Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:25 pm to 6:50 pm — matters of litigation
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on July 13, 2015, with Chairman Kenneth Bechtel presiding alongside Supervisors Randy Paul and Scott McBurney. Steve Schreffler and Brad Bruner were absent. An executive session on litigation matters preceded the public meeting. The two-hour session covered a wide range of business, including ordinance adoptions, the advancing Sheetz development, multiple nuisance complaints, and a cooperative agreement with Halifax Borough.
- Burning Ordinance adopted: The board enacted an ordinance regulating and restricting outdoor fires in Halifax Township, passing unanimously.
- Sheetz Highway Occupancy Permit approved: The board authorized execution of Highway Occupancy Permit applications for the proposed Sheetz store at SR 225 and SR 147, contingent on satisfaction of Engineer Tom Wilson's memo requirements and finalization of agreements. Representatives from Sheetz and engineering firm HRG confirmed that prior disputes with neighboring Lebo residents had been resolved.
- Armstrong Valley Winery noise complaint discussed: Residents Rich and Sharon John complained of excessive noise from a July 11 event at the winery. A neighbor reported being able to identify songs from inside his home. Winery co-owner Jake Gruver presented meter readings showing noise levels within ordinance limits, attributing spikes to a neighbor's riding mower. The codes officer was directed to conduct an unannounced visit with a decibel meter.
- Three nuisance pre-letters authorized: The board directed letters regarding roaming chickens on Peters Mountain Road (owner unknown), a dirt pile attracting rodents at Lenker Estates (directed to Gary Lenker), and a large rock creating a hazard at 5th and Maple Street. Kenneth Masser also appeared regarding his previously issued pre-nuisance letter and was given until the next meeting to clean up the cited area.
- Halifax Borough vegetation recycling partnership approved: The township agreed to help the borough manage its vegetation recycling area; in return, township residents will gain access to the site for disposal of grass clippings, branches, and leaves.
- David Rode pole barn permit granted: The board waived stormwater and permit fee requirements and ratified a construction permit for Rode to replace a pole barn destroyed by lightning in May. The Planning Commission is considering broader changes to permit requirements for structures lost to natural disasters.
- Key Lock Box Ordinance advancing: Voted to advertise the ordinance for adoption at the August 10 meeting.
- Police regionalization declined: Kenneth Bechtel reported that townships north of Peters Mountain expressed satisfaction with Pennsylvania State Police coverage and no interest in regionalizing police departments. A final report is expected in September.
- Sewer Ordinance and draft document posting tabled: Both items were deferred to August. On the draft documents question, Secretary Wendy Wentzel and Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky cited PSATS guidance advising against publishing unapproved documents, noting they could mislead residents.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman / Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the paid interim bills. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to pay the current unpaid bills as listed. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to approve the minutes from the June 8, 2015 Board of Supervisors Monthly Meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
PLANNING COMMISSION
Chairperson Flo Mallonee reported that no Planning Commission meeting was held in July due to no new or old business. She noted the Commission will meet in upcoming months to work on updating the SALDO.
ROADMASTER REPORT
A letter was sent to the Funks requesting a meeting with the Township SEO. Approximately five site visits and dozens of phone calls have been made with no success. If there is no response, DEP will be contacted.
A nuisance complaint was received about chickens roaming onto properties on Peters Mountain Road with the owner unknown. Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to send a pre-nuisance letter to surrounding residents. Motion carried 3-0.
The Sewer and Water Authority was contacted; several homes need lines redone on that road. The Authority will patch the low areas they caused, and the Township will look at paving the road next year.
Kenneth Masser spoke regarding his pre-nuisance letter and asked for clarification about the blocks cited. He was shown pictures and acknowledged what needs cleaned up. He was given until the next meeting to address the concerned area.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Secretary Wentzel raised concerns about posting draft documents before approval. PSATS advised against posting drafts as they are not official and could mislead residents. Solicitor Warshawsky confirmed draft minutes are not official documents. The item was tabled until the next meeting.
A letter was received from PennDOT informing the Township that an additional $1,037.68 will be sent for winter maintenance on Powells Valley Road.
Chairman Bechtel attended the police regionalization meeting held in Middle Paxton Township. Townships north of Peters Mountain were satisfied with Pennsylvania State Police coverage and not interested in regionalization. A final report will be released in September.
OLD BUSINESS
Brian Soyka (Sheetz) and Eric Stump (HRG) presented regarding the Highway Occupancy Permit. Negotiations with the Lebo residents were resolved and agreements are being prepared. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to execute the HOP applications contingent upon satisfaction of the engineer's memo points and execution of agreements. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to advertise the Key Lock Box Ordinance for adoption at the August 10, 2015 Board of Supervisors meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to adopt the Ordinance Regulating and Restricting Outdoor Fires in the Township of Halifax, Dauphin County. Motion carried 3-0.
This item was tabled until August's Board of Supervisors meeting.
Discussion was held on whether the Township should provide an electronics pick-up site. It was decided that electronic recycling will continue at the Upper Paxton Township Building the 2nd Saturday of each month, and this information will be added to the Township website.
NEW BUSINESS
David Rode sought to replace a pole barn destroyed by lightning in May. Supervisor Paul motioned to waive the Stormwater Management Application and permit fee; Supervisor McBurney motioned to ratify issuance of the construction permit. Both motions carried 3-0. The Planning Commission is also looking at changing permit requirements for buildings destroyed by natural disaster.
After some discussion, this item was tabled until the next month's Board of Supervisors meeting.
Halifax Borough asked the Township for assistance moving vegetation at its recycling area. In return, Township residents would be able to use the site for disposal of grass clippings, branches, and leaves. Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to assist the Borough. Motion carried 3-0.
A resident emailed about a dirt pile from home construction in Lenker Estates that has created a haven for rodents, despite a prior promise to remove it. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to send a pre-nuisance letter to Gary Lenker to address the pile before the next meeting. Motion carried 3-0.
Rich and Sharon John of Rutter Road complained about excessive noise from Armstrong Valley Winery on July 11, 2015. Mr. Attick at 265 Rutter Road reported he could identify songs from inside his home. Jake Gruver, co-owner of the Winery, provided meter readings showing levels within ordinance limits except when a neighbor's riding mower passed the meter. The Codes Officer was instructed to make an unannounced visit to record decibel readings.
A large rock was placed at the corner of 5th and Maple Street encroaching on the right of way, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to send a pre-nuisance letter to the resident. Motion carried 3-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to waive the reading of the Resolution for the letter of credit release of the security agreement (carried 3-0), and then to approve the Resolution for the Letter of Credit Release (carried 3-0).
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