Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:20 pm – 6:55 pm — Personnel
Summary
Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on June 13, 2016, convening at 7:09 p.m. after a closed executive session on personnel matters and running nearly four hours until 11:20 p.m. All five supervisors were present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Scott McBurney, and Steve Schreffler. The evening's most significant action was awarding over $166,000 in road paving contracts, alongside a busy agenda covering nuisance enforcement, stormwater compliance, Fort Halifax Park matters, and a notable audit season update.
- Paving contracts awarded — $166,383 total (5-0): Meckley's Limestone won bids for Camp Hebron Road ($107,352) and Seiders Road ($35,511); New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company was awarded Hill Drive ($23,520).
- Halifax Swim Club added to Township insurance (4-0-1): The board approved a resolution placing the swim club on the Township's insurance policy for its community pool. Chairman Kenneth Bechtel abstained; all other supervisors voted yes. The Swim Club will pay the premium directly to the insurer.
- Sawdey subdivision plan approved (5-0): The board approved a driveway plan for Ricky and Nicole Sawdey on Sycamore Avenue — conditioned on the applicants providing a letter of credit or other financial security — after the Planning Commission recommended replacing the existing driveway entirely with a new installation.
- Sheetz $1,000 donation accepted (5-0): Following complaints about tree removal on the Sheetz property, the company offered a $1,000 goodwill donation. The board accepted it, with funds restricted to a dedicated account for Sycamore tree maintenance.
- Nuisance enforcement authorized on two properties (5-0 each): Formal enforcement action was approved for the Kline residence on Dunkel School Road, where owners were reportedly moving items without cleaning up. A nuisance letter was separately authorized for the Brothers property, where more than three unregistered vehicles remain despite a new stone driveway having been installed.
- Stormwater compliance letter ordered for Lehman property (5-0): The board directed staff to send Kyle Lehman a formal letter requiring him to submit documentation — as-built calculations, volume proof, or stone receipts — to demonstrate compliance with the Township's stormwater management requirements.
- Fort Halifax Park — banner approved, neighbor dispute referred to solicitor: Resident Frank Wilmarth was granted permission to hang a welcome banner on the park's silo or barn. The board also directed Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky to contact an adjacent property owner's attorney after that owner was reported to be confronting and unsettling visitors to the park.
- PEMA/FEMA disaster reimbursement pending: EMC Tim Neiter reported $15,274.06 in expenses submitted for the January snowstorm disaster assistance application, with an estimated 75% reimbursement of roughly $11,000–$12,000 expected once FEMA processes the application. A dry hydrant was also installed at Johnson's Nursery with the property owner's permission.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman / Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Steve Roe (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
BID OPENING
Chairman Bechtel opened the paving bids and reviewed the bid amounts submitted. The Board instructed Roadmaster Corey Stazewski to review the bids and return later in the meeting with a recommendation.
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
The Board unanimously approved paid interim bills through June 13, 2016, current unpaid bills as of the same date, and the May 9, 2016 meeting minutes. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC REPORT
EMC Tim Neiter reported that Johnson's Nursery allowed the fire department to install a dry hydrant on their property. He also updated the Board on the Public Disaster Assistance Application for the January snowstorm, currently under final PEMA review before submission to FEMA, with estimated reimbursement of 75% of $15,274.06 (approximately $11,000–$12,000). Chairman Bechtel commended Neiter for his service.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Chairperson Flo Mallonee reported on a sketch plan for Ricky and Nicole Sawdey's driveway on Sycamore Avenue; the Board unanimously approved the plan with a condition that a letter of credit or financial security be provided. A sketch plan from Doughboys for a new restaurant, microbrewery, and 80-vehicle parking lot was also presented, and Ernie Schreffler inquired about subdividing a property without Township frontage.
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Steve Roe provided an overview of his June 10, 2016 report covering services during May. No action was taken and the report was placed on record.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported that Sheetz received two complaints about tree removal on its property and, as a goodwill gesture, offered to donate $1,000 to the Township. The Board unanimously approved accepting the $1,000 check and sending an acknowledgment letter, with the funds designated strictly for sycamore tree maintenance.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported on multiple nuisance matters. The Board unanimously approved enforcement action on the Kline residence on Dunkel School Road for failure to clean up property, and voted to send a formal nuisance letter to the Brothers property for having more than three unregistered vehicles. Updates were given on the Pawnee Drive vehicle (moved), the Noll parcel on N. 2nd Street (mowed), the Zeigler property on Kinsinger Road (daughter acknowledged letter, follow-up inspection planned), and a Boyer Street resident placing signs on Township right-of-way.
SEO REPORT
No formal SEO report was given. Chairman Bechtel and Supervisor Bruner met with Keith Heigel to discuss concerns. Marty Sowers will meet with Secretary Wendy Wentzel to compile reports on building authorizations and SEO issues. The Supervisors directed that all payments be made at the Township office first, not at Light Heigel, to ensure the Township is informed of issues in a timely manner.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The commercial insurance renewal was deferred to the next meeting. Lettich and Zipay auditors reported a clean audit of Township financial records. The Liquid Fuels Audit was conducted June 2, 2016 with no issues. A Workers' Compensation Audit for Township employees was scheduled for June 15. Masser Potatoes notified the Township of a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the end of July and requested Supervisor email addresses for invitations.
OLD BUSINESS
Levi spoke with Janet Wert at Edward Jones, who offered to meet with the Supervisors. It was suggested he use an outside investor to set up payments, but since it is not a Township plan, contributions cannot be pre-taxed. The item was tabled.
A draft ordinance for the parking issue was prepared, but it was noted that the road along the Township is a right of way and more research is needed. The item was tabled until the next meeting.
Kyle Lehman submitted a picture and memo showing pre-construction conditions. The Board unanimously approved sending a letter requiring Lehman to provide an "As Built" with calculations, documentation proving adequate stormwater management with 18-inch excess depth of volume, or receipts for stone used, as options for demonstrating compliance.
The Township will receive the insurance premium invoice for the pool and pass it to the Halifax Swim Club for direct payment. The Board unanimously waived the reading of the resolution, then approved (4-0-1, Chairman Bechtel abstaining) the resolution to place the Halifax Swim Club on Halifax Township's insurance for the pool serving Township residents.
NEW BUSINESS
Resident Ed Weaver, who purchased a home in the Jorich Subdivision on Matamoras Road, raised concerns that the stormwater management on his parcel does not comply with the current SALDO. Solicitor Warshawsky explained that the stormwater management was compliant with the SALDO in effect at the time of construction. Engineer Steve Roe agreed to provide As Built calculations, and Weaver will be notified when the information is available.
Steve Auman submitted a complaint with photos about 637 S. River Road, owned by A to Z Construction (Mr. Farhat), showing debris including tar paper, shingles, and approximately a dozen trucks with backup noise around 10 p.m. The Township lacks zoning and the Noise Ordinance covers only amplified music. The Board directed Roadmaster Stazewski to inventory the premises, and Solicitor Warshawsky and Secretary Wentzel will prepare a directed nuisance letter.
Supervisor McBurney met with School Superintendent Orner about holding a Town Hall Meeting with an open agenda and fixed time frame. Two or more Township representatives would attend along with invited Senator Teplitz and Representative Sue Helm. The meeting is planned for September and will be publicly advertised.
After Roadmaster Stazewski's review, the Board unanimously awarded paving bids to Meckley's Limestone for Camp Hebron Road ($107,352.00) and Seiders Road ($35,511.00), and to New Enterprise Stone and Lime Company for Hill Drive ($23,520.00).
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned and Supervisor Paul seconded to adjourn the meeting at 11:20 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
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