Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 5:30-6:50 p.m. — Personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on June 9, 2008, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Norma Shearer, Linda Ruff, Carol Eppley, Ken Hoover, and Gary Shultz. The board had held an executive session on personnel matters before the public meeting. The evening focused on nuisance property enforcement, land development extensions, and continued progress toward the future Fort Halifax Park.
- Nuisance enforcement actions: The board authorized Solicitor Steve Dzuranin to proceed with legal filing against the Amy Weiss property in Matamoras over mold and structural concerns. Gary Shultz suggested using fungicide rather than pursuing demolition, and Linda Ruff offered to contact Senator Piccola's and Representative Helm's offices for health-related resources. Separately, the secretary was directed to send a nuisance notification to Patton Tire Company over accumulated tires on their property.
- Fort Halifax conservation easement violations: Notification letters were authorized to be sent to individual property owners found in violation of the Fort Halifax conservation easement.
- Act 537 sewage plan advances: The board voted to advertise a public review period for the township's Act 537 Plan, moving the long-range sewage planning process forward.
- Land development extensions granted: Review deadlines for both the Halifax Plaza and B2 Partners final land development plans were extended to September 9, 2008.
- Fort Halifax Park sign and sycamore trees: Roadmaster Dale Shoop was authorized to procure a two-sided "Future Site of Halifax Park" sign with a spending cap of $1,000. A separate $934 estimate from Fast Signs for sycamore tree interpretive signs was tabled pending a sketch. The sycamore trees themselves are suffering from a fungus or blight, and Dale Shoop was set to meet with a state forester for evaluation.
- Mountain Road weight limit study: K&W Engineering was authorized to conduct a cost study on weight limit restrictions for Mountain Road, with Linda Ruff tasked to contact Reed Township about a possible joint study.
- Community contributions: Bonnie Freeman presented a $1,000 check on behalf of Friends of Fort Halifax Inc. The board also recognized Eagle Scout Cody Snyder, who built picnic tables for the park as his service project. Resident Robert Lego raised concerns about water quality near Aumiller's salvage yard and asked whether the township had considered an environmental impact study.
Who was there
Norma Shearer (Chairman/Supervisor) · Linda Ruff (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Steve Dzuranin (Solicitor) · Marc Kurowski (Engineer (sitting in for Tom Wilson)) · Dale Shoop (Roadmaster) · Carolyn Nye (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisor Eppley moved to approve bills totaling $27,637.59, seconded by Supervisor Ruff. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Eppley moved to approve the May 19, 2008 minutes as written, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0.
Engineer Report
The engineer read the report dated June 5, 2008. Supervisor Ruff moved to advertise the notice for the Public Review Period on the Act 537 Plan, seconded by Supervisor Eppley. Motion carried 5-0.
Solicitor Report
Supervisor Ruff moved to grant the Halifax Plaza Final Land Development Plan an extension to September 9, 2008, seconded by Supervisor Eppley. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Hoover moved to grant the B2 Partners Land Development Plan an extension to September 9, 2008, seconded by Supervisor Eppley. Motion carried 5-0.
Roadmaster Dale Shoop will check with Light-Heigel (UCC inspectors) regarding regulations for the property. Supervisor Eppley moved to authorize the Solicitor to proceed with legal filing, seconded by Supervisor Ruff. Supervisor Shultz suggested using fungicide or herbicide to control mold rather than demolishing the structure, and Supervisor Ruff will contact Senator Piccola's and Representative Helm's offices for health resource information. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Eppley moved to authorize the secretary to send a nuisance notification letter to Patton Tire Company due to tire accumulation, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Supervisor Hoover suggested the tires be covered with a tarp in the meantime. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Ruff moved to authorize the secretary to send notification letters to individual property owners regarding conservation easement violations, using a letter provided by the Solicitor. Seconded by Supervisor Eppley. Motion carried 5-0.
The Solicitor presented an internal tracking document for submitted subdivision and land development plans. The Township will begin using this document.
Roadmaster Report
Supervisor Eppley moved to authorize Roadmaster Dale Shoop to secure a two-sided sign reading "Future Site of Halifax Park" with a ceiling cost of $1,000, seconded by Supervisor Shultz. Motion carried 5-0.
Roadmaster Dale Shoop reported that Fast Signs provided an estimate of $934 for two 4'x4' signs, requiring a 50% deposit. Supervisor Ruff requested a sketch of the signs before a purchase decision is made.
The sycamore trees have some kind of fungus or blight. Roadmaster Dale Shoop will meet with the state forester the following Monday at 1:30 p.m. for an evaluation of the trees.
The Solicitor will check on the property owner's whereabouts and inform the Township so a nuisance letter can be sent.
Supervisor Ruff moved to authorize the purchase of two tables for the meeting room, seconded by Supervisor Eppley. Motion carried 5-0. Dan Shearer was authorized to pick them up at Costco.
Old Business
The Board has not yet received a report from Jim Eppley on this matter.
Supervisor Ruff provided a report based on a presentation given at a meeting with a Federal group in Philadelphia regarding the future Ft. Halifax Park.
Supervisor Ruff reported that trucks are driving slower on Route 147 South due to the sign placed to curtail the use of engine retarders.
New Business
Supervisor Eppley moved to authorize K & W Engineering to conduct a cost study on weight limit restrictions for Mountain Road, seconded by Supervisor Ruff. Motion carried 5-0. Supervisor Ruff will contact Reed Township about a possible joint study.
Supervisor Ruff reported on Cody Snyder, who provided picnic tables at the park as his Eagle Scout project. She will write a letter to the editor and send a commendation letter to Cody from the Township.
Announcements
Supervisor Eppley moved to authorize Secretary Carolyn Nye to attend the Regional Comprehensive Plan Meeting to take minutes, seconded by Supervisor Ruff. Motion carried 5-0.
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