Monthly Business Meeting
Executive session held 6:30 p.m. – 6:58 p.m. — Litigation and real estate
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on January 13, 2020, with Chairman Kenneth Bechtel and Supervisors Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, and Scott McBurney present; Steve Schreffler was absent. The board had met in executive session beforehand to discuss litigation and real estate matters. The meeting covered nuisance enforcement, Fort Halifax preservation initiatives, address corrections on two township roads, and financial items for the new year.
Nuisance enforcement actions: The board voted to abate the Neihart property nuisance. In a separate matter, Mr. Brother was warned that his fence around unregistered vehicles must be fully enclosed and that his roaming cats — which have been contaminating the township's road salt and anti-skid material — must be identified or the township will begin trapping them. Fines on the Brother property have accrued to $800 since December 11, 2019.
North Country Unlimited floodplain case: Owner Josh Decker appeared and paid the judgment imposed by District Justice Johnson but remains out of compliance with floodplain regulations. He was directed to obtain the required permit and report back at the February 10 meeting.
Fort Halifax archaeological field school: Joe Baker presented plans for a Juniata College-affiliated field school at Fort Halifax, seeking $25,000–$30,000 in grant funding with a March deadline. The board voted to provide a letter of support and appointed Amanda Rasmussen as the township's Archaeology Representative.
Wildlife nesting boxes at Fort Halifax: The board approved installation of a barn owl nesting box near the Susquehanna River and a kestrel nesting box along the tree line above Armstrong Creek, at the request of the Friends of Fort Halifax.
Address changes on Circle S Lane and Summer Drive: Following a Dauphin County Public Safety review, the board approved notifying residents on both roads of officially updated addresses.
2019 audit contracts: TRW Financial was appointed to audit Halifax Township's 2019 financial records ($3,780) and the Halifax Fire Company's 2019 records ($1,838).
$1,000 Lake Tobias donation accepted, to be used at the board's discretion.
Deferred to February: The nuisance ordinance revision and the Kieffer Road land turnback were both tabled with no action taken.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Tim DeWire (Engineer) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster) · Tim Neiter (EMC)
Meeting business
Secretary/Treasurer Report
Supervisors approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through January 13, 2020 (both 4-0). December 9, 2019 meeting minutes were approved 3-0-1, with Supervisor McBurney abstaining due to absence. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC Report
EMC Neiter reported that Dauphin County Public Safety was reviewing township addresses. The Board voted 4-0 to send letters to residents on Circle S Lane and separately 4-0 to notify residents on Summer Drive of their address changes. Neiter also noted officer changes at Halifax Fire Company for 2020.
Planning Commission Report
No action was taken on the Lee and Sandra Sweigard Subdivision. The Harteis Subdivision was accepted for review.
Solicitor Report
Owner Josh Decker appeared and presented a check for the judgment imposed by District Justice Johnson. Decker is still required to comply with floodplain regulations by obtaining a permit and was asked to attend the February 10, 2020 meeting to report on progress.
Friends of Fort Halifax
The Board voted 4-0 to permit installation of a barn owl nesting box near the Susquehanna River at Fort Halifax and a kestrel nesting box along the edge of the field on the ridge at the tree line above Armstrong Creek.
Nuisance Report
The Board voted 4-0 to abate the Neihart nuisance. Regarding the Brother nuisance, Solicitor Warshawsky reported fines accruing since December 11, 2019 totaling $800. Mr. Brother was told the fence around unregistered vehicles must be completely enclosed, and he must identify his roaming cats or the Township will trap them.
Administrative
The Board voted 4-0 to accept a generous $1,000 donation from Lake Tobias to be used at the Board's discretion.
Old Business
Joe Baker accepted artifacts from the former Archeology Representative and reported that Dr. Burns of Juniata College wants to follow up on metal detector findings at Fort Halifax. Baker noted they are seeking $25,000–$30,000 in grant funding for a field school, with a March deadline. The Board voted 4-0 to provide a letter of support and 4-0 to appoint Amanda Rasmussen as Township Archeology Representative.
New Business
The Board voted 4-0 to waive the reading of the resolution and then voted 4-0 to approve the Tax Resolution.
The Board voted 4-0 to appoint TRW Financial to audit the 2019 financial records of Halifax Township for $3,780 and the Halifax Fire Company's 2019 financial records for $1,838.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Paul, passing 4-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.