Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
Halifax Township's Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on February 11, 2019, called to order at 7:05 PM by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. All five supervisors were present: Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The meeting covered several land use decisions, infrastructure grant action, and community events, with every motion passing unanimously.
- SALDO Ordinance updated: The board approved revisions to the township's Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, effective February 21, 2019.
- Nightwine Subdivision conditionally approved: The board granted six engineering waivers and gave conditional approval to the Nightwine Subdivision plans per engineer Tom Wilson's report. The $200 application fee was also waived.
- Farhat building exempted from land development review: A proposed 6,000-square-foot structure on the Farhat property was exempted from requiring a formal Land Development Plan, as its use is consistent with existing buildings on the site.
- Green Light Go Grant: The board authorized soliciting quotes for traffic signal upgrades funded through the state Green Light Go grant program.
- Time capsule excavation approved: The township road crew will help excavate a time capsule buried during the 1994 Bicentennial Celebration on May 22, 2019, and assist with reburying a new capsule in September 2019.
- Rocket launches at Fort Halifax Park: The Southern PA Area Association of Rocketry received permission to hold launches at Fort Halifax Park on three dates in 2019, contingent on providing a certificate of insurance.
- PSP report: Sgt. Wolfe reported 476 incidents in the upper county during 2018, including 100 criminal cases, 26 crashes, 350 citations, and 10 DUIs. A commercial truck inspection detail placed 10 trucks and 8 drivers out of service. He reminded residents that 53-foot tractor trailers are prohibited from traveling over Peters Mountain.
- Fire department audit urged: Resident Todd Etzweiler called on the board to commission a professional CPA audit of the Halifax Fire Department, stating no such audit has been conducted in the past.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisors approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through February 11, 2019, and approved meeting minutes from the January 7, 2019 Re-Org meeting and the January 14, 2019 regular meeting. All motions carried 5-0. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Nightwine Subdivision contingent on addressing Tom Wilson's comments of February 1, 2019. The commission determined the Farhat new building did not require a land development plan due to similar use to existing structures, and accepted Ty and Lana Shoop's plans for a side yard addition. Discussion on a sign ordinance included research into other municipalities' ordinances.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to seek quotes for the upgrades outlined in the Green Light Go Grant. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to approve the SALDO Ordinance revisions with an effective date of February 21, 2019. Motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Three motions were approved 5-0: waivers 1-6 of Section A of Engineer Tom Wilson's report dated February 11, 2019; conditional approval of the plans subject to General Comments under Section B; and waiver of the $200 application fee for the Nightwine Subdivision plans.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Paul, to not require a Land Development Plan for a 6,000-square-foot structure since it was similar in use to the other buildings on the property. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Paul motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to allow the Township Roadcrew to assist with excavating the time capsule on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, which was buried during the 1994 Bicentennial Celebration, and to assist with reburying a new time capsule at a later date in September 2019. Motion carried 5-0.
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor McBurney, to allow the Southern PA Area Association of Rocketry permission to fly rockets at Fort Halifax Park on May 4, August 3, and September 21, 2019, provided a Certificate of Insurance is provided to the Township. Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.