Special Meeting

6 present 1 motions

Summary

The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held a special workshop on June 14, 2011, devoted entirely to the Fort Halifax Park Master Site Plan. All five supervisors were present — Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Gary Shultz, Linda Stopfel, Carol Eppley, and Ken Hoover — though the solicitor was absent. No formal votes were taken on substantive matters; the session served as a working forum with significant public participation.

  • Park vision and layout: Alice Trowbridge opened with a vision statement, followed by wide-ranging discussion on buffers, entrances, trail design, tree grouping, grass and wildflower planting, and railroad crossing issues.
  • Buffalo Park Road as park entrance: The board discussed using Buffalo Park Road as a public entrance, raising unresolved questions about whether the road has been vacated, what reconstruction would cost, and how it would be funded.
  • Archaeological survey required: The board was reminded that an archaeological survey must be completed before any park development can proceed.
  • Building restoration divided the board: Proposed adaptive reuse of existing park buildings drew divided opinions among supervisors. Linda Stopfel suggested pursuing casino funding for restoration.
  • Intergovernmental agreement deferred: Bonnie Mahoney of Larson Design Group presented a cooperation agreement that would create an advisory board, but the board majority did not want to be locked into the document as written. Ken Hoover requested the solicitor's review, and Larson Design agreed to revise the agreement and return with modifications.
  • Sewer funding questioned: Fred Ford, Chairman of the Sewer and Water Authority, challenged the master site plan's proposal to have the Authority extend sewer lines to the park, asking how such a project would be funded.
  • Footbridge flood risk raised: Jim Wentzel cautioned that a proposed footbridge could be washed away by floodwaters.
  • Project timeline: The master site plan is scheduled to close out in September with a final public meeting that month.

Who was there

Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor, Chairman) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Linda Stopfel (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)

Public comments

Colleen Smith — Asked about primitive camping at the park and who is to oversee this, noting there is current activity at the park.
Jim Wentzel — Raised concern about the proposed footbridge and the threat of such a structure being washed away by flood waters.
Fred Ford — Speaking as Chairman of the Sewer and Water Authority, discussed the master site plan proposal to have the Authority run pipes for public sewage to the park, the cost of such a project, and questioned how it would be funded.
Frank Wilmarth — Commented on the possibility of an existing private crossing agreement with the railroad and possible ways to convert the railroad crossing to a public crossing.
Melinda Warfel — Asked how the Conshar tract of land impacts the park property, given that it runs parallel to the railroad tracks and is located between the railroad tracks and the park property. Was informed the land is part of the township's deed and the individual does not own it.

Meeting business

PURPOSE OF MEETING / OPENING DISCUSSION

Ft. Halifax Park Master Site Plan Discussion

Alice Trowbridge opened with a vision statement, followed by discussion on funding, park layout including buffers, entrances, tree grouping, trails, grass and wildflower planting, and railroad crossing issues. Public comments included Colleen Smith asking about primitive camping and oversight of current park activity, Jim Wentzel raising concerns about a footbridge being washed away by floods, Fred Ford of the Sewer and Water Authority questioning proposed sewage pipe costs and funding, and Frank Wilmarth discussing possible railroad crossing agreements. Melinda Warfel asked about the Conshar tract's impact on park property; the Board confirmed the land is part of the township's deed.

fort-halifaxparksplanning

BUFFALO PARK ROAD

Buffalo Park Road as Public Entrance to Park

Discussion focused on using Buffalo Park Road as a public entrance to the park, with questions raised about whether the road has been vacated, what specific reconstruction would be needed, estimated costs, and how the project would be funded.

roadsfort-halifaxinfrastructure

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Archaeological Survey Requirement Prior to Park Development

It was stated that an archaeological survey must be completed before any park development can proceed. Various survey techniques were discussed.

fort-halifaxplanning

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF BUILDINGS

Proposed Restoration and Reuse of Park Buildings

Proposed restoration and reuse of park buildings was presented, but the Board of Supervisors was divided on the issue. Supervisor Stopfel suggested seeking casino money for building restoration.

fort-halifaxplanning

INGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT OF COOPERATION

Intergovernmental Agreement of Cooperation — Larson Design Group

Bonnie Mahoney of Larson Design Group presented the intergovernmental agreement of cooperation. The Board majority did not want to be locked into the agreement as presented; Bonnie stated the document would create an advisory board and could be modified. Supervisor Stopfel expressed frustration with obtaining grants, Supervisor Hoover suggested getting the Solicitor's opinion, and Larson Design agreed to modify the document and return to the Board with revisions.

fort-halifaxplanninglegal

MASTER SITE PLAN SCHEDULE

Master Site Plan Project Schedule

The project is scheduled to close out in September with a final public meeting that month.

fort-halifaxplanning

ADJOURNMENT

Adjournment

Supervisor Hoover moved to adjourn at 9:45 p.m., seconded by Supervisor Shultz; motion carried 5-0.

5-0 Motion to adjourn
Moved by Supervisor Hoover

This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.

Download meeting minutes Download agenda