Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held April 1, 2019: 8:15 pm – 8:45 pm; April 8, 2019: 6:20 pm – 6:45 pm — Personnel matters
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on April 8, 2019, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The nearly three-hour session covered a wide range of township business, with significant attention to property nuisance enforcement across multiple addresses, road crew operations, and community events tied to Fort Halifax Park and the township's 225th anniversary.
- Road crew shorts approved in split vote (3-2): The board narrowly approved allowing the road crew to wear shorts during summer months at Roadmaster Tim Belk's discretion. Kenneth Bechtel and Brad Bruner voted no.
- Eagle Scout dedication approved at Fort Halifax Park: The board unanimously approved a June 1, 2019 ceremony for twins Tim and Tanner Schmitt's Eagle Scout projects and waived the $10 camping permit fee so they could set up camp at the park.
- $15,220 workers' compensation payment for Halifax Fire Department: The board approved paying the fire department's workers' comp premium in full for May 2019 through April 2020.
- Road paving bids and staffing authorized: The board voted to advertise for base repairs and paving, advertise for a part-time road crew position, and directed the Roadmaster to recruit a summer worker from Halifax High School. A mutual cleanup day arrangement with Wayne Township was also approved.
- Nuisance enforcement letters directed to five properties: Pre-nuisance or nuisance letters were authorized for 120 Tourist Park Road, 928 Armstrong Valley Road, 194 Kinsinger Road, 495 Buffalo Park Road, and a parcel at Route 147 and Tourist Park Road. A sixth property at 134 Kinsinger Road, already addressed by the Solicitor, was deferred to next month.
- Dauphin County Emergency Operations Plan adopted (5-0): The township formally adopted the county EOP, superseding all previous local plans. EMC Tim Neiter also reported on a recent mass casualty training exercise at Halifax High School.
- Kieffer Road turnaround survey authorized: K&W Engineers was directed to survey a proposed L-shaped turnaround area on Kieffer Road for snow plow operations, with a right-of-way and deed of dedication to follow.
- Shipping containers won't require permits: After discussion, the board decided not to require a permit for standard shipping containers. The Halifax Pool Board also addressed the supervisors during public comment, apologizing for a letter that incorrectly blamed the township for the pool's closure in recent years.
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
Public Comment Period
Brian Schmitt requested approval for a dedication ceremony on June 1, 2019 at Fort Halifax Park for his twins Tim and Tanner Schmitt's Eagle Scout projects; approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner. Tim and Tanner also requested to camp at the park that evening; the $10 camping permit fee was waived 5-0 on motion by Supervisor McBurney.
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Paid interim bills through April 8, 2019 were approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor McBurney. Unpaid bills through April 8, 2019 were approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Schreffler. March 11, 2019 meeting minutes were approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Paul. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC Report
EMC Tim Neiter reported on a mass casualty desktop training at Halifax High School on March 14 and a weather exercise using the December 1, 2006 Halifax Township tornado scenario. The Board adopted a resolution to adopt the Dauphin County Emergency Operations Plan and supersede all other EOPs, approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner.
Planning Commission Report
The Planning Commission met April 1, 2019 and accepted the Gladys Sweigard Subdivision for review. The Wech/Flemish Down Subdivision Plans were deferred to Middle Paxton Township on the Planning Commission's recommendation, approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner. The Planning Commission is also working on a sign ordinance.
Roadmaster Report
Roadmaster Tim Belk submitted his March report. The Board approved advertising for base repairs and paving 5-0, allowed the road crew to wear shorts in summer at the Roadmaster's discretion 3-2 (Bechtel and Bruner voting no), authorized the Roadmaster to recruit an 18-year-old from the high school for summer work 5-0, and approved a mutual cleanup day assistance arrangement with Wayne Township 5-0.
Friends of Fort Halifax
Frank Wilmarth reported the archeological study should be completed, with shovel testing scheduled for the end of April. The Board approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Paul to allow a stockade enclosure to be erected around the electrical panel at Fort Halifax.
Administrative
Nathan Troutman of Deibler, Straub and Troutman reviewed the Township's insurance renewal beginning May 1, 2019. The Board approved advertising for a part-time road crew position 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner. The Board approved payment of $15,220.00 for Halifax Fire Department workers compensation coverage for May 1, 2019 through April 30, 2020, approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner.
Old Business
The Board approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner for Halifax Township to participate in the 225th Anniversary Parade on July 20, 2019 at noon.
New Business
Chairman Bechtel and Roadmaster Belk met with Mr. Funk regarding an L-shaped turnaround area for snow plowing with a cartway of at least 16 feet; some land still needs to be abandoned. The Board approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner to have K & W Engineers survey the proposed area for the right-of-way and deed of dedication.
The Board approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Bruner to send a pre-nuisance letter to the parcel owner on record to address trash on the property.
A letter was sent by Solicitor Warshawsky. The matter is on the agenda for next month.
After discussion, the Board approved 5-0 to send a letter to the owner of the parcel at Route 147 and Tourist Park Road.
The Board approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Schreffler to send a pre-nuisance letter to both the renter and the land owner at 928 Armstrong Valley Road.
The Board approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Schreffler to send a nuisance letter to 194 Kinsinger Road.
The Board approved 5-0 on motion by Supervisor Schreffler to send a pre-nuisance letter to both the renter and the owner of the parcel at 495 Buffalo Park Road.
After discussion, the Board decided not to require a permit for standard shipping containers.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m. on motion by Supervisor Bruner, approved 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.