Reorganization

7:03 PM – 8:42 PM 7 present 36 motions

The Halifax Township Board of Supervisors held its annual Reorganization Meeting on January 3, 2023, with all five supervisors present: Kenneth Bechtel, Brad Bruner, Randy Paul, Steve Schreffler, and Scott McBurney. The board established its leadership, reappointed key staff, set 2023 compensation rates, and selected professional service providers. No members of the public attended. The most notable point of contention was the reappointment of the township engineering firm, which drew split votes.

  • Kenneth Bechtel was elected Chairman and Brad Bruner as Vice Chairman, both unanimously.
  • Sara Glace was reappointed Secretary/Treasurer at $20.00/hour with a $310/month health benefit stipend, retirement with up to 3% match, and $1,000,000 in bonding. She was also named Open Records Officer.
  • Tim Belk was reappointed Roadmaster at an annual salary of $69,255 with the same health and retirement benefits, plus a township vehicle and designation as Nuisance Officer.
  • Road crew wages were set: full-time crew member Ryan Malone at $24.15/hour; part-time CDL plow operator Jay Bechtel at $19.00/hour (approved 4-0-1, with Chairman Kenneth Bechtel abstaining); part-time laborer Raymond Maus at $15.00/hour. General rates were set at $18.50/hour for CDL operators and $15.50/hour for non-CDL laborers.
  • The township engineer reappointment was contested: Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. was retained on a 4-1 vote, and their 2023 fee schedule was approved on a narrow 3-2 vote — the tightest margins of the evening.
  • Other professional appointments confirmed: Solicitor Bruce Warshawsky at a $500/month retainer; Building Inspection Underwriters of PA as primary UCC inspector; Brian McFeaters as primary Sewage Enforcement Officer. No alternate SEO was appointed.
  • Board and authority seats filled: Chad Lebo was reappointed to the Planning Commission (four-year term through 2024); Tim Neiter was reappointed to the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority (five-year term through 2026) and as Emergency Management Coordinator at a $600 annual stipend.
  • The 2023 bid threshold was set at $22,500, and Cloud 5 Solutions was reappointed as township webmaster at $450/year.

Kenneth Bechtel (Supervisor / Temporary Chairman) · Brad Bruner (Supervisor) · Randy Paul (Supervisor) · Steve Schreffler (Supervisor) · Scott McBurney (Supervisor) · Sara Glace (Secretary) · Tim Belk (Roadmaster)

1

Election of Officers

Ken Bechtel was elected Chairman and Brad Bruner was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2023, both by unanimous 5-0 votes. Supervisor McBurney nominated Bechtel; Supervisor Schreffler nominated Bruner.

personnel
5-0 Nominate Supervisor Ken Bechtel as Chairman of the Halifax Township Board of Supervisors for 2023; close nominations
Moved by Scott McBurney
5-0 Nominate Supervisor Brad Bruner as Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2023; close nominations
Moved by Steve Schreffler

2

Appointment and Compensation of Secretary/Treasurer

Sara Glace was reappointed as Secretary/Treasurer for 2023 at $20.00/hour with a $310/month health benefits stipend, retirement with up to 3% match, paid holidays, mileage reimbursement at the federal rate, and bonding set at $1,000,000. She was also appointed Open Records Officer. All motions carried 5-0.

personnelbudget
5-0 Reappoint Sara Glace to serve as Halifax Township Secretary/Treasurer for 2023
Moved by Steve Schreffler
5-0 Approve compensation package for the Secretary/Treasurer for 2023 including $20.00/hour, health benefit stipend of $310.00/month, and retirement account with up to 3% match
Moved by Brad Bruner
5-0 Approve bonding for the Secretary/Treasurer position in the amount of $1,000,000
Moved by Steve Schreffler $1,000,000
5-0 Appoint Sara Glace to serve as the Halifax Township Board of Supervisors' Open Records Officer for 2023
Moved by Scott McBurney

3

Appointment and Compensation of Roadmaster

Tim Belk was reappointed as Roadmaster for 2023 with an annual salary of $69,255.00, a $310/month health benefits stipend, retirement with up to 3% match, township vehicle, gas card, credit card, cell phone, and designation as Nuisance Officer. Both motions carried 5-0.

