments
Gary Schultz was appointed to serve as Vacancy Board Chairman for 2025. Motion carried 5-0.
Depositories and Financial Accounts
The board retained Mid Penn Bank depositories for General, Liquid Fuels, Plan Escrow, Dirt & Gravel, and Credit Card accounts. Two CDs totaling $836,408.28 ($248,721.59 and $587,686.69) were approved for withdrawal and transfer into a money market account with Edward Jones.
PSATS Annual State Convention
Steve Schreffler was nominated as voting delegate for the 2025 PSATS Annual State Convention, scheduled for May 4-7, 2025 in Hershey, PA. Motion carried 5-0.
Regional Boards and Committee Representatives
Randy Paul, Don Hentz, and Chad Lebo were reappointed to the Planning Commission for four-year terms expiring December 31, 2028. Emily Hoffman and Scott Corsnitz were reappointed to the Halifax Area Recreation Authority. Ken Bechtel was reappointed as UDCOG delegate. The Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority appointment for an expired seat was deferred to a future monthly meeting.
Emergency Management
Tim Neiter was reappointed as Emergency Management Coordinator with a $600 annual stipend paid quarterly plus $15/month for his data package. Brad Bruner was reappointed as Deputy EMC along with Jeff Tracey and Bob Stout.
Committee Appointments and Administrative
Brad Bruner and Steve Schreffler were reappointed to the Fireworks Committee; Scott McBurney and Steve Schreffler to the HR Committee. Cloud 5 Solutions was reappointed as webmaster at $729/year plus $25/year for halifaxtownship.net. Mileage reimbursement was set at the federal rate (70 cents/mile for 2025). Inter-municipal equipment rates were increased by $10/hour across all categories. The 2025 bid threshold is $23,800.
New Business
The board approved the Dauphin County Tax Claim Bureau interest-free grace period. Motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Paul, carried 5-0.
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Both paid and unpaid interim bills through January 6, 2025 were approved. Paid bills were moved by Supervisor Paul and seconded by Supervisor Schreffler; unpaid bills were moved by Supervisor Schreffler and seconded by Supervisor Paul. Both motions carried 5-0.
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner moved and Supervisor Paul seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.