Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on January 10, 2022, with all five supervisors present: Chairman Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board approved $35,173.68 in total bills — including a $12,501.19 traffic signal cabinet — and worked through a mix of nuisance enforcement, agricultural preservation, and ongoing infrastructure questions. A brush and yard waste disposal problem shared with Halifax Borough emerged as a key issue for further study.
Brush and yard waste disposal: Jeff Enders of Halifax Borough Council attended at the board's request to discuss the township's brush area, where residents are hiring private contractors to dispose of brush, leaves, and other materials. Both entities agreed the situation needs resolution; the board will research how neighboring municipalities handle the issue and discuss options at the February 14 meeting.
Nuisance enforcement: The board voted unanimously to send a pre-nuisance letter to Donald Casner at 1399 North River Road for violating the Nuisance Ordinance. Three other residents — Michael Brown, Autumn Miller, and Earl Wilson — had already responded to earlier pre-nuisance letters with plans to address their violations.
Tax collector overpayment disclosed: The board publicly disclosed that Tax Collector Kylie Schadel was overpaid for Tax Year 2021. To recover the funds, she will receive no further payment until the overpayment is satisfied.
Agricultural Security Area approved for Hurst property: The board unanimously approved an Agricultural Security Area Resolution for Justin and Bethany Hurst, protecting their farmland under the state program.
Township building heating: Randy Paul presented a quote from Fork & Garber, Inc. for a second heating source for the township building. The board directed staff to check whether the project qualifies for American Rescue Plan funding.
Declined bridge program participation: The board decided not to participate in the Dauphin County Small Local Bridge Program.
Unfunded mandates protest: The board directed letters be sent to Senator DiSanto and State Representative Sue Helm protesting unfunded state mandates imposed on the township.
Planning Commission reorganization: Jake Gruver was named Planning Commission Chairman and Dwight Hoffman was named Secretary at the January 4 reorganizational meeting. The board approved purchasing a new recorder for commission meetings to replace Gruver's personal device.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Chairman/Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Marc Kurowski (Engineer (K&W Designing)) · Alex Greenly (Engineer (HRG, Inc.)) · Sara Glace (Secretary) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Paul and Supervisor McBurney moved to approve paid interim bills through January 10, 2022 (passed 5-0). Supervisor Schreffler and Supervisor Paul moved to pay unpaid bills through January 10, 2022 (passed 5-0). Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Schreffler moved to approve December 13, 2021 meeting minutes (passed 5-0). The financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Supervisor Paul reported on the January 4, 2022 Planning Commission reorganizational meeting. Jake Gruver was named Chairman and Dwight Hoffman was named Secretary. The Board advised Halifax Township to purchase a new recorder for Planning Commission meetings, as Jake Gruver had been using his personal recorder.
SEO REPORT
Report submitted for the record. Regarding the old Engle-Rissinger car lot sewage malfunction, the Board advised to only investigate if there is another complaint or the area appears extremely wet.
NUISANCE REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk provided a verbal report. Supervisor McBurney will contact the complainant regarding Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kline. Mr. Michael Brown, Ms. Autumn Miller, and Mr. Earl Wilson each responded to pre-nuisance letters with plans to resolve their violations. Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Schreffler moved to send a pre-nuisance letter to Mr. Donald Casner at 1399 North River Road for a nuisance ordinance violation (passed 5-0).
ADMINISTRATIVE
The Board directed letters be sent to Senator Disanto and State Representative Sue Helm protesting unfunded mandates. Auditor reorganizational meeting minutes from January 4, 2022 were placed on record. The Board disclosed that Tax Collector Kylie Schadel was overpaid for Tax Year 2021 and will not receive further pay until the overpayment is satisfied. Supervisor McBurney is awaiting a physical copy of Wendy Wentzel's resignation letter.
OLD BUSINESS
Jeff Enders from Halifax Borough Council discussed the brush area contractor issue; the Board agreed to research other municipalities' methods, with options to be discussed February 14, 2022. Supervisor Paul provided a heating quote from Fork & Garber, Inc., and the Board requested checking if the American Rescue Plan covers a second heating source for the township building. A sewage module mix-up between Brian McFeaters and Elliot Shibley regarding A to Z Construction is being reviewed by Brian McFeaters. No action taken on Kieffer Road or Fort Halifax Farmhouse & Barn.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board dispensed with the reading and approved the Agricultural Security Area Resolution for Justin & Bethany Hurst (both motions passed 5-0). The Board decided not to participate in the Dauphin County Small Local Bridge Program. The Halifax Fire Department 2020 audit is being completed by Wagner, Dreese, Elsasser & Associates, P.C. Supervisor Bruner moved to approve the auditor advertisement (passed 5-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Paul moved to adjourn at 8:56 p.m. (passed 5-0).
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.