Monthly Business
Executive session held 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. — Personnel
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on May 12, 2025, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. An executive session on personnel matters preceded the public meeting. The evening was dominated by infrastructure spending decisions, including a major paving contract and equipment purchases — one notably adjusted upward to account for tariff impacts.
- $117,802 paving contract awarded to New Enterprise to repave around the Township Building. It was the sole bid received; approved unanimously.
- Hydrodig replacement part approved at $8,771.39 plus a 10% tariff surcharge, with the board explicitly citing current tariffs as the reason for the added cost.
- Supervisor compensation ordinance adopted — the board waived a formal reading and approved the new compensation ordinance in two unanimous votes.
- Kings Storage Facility permit withheld: The board told Aquilla King and his representative from PennCore Consulting that no building permit will be issued until all work meets the township's satisfaction. King also indicated he intends to contest outstanding engineer and solicitor charges. The matter was tabled to the June meeting.
- Price Road dirt and gravel project moving forward: The board approved advertising for bids in Penn Live and scheduled a special meeting for June 16, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. to open them.
- Railroad crossing meeting to cost approximately $11,059: Supervisors will meet with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Norfolk Southern on May 19 regarding the Fort Halifax public railroad crossing. Brad Bruner and Scott McBurney were also tasked with exploring lease options for two acres of township-owned land at Fort Halifax Park.
- Newly paved road officially renamed "Old Keefer Road", with a request submitted to Dauphin County Address Assignment for the section formerly known as Keiffer Road.
- Melinda Warfel nominated as the township's representative on the Dauphin County Earned Income Tax Committee, with Jane Lahr as alternate.
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, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve the paid bills through Monday, May 12, 2025. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the unpaid bills through Monday, May 12, 2025. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve the April 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes. Motion carried 5-0. The financial report was placed on record for audit.
EMC Report
Chief Tim Neiter provided the April 2025 EMC report and advised that fireworks are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 16, 2025, depending on donations.
Engineer Report
HRG Engineer Alex Greenly advised the Board that he is currently looking for grants to cover the necessary work on Matamoras Road.
Pictures were provided of the work done at 165 Black Shoulder Road. The Board raised concerns about the garage doors, piers, and decks.
Aquilla King requested to complete all earth-moving work before building to avoid posting financial security. The Board stated no building permit would be issued until everything meets Halifax Township's satisfaction. King also wished to contest outstanding engineer and solicitor charges; Colton Zimmerman of PennCore Consulting was advised to resolve the issue. The item was tabled until the June 2025 meeting.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the Hartlaub Stormwater Management Exemption. Motion carried 5-0.
Roadmaster Report
Roadmaster Matt Roland reported that pictures were received of a sycamore tree on Kyle Lehman's property raising safety concerns. An arborist is scheduled to inspect the tree.
Only one bid was received for paving around the Township Building, from New Enterprise. Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve the bid of $117,802.00 from New Enterprise. Motion carried 5-0.
Morgan Paving completed the paving project on Keiffer Road for $21,000.00.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve advertising the Dirt & Gravel Project for Price Road in Penn Live and to hold a Special Meeting on Monday, June 16, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
Administrative
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to approve advertising the 2024 Audit for Halifax Township in The Citizen Standard. Motion carried 5-0.
Halifax Township received a letter from Katelyn Valla of HRG requesting a planning consistency letter for a HAWASA application. Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve supporting the consistency letter. Motion carried 5-0. The Board also received a complaint about inability to contact HAWASA during weekend emergencies; the matter was reported as resolved.
Old Business
Chairman Bechtel motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to name the recently paved portion as Old Keefer Road and to request address assignment from Dauphin County. Motion carried 5-0.
The Board will meet with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Norfolk Southern on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at a cost of approximately $11,059.00 to the Township. The Board also discussed forming a committee of Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor McBurney to explore lease options for two acres of Township-owned land at Fort Halifax Park.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to nominate Melinda Warfel as Halifax Township's representative for the Dauphin County EIT Committee with Jane Lahr as alternate. Motion carried 5-0. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Middle Paxton Township Building.
New Business
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to approve the purchase of the Wash Bay Heat System for $2,040.00 from the Capital Improvement Account. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to dispense with reading the Supervisor Compensation Ordinance; motion carried 5-0. Supervisor Schreffler then motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the Supervisor Compensation Ordinance. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve the purchase of a hydrodig part at $8,771.39 plus 10 percent due to tariffs. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 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.