Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:03 PM to 6:55 PM — Litigation and personnel matters
Summary
Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on March 14, 2011, called to order at 7:02 PM by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel following a closed executive session on litigation and personnel matters. All five supervisors were present — Kenneth Bechtel, Gary Shultz, Carol Eppley, Linda Stopfel, and Ken Hoover — along with Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, Engineer Justin Kuhn, and Roadmaster Dale Shoop. The meeting covered a heavy slate of land development items, a long-delayed vote on the secretary's salary, and public objections to the township's tree removal plans.
- Secretary's 2011 salary set at $32,800 — After resident Norma Shearer reminded the board during public comment that the salary had gone unaddressed at prior meetings, the board unanimously approved the compensation.
- DONCO Development agreement authorized — Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky was directed to prepare a developer's agreement for DONCO Development to resolve outstanding litigation. The revised plan will go to the Planning Commission 14 days before their meeting for review, with the board to vote publicly after an executive session.
- Morris Rill property put on notice — The board voted to send a formal letter to Mr. Rill stating that any activity beyond earth disturbance will require a land development plan.
- Sewer extension engineering review capped at $500 — The township agreed to cover engineer review fees for the Sewer Extension Plan, not to exceed $500. During discussion, Norma Shearer recalled that Accu Mold may have originally agreed to fund the sewer line and that grant money could be available.
- Tree grant sparked public objections — Residents Flo Mallonee and Donna Rode objected to removing healthy pin oak trees under the township's tree grant program while damaged sycamore trees remain standing. Chairman Bechtel questioned the matching fund requirements; Linda Stopfel explained that community labor qualifies as in-kind matching funds. No formal action was taken.
- Fort Halifax Park vandalism addressed — Teenagers who drove trucks through a muddy field at the park on March 6 attended the meeting, apologized, and offered to restore the damage. Dale Shoop will pursue damage estimates and Linda Stopfel will contact DCNR.
- Craig/Matter Plan officially recorded — The board discovered no official minutes existed showing approval of this plan, despite it being recorded at the courthouse. They voted to amend the June 8, 2009 minutes to correct the record.
- Community cleanup days set for May 13–14 — The board approved the annual cleanup event, with Dale Shoop to follow up with Rob Bowman on tire drop-off arrangements.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Linda Stopfel (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Justin Kuhn (Engineer) · Fred Ford (Planning Commission) · Dale Shoop (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY REPORT
Supervisor Hoover moved to approve the February 14, 2011 minutes as written, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0.
TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Shultz moved to pay the interim bills, seconded by Supervisor Hoover. Motion carried 5-0.
The secretary clarified the Fire Department payment and the State Workers Comp bill. Supervisor Hoover moved to pay the bills as listed, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0. Supervisor Stopfel asked the secretary to check whether the previous secretary had enrolled her for the grant workshop at the PSATS Convention.
FINANCIAL REPORT
A question was raised about the Workers Comp bill not appearing on the Financial Report. The secretary explained it was paid in the interim in March and would not reflect on the February report but would appear on the March report.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
Fred Ford presented the Planning Commission report, which included the Lenker Plan review and discussion and the SALDO update.
Supervisor Hoover moved to send a letter to Mr. Rill stating that if he intends to do more than the earth disturbance, he will need to submit a land development plan. Seconded by Supervisor Shultz, motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Stopfel moved to send a letter to the landowner with review estimates from the solicitor and engineer, seconded by Supervisor Hoover. Motion carried 5-0.
Discussion centered on the solicitor preparing a Developer's Agreement to outline a summary of the plan and resolve outstanding litigation. The Board agreed the revised plan should be presented to the Planning Commission 14 days before their meeting for review. Supervisor Eppley asked for clarification on the review process, and the solicitor explained this plan involves litigation and is not a new plan. Supervisor Hoover moved to authorize Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky to prepare a draft agreement, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0.
