Monthly Business Meeting
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on June 8, 2020, conducted as both a public and virtual conference. All five supervisors were present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The nearly three-hour meeting was dominated by land development approvals, with the board also advancing a major sewer authority financing effort and addressing several property and permitting matters.
- Scheidler Subdivision approved: The board granted waivers for preliminary plan, plan scale, and curb/sidewalk requirements (contingent on insertion of the standard Halifax Note), then approved the subdivision plans — both votes 5-0.
- Flemish Down subdivision conditionally approved: Waivers were granted and plans approved 5-0, with Halifax Township's approval expressly contingent on sign-off from Wayne Township and Middle Paxton Township, the primary municipality.
- Lehman Subdivision reaffirmed: The board voted 5-0 to reaffirm its prior approval and authorized officers to execute the resubmitted plans.
- $7.3 million PennVest sewer loan advanced: Jeff Enders reported the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority secured a $7.3 million PennVest loan for a plant upgrade. The board voted 5-0 to authorize Mr. Smida of Mette Evans and Woodside to gather the financial information the township must submit to complete the loan application.
- Tourism grant repurposed for Fort Halifax buildings: The board voted 5-0 to allow Friends of Fort Halifax Park to redirect a $3,000 DCED Tourism Grant — originally for the 2020 Colonial Festival — toward restoration of the brick building and granary building.
- Farmhouse Meats letter of support: The board voted 5-0 to provide a letter of support for Farmhouse Meats to operate a retail location selling small packages of beef.
- A to Z Construction permit violation unresolved: A large building was constructed without permits. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky was directed to contact the company's counsel for an update; the matter was carried to the next meeting.
- Kevin Ricker inquired about land near the high school: During public comment, Ricker identified himself as a potential buyer of land across from the high school and asked about access via a private drive off Huffman Road. He plans to submit a sketch plan to the Planning Commission.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor, Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster) · Marc Kurowski (Engineer)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisors approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through June 8, 2020, both passing 5-0. Meeting minutes from May 11 and May 20, 2020 were approved 5-0. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
Chairperson Mallonee reported three items from the June 1, 2020 meeting. The Scheidler Subdivision received waiver approvals and plan approval (5-0). The Flemish Down subdivision received waiver approvals, with Halifax Township's approval contingent upon Wayne Township and Middle Paxton Township approvals (5-0). The Lehman Subdivision approval was reaffirmed and officers were directed to execute resubmitted plans (5-0).
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Kurowski submitted the May report. The Harteis Subdivision plans were recorded; North Country has not signed for or returned correspondence despite certified mail. Lisi Shell Station requested a final inspection for Letter of Credit return, with all items addressed. Discussion on Kieffer Road vacated right-of-way consolidation for three property owners, with an estimate being prepared. A stormwater site inspection will be conducted by the Engineer and Supervisor Paul.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk submitted a written report. He will evaluate Upper Middle Road and McClellan Road for base repairs not completed last year and prepare cost estimates. DSA representatives suggested a thick tar and chip base for the corner on Middle Road, with paving as a fallback if it does not hold up.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX
The Board voted 5-0 to allow Friends of Fort Halifax Park to submit an amended budget and narrative to repurpose the $3,000 DCED Tourism Grant, originally intended for the 2020 Colonial Festival, to be used on the brick building and granary building instead.
OLD BUSINESS
Jeff Enders reported the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority acquired a $7.3 million PennVest loan, but financials from both Halifax Township and Halifax Borough are required. The Board voted 5-0 to authorize Mr. Smida of Mette Evans and Woodside to obtain the necessary information for the loan.
A large building was constructed without permits. Solicitor Warshawsky will reach out to A to Z Construction's counsel to get an update on the matter.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board voted 5-0 to return the Letter of Credit for the Lisi Land Development, following the engineer's confirmation that all items from the final inspection had been addressed.
Farmhouse Meats requested a letter of support from the Township for a retail location to sell small packages of beef. The Board voted 5-0 to provide the letter of support for the retail location.
Discussion was held regarding the process for cutting down a dead sycamore tree. Solicitor Warshawsky will review the relevant ordinance, and the Forestry Department will be contacted to inspect and determine which trees are dead.
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner motioned and Supervisor Paul seconded to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m., passing 5-0.
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