Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:45 pm - 8:55 pm (September 3, 2015) — Personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on September 14, 2015, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman), Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board worked through a full agenda spanning land development approvals, a new ordinance adoption, nuisance enforcement, road maintenance, and early planning for the 2016 budget. An executive session on personnel matters had been held separately on September 3.
Flight Source development approved: The board unanimously approved a waiver of preliminary plans under Section 404 and the final development plan for Flight Source, subject to conditions to be verified by the township engineer's office.
Key Lock Box Ordinance adopted: The board passed Ordinance 15-10-2015 requiring key lock boxes on certain properties to aid emergency responder access.
Winery noise complaints addressed: After Roadmaster Corey Stazewski made three unannounced visits with a noise meter and found no violations, the board voted to require the winery to self-monitor its music events and submit noise level reports to the township within three business days.
Nuisance enforcement authorized against Farhat property: The board authorized the solicitor to take next legal steps if the property owner fails to address a nuisance by September 18, the 37th day after the nuisance letter was sent. A separate trash cleanup matter involving Masser/Smeltz was confirmed resolved and closed.
Sewer ordinance taking shape: The board wants a 180-day connection window after official notification, with 3–6 months of advance notice to affected residents. Information about PHFA's 0% financing program would be included with hookup notifications. During public comment, Larry Michaels asked about the timetable; Fred Ford of the Halifax Sewer and Water Authority confirmed there are no current plans for Witmer Manor, as sewer plant upgrades would be needed first. The ordinance is targeted for adoption in November.
Road line painting program launched: The board approved painting lines on 10 miles of township roads this year — one-third of the 30-mile paved network — and established an ongoing annual rotation to cover all roads over time.
Fort Halifax Park USDA program: The board authorized Chairman Kenneth Bechtel to prepare paperwork for a USDA Farm Service Agency 5-year agricultural use program at Fort Halifax Park, with a late-September deadline.
2016 budget workshops and other business: Public budget workshops were scheduled for October 19 and 26 at 7:00 pm. The board approved supplemental appropriations to the 2015 budget for winter road salt, assigned the address 509 Buffalo Park Road to the Friends of Fort Halifax Park parcel, and heard a presentation from the Fisherville Volunteer Fire Department about potentially hosting a hose and barrel competition at Fort Halifax Park during the June 2016 Dauphin County Firemen's Convention. Total current bills approved: $9,721.10.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman, Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Ralph Salvia (Solicitor Representative (for Bruce Warshawsky)) · Steve Roe (Engineer Representative (for Tom Wilson))
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Paid interim bills were approved unanimously. Current unpaid bills were approved at a revised total of $9,721.10 after adjusting the Kurawski & Wilson payment to $3,384.61. Minutes from the August 10, 2015 meeting were approved. The financial report was reviewed with no comments and placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Chairperson Flo Mallonee reported on three items. The Druckenmillers are placing a modular home on a lot with a previously approved Stormwater Management Plan; a $300 escrow check and security deposit are required. Flight Source received approval for waiver of preliminary plans under Section 404 and approval of the final plan with conditions to be addressed by Engineer Tom Wilson's office. Armstrong Valley Winery submitted plans for a wine storage building, accepted for review. Heath Altland inquired about pole barn and stormwater requirements and was told only a permit application is needed.
ENGINEER REPORT
Steve Roe attended on behalf of Engineer Tom Wilson and reviewed Wilson's report dated September 1, 2015. No action was taken on the report.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Ralph Salvia reported on behalf of Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky. The Masser/Smeltz trash matter is closed per Roadmaster Stazewski. The DONCO dirt pile was sprayed and will be followed up next month. The Roadmaster was asked to report on Quail Commons standing water. The Board voted 5-0 to authorize the Solicitor to proceed with next steps on the Farhat nuisance if not addressed by September 18. Solicitor Warshawsky will meet with the Sewer Authority Solicitor on October 5 regarding Sewer Ordinance revisions.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported quotes for a new pay loader at $80,000–$100,000 with trade-in value of $9,000–$15,000. The Board approved 5-0 to proceed with line painting on 10 miles (one-third of paved roads) and maintain a yearly schedule. The Board requested truck lettering estimates for the next meeting. Three first aid kits were approved for purchase at approximately $300. Plans for the Emory Eyster property corner will be prepared by Steve Roe for sign-off.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Public Budget Meeting Workshops were set for October 19 and October 26, 2015, at 7:00 pm. The Dauphin County Association of Township Officials convention is October 1 at the Halifax Area Ambulance Association Building. The Board voted 5-0 to have Chairman Bechtel prepare paperwork for the USDA Farm Service Agency 5-year program for Fort Halifax Park, with a September 2015 deadline. Comcast sent notice of a September 21 meeting in Harrisburg. Supervisors Bruner and Schreffler will attend the September 21 NDRC Phase II meeting in Swatara Township regarding a county-wide Rural, Urban & Suburban funding approach.
OLD BUSINESS
The Board voted 5-0 to adopt the Key Lock Box Ordinance 15-10-2015.
After attending the Halifax Sewer and Water Authority meeting, the Board determined they want a 180-day connection timeframe from official notification, with residents receiving 3–6 months advance notice. PHFA's 0% financing program pamphlet was suggested to be sent with notifications. The ordinance will be on the next meeting agenda for possible adoption in November.
The Township received noise complaints regarding the Winery. Permit Officer Corey Stazewski made three unannounced visits and recorded noise levels, finding no violation of the noise nuisance ordinance. The Board voted 5-0 to require the Winery to monitor music events and submit noise level reports to the Township within three business days.
NEW BUSINESS
Jason Faust of the Fisherville Volunteer Fire Department and EMC Tim Neiter requested use of Fort Halifax Park's upper fields for a hose and barrel competition during the June 2016 Dauphin County Firemen's Convention. The event would run 8:00 am to 3–4 pm using a portable pump from the creek, with traffic control, portable toilets, and liability insurance provided. The Board indicated they would be agreeable and would give formal approval if the location is chosen.
The Board voted 5-0 to waive the reading of the resolution, then voted 5-0 to approve the Resolution to Make Supplemental Appropriations for the 2015 Budget for salt for winter maintenance.
The Board voted 5-0 to assign 509 Buffalo Park Road as the street address for the Friends of Fort Halifax Park parcel on Buffalo Park Road.
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