Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held October 26, 2015, 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM — Personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on November 9, 2015, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting's most consequential action was establishing a broad sewer hookup deferral policy, while the board also moved forward on 2016 budget preparation and declined a proposal for joint trash collection with Halifax Borough.
- Sewer hookup deferral policy approved (5-0): After the Sewer Authority requested that deferral rights be limited to residential properties, Scott McBurney initially moved to do so but withdrew the motion following discussion. The board then unanimously approved a broader measure, moved by Steve Schreffler, allowing all properties — residential and commercial — to defer sewer hookup for up to five years under the forthcoming Sewer Ordinance.
- Joint trash collection proposal declined: Halifax Borough Mayor Jeff Enders proposed a joint trash collector arrangement with the township. A representative from Fulkroad Disposal outlined disadvantages of a single-collector mandate. The board concluded the township is too diverse — with open farmland, development areas, and residents who burn their trash — to require a single appointed collector.
- Flood insurance CRS program costs outlined: Engineer Steve Roe estimated Community Rating System participation would cost $1,500–$2,000 in engineering fees for the first two years, $200–$300 annually after that, and $800–$1,000 for five-year audits. The break-even point requires 55 flood-insured properties, but only 11 of 113 flood-plain properties currently carry flood insurance. No action was taken.
- Quail Commons street dedication stalled: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported no progress on the street dedication. Engineer Steve Roe noted three manholes on Dustin Drive failed vacuum testing and must pass before streets can be dedicated.
- 2016 budget and 2015 audit advertisements approved (5-0 each): The board voted to advertise the proposed 2016 budget in the Upper Dauphin Sentinel and to solicit proposals from an outside CPA firm for the 2015 township audit.
- 457 retirement plan introduced: Assistant Roadmaster Levi Sweigart presented a 100% employee-contributed 457 deferred compensation plan for the board's consideration. The item was deferred to the December meeting for advertising and formal approval.
- Planning Commission updates: Chairperson Mallonee reported the Commission accepted an application from Flight Source, Inc. to demolish and replace an existing building with a larger one, and recommended approval of a revised Sheetz plan reducing building size and adding a vestibule.
- TAP Sidewalk Project funding stalled: Jeff Enders reported he did not apply for grants because no available programs fit the project. The township will research alternative funding sources for the engineering fees.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor, Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Steve Roe (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
The Board approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through November 9, 2015, and approved minutes from the October 12 monthly business meeting and the October 19 and October 26 budget workshops. All motions carried 5-0. The financial report was reviewed with no comments and placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Chairperson Flo Mallonee reported on the November 2, 2015 Planning Commission meeting. The Commission accepted an application from Flight Source, Inc. to demolish and replace an existing building with a larger one, and recommended approval of changes to the Sheetz plan reducing the building size and adding a vestibule. The Commission also continues reviewing changes to the SALDO.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky reported on October activities. A motion for summary judgment in the UDITO case will be filed within days. The Stewart Property has been sold but the sheriff's deed has not yet been recorded, with only the Township's lien outstanding. At the Kolva sheriff sale, attended by Wendy Wentzel, no public bidders appeared and Mr. Kolva agreed to payments of $50.00 per month.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Assistant Roadmaster Levi Sweigart presented a 100% employee-contributed 457 retirement plan for Board consideration; it will be placed on next month's agenda for advertising and approval. The Secretary/Treasurer requested two laptops (one for the Roadmaster, one for meetings) and dual monitors, with Supervisor McBurney suggesting a port replicator; quotes will be obtained. The Board asked the Secretary/Treasurer to research options for the interest-bearing escrow account to determine who is entitled to the interest. The Board recommended obtaining a new letter of collateralization from BB&T Bank following its acquisition of Susquehanna Bank.
OLD BUSINESS
The Sewer Authority asked the Township to consider allowing deferral of hookup for residential properties under the forthcoming sewer ordinance. An initial motion by Supervisor McBurney to limit deferral to residential properties was withdrawn after further discussion. A second motion by Supervisor Schreffler, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to allow deferral of hookup for all properties for up to 5 years was approved 5-0.
Engineer Steve Roe estimated CRS engineering fees of $1,500–$2,000 for the first two years, $200–$300 annually thereafter, and $800–$1,000 for the five-year audit. Fifty-five participating properties would be needed to break even; currently only 11 of 113 properties in the flood plain carry flood insurance.
Solicitor Warshawsky reported no communication had been received regarding the street dedication. Engineer Steve Roe noted that three existing manholes on Dustin Drive failed the vacuum test and must pass before the streets can be dedicated. No action was taken.
Jeff Enders reported he did not apply for any grants for the project because no grants were available that it would qualify for. Research will be done to find another alternative funding source for the engineering fees.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Jeff Enders of Halifax Borough proposed a joint trash collector arrangement with the Township. Adrian from Fulkroad Disposal spoke about disadvantages of having a single collector. The Board determined the Township is too diversified—with open farmland, development areas, and residents who burn trash—to require a single appointed trash collector. No further action was taken.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to advertise a notice for appointing an outside firm to audit all Township accounts for 2015. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to advertise the notice of adoption of the 2016 budget in the Upper Dauphin Sentinel. Motion carried 5-0.
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