Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on October 12, 2020, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The nearly two-and-a-half-hour session covered significant activity around the Fort Halifax property, progress on converting a private railroad crossing to public use, and several land development and stormwater matters.
- Fort Halifax demolition bids: The board voted unanimously to advertise for formal bids to demolish the barn and white farmhouse at Fort Halifax, after initial bids were received. An arborist will also be hired to inspect identified Sycamore trees to confirm whether they are dead before any removal (5-0).
- "Yeager House" naming (3-2): The board voted to officially name the Fort Halifax brickhouse the "Yeager House," with Scott McBurney and Randy Paul casting the dissenting votes.
- Railroad crossing conversion: Following an October 2 site meeting with the PUC and Norfolk Southern, the board is pursuing conversion of the private railroad crossing at Fort Halifax to a public crossing, which would unlock grant funding for upgrades and crossing gates. Norfolk Southern requires one or two existing crossings to be closed first; Reed Township has agreed in principle to close one south of Inglenook, and Sunbury Borough is considering closing another. The roadmaster was authorized to begin bringing the Fort Halifax access road up to public road standards.
- Camp Hebron tax assessment: The board approved new assessment and tax rates for Camp Hebron, conditioned on Halifax Area School District approval (5-0).
- Kieffer Road resolution: After a committee meeting with the Shoop family, the board chose to convey land on Kieffer Road to the Shoops, who will construct their own driveway, with the township assuming stormwater management costs (5-0).
- Fire relief distribution: $20,061.23 in fire relief monies distributed to Halifax Fire Company (5-0).
- Stormwater approvals: The Fuller Stormwater Management Plan and the Sommerville Stormwater Management Exemption were both approved based on engineer Cathy Lee's review memos (5-0 each).
- Public comment — Boyer Street safety: Robb Wentzel raised a concern that on-street parking on Boyer Street near Route 147 reduces visibility and effectively narrows the road to one lane, creating a safety hazard. The board added the item to the next meeting's agenda.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Marc Kurowski (Engineer) · Wendy Wentzel (Secretary) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisors approved paid interim bills and current unpaid bills through October 12, 2020, both passing 5-0. The September 14, 2020 meeting minutes were approved 5-0, and the financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
Chairperson Mallonee reported that Ricker & Ricker presented a revised second sketch plan for land across from the High School, with Mr. Hause present to voice concerns about the concept development. The Planning Commission also began discussions on separating Stormwater Management from the SALDO.
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Marc Kurowski submitted his report dated October 7, 2020 for September services. Bids for the Hershey Road Culvert project are due November 2, 2020 and will be opened that evening at the next Board of Supervisors meeting.
SOLICITOR REPORT
Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky submitted his September report. The Board approved 5-0 a new proposed assessment and tax rates for Camp Hebron, conditioned on Halifax High School's approval. On Kieffer Road, following a committee meeting with the Shoops, the Board voted 5-0 to convey land to the property owners, who would be responsible for driveway construction, with the Township assuming stormwater management costs.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk submitted a written report for September. The Board voted 5-0 to advertise for formal bids for demolition of the barn and white farmhouse at Fort Halifax after receiving initial bids. The Board also voted 5-0 to have an arborist inspect identified Sycamore trees to verify whether they are dead.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX
The Board voted 3-2 to officially identify the brickhouse as the "Yeager House," with Supervisors McBurney and Paul casting the dissenting votes.
RAILROAD CROSSING
A meeting was held October 2 with the PUC, Norfolk Southern, Chairman Bechtel, Supervisor McBurney, and Roadmaster Belk to discuss converting the private railroad crossing to a public crossing, which would enable grant funding for upgrades and crossing gates. Norfolk Southern wants existing crossings closed first; Reed Township has agreed in principle to close the public crossing south of Inglenook, and Sunbury Borough is considering closing one as well. The road into Fort Halifax must be built to public road standards, and the Board authorized the Roadmaster to begin that process.
NUISANCE REPORT
The Board voted 5-0 to abate the nuisance complaint at 1207 N. River Road after a new pool cover was installed.
OLD BUSINESS
A to Z Construction submitted as-built plans with deficiencies; Solicitor Warshawsky is awaiting response from their counsel. North Country Unlimited's injunction complaint is on hold after Josh Decker reported hiring Bill Burch to assist with flood plain permitting. The Fireworks Ordinance final draft will be presented at the November meeting for December adoption. The Board approved 5-0 the Fuller Stormwater Management Plan and the Sommerville Stormwater Management Exemption request, both based on Engineer Cathy Lee's review memos.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board voted 5-0 to distribute $20,061.23 in Fire Relief Monies to Halifax Fire Company. A land development plan extension for Flight Source was approved 5-0 through January 11, 2021. The Board also voted 5-0 to release the Graceful Acres Letter of Credit to Mid Penn Bank.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. on a motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Paul, passing 5-0.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.