Monthly Business
Executive session held 6:30 p.m. - 6:55 p.m. — Personnel and matters of litigation
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on July 8, 2019, called to order at 7:07 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. All five supervisors were present — Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney — along with Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, Engineer Tim DeWire, and Roadmaster Tim Belk. An executive session on personnel and litigation matters preceded the meeting from 6:30–6:55 p.m. The nearly three-hour session covered road safety concerns, stormwater applications, intergovernmental agreements, and several ongoing enforcement matters.
- PennDOT winter maintenance agreement approved: The board accepted a $4,709.91 agreement for the Township to maintain a portion of Powells Valley Road during the 2019–2020 winter season.
- Route 147/Seiders Road safety concern raised: The board voted to send a letter to PennDOT — with copies to Representative Sue Helm and Senator DiSanto — about the dangerous passing zone at the intersection of State Route 147 and Seiders Road.
- North Country enforcement escalated: After an engineer's letter to North Country went unclaimed, the board directed Solicitor Warshawsky to send a formal letter with the engineer's findings attached and had Roadmaster Tim Belk serve a copy directly.
- Dorman stormwater application approved; Smokee Bros tabled: The Dorman Stormwater Management Application was approved on the condition that hard copies of the plan be submitted. The Smokee Bros application was tabled until next month.
- Intermunicipal equipment-sharing agreement with Wayne Township: The board approved moving forward with a formal agreement allowing Wayne Township to use Halifax Township equipment.
- Onlot Septic and Holding Tank Ordinances tabled for workshops: After discussion, the board deferred both ordinances and agreed to hold workshop meetings before taking action.
- Bluebird Society requests mowing changes: Kelly Peck of the Bluebird Society asked the board to avoid mowing certain milkweed patches that provide food for bluebirds and attract butterflies and hummingbirds, identifying the locations on a map.
- Public comments — stop sign request and nuisance extension: Norma Shearer's request for a stop sign at Sycamore and Maple Street was declined pending a required PennDOT traffic study. Mark Ziegler received a 30-day extension to address a property nuisance complaint. Anthony Crum raised concerns about potholes on Middle Road.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Tim DeWire (Engineer) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Schreffler moved to approve paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through July 8, 2019, both passing 5-0. Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Bruner moved to approve the June 10, 2019 meeting minutes with a correction to the Friends of Fort Halifax Report, passing 5-0. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC Report
EMC Tim Neiter thanked the Board and the Township road crew for their assistance with the upcoming annual fireworks event, including helping move pylons to the Halifax ambulance building.
Planning Commission Report
The Planning Commission accepted the Graceful Acres Land Development Plans for review. The Commission continues working on a sign ordinance and on separating the Stormwater Management from the SALDO.
Engineer Report
Engineer Tim DeWire submitted K & W's report dated June 26, 2019 for June services. Hershey Road Bridge paperwork is moving forward. Surveying for Charlie Funk needs to be completed outside the right-of-way for the Deed of Dedication. Discussion took place regarding concrete pads and impervious coverage, which does not require a permit and is difficult to track.
Solicitor Report
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky submitted his report dated July 8, 2019. The Paulvir nuisance deed is awaiting bank recording, and the Hoover cesspool has reportedly been closed pending SEO verification. The Engineer's letter to North Country was unclaimed; Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor McBurney moved 5-0 to have the Solicitor send a letter with the Engineer's letter attached and have the Roadmaster serve a copy.
Roadmaster Report
Roadmaster Tim Belk submitted his June report. The Board requested all Green Light Go Grant bidders confirm their best itemized bids. Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Bruner moved 5-0 to permit Roadmaster Belk to attend free Dirt and Gravel Certification Classes in Danville on October 30-31. Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Schreffler moved 5-0 to send a letter to the owner of cats entering the Township building and using it as a litterbox.
Old Business
Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Paul moved 5-0 to approve the Dorman Stormwater Management Application as submitted, with the condition that hard copies of the plan be submitted to the Township.
The Smokee Bros Stormwater Management Application was tabled until next month.
After discussion, the Board decided to table both the Onlot Septic Ordinance and the Holding Tank Ordinance and will hold workshop meetings to address them.
Borough residents continue calling the Township for the brush area key despite the Borough holding 5 keys for its residents. The Borough's planned Saturday openings have not been happening, and a contractor will not commit to clearing the area due to unknown dumped materials. The Township pushed debris back three times in June, and the Board asked that Grosser Excavation be contacted for a cost estimate to push the debris.
New Business
Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Paul moved 5-0 to accept the Winter Maintenance Agreement between PennDOT and Halifax Township for $4,709.91 to maintain a portion of Powells Valley Road for the 2019-2020 winter season.
Supervisor Paul and Supervisor McBurney moved 5-0 to move forward with creating an Intermunicipal Agreement between Wayne Township and Halifax Township for the use of Halifax Township's equipment.
Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Bruner moved 5-0 to allow the 225th Anniversary Committee to store the wooden flower boxes seen throughout the area at Fort Halifax during the winter season.
The Board discussed the dangerous passing zone at the intersection of State Route 147 and Seiders Road. Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Schreffler moved 5-0 to send a letter to PennDOT with copies to Representative Sue Helm and Senator DiSanto.
Adjournment
Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Paul moved to adjourn at 9:50 p.m., passing 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.