August 1, 2023 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes

OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

August 1, 2023

6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE

CALL TO ORDER

Pete Silverberg called meeting to order at 6:01pm. Selectboard members present were Patrick McAllister, Karen Christofferson, Edee Edwards and Tristan Roberts. Other people present in person or remote were Nikki Walling, Mike Fournier, David Jones, Tom (Green Mountain Power),Tom Raffensperger, Mary Brewster, Laurel Copeland, Anna Ruggerio, Mr. Ruggerio and Alison Crossley.

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

  • Road closures for marathon

APPROVAL PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

  • June 28th – Update “Draft”
  • July 4th – Moved as written include Zoom link.
  • July 5th – Adding recording link, Old business move to sub bullets, time needs to be updated.
  • July 11th – Make the motion to approve as published. Karen Christofferson Second. Passed 3-0. 2 Abstained.
  • July 20th –
    • Dow, DVFiber, tax rate increase 10.25%, FEMA, Called to order 7:32pm
    • Pete seconds. Passed 4-1 abstain.

OLD BUSINESS

  • Green Mountain Power Petition
    • Nikki Walling rep for Green Mountain explained extent of scope for wanting to extend power to new customer
    • Anna Ruggiero explained concerns of anchors being placed outside of town right of way into their property
    • Action Item: Discuss future of town trials for edification & understanding
    • Action Item: Site visit proposed to scope within boundary in right of way. August 8th 305 Smith Road.
  • Vacant auditor position progress (Patrick)
    • Three positions are still vacant
    • Patrick noted need to have one 25 days before town meeting to appoint
  • Property tax sale update (Patrick)
    • One year penalty period has passed for 149 Wheeler Road sold at tax sale
    • Need to know if Halifax can collect above tax above and beyond the expense.
    • Selectboard needs to find a buyer per statue per appointment, closed bids or real estate agent
    • Action Item: Patrick to confirm with Town lawyer on what are responsibilities of the town in selling amount.
  • FEMA reimbursements and contractor work
    • Pete Silverberg and Mike Fournier attended FEMA reimbursements meeting
    • Overall steps (Does not include all): Login to FEMA portal (Patty confirmed its possible), submit project scope, request bids for work, update project in portal, etc.
    • 75% reimbursement by Federal Gov, 25% will need to be paid by Town or other means.
    • Pete Silverberg will be point person, Karen support.
    • Action Item: Send out request for proposal to receive bids.
  • Liquor license
    • Discussion was had regarding liquor license.
    • Tristan Roberts made motion to approve petition for notification of state liquor license in Halifax. Pete Silverberg second. Passed 5-0.
  • Timing of Salary adjustment and/or raises
    • Action Item: Tristan Roberts to discuss with Patty Dow to confirm what date salary adjustment can be made.

NEW BUSINESS

  • Marathon approval
    • Pete Silverberg made motion to close Green River Road, Moss Hollow to Deer Ridge on Sunday August 27th Sunday 7am – 8:30am. Patrick McAllister seconds. Passed 5-0.
  • Heating Oil & Diesel Bid opening
    • Heating Oil – Budget approved 12K 6,300
    • Diesel – Budget approved 75,000, Nido 63
    • Patrick McAllister makes motion to approve Nido bid for prebought heating oil & diesel. Pete Silverberg seconds. Passed 5-0.
  • Pike Road Gravel change of use permit
    • Meeting of the Whitingham ZBA to convert gravel pit in property to contractor storage yard. Halifax impact
    • ACT 250 will be required and is in progress.
      • Traffic would not increase unless during winter time as stated in meeting.
    • Action Item: Edee Edwards to notify Halifax ZBA of ACT250 process
  • SoVT Get On Board
    • Patrick McAllister makes a motion to designate a contact from selectboard and use $150 of town budget to pay for Halifax resident to attend SoVT Get On Board program. Tristan Roberts seconds. Passed 5-0.
    • Action Item: Tristan Roberts willl be designated contact to coordinate community member and program registration.

HEARING OF VISITORS

  • Mike Fournier shared truck #7 power steering box issue from previous year is still broken and need of repair. Contractor is saying original quote no longer valid.
    • Action Item: Pete to discuss with contractor on original quote.
  • Mike asking for permission to get bids on equipment for new truck #5. Selectboard agrees and wants

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  • Edee Edwards made motion to enter into executive session under 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(1) under E. pending or probable civil litigation or a prosecution, to which the public body is or may be a party regarding recycling bins camera footage. Patrick seconds. Passed 4-0.
  • Resume regular meeting at 8:33 pm with no decisions being made in executive session.
    • Discussing how to address recycling contamination issue with residents that are not following recycling procedures.
    • Potential to develop a template to notify residents of issue with recycling
    • Need more info on how to get contact information of residents to notify
    • Alison (Admin) place on running list to discuss next town meeting

SELECTBOARD ORDER

  • August 1st order total: $ 7,194.81

ADJOURNMENT

Patrick McAllister made motion to adjourn at 8:45pm. Pete Silverberg second. Passed 4-0.