Monthly Business Meeting

Gary Shultz motioned to approve the January 4, 2010 reorganization minutes, passing 4:1 with Ken Hoover abstaining. Carol Eppley raised concerns about the decision to have Solicitor Warshawsky serve as Planning Commission legal counsel without consulting her or Linda Stopfel; Chairman Bechtel clarified no formal decision had been made. The January 11, 2010 minutes were then approved 4:1, again with Hoover abstaining.

Interim bills were approved 5:0. Discussion arose over outstanding invoices from prior Solicitor firm Wix, Wenger and Weidner, including special billings addressed to the former Chairman's residence and perceived duplicate charges from January 8th teleconferencing. Linda Stopfel motioned to pay all Wix, Wenger and Weidner bills, passing 3:2 with Bechtel and Hoover opposed. Remaining outstanding bills were approved 5:0.

The board granted conditional approval of the River Ridge Mobile Home Park plan 5:0, contingent on financial security, DEP sewage module approval, PennDOT HOP, a mobile home park license, and reimbursement of review fees. The DEP Resolution for Plan Revision for New Land Development was approved 4:1 with Linda Stopfel opposed. Solicitor Warshawsky reported that Jim Eppley, Ted Weaver, and Jerry Hile had resigned from the Planning Commission, leaving Fred Ford as Chair and Bob Artman as Vice Chair. He advised that the board was out of MPC compliance requiring three citizen members and recommended adopting by-laws. The board voted 5:0 to advertise vacancies and table appointments. The Mobile Home Park Permit form was approved 5:0.

Solicitor Warshawsky submitted a status report dated February 5, 2010 covering pending projects. Linda Stopfel challenged an inaccuracy in item 3.b. where Warshawsky characterized the DONCO litigation as involving her "private interests"; she stated the correspondence from Judge Bratton was unrelated to the current Lenker case. Warshawsky acknowledged having incomplete files from the former Solicitor.

Dale Shoop reported frozen pipes in the park well housing and requested estimates for roof and door replacement, which the board approved. The Witmer Manor drainage project was dropped 5:0 after Larry Michaels refused to provide the required drainage easement. Dale discussed possible locations for park signs. Regarding the school traffic lights raised during public comment by Bob Artman, the board decided not to make any changes at this time.

Linda Stopfel presented the Tree Vitalize grant application for 40 London plane sycamore trees to replace trees on the west side of Fort Halifax Park, covering up to $200 per tree with no cash match required due to extensive volunteer involvement. She described the historical significance of the original 1922 WWI memorial plantings, noting the site is the only Tree Allee on the National Historic Register. Debate centered on removing 8 healthy pin oaks to maintain 30-foot spacing; Chairman Bechtel objected to removing long-lived trees. Mr. Gusler quoted $350 for pin oak removal. The board voted 5:0 to approve an in-kind donation of township equipment and manpower for site preparation and planting, contingent on receiving the grant.

Melinda Warfel appointed her son Jeremy Dobbin as Deputy Tax Collector for 2010-2013; the board directed Secretary Ferguson to notify the Dauphin County Treasurer. The board ratified 5:0 the extension of JP Harris's agreement for collection of delinquent per capita taxes, coordinating with the Halifax Area School District to issue single delinquency notices. All five supervisors signed off on Melinda Warfel's 2010 tax collection figures: Real Estate Tax $68,862.89, Fire Tax $83,619.99, and Street Light Assessment $12,810.51.

Engineer Tom Wilson reported that Cedar Shopping Centers' Dale Pearce was willing to potentially share costs for a southbound turning signal at Parmer Drive and Route 225, with estimated costs of ~$1,000 for permit plans and ~$2,500 for the signal; Tom was asked to follow up. The $203,627.63 from a matured CD was temporarily deposited at Susquehanna Bank; discussion of paying off the Fort Halifax Park mortgage was tabled to next month. Dave Hoover was retained as Treasurer for 2010 at $1,000/month, passing 4:1 with Bechtel opposed. Compensation was approved 5:0 for Roadmaster Dale Shoop ($49,776 salary, 5 weeks vacation, $3,000 retirement bonus), Raymond Maus ($35,000 salary, 5 weeks vacation, $2,000 retirement bonus), and Secretary Shanemarie Ferguson ($25,000 salary, 2 weeks leave). Solicitor Warshawsky's 2010 fee schedule at $180/hour with no retainer was approved 3:2 with Eppley and Stopfel opposed. Charles Bisking was appointed EMC 5:0 with up to $1,000 for training expenses; Michael Sweigard was appointed to HAWASA 4:1; Fred Ford was appointed to HARA 5:0. The Solicitor was authorized 5:0 to initiate a Sheriff's Sale on Harn property to compel resolution of the car nuisance.

The board adopted 5:0 a resolution establishing engineering and legal fee schedules under the SALDO. Resident Loretta Prouse volunteered as the township's 2010 Census liaison. Park seeding discussion was postponed but Chairman Bechtel noted concern about weed overgrowth. The board voted 5:0 to advertise a proposed amended vehicle size ordinance for Mountain Road, consistent with the Engineer's and Reed Township's recommendations. Charitable contributions were approved 5:0: $250 each to Upper Dauphin Human Services and Volunteer Home Care, and $100 to Halifax Senior Center, capping total donations at $600.

Chairman Bechtel announced the township's first agricultural conservation easement purchase, preserving farmland owned by Jeremy and Jennifer Dobbin. He announced upcoming meetings: Planning Commission on March 1, 2010 and BOS Monthly Meeting on March 8, 2010, both at 7 PM. The meeting adjourned at 11:15 PM.