Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 5:30 PM to 6:55 PM — Personnel and litigation matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on October 12, 2009, called to order at 7:04 PM by Chairman Norma Shearer. All five supervisors were present — Norma Shearer, Linda Stopfel, Carol Eppley, Ken Hoover, and Gary Shultz — along with Engineer Tom Wilson, Solicitor Steve Dzuranin, and Acting Secretary/Treasurer Lisa Kelley. The meeting was preceded by a closed executive session from 5:30 to 6:55 PM on personnel and litigation matters. The evening's most contested business involved property enforcement, a new road ordinance, and a new policy on resident complaints — two of which passed on divided votes.
- Harn property nuisance enforcement approved (4-1): The board voted to tow vehicles violating township ordinance at the Harn property and clean up the site, with Roadmaster Dale Shoop and David Hoover assigned to handle the details. Ken Hoover cast the lone dissenting vote.
- Mountain Road Ordinance adopted (4-1): Following a public hearing with no comment from residents or the board, the Mountain Road Ordinance was adopted as proposed. Ken Hoover again voted no.
- Resident complaint procedure tightened (3-2): On a narrow vote, the board required that resident complaints be submitted in writing or by personal appearance at a township meeting. Linda Stopfel and Carol Eppley voted against the measure, which arose from discussion of a water runoff complaint brought informally by resident Wendy Clough.
- River Ridge Mobile Home Park waivers approved (5-0): Six subdivision code waivers were granted for River Ridge Mobile Home Park's current plan on the Planning Commission's recommendation.
- Strohecker minor subdivision waivers approved (5-0): Waivers to two code sections were accepted for the David L. and Donna L. Strohecker final minor subdivision plan.
- Wind Energy Ordinance in progress: The Planning Commission reported completing a final draft Wind Energy Ordinance covering both non-commercial and commercial facilities. The board will review the scope of work before the Engineer and Solicitor provide proposals; Donna Rode was assured a public hearing would be held before adoption.
- Master Site Plan survey approved — $519.87 (5-0): The township will mail surveys to all 3,354 households in the 17032 zip code at bulk rate to gather input for the Master Site Plan. A public meeting was announced for November 4 at 7:00 PM in the Halifax High School cafeteria.
- EIT Committee appointments (5-0): Bob Artman was appointed Delegate and Gary Shade named Alternate to the Earned Income Tax Committee, replacing Linda Stopfel and Bob Artman in those respective roles.
Who was there
Norma Shearer (Chairman/Supervisor) · Linda Stopfel (Supervisor) · Carol Eppley (Supervisor) · Ken Hoover (Supervisor) · Gary Shultz (Supervisor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Steve Dzuranin (Solicitor) · Lisa Kelley (Acting Secretary/Treasurer)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer's Report
Interim paid bills and unpaid current bills were approved unanimously on a motion by Carol Eppley, seconded by Linda Stopfel. The September 14, 2009 business meeting minutes were approved unanimously after Ken Hoover suggested correcting "Sol. Dzuranin" to "Solicitor Dzuranin" throughout. The September Financial Report was accepted.
Planning Commission
Jim Eppley reviewed the Planning Commission report. The Board unanimously approved recommended waivers and modifications for River Ridge Mobile Home Park (Sections 404, 405.1a(14), 505.3a, 704.1.e, 502.7.c, and 704.1.a) on a motion by Ken Hoover. Waivers for the David L. and Donna L. Strohecker Final Minor Subdivision (Sections 404 and 407.1.a.7) were also unanimously approved on a motion by Linda Stopfel. Jim Eppley reported the Planning Commission completed the final draft Wind Energy Ordinance covering non-commercial and commercial facilities, and asked the Board to review the scope of work before the Engineer and Solicitor provide proposals; Donna Rode was assured a public hearing would be held before adoption.
Engineer's Report
Tom Wilson recommended releasing the Letter of Credit for Dean S. Kerstetter and Mary E. Chubb; Linda Stopfel motioned to approve the release, seconded by Carol Eppley, and the motion carried unanimously. Tom Wilson will also provide GIS information for the FEMA flood plain map and create an overlay to make the maps more user-friendly.
Solicitor's Report
Solicitor Dzuranin advised the Board it was appropriate to act on the Harn nuisance matter. Linda Stopfel motioned to enforce the ordinance by towing non-compliant vehicles, seconded by Carol Eppley; the motion carried with Ken Hoover opposed. Dale Shoop and David Hoover were assigned to handle the details. Solicitor Dzuranin indicated he would report on the Wise/Mahoney matter at the November meeting.
Valleys Regional Comprehensive Plan Report
Supervisor Shearer reported that two public meetings were held in September for the Valleys Regional Comprehensive Plan, both well attended. A third public meeting is planned for December, though no date has been set.
Old Business
A public hearing was held on the Mountain Road Ordinance with no public or Board comments; Linda Stopfel motioned to adopt it, passing with Ken Hoover opposed. Supervisor Shultz proposed a fixed payment schedule for tenant utility arrears: $50/month October–March and $250/month April–September, with tenants to be notified in writing. Linda Stopfel raised a water runoff complaint from Wendy Clough regarding a prior letter to Mr. Lenker; Tom Wilson agreed to discuss it at a meeting with Paul Wentz, and the Board voted to require future complaints in writing or by personal appearance, with Carol Eppley and Linda Stopfel opposed. A truck noise complaint about illegal mufflers was referred to the State Police. Linda Stopfel requested that Bob Artman replace her as EIT Committee Delegate and Gary Shade be appointed Alternate; the motion by Gary Shultz carried unanimously.
New Business
Ken Hoover motioned to donate $100 to the Lions Club Halloween Parade, approved unanimously. A letter from Medic 6 regarding billing policy will be posted on the Township website. The Master Site Plan Committee prepared a survey to be mailed to all 3,354 households in the 17032 zip code at a bulk mailing cost of $519.87; Linda Stopfel motioned to approve mailing, carried unanimously. Drop-off points are Giant, Sheetz, and the Township Office, with a public meeting set for November 4, 2009 at 7:00 PM at Halifax High School Cafeteria.
Adjournment
Ken Hoover motioned to adjourn at 8:52 PM, seconded by Carol Eppley; the motion carried unanimously.
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