Monthly Business
Executive session held 6:05 pm - 6:55 pm — land
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on September 14, 2020, called to order at 7:08 p.m. and conducted both in person and by virtual conference. All five supervisors were present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. An executive session on a land matter was held prior to the public meeting. The board addressed a mix of infrastructure contracts, legal enforcement actions, and ongoing ordinance work across a nearly two-and-a-half-hour session.
- Road base repair contract awarded: The board awarded a $22,560 contract to New Enterprise for base repairs on McClellan Road, Upper Middle Road, and Lower Middle/McClellan Road, the lower of two bids received (Meckley's Limestone Products bid $24,960).
- Sewer plant upgrade financing approved: The board authorized signing LGUDA documents to finalize financing for the township sewer plant upgrade.
- Legal actions advancing against two businesses: The solicitor was directed to send a formal letter to A to Z Construction regarding permitting compliance. Separately, after a Writ of Summons filed against North Country Unlimited received no response, the board instructed Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky to proceed with an injunction complaint.
- Fireworks ordinance moving forward: A subcommittee presented a draft fireworks ordinance; the board discussed penalty provisions and directed the subcommittee to return next month with a revised final draft.
- Nuisance enforcement update: The nuisance for high weeds and grass on Farhat Vacant Lots on S. River Road was formally deemed abated. A property at 1207 N. River Road remains in partial violation — grass was mowed but a pool cover issue persists, and another letter will be sent.
- Fort Halifax Park events approved: Brian Schmitt was granted use of Fort Halifax Park on September 26 for a graduation and Eagle Scout celebration for twin sons Tanner and Tim Schmitt (up to 100 attendees), with camping fees waived. Cub Scout Pack 156 was also approved to use the upper park area on October 4 for their annual rocket launch.
- Resident proposes bypass alternative to housing development: David Hause of Summer Drive spoke in opposition to a housing development concept previously presented to the Planning Commission, proposing an alternative bypass route through parcels adjacent to Halifax High School owned by Ricker Construction, with a traffic signal at the middle/high school entrance, citing student safety concerns.
- Budget workshop dates set: The board scheduled 2021 budget workshops for October 19, October 26, and November 2 (if needed), all at 6:00 p.m.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Adam Whalen (Engineer) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
BID OPENING
Two bids were received for base repairs on McClellan Road, Upper Middle Road, and Lower Middle/McClellan Road: Meckley's Limestone Products at $24,960 and New Enterprise at $22,560. The Board voted 5-0 to award the bid to New Enterprise at $22,560.
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
The Board approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through September 14, 2020, and approved the August 10, 2020 meeting minutes, all by 5-0 votes. The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC REPORT
EMC Tim Neiter reported collecting three bundles of sandbags stored at the Township to help replenish PEMA's inventory.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
The Planning Commission had no representation from Flight Source present at the meeting. Engineer Kurowski reviewed his comments regarding the Flight Source application.
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Adam Whalen submitted his report dated September 8, 2020, for August services. The bid for the Hershey Road culvert replacement will go out in early October.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk submitted his written report for August and requested permission to purchase a road widener attachment, which the Board approved. The Board recommended booking a tree trimming vendor for late December or early January.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX
The Brick House designation was tabled. For visitor parking car stops, the Board decided to try painted lines first before considering car stops.
NUISANCE REPORT
At 1207 N. River Road, grass was mowed but the pool cover issue was not addressed; another letter will be sent. For the Farhat vacant lots on S. River Road, the Board voted 5-0 to deem the nuisance of high weeds and grass abated.
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board voted 5-0 to approve signing the LGUDA documents for financing the sewer plant upgrade.
OLD BUSINESS
The Board voted 5-0 to have Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky send a formal letter to A to Z Construction regarding permitting.
A Writ of Summons was filed against North Country Unlimited with no response received. The Board instructed Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky to proceed with an Injunction Complaint.
Paul Morris, the property manager at 2845 Peters Mountain Road, presented pictures showing how and where stormwater runoff occurs in response to a complaint received by the Township. After brief discussion, the Board took no action.
The subcommittee formed at the prior month's meeting presented a draft fireworks ordinance. Discussion focused on determining violation penalties. The Board voted 5-0 to have the subcommittee return next month with a final draft incorporating the discussed changes.
NEW BUSINESS
Brian Schmitt was granted use of Fort Halifax Park on September 26 for a graduation and Eagle Scout celebration for twins Tanner and Tim Schmitt, with up to 100 attendees; camping fees were waived by 5-0 vote. Cub Scout Pack 156 was granted use of the upper park area for their annual rocket launch on October 4. All motions passed 5-0.
The Board set 2021 Budget Workshop dates: October 19 at 6:00 PM, October 26 at 6:00 PM, and November 2 at 6:00 PM if needed.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM on a motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, passing 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.