Town of Halifax, Vermont

MINUTES

March 11, 2009

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM.  Members in attendance were Chair Christina Moore, Frank Maltese, Norman Fajans, Craig Stone, Paul Placentino, Howard Alboum, and William Pusey.  Board members Allan Dacey and Brian McNeice were absent.  Others in attendance were Margo Avakian, John LaFlamme, and Secretary Phyllis Evanuk.

Mrs. Moore advised that any reorganization of the Planning Commission would be done after appointments are made by the Selectboard.  Three members’ terms are up this month.

Mrs. Moore further advised that they would hear from Mr. LaFlamme, as he had requested to be on the agenda.

Mr. LaFlamme advised he had two matters to bring before the Commission.  The first was regarding the change in procedure for approving the Town Plan.  He advised that the voters had approved changing from Selectboard approval to Australian ballot and therefore the time frame for the process may be extended.  The Board is concerned with how the town may be impacted if the current town plan expires, which it is scheduled to do on June 14, 2009.

Mr. Fajans suggested that as they have done in the past, he felt that the current town plan should be re-adopted for another five years.  That would give the Commission ample time to study, rewrite where necessary, and have the necessary public hearings and residents input.  He inquired what the process for re-adoption is, and if they can even attend to that without a town vote.

Mr. LaFlamme advised that an Australian ballot is required even for the re-adoption.  He further advised that there may not be enough time before the current plan expires for the town to hold the required public hearings and arrange for the voting.  In order to clarify exactly what needs to be done, he suggested contacting the Town’s representatives to the Windham Regional Commission, Brian McNeice or Maggie Bartenhagen.  

Mrs. Moore suggested that they should finish doing the plan to be ready before the current plan expires.  She felt they would lose their momentum if they re-adopt the current plan rather than forging ahead to complete a new one.

The general consensus was that re-adoption would give them a plan, in place, as well as giving them time to develop a comprehensive plan for the town.

Mrs. Moore suggested that at the next Planning Commission meeting on April 8th they would have a public hearing on the re-adoption and then in May the Selectboard could have their public hearing, and then warn for the Australian ballot for June 2nd, which is a regular meeting date for the Selectboard.

A general discussion followed regarding the reasons for the change in procedure.

Mrs. Moore moved to schedule a public hearing for the purpose of discussing re-adopting the June 2004 Halifax Town Plan on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 7:00 PM.

Mr. Pusey seconded the motion.

The motion carried6-1, with Mr. Placentino voting against.

Mr. LaFlamme advised that the second item was the Selectboard’s request for recommendations for Zoning Administrator.  He advised that Mr. Gay’s term is up this year, and they would like the names of people who might be interested, in the position.  

The following names were given for Zoning Administrator: 
Rick Gay (currently Zoning Administrator)