Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on April 9, 2018, called to order at 7:03 PM by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. Supervisors Brad Bruner, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney were also present; Randy Paul was absent. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Frank Gally, a former township engineer. Road infrastructure projects dominated a lengthy agenda that ran until 10:03 PM.
- Road paving and tar-and-chip bids authorized (4-0): The board approved advertising for bids on the 2018 tar and chipping program covering Kieffer Road, Tobias Road, Dunkle School Road, Hill Top Road, Round Top Road, Manor Drive, Cornfield Drive, and Ridge Road at an estimated cost of $138,985, plus Konick Road paving estimated at $77,600 and base paving on Kieffer Road.
- Kieffer Road right-of-way and deeds of dedication (4-0): Engineer Tom Wilson was directed to stake the right-of-way along 0.57 miles of Kieffer Road from Route 225 to Tobias Road. The board also formally accepted Deeds of Dedication for that road segment.
- Fisher Alley property purchase (3-0-1): The board authorized closing on the Carl Snyder Estate property on Fisher Alley, with funds drawn from the Capital Improvements Account. Brad Bruner abstained on both related votes.
- Brush area cost-sharing with Halifax Borough (4-0): Following discussions with Mayor Jeff Enders, the board agreed to have the Borough hire personnel to staff the shared brush disposal area on Fridays and Saturdays from May through October, splitting costs equally between the two municipalities.
- Reed Township services discussion (4-0): After Halifax Township provided backhoe assistance to Reed Township at an estimated cost of ~$800 to help extinguish a burn pile, and with questions raised about snow plowing services, the board voted to invite Reed Township to the next meeting to discuss compensation for ongoing services.
- Public Safety Committee formed: Scott McBurney attended the first meeting of a new committee reviewing fire company expenditures and exploring a possible fire tax. Steve Schreffler agreed to join, with the committee meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month. The related Act 172 EIT tax credit for volunteer firefighters (up to $250) was tabled pending input from other municipalities.
- Unresolved A to Z Construction complaint: Resident Stephen Auman reported that a nuisance complaint filed ten months earlier remained unaddressed — construction equipment on the roadside of a hill had not been moved as promised. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky noted a permit could not be issued until the Erosion & Sediment Plan is reworked; the matter was extended to May.
- Annual insurance renewed (4-0): Coverage with Deibler, Straub & Troutman was renewed for the period May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Tom Wilson (Engineer) · Corey Stazewski (Roadmaster) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisors approved paid interim bills through April 8, 2018 and current unpaid bills as of April 9, 2018, both passing 4-0. Meeting minutes from the March 12, 2018 meeting were approved 4-0. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC Report
EMC Tim Neiter reported that he submitted the NARM to the County for the Township. Roadmaster Stazewski raised concerns about not being notified of Declarations of Emergency; Neiter said he would check into the notification procedure.
Planning Commission Report
Chairperson Mallonee reported no new business at the regular meeting other than Bill Burch presenting sketch plans for a new Lisi's retail building at the current Shell Gas Station location. The SALDO changes were discussed, and Solicitor Warshawsky is working on separating the Stormwater Management from the SALDO and addressing private road issues.
Solicitor Report
Supervisors voted 3-0-1 (Supervisor Bruner abstaining) to authorize Chairman Bechtel to allow Solicitor Warshawsky to sign all necessary documents and the Purchaser's Affidavit for the closing of the Carl Snyder Estate property, scheduled for April 13 or 16. A second motion passed 3-0-1 to fund the purchase from the Capital Improvements Account.
Roadmaster Report
Chairman Bechtel and Roadmaster Stazewski met with Mayor Jeff Enders about the shared brush area. They proposed staffed hours on Fridays (8 AM–7 PM) and Saturdays (8 AM–1 PM) from May 1 through October 28, with a log of users kept. Supervisors voted 4-0 to have the Borough hire personnel to man the brush area and split the cost with the Township.
Roadmaster Stazewski noted that the center of Kieffer Road needs to be marked. Supervisors voted 4-0 to have Engineer Tom Wilson stake the right of way for Kieffer Road from Route 225 to Tobias Road along 0.57 miles. Different paving options were discussed but no paving decision was made.
The 2018 tar and chipping program covers Kieffer Road, Tobias Road, Dunkle School Road, Hill Top Road, Round Top Road, Manor Drive, Cornfield Drive, and Ridge Road at an estimated cost of $138,985. Konick Road paving (22 feet wide) is estimated at $77,600. Supervisors voted 4-0 to advertise for bids for tar and chipping, Konick Road paving, and Kieffer Road base paving.
Supervisors voted 4-0 to waive the reading of the Resolution for the Deeds of Dedication for Kieffer Road, then voted 4-0 to approve the Resolution for the Deeds of Dedication.
Administrative
Secretary Wentzel informed the Board that the Township tax collector's account was moved to Mid Penn Bank due to a conflict of interest with the Deputy Tax Collector's employment at Riverview Bank. Reed Lebo donated a safe to the Township, which was accepted, and a thank-you letter will be sent.
Old Business
The Act 172 discussion was tabled until next month while the Township considers an EIT credit up to $250 and waits to hear from other municipalities. A public safety committee was formed to review fire company expenditures and explore implementing a fire tax; Supervisor Scott McBurney attended the first meeting and Supervisor Schreffler agreed to serve, with meetings on the 4th Thursday of each month. The Employee Handbook was sent back to Solicitor Warshawsky for a few changes before next month's adoption.
New Business
Nathan Troutman of Deibler, Straub & Troutman presented the Township's annual insurance renewal policy covering May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019. Supervisors voted 4-0 to renew coverage with Deibler, Straub & Troutman.
Reed Township's EMC had requested use of Halifax Township's backhoe to move a burn pile, costing the Township roughly $800. Roadmaster Stazewski also raised the topic of plowing for Reed Township. Supervisors voted 4-0 to send a letter inviting Reed Township to the next meeting to discuss services currently being provided.
Supervisors voted 4-0 to approve rocket flying on May 5 and August 4, 2018.
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner motioned and Supervisor Schreffler seconded to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 10:03 PM, passing 4-0.
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