Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on March 10, 2025, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The nearly three-hour session covered infrastructure investments, land development approvals, a water authority appointment, and several Fort Halifax Park event requests. The most significant financial decision was approving $165,000 in financing for a new vehicle wash bay at the township building.
- Wash bay financing approved ($165,000): The board voted unanimously to borrow $165,000 from Mid Penn Bank to construct a wash bay, while continuing to pursue grant funding to offset the cost.
- Sweigard Subdivision conditionally approved: The board granted waivers from several SALDO requirements — including preliminary plan procedure, plan scale, minimum lot width, and curb/sidewalk installation — then gave conditional approval to the subdivision pending satisfaction of three administrative comments from township engineer HRG Inc.
- McBurney stormwater plan approved (4-0-1): The board gave conditional approval to the McBurney Stormwater Management Plan. Scott McBurney abstained due to a personal conflict of interest.
- Township building and road work moving forward: The board approved surveying the township building to locate property pins, advertising for paving bids around the building, and discussed Matamoras Road base repair and widening west of Stroheckers to R & N Dairy at an estimated cost of $120,000. A street sweeper rental was also approved at $2,000 for one week.
- Dennis Malone appointed to Water and Sewer Authority: Malone was confirmed unanimously as Halifax Township's representative to the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority for a five-year term. The board directed that a thank-you letter be sent to outgoing representative Kenneth Hoover.
- James Bainbridge wage increase corrected: The board approved raising Bainbridge's hourly wage from $16.50 to $17.50, retroactive to January 1, 2025, after the increase was inadvertently omitted from the January reorganization meeting.
- Fort Halifax Park events approved: The board authorized National Night Out on August 2 (rain date August 9), a Cub Scout Pack 144 Flag Retirement Ceremony in June or July, and a Juniata College Archaeology Field School led by Jonathan Burns from May 27 to June 5. The board also clarified that ATV riding is not considered passive recreation at the park.
- Resident raised concerns about Hale Solar Development: Mike Stiely questioned the board about the previously approved solar project behind his property, citing potential drainage impacts on his driveway and requesting screening for the panels. No action was taken.
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/Treasurer)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisors approved paid and unpaid bills through March 10, 2025 (both 5-0), approved the February 10, 2025 regular meeting minutes (5-0), and placed the financial report on file for audit.
Planning Commission Recommendation
The Board granted waiver requests for Section 404 (Preliminary Plan Procedure), Section 405.1.a (Plan Scale), Section 503.3 (Minimum Lot Width), and waived immediate compliance with Section 606/607 (Curbs/Sidewalks) conditioned on a note on the plan (5-0). A second motion gave conditional approval of the Sweigard Subdivision subject to satisfaction of Administrative Comments 1-3 from HRG, Inc.'s March 4, 2025 letter (5-0).
The Board approved the King Storage Facility time extension request until Monday, April 14, 2025, on a 5-0 vote.
Engineer Report
HRG, Inc. engineer Alex Greenly presented his March 7, 2025 report. Matamoras Road estimated cost is approximately $225,000 with more information next month. A meeting for 165 Black Shoulder Road violations was rescheduled for March 19 or 21. The Board approved the 9 Dustin Drive Stormwater Management Plan (5-0), gave conditional approval to the McBurney SWMP with conditions from HRG's March 5 letter (4-0-1, Supervisor McBurney abstaining), and authorized Chairman Bechtel to sign the Fort Halifax Road HOP Application (5-0).
Roadmaster Report
Discussion on Matamoras Road base repair and widening focused on starting west of Stroheckers up to R & N Dairy at an estimated cost of $120,000. The Board approved surveying the township building to locate pins and placing a bid advertisement in the Citizen Standard for paving around the building (both 5-0). Motions also passed to pay for pole shed spouting and a pickup truck from the Capital Improvement Account (both 5-0).
Friends of Fort Halifax Report
The Board approved use of Fort Halifax Park for National Night Out on August 2, 2025 (rain date August 9), for Cub Scout Pack 144's Flag Retirement Ceremony in June or July 2025, and for Juniata College's Archaeology Field School with Jonathan Burns from May 27 to June 5, 2025 (all 5-0). The Board also advised that ATV riding is not considered passive recreation at Fort Halifax.
Old Business
The Board approved rental of a streetsweeper for one week at a cost of $2,000 on a 5-0 vote.
Jeff Enders of Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority sent a letter responding to the Township's questions. The Board nominated and approved Dennis Malone as the Township's representative for a 5-year term (5-0). A thank you letter was requested for Kenneth Hoover for his years of service, and an acknowledgment letter to Dennis Malone for his nomination.
The Board approved financing through Mid Penn Bank to build a wash bay in the amount of $165,000 while the Board continues searching for grants (5-0).
New Business
The Board approved increasing James Bainbridge's hourly wage from $16.50 to $17.50, as this was missed at the January 6, 2025 Reorganizational Meeting. The increase is retroactive to the beginning of the year, with a letter to be sent (5-0).
The Board approved SPAAR's use of Fort Halifax Field on April 26, July 26, and September 13, 2025, on a 5-0 vote.
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner motioned and Supervisor Paul seconded to adjourn the meeting at 9:47 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.