Monthly Business
Summary
The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held their monthly business meeting on April 11, 2022, called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Kenneth Bechtel. All five supervisors were present — Kenneth Bechtel, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, Brad Bruner, and Scott McBurney — along with Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky, HRG engineer Alex Greenly, Secretary Sara Glace, and Roadmaster Tim Belk. The lengthy session touched on federal relief funding, planning ordinance reforms, summer road projects, and a potential ambulance merger before adjourning at 9:31 p.m.
American Rescue Plan funding formalized: The board approved a supplemental appropriations resolution to incorporate American Rescue Plan funds into the 2021 budget and separately voted to file an exemption on those federal relief dollars.
SALDO separated from stormwater management: Supervisors authorized splitting the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) from the township's Stormwater Management regulations. The Planning Commission was also authorized to engage engineer Alex Greenly for additional SALDO revisions, capped at $2,000.
Rocket launches approved at Fort Halifax Field: Three National Association of Rocketry events were approved for April 30, July 30, and September 17, 2022, with the organization providing $5 million in liability insurance for each event.
Summer road projects outlined: Roadmaster Tim Belk identified Middle Road and Locust Street as potential paving projects and Dunkle School Road, Hoffman Road, and Camp Hebron Road for tar and chip work. Several problem areas — a culvert on Camp Hebron Road, the S-turn on Matamoras Road, and stormwater drainage where Kieffer Road meets Funk Road — were flagged for engineer review.
Lenker Estates retention pond concerns: Chairman Bechtel raised health and safety questions about retention ponds near three newly built homes in Lenker Estates, prompting discussion with the township engineer about stormwater obligations in subdivision plans.
Unpermitted carport at Halifax Village: The board informed Vernon Rothermel that he must obtain written approval from Halifax Village's owners before he can apply for a permit on a carport already built without permission from either the village or the township.
Ambulance merger explored: Millersburg Area Ambulance and Halifax Area Ambulance Services are exploring a joint merger to address financial deficits and workload pressures at both organizations.
Fire department and insurance updates: EMC Tim Neiter reported that the Halifax Fire Department has begun specifying a new rescue engine. Nathan Troutman of Keystone Insurance Group presented an EMC Insurance dividend check and reviewed the township's policy ahead of its May 2022 renewal.
Who was there
Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor, Chairman) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Bruce Warshawsky (Solicitor) · 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 bills through April 11, 2022 (passed 5-0). Supervisor Schreffler and Supervisor Paul moved to approve unpaid bills through April 11, 2022 (passed 5-0). Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Schreffler moved to approve the March 14, 2022 meeting minutes (passed 5-0). The financial report was placed on file for audit.
EMC REPORT
EMC Tim Neiter presented his report for services during March 2022. He advised that Halifax Fire Department has started specking out a new rescue engine.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Chairman Bechtel covered the Planning Commission report dated April 4, 2021. Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky advised that all subdivisions and land development plans acted on by the board are subject to reimbursement, meaning the resident is responsible to pay.
ENGINEER REPORT
Engineer Alex Greenly presented his report for services during March 2022. Chairman Bechtel questioned Greenly on escrow accounts, which include review fees, financial security for improvements, and maintenance bonds expiring after 18 months. Additional discussion covered stormwater management fees with subdivision and land development plans, and health and safety concerns about retention ponds at three newly built homes in Lenker Estates.
ROADMASTER REPORT
Roadmaster Tim Belk submitted his March 2022 report. Potential Summer 2022 paving projects include Middle Road and Locust Street; tar and chip projects include Dunkle School, Hoffman, and Camp Hebron Road. Culvert work on Camp Hebron Road, S-turn on Matamoras Road, cul-de-sac at Fort Halifax, and stormwater issues on Kieffer Road at Funk Road all need township engineer attention.
FRIENDS OF FORT HALIFAX REPORT
Bruce Henry of the Friends of Fort Halifax submitted a report for March 2022. He announced that on May 7, 2022, at the Fort Halifax Colonial Festival Day, Dr. Jonathan Burns will speak at 4:00 p.m. about the archaeological dig from Summer 2021.
NUISANCE REPORT
The Board advised Vernon Rothermel that he needs a letter of approval from the owners of Halifax Village before applying for a permit on a carport that was already built without permission from Halifax Village or Halifax Township.
ADMINISTRATIVE
Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Schreffler moved to approve rocket flying at Fort Halifax Field on April 30, July 30, and September 17, 2022 (passed 5-0); the National Association of Rocketry will provide $5 million in liability insurance. Millersburg Area Ambulance and Halifax Area Ambulance Services are exploring a joint merger to address deficits and workload at both services.
OLD BUSINESS
Supervisor Schreffler and Supervisor Paul moved to dispense with the reading and to approve the Resolution for American Rescue Plan Supplemental Appropriations for the 2021 Budget (both passed 5-0). Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Schreffler then moved to file an exemption on the American Rescue Plan monies (passed 5-0).
Supervisor Paul and Supervisor Bruner moved to authorize the separation of SALDO and Stormwater Management (passed 5-0). Supervisor McBurney and Supervisor Bruner moved to authorize the Planning Commission to engage Engineer Alex Greenly to make changes to SALDO outside the separation, with a $2,000 cap (passed 5-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Paul moved to adjourn at 9:31 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.