Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:35 pm - 7:00 pm — matters of litigation
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on May 8, 2017, called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel following an executive session on litigation matters. All five supervisors were present: Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board worked through a full agenda spanning road maintenance, utility contracts, property issues, and Fort Halifax matters, with all motions passing unanimously.
- Road mower purchased for $14,000: The board approved buying a mower from Diamond for mowing road banks. Separately, Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported a $9,000–$10,000 quote for a new plow for the township's recently acquired Freightliner truck, but no action was taken on that purchase.
- 2017 paving options discussed: Supervisors reviewed potential projects on Camp Hebron Road, Bunker Hill Road, Hershey Road, McClellan, Pawnee Lane, and Ridge Road, with a cost analysis to be prepared for bidding. No votes were taken.
- Patriot Energy contract dropped: The board voted to notify Patriot Energy that the township will not renew its electric rate contract, and directed Secretary Wendy Wentzel to explore alternatives through Co-Stars.
- Nuisance complaint withdrawn: The board unanimously withdrew the "Brother" nuisance complaint, following the evening's executive session on litigation.
- A to Z Construction complaint update: A neighbor reported unlicensed vehicles remain on the property. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky relayed that A to Z's counsel committed to registering vehicles by June 1 and offered to install required screening and buffer plantings ahead of land development plan approval — a compromise the neighbor found acceptable.
- Pollinator plot approved at Fort Halifax: The Dauphin County Farm Bureau will plant a quarter- to half-acre native pollinator plot on the east side of Route 147 at the northern end of Fort Halifax, with planting planned for late spring or early summer.
- Stormwater waiver granted: The board waived the stormwater management application for the Wilbert property under option #3.
- Kieffer Road property auction concerns: Resident Matt Bixler raised concerns about an upcoming auction of Shirley Tobias's property on Kieffer Road. Extensive discussion took place but no action was taken.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisors approved paid interim bills through May 8, 2017 (motion by McBurney, second by Paul, 5-0), unpaid bills as of May 8 (motion by Schreffler, second by Paul, 5-0), and the April 10, 2017 meeting minutes (motion by Paul, second by Schreffler, 5-0). The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC Report
Tim Neiter was not present but relayed through Supervisor Bruner that there have been three successful flights with the drone and a training manual is currently being developed.
Solicitor Report
Solicitor Warshawsky presented his report dated May 2, 2017, noting that bold items are on the agenda. The Township has been assigned counsel for a railroad traffic fatality and will meet at month's end in anticipation of a lawsuit being filed.
Roadmaster Report
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported the Freightliner purchased from Federal Surplus has been painted and received a $9,000–$10,000 quote for a new plow (no action taken). The Board approved purchasing a mower from Diamond for $14,000 for mowing road banks (motion by Paul, second by Schreffler, 5-0). Discussion covered 2017 paving options including Camp Hebron Road, Bunker Hill Road, Hershey Road, McClellan, Pawnee Lane, and Ridge Road, with a cost analysis to be done for bidding. The Board also agreed camping should only be permitted along the river.
Administrative
Secretary Wendy Wentzel reported BB&T is now charging a $12.00/month service fee due to spending under $1,000 on the debit card; the Board recommended she reach out to other banks. Chairman Bechtel reported the Township received its letter of collateralization from BB&T and that the Tobias Road Bridges were checked by Wilson Consulting Group and do not require a load posting.
Old Business
The Board asked the Mobile Home Park owners to email their proposal to Joe Gaughan of Dauphin County Emergency Management and return at next month's meeting with an agreeable resolution to the address reassignments.
Mr. Auman reported unlicensed vehicles remain on the A to Z Construction property and suggested moving everything over the hill would resolve the issue. Solicitor Warshawsky noted A to Z's counsel said vehicles will be registered by June 1 and they are willing to erect required screening/buffer plantings ahead of their land development plan approval. Mr. Auman was open to this idea.
The Board voted to withdraw the nuisance complaint (motion by Bruner, second by Paul, 5-0).
This item was tabled after discussion.
Tabled until the next meeting.
The Board directed the Secretary to check with Co-Stars for an electric contract. The Board voted to send a letter to Patriot Energy advising the Township will not renew their contract (motion by Bruner, second by Schreffler, 5-0).
New Business
The Board voted to send letters to parcel owners requesting they attend the next meeting or send correspondence with a suggestion for naming the private access off Scholl Road (motion by Bruner, second by McBurney, 5-0).
The Township had not heard back from the parcel owner affected by the address change for the private access off Parmer Drive. The Secretary will reach out to the parcel owner and the item will be placed on next month's agenda.
The Board voted to waive the Stormwater Management Application per option #3 (motion by Bruner, second by Paul, 5-0).
Chairman Bechtel reported Dauphin County Farm Bureau is looking to establish pollinator plots throughout the county and proposed a quarter or half acre on the east side of Route 147 at the northern end of Fort Halifax, with planting in late spring or early summer. The Board approved the pollinator plot (motion by Bruner, second by Schreffler, 5-0).
Resident Matt Bixler addressed concerns regarding the auction of property on Kieffer Road owned by Shirley Tobias. Multiple conversations took place but no action was taken.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm (motion by Bruner, second by Paul, 5-0).
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