Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:35 p.m. to 6:58 p.m. — litigation and land agreement
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on May 14, 2018, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman), Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. An executive session on litigation and a land agreement preceded the public meeting. The nearly three-hour session covered infrastructure concerns, nuisance enforcement, land development, and intergovernmental coordination, with all motions passing unanimously.
- Hershey Road Bridge concerns raised with county: The board voted to send a letter and photos to the Dauphin County Commissioners demanding a formal response about the bridge's condition, noting it needs repair but is not on the county's list of bridges slated for work.
- Reed Township road services strained: Reed Township Supervisor Keith Rainey attended to discuss Halifax Township's road crew providing winter maintenance for Reed Township. With a shortage of plow drivers and more Halifax roads to maintain, the arrangement is becoming unsustainable. Rainey agreed to seek outside quotes; no formal action was taken.
- Property nuisance enforcement at 200 Kinsinger Road: The board directed that a follow-up letter be sent to the property owner requiring the nuisance be abated by June 20, 2018.
- Farhat land development and A to Z Construction nuisance: Developer Ameer Farhat addressed complaints about unregistered vehicles on his A to Z Construction property, explaining they are business equipment hauled to job sites. The board granted an extension on his land development plan through August 13, 2018.
- Lake Tobias traffic control plan approved on the condition that Lake Tobias add Halifax Township as an additional insured on their liability policy.
- Private road standards sent to Planning Commission: The board referred SALDO Section 505.2a back to the Planning Commission to establish right-of-way requirements — a 50-foot right-of-way with at least an 18-foot cartway.
- Act 172 (volunteer firefighter tax credit) tabled to the next meeting, pending a May 24 Public Safety Committee meeting with Wayne, Jefferson, and Reed townships.
- Fair Districts PA resolution declined: Arthur Florio asked the board to adopt a resolution supporting an independent redistricting commission ahead of the 2020 Census. The board took no action.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (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
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to approve the paid interim bills through May 13, 2018. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Schreffler motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to pay the unpaid bills as of May 14, 2018. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve the meeting minutes of the April 9, 2018 meeting. Motion carried 5-0.
EMC Report
EMC Tim Neiter reported that fireworks are scheduled for July 21, 2018 with a rain date of July 28, 2018.
Solicitor Report
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to grant an extension for the Farhat Land Development Plan to August 13, 2018. Motion carried 5-0. Ameer Farhat addressed the nuisance complaint against A to Z Construction, explaining that unregistered vehicles on the property are used for his business and that certain equipment is not required to be registered as they are site vehicles hauled to job sites.
Roadmaster Report
Roadmaster Corey Stazewski reported that 12 to 15 40-yard dumpsters were used for the recent clean-up days and everything went well. The Upper Middle Road Project was reshaped by New Enterprise and approved by Dauphin County.
Administrative
Chairman Bechtel reported from the last COG meeting that Light-Heigel has rehired John Poff and is trying to find someone to staff the Halifax Office. He also noted a push to update Sign Ordinances throughout the municipalities and recommended the Township review its own Sign Ordinance.
Old Business
This item was tabled until the next month's meeting. The Public Safety Committee has a meeting scheduled on May 24, 2018 and has invited Wayne Township, Jefferson Township, and Reed Township to attend.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to accept all revisions made for the May 14, 2018 Policy Manual. Motion carried 5-0.
HRG has sent approximately 100 survey letters to residents with onlot septic systems in Halifax Township. They are hoping for a 25% return rate.
A nuisance complaint was filed regarding 200 Kinsinger Road. A letter was sent to the parcel owner and a reply was received. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to send a letter requesting the nuisance be abated by June 20, 2018. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Bruner, to send the issue back to the Planning Commission to address Section 505.2a of the SALDO regarding right-of-way access, which should include a 50-foot right of way with at least an 18-foot cart way. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
Engineer Tom Wilson reported that Sheetz requested the return of the Letter of Credit for the new Sheetz location. Everything was satisfactory except for a missing pin. Rather than reducing the Letter of Credit to $1,500, it will be returned in full once the missing pin is placed and a final inspection is completed.
Reed Township Supervisor Keith Rainey attended to discuss road services provided by Halifax Township's road crew. Due to a shortage of plow drivers and Halifax Township acquiring more roads to maintain, it is difficult to service both townships during snow and ice storms. Mr. Rainey stated he would get outside quotes for winter maintenance. No formal action was taken.
Arthur Florio of Fair Districts PA asked the Board to adopt a resolution supporting a constitutional amendment to create an independent citizens commission for drawing state legislative and congressional districts after the 2020 U.S. Census. No action was taken by the Board.
Paul Wood of HRG presented the proposed traffic control plan for Lake Tobias. Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to approve the plan on the condition that Lake Tobias add Halifax Township to their insurance policy as an additionally insured. Motion carried 5-0.
The Board discussed that Hershey Road Bridge is not on the county's list of bridges set to be repaired despite needing repairs. Supervisor McBurney motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to send a letter and photos to the Dauphin County Commissioners requesting a formal response. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to grant a waiver of the Stormwater Section 508 requirements of the SALDO as referenced in Engineer Tom Wilson's memorandum dated May 1, 2018. Motion carried 5-0.
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to adjourn at 9:40 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
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