Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its monthly business meeting on March 14, 2022, called to order at 7:02 PM by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. All five supervisors were present — Kenneth Bechtel, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, Scott McBurney, and Brad Bruner (attending virtually) — along with Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, Engineer Alex Greenly, Secretary Sara Glace, and Roadmaster Tim Belk. The nearly three-hour meeting was dominated by a major sewer infrastructure funding announcement and several land development and community matters.
HAWASA Sewer Extension Project secures $17.1 million in funding: PENNVEST awarded the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority $10,587,348 in grant money and $6,519,652 in loan funding at 1% interest over 20 years to construct a new sanitary treatment plant and extend sewer service to areas including Matamoras Road, Routes 147/225, Triangle & Lenker Estates, Powells Valley Road, and several other service areas. Construction is tentatively expected to begin late 2022, with a public meeting planned for spring to address resident questions.
Lake Tobias souvenir shop conditionally approved: The board granted conditional approval to the Lake Tobias land development plan for a new souvenir shop, contingent on meeting SALDO comments 2–10 and administrative comments 1–3. Waivers for preliminary plan requirements and parking analysis were also approved.
$100,000 Gaming Board grant for Fort Halifax road widening: The grant was approved to widen the road at Fort Halifax Park, with fill work to begin up to the tree line. The board also decided to run a powerline to the brush area and install security cameras, a card reader, and a gate.
Cease-and-desist ordered for unpermitted construction: The board directed that a cease-and-desist letter be sent to Vernon Rothermel at 43 Kip Road for building a garage without a permit, in violation of the township's 1973 Building Permit Ordinance.
Liquid Fuels allocation received: Halifax Township received $181,778.90 in annual Liquid Fuels funding for 2022.
Broadband access initiative launched: The board directed efforts to identify residents without internet service by contacting the Halifax Area School District for addresses and advertising through Facebook and the township website.
Kayak camp and Spring Cleanup approved: Stephanie Hoover's kayak camp at Fort Halifax Park was approved for three weeks in June–July 2022, pending proof of liability insurance. Spring Cleanup Days were set for May 20–21, though electronics recycling will not be available this year due to logistics issues with Dauphin County.
American Rescue Plan spending under discussion: The board discussed how to allocate ARP funds and noted that a resolution documenting how the 2021 ARP money was spent is needed, as it was not included in the general funds budget.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor, Chairman) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · Alex Greenly (Engineer) · Sara Glace (Secretary) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)
Public comments
Meeting business
SECRETARY/TREASURER REPORT
Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Schreffler motioned to approve paid interim bills through March 14, 2022 (passed 5-0). Supervisor Schreffler and Supervisor McBurney motioned to approve unpaid bills through March 14, 2022 (passed 5-0). The February 14, 2022 meeting minutes were approved 5-0, and the financial report was placed on file for audit.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Board approved waivers for Section 404 (Preliminary Plans) and Section 512.9 (Requested Parking Analysis) by a 5-0 vote. Conditional approval was granted for the Lake Tobias Land Development Plan for Souvenir Shop, contingent on meeting SALDO comments 2 through 10 and administrative comments 1 through 3 (passed 5-0).
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Alex Greenly reported completing both plan reviews for the Lake Tobias Bus Shed and Souvenir Shop and provided financial security to Lake Tobias for the Bus Shed, which was submitted to Halifax Township. Dauphin County Conservation District recommended Low Impact Development education for residents planning to build on large-acreage tracts.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk reported that a $100,000 Gaming Board grant was approved for Fort Halifax, and the township will begin widening the road with fill up to the trees. A logger on Mountain Road was asked to remove logs from the township right-of-way and repaired the road with cold patch. The Board decided to run a powerline to the brush area and install security cameras, a card reader, and a gate. Two burnt townhomes on Dustin Drive are being demolished for new construction. Spring Cleanup will not accept electronics due to logistics issues with Dauphin County.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Frank Wilmarth presented a report and a Resolution for the Annual Members Appreciation Event. Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Paul motioned to dispense the reading of the resolution (passed 5-0) and to approve the resolution (passed 5-0).
NUISANCE REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk provided a verbal report. The Board decided to remove Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kline from the nuisance list until another complaint is filed or the debris overtakes the property.
ADMINISTRATIVE
A committee for the Plan Escrow Account was appointed consisting of Supervisor Schreffler, Supervisor Paul, and Sara Glace (approved 5-0). HAWASA and HRG Engineer Justin Mendinsky reported on the Sewer Extension Project, which received $10,587,348 in PENNVEST grant money and $6,519,652 in loan money at 1% interest for 20 years, with construction tentatively starting late 2022. The Board directed efforts to identify residents without internet by contacting Halifax Area School District and advertising through Facebook and the township website. Halifax Township received $181,778.90 in annual Liquid Fuels monies. Discussion on spending American Rescue Plan funds noted a resolution is needed for 2021 expenditures.
NEW BUSINESS
Kayak Camp at Fort Halifax Park was approved for Stephanie Hoover for the weeks of June 20, June 27, and July 11, 2022, with proof of liability insurance required (passed 5-0). Spring Cleanup was approved for May 20-21, 2022 (passed 5-0). Addresses were approved for Christy Bechtel-Lepore and Deepak Subedi per Dauphin County Address Management recommendations (both 5-0). Steven Reed at 741 South River Road was approved to remove a dead sycamore tree with the permit fee waived (passed 5-0). A cease-and-desist letter was ordered sent to Vernon Rothermel for building a garage at 43 Kip Road without a permit.
This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.