personnelroads
5-0 Reappoint Tim Belk to serve as Halifax Township Board of Supervisors' Roadmaster for 2023
Moved by Scott McBurney
5-0 Approve compensation package for Tim Belk for 2023 including annual salary of $69,255.00, $310.00/month health benefit stipend, and retirement account with up to 3% match
Moved by Steve Schreffler $69,255

4

Full-Time Road Crew and Laborers Appointments and Compensation

Ryan Malone was reappointed as full-time road crew at $24.15/hour with a $310/month health stipend, retirement with up to 3% match, and township vehicle. Part-time laborer Raymond Maus was set at $15.00/hour; Jay Bechtel at $19.00/hour as a permanent part-time CDL plow operator (Chairman Bechtel abstained, motion carried 4-0-1). General rates were set at $18.50/hour for CDL plow operators/drivers and $15.50/hour for non-CDL operators and laborers.

personnelroads
5-0 Reappoint Ryan Malone as Fulltime Roadcrew for the Halifax Township Board of Supervisors for 2023
Moved by Scott McBurney
5-0 Accept compensation package for the Fulltime Roadcrew for 2023 including wage of $24.15 per hour, $310.00/month health benefit, and retirement account with up to 3% match
Moved by Scott McBurney
5-0 Pay Raymond Maus an hourly rate of $15.00 as a part time employee for 2023
Moved by Brad Bruner
4-0-1 Pay Jay Bechtel $19.00/hour as a permanent part time employee and as a CDL plow operator; Chairman Bechtel abstained from the conversation and from voting
Moved by Steve Schreffler
5-0 Approve hourly rate of pay for CDL plow operators/CDL drivers at $18.50/hour, non-CDL plow operators and general laborers at $15.50/hour for Halifax Township
Moved by Steve Schreffler

5

Employee Pay Periods and Paid Holidays

Employee pay periods were set as bi-weekly with payday on the Wednesday following the end of each pay period; supervisors are paid monthly on the last payday of the month. Ten paid holidays were approved including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, 3 hours Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, 3 hours Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and a floater day. Both motions carried 5-0.

personnel
5-0 Approve pay periods for 2023: employees on bi-weekly periods with payday on the Wednesday immediately following end of pay period; supervisors on monthly pay periods with payday on the last payday of the month
Moved by Scott McBurney
5-0 Approve paid holidays for 2023 including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, 3 Hours Thanksgiving Eve, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, 3 hours Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and a Floater Day
Moved by Scott McBurney

6

Professional Service Appointments

Bruce Warshawsky was reappointed as Solicitor at $500/month retainer plus $200/hour thereafter (5-0). Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. was reappointed as Township Engineer (4-1) with their fee schedule approved (3-2). Building Inspection Underwriters of PA was appointed as primary UCC inspector and Barry Isett & Associates as alternate (both 5-0). Brian McFeaters was appointed as primary SEO (5-0); no alternate SEO was appointed.

personnellegalplanning
5-0 Reappoint Bruce Warshawsky as Solicitor for 2023
Moved by Randy Paul
5-0 Approve solicitor compensation package of $500 per month retainer and $200 thereafter as outlined in the fee schedule
Moved by Steve Schreffler $500
4-1 Reappoint Herbert, Rowland, & Grubic, Inc. to serve as the Township Engineer firm
Moved by Brad Bruner
3-2 Accept Herbert, Rowland, & Grubic, Inc. proposed hourly and meeting fee schedule for 2023
Moved by Steve Schreffler
5-0 Appoint Building Inspection Underwriters of PA as primary UCC Inspectors and accept the fee schedule for 2023
Moved by Scott McBurney
5-0 Appoint Barry Isett & Associates, Inc. as alternate UCC Inspectors and accept the fee schedule for 2023
Moved by Scott McBurney
5-0 Appoint Brian McFeaters as Halifax Township's primary SEO for 2023 with his 2023 fee schedule
Moved by Randy Paul

7

Appointment of Auditors and Vacancy Board Chairman

Melinda Warfel (elected for two years, 2022-2024), Charnell Etzweiler, and Gwen Corsnitz were appointed as Auditors for 2023. Gary Shultz was appointed as Vacancy Board Chairman. Both motions carried 5-0.

personnel
5-0 Appoint Melinda Warfel (elected for two years from 2022-2024), Charnell Etzweiler, and Gwen Corsnitz as Auditors for 2023
Moved by Brad Bruner
5-0 Appoint Gary Shultz to serve as Vacancy Board Chairman for 2023
Moved by Randy Paul