SOLICITOR REPORT
The revised plan submission application was drafted to include language addressing the applicant's obligation to pay for plan review and escrow fees if they withdraw after submission. Supervisor Hoover moved to adopt the revised application, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0.
Discussion was held on the Township paying engineer review fees for the sewer extension plan. Norma Shearer recalled that Accu Mold was going to pay for the sewer line and grant money may have been available; Fred Ford disagreed. Supervisor Hoover's motion was amended to authorize payment of engineer fees as long as costs did not exceed $500.00, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0.
ENGINEER REPORT
Justin Kuhn read Tom Wilson's engineer report dated March 4, 2011.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Dale reported that the Summerville property is now in compliance.
Supervisor Stopfel moved to authorize cleanup days on May 13 and 14, seconded by Supervisor Eppley. Supervisor Shultz asked about the tire dropoff, and Dale said he would contact Rob Bowman about it. Motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Williams had requested the stop sign at Witmer Manor be fastened to PPL's pole and the No-Outlet sign be removed. After discussion, the Board opted not to fasten the sign to the pole and not to remove the No-Outlet sign. The secretary will send a letter to Mr. Williams reflecting this decision.
ADMINISTRATIVE
NAS will be picking up the hard drive to transfer records onto the new computer. The secretary will be without a computer for at least a day.
Supervisor Eppley moved to appoint Chairman Bechtel as the alternate representative to COG, seconded by Supervisor Hoover. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
It was discovered there is no official record in the minutes showing approval of this plan, though it had been approved and recorded at the courthouse. Supervisor Shultz moved to amend the June 8, 2009 minutes per the solicitor's report of July 10, 2009 to reflect the plan's approval, seconded by Supervisor Hoover. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Stopfel moved that the secretary send a certified letter to Mr. Nightwine notifying him of the outstanding fee and further action to be taken by the Board. Motion carried 5-0.
The solicitor will contact Mr. Bistline's engineer, Tony Trost.
The solicitor will move forward with formatting an audio recording policy and will present it at the next meeting.
Discussion involved details surrounding removal of pin oaks by PPL, disposal of logs, marking specific trees, and obtaining a Vegetation Permit. Flo Mallonee and Donna Rode objected to removing healthy trees while damaged sycamores remain standing. Chairman Bechtel questioned the matching funds for replacing the pin oaks. Supervisor Stopfel stated that labor from community participation qualifies as in-kind matching funds. Discussion continued regarding disposal of logs, brush, and stumps.
It was stated the law allows a company to serve as an alternate SEO. K&W has been authorized to be the alternate SEO.
Supervisor Hoover moved to approve the 2011 secretary's salary at $32,800.00, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
On March 6, teenagers driving four-wheel-drive trucks caused damage to the field next to the creek on the east side of the park. Several of the teenagers attended the meeting, apologized, and offered to restore the field. Dale will pursue damage estimates, and Supervisor Stopfel will contact DCNR for feedback.
Fred Ford raised the idea of hosting a Penn State Zoning Course for the Upper Dauphin Area. Supervisor Stopfel moved to permit use of the Township meeting room for the training, seconded by Supervisor Hoover. Motion carried 5-0. The Township will receive one free registration for the course.
Discussion focused on identifying vendors for emergency situations such as natural disasters to ensure certainty of costs. The project members assigned were Emergency Management Coordinator Charlie Bisking, Supervisor Shultz, and Chairman Bechtel.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced meetings: Special Workshop Meeting of Planning Commission on March 21 at 7 p.m.; Special Workshop Meeting of Planning Commission on April 18 at 7 p.m.; Planning Commission Meeting on April 4 at 7 p.m.; Board of Supervisors meeting on April 11 at 7 p.m.; Regional Comprehensive Plan Meeting on March 23 at 6:30 p.m. with hearing at 7 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Eppley moved to adjourn, seconded by Supervisor Hoover. Motion carried 5-0.
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