Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm — Personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on March 11, 2019, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman), Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board covered a full agenda spanning land development approvals, road maintenance, a property enforcement action, and community events, following an executive session on personnel matters earlier that evening.
- Shoop Subdivision approved with waivers granted for preliminary plan procedures, street width, and curb/sidewalk requirements. Final approval was contingent on compliance with engineer Tom Wilson's March 11 memo.
- SALDO enforcement action initiated at 134 Kinsinger Road: The board voted to send a formal letter to the property owner to begin enforcement proceedings under the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
- Farhat Stormwater Management Plan conditionally approved with specific revisions required per the township engineer's memo, including elimination of item B-6 and changes to B-10 and General Comment #4.
- Freightliner truck authorized for sale: Roadmaster Tim Belk was directed to research sale options and list the vehicle locally and on Municibid.
- $475 approved for welding training: Assistant Roadmaster Sweigart was authorized to attend Welding Class 101 at Dauphin County Technical School (March 26–April 30), with work hours reduced during class weeks.
- Township received $204,107.68 in Liquid Fuels funding for 2019, plus a $6,014.69 general liability insurance rebate and $969 workers' comp refund from 2018.
- Halifax Ambulance workers' comp discussed: Jeff Tracey requested the Township's continued financial support after the ambulance service switched insurance providers. Chairman Kenneth Bechtel noted the Township has no legal obligation to pay since there are no volunteers, and requested audited financials before further action.
- Community events scheduled: Cleanup Day was set for May 10–11, open to Halifax Township and Halifax Borough residents with Wayne Township potentially joining. The board also approved organizing a Halifax Township Day at a Harrisburg Senators game. Residents Jacquie Cooper and Donna Suskie announced that 206 Hometown Heroes banners are arriving and asked the Township for help hanging them.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Tim DeWire (Engineer) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisors approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through March 11, 2019 (both 5-0). February 11, 2019 meeting minutes were approved 5-0. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC Report
Tim Neiter reported that an active shooter training is scheduled for Friday, March 14th at 8:00 am involving the Fire Department and school teachers. He invited Township officials to attend.
Planning Commission Report
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Shoop Subdivision contingent on addressing Tom Wilson's comments. Supervisors approved waivers of Section 404 (Preliminary Plan Procedure), Section 502(3)(b)(3) (Street Width), and Sections 606/607 (Curbs and Sidewalks) 5-0, then approved the subdivision plan contingent on compliance with Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Engineer Tom Wilson's memo dated March 11, 2019 (5-0).
Roadmaster Report
Roadmaster Tim Belk submitted his February report. Discussion was held on roads needing base repair. Supervisors approved 5-0 to have the Roadmaster research options to sell the Freightliner, advertising locally and on Municibid. Supervisors also approved 5-0 to send Assistant Roadmaster Sweigart to a Welding Class 101 at Dauphin County Technical School at a cost of $475 (March 26 through April 30, 2019), with reduced work hours during class weeks and overtime limited at the Roadmaster's discretion.
Friends of Fort Halifax
Friends of Fort Halifax submitted their report. Supervisors approved 5-0 the purchase and installation of 3 charcoal grills by the Friends of Fort Halifax.
Administrative
The Township received a $6,014.69 rebate for its 2018 General Liability Insurance and a $969.00 refund for 2018 Employees' Workers Comp. Liquid Fuels received for 2019 was $204,107.68.
New Business
Jeff Tracey of Halifax Ambulance informed the Board that the ambulance service had changed insurance providers and was not renewing with Deibler Straub & Troutman. He requested continued Township financial support for workers compensation. Chairman Bechtel stated the Township has no obligation to pay since there are no volunteers, but has no issue paying at this time. Audited financials were requested from Halifax Ambulance.
Supervisors approved 5-0 to set Cleanup Day dates for Friday, May 10th (7:00 am–3:00 pm) and Saturday, May 11th (6:00 am–noon) for residents of Halifax Township and Halifax Borough, with Wayne Township possibly participating pending their meeting and confirmation.
Supervisors approved 5-0 to give conditional approval of the Farhat Stormwater Management Plan with the elimination of B-6, a revision to B-10, and a revision to General Comment #4 of Engineer Tom Wilson's memo dated March 11, 2019.
Supervisors approved 5-0 to send a letter to the parcel owner at 134 Kinsinger Road to initiate proceedings regarding enforcement provisions in the SALDO.
Supervisors approved 5-0 to organize a Halifax Township day at a Harrisburg Senators game.
Chairman Bechtel announced a seminar on Identity Theft and Avoiding Scams hosted by Senator DiSanto on April 22nd at the East Shore Library. State Representative Sue Helm and Senator DiSanto will honor Vietnam Veterans on March 29th at Widener University of Law. Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Paul agreed to sit on a committee for a future project with Halifax Borough.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 9:49 pm on a motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Paul, approved 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.