Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 7:30 pm – 8:15 pm — personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on July 9, 2018, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman), Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for Fred Ford, a former member of the Planning Commission and the Water and Sewer Authority. The session covered land development approvals, legal updates, nuisance enforcement, and several community projects at Fort Halifax.
- Lisi's land development plan approved for new retail store: The Planning Commission recommended conditional approval, and the board unanimously granted multiple SALDO waivers — including buffer plantings, street trees, stormwater management, sewer elevations, and preliminary plan procedure — along with deferred compliance on curbs and sidewalks. The plans were approved contingent on Engineer Tom Wilson's sign-off on the financial security.
- Ziegler nuisance complaint advanced: The board voted unanimously to have Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky send a formal letter regarding the Ziegler nuisance, with the matter scheduled for follow-up at the August meeting.
- Stopfel litigation settled: Solicitor Warshawsky reported the Stopfel case has been resolved. The Hoover/Brown settlement enforcement motion is set for hearing on August 24.
- Two Eagle Scout projects approved at Fort Halifax: Tim Schmitt received approval to build at least five new picnic tables offering safer seating. Tanner Schmitt was approved to construct a 375-foot snake rail fence, three to four feet high, along the House side of the park. Both passed unanimously.
- Friends of Fort Halifax granted approval for grills and paint grant: The board approved installing charcoal grills in the picnic area and authorized the group to apply for a paint grant. The Friends of Fort Halifax were also added as a recurring agenda item.
- Halifax Historical Society backed for gaming funds: The board agreed to send a letter supporting the Historical Society's application for gaming monies to renovate its Market Street building.
- Fire department audit underway: Ernie Schreffler, Chairman of the Township Auditors, reported that an audit of the Halifax Fire Department is in progress, with a full report expected at the August meeting.
- Camp Hebron traffic study proceeding: Representative Deke Ryder confirmed Camp Hebron intends to move forward with a traffic study. HRG is also continuing Act 537 water sampling, with eight more residential samples still needed.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Erik Schroeder (Engineer)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisors approved paid interim bills through July 8, 2018 (motion by Paul, second by Schreffler, 5-0), unpaid bills as of July 9, 2018 (motion by McBurney, second by Paul, 5-0), and meeting minutes from the June 11, 2018 meeting (motion by Paul, second by Bruner, 5-0). The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC Report
EMC Tim Neiter reported that fireworks were scheduled for July 21, 2018, with Riverview Bank as main sponsor and sponsorships looking good. He announced upcoming training for the Everbridge program involving the Roadmaster and Township Secretary, and a meeting to determine which radios and accessories to purchase with gaming monies awarded to the Township.
Planning Commission Report
Chairperson Mallonee reported the Planning Commission recommends conditional approval of Lisi's Land Development Plan for a new retail store. Supervisors granted SALDO waivers for buffer plantings (512.1.c), street trees (513.5), sewer elevations (405.2.d), preliminary plan procedure (404), stormwater management (508), and deferred compliance on curbs/sidewalks (Sections 6 and 7), all passing 5-0. The plans were approved conditioned on Engineer Wilson's approval of the financial security (motion by Schreffler, second by Bruner, 5-0).
Solicitor Report
Solicitor Warshawsky presented his July 3, 2018 report covering several matters: the recorded deed for Kieffer Road was received; the Stopfel litigation has been settled; Attorney Confair continues pursuing judgment in the Udito bankruptcy and defending against PRS's lawsuit; a motion passed 5-0 to send a letter regarding the Ziegler nuisance and take it up at the next meeting; and the Hoover/Brown motion to enforce settlement is scheduled for August 24, 2018 at 9:30 am.
Old Business
Deke Ryder appeared on behalf of Camp Hebron and confirmed that Camp Hebron wants to move forward with a traffic study.
HRG will be resending letters to random residents as eight more water samples are needed. Residents are encouraged to participate, and only water samples are being collected.
New Business
Friends of Fort Halifax submitted a report and asked to be a recurring agenda line item. Supervisors approved their request to install picnic area charcoal grills and to apply for a paint grant (motion by Paul, second by Schreffler, 5-0).
Supervisors approved sending a letter of support for the Halifax Historical Society to apply for gaming monies to fund upgrades to their building on Market Street in Halifax (motion by Bruner, second by Schreffler, 5-0).
Tim and Tanner Schmitt presented Eagle Scout projects for Fort Halifax. Tim Schmitt proposed building at least 5 new picnic tables offering safer seating (approved 5-0, motion by Paul, second by Bruner). Tanner Schmitt proposed building a snake rail fence on the house side of the park, three to four feet high and 375 feet long (approved 5-0, motion by McBurney, second by Paul).
The nuisance on the Farhat lot was abated. No further action was discussed.
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner motioned and Supervisor Paul seconded to adjourn at 8:23 pm. Motion carried 5-0.
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