8

Depositories

Mid Penn Bank was retained as the township depository for 2023, holding the General Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Money Market Account, Plan Escrow Account, Credit Card Account, and American Rescue Plan accounts. The motion carried 5-0.

budget
5-0 Retain Mid Penn Bank as depository for the Township for 2023 for the General Fund, Liquid Fuels Fund, Money Market Account, Plan Escrow Account, Credit Card Account, and American Rescue Plan
Moved by Scott McBurney

9

Regional Councils, Boards, and Committee Representatives

Chad Lebo was reappointed to the Planning Commission for a four-year term through December 31, 2024. Tim Neiter was reappointed to the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority for five years through December 31, 2026. Tyler James was reappointed as representative on the Dauphin County EIT Committee. Supervisor Schreffler was nominated as voting delegate at the 2023 PSATS Annual Convention. Chairman Bechtel volunteered as the UDCOG delegate.

planningutilitiescommunity-events
Nominate Supervisor Schreffler as voting delegate at the 2023 PSATS Annual Convention
Moved by Kenneth Bechtel
5-0 Reappoint Chad Lebo to the Planning Commission Board as a member for another four year term through December 31, 2024
Moved by Kenneth Bechtel
5-0 Reappoint Tim Neiter to the Halifax Area Water and Sewer Authority as a member for another five years through December 31, 2026
Moved by Brad Bruner
5-0 Reappoint Tyler James as representative on the Dauphin County EIT Committee for 2023
Moved by Brad Bruner

10

Emergency Management Coordinator Appointments

Tim Neiter was reappointed as Emergency Management Coordinator for 2023 with a $600 annual stipend paid quarterly and $15/month for his data package. Supervisor Bruner was reappointed as Deputy EMC along with Jeff Tracey and Bob Stout. Both motions carried 5-0.

emergency-servicespersonnel
5-0 Reappoint Tim Neiter as the Halifax Township EMC for 2023 with a stipend of $600 annually paid in equal quarterly payments and $15 monthly for compensation of his data package
Moved by Kenneth Bechtel $600
5-0 Reappoint Supervisor Bruner as Deputy EMC representing Halifax Township along with Jeff Tracey and Bob Stout for 2023
Moved by Brad Bruner

11

Committee Appointments and Webmaster

Supervisors Bruner and Schreffler were reappointed to the Fireworks Committee (5-0). Supervisors McBurney and Bruner volunteered for the Human Resources Committee. Cloud 5 Solutions was reappointed as webmaster at $450/year (5-0).

community-eventsrecreationpersonnel
5-0 Reappoint Supervisor Bruner and Supervisor Schreffler to serve on the Fireworks Committee for 2023
Moved by Kenneth Bechtel
5-0 Reappoint Cloud 5 Solutions as webmaster for 2023 at a cost of $450.00 a year
Moved by Scott McBurney $450

12

Administrative Resolutions: Mileage Rate, Bid Threshold, and Equipment Rates

Mileage reimbursement was set at the federal rate current at the time of travel (5-0). The 2023 bid threshold was set at $22,500. Inter-municipal equipment rates were established ranging from $35/day for a trailer to $150/hour for the JCB, with various trucks, loaders, mowers, and other equipment priced between $45 and $100/hour.

budgetcontractsroads
5-0 Approve reimbursement of whatever the Federal Mileage Rate for 2023 is at that given time
Moved by Steve Schreffler

13

2023 Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Meeting Schedule

Board of Supervisors meetings were set for the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Halifax Township Municipal Building. Planning Commission meetings were set for the 1st Monday of each month, with July 5 and September 6 meetings moved to Wednesday due to observed holidays. The motion carried 5-0.

planning
5-0 Approve the published meeting dates for the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission for 2023; Board of Supervisors meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm; Planning Commission meetings on the 1st Monday of each month except July 5th and September 6th, 2023, which will be held on the Wednesday following observed holidays
Moved by Randy Paul

14

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 PM on a motion by Supervisor Bruner, seconded by Supervisor Schreffler, carrying 5-0.

5-0 Adjourn the meeting at 8:42 p.m.
Moved by Brad Bruner

This page is an automated summary of official township records. For the authoritative version, always refer to the original document.