OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT*

*N.B. These minutes need a deep review. They are being done by memory due to a family emergency which caused an unexpected shift in secretary pro tempore responsibilities. Things in italics should be fact-checked.

December 19, 2023

6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Pete Silverberg called the meeting to order at 6:03 PM.  Selectboard members present in person were Silverberg, and Karen Christofferson. Selectboard members present virtually included Edee Edwards and Tristan Roberts, who was in attendance through approximately 7 pm. Others in attendance in person were Michael Fournier and State Senator Wendy Harrison. Also in attendance remotely was Stephan Chait.

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Edwards asked to add to the agenda under New Business communications during emergencies. Edwards asked to postpone the approval of previous minutes, as she had not had time to review them in detail. Michael Fournier asked the board to add an Executive session for a personnel matter. The order of the agenda was adjusted to facilitate visitors to leave after their agenda items, including having two separate Executive Sessions on two different matters.

EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR A PERSONNEL MATTER

Edwards made a motion to go into executive session for a personnel matter with board members and Highway Supervisor Michael Fournier. Silverberg seconded. Given some difficulty with creating breakout rooms, Stephan Chait offered to leave the Zoom meeting, and Senator Harrison retired to the Town Office waiting area.

The board returned from Executive Session at XX:XX. No decisions were made in executive session. Edwards proposed that Silverberg follow up on the personnel issue alongside Fournier.

POSTPONED: APPROVAL PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

The board postponed approval of the following minutes: December 12, 2023 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes, December 5, 2023 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes, December 2, 2023 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes, November 28, 2023 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes

HEARING OF VISITORS

Vermont State Senator (Windham District) Wendy Harrison was in attendance to talk about the upcoming session and any issues of interest to Halifax. She discussed the Housing Bill from the last session which went into effect on July 1, 2023. Changes include allowing duplexes on any parcel and a “by rights” provision that prohibits Zoning boards from requiring more stringent codes than what is in effect. She discussed town water and sewer provisions that leave some development projects from getting certain grant funding.  She noted a VHIP program which allows funding to private property owners to update units which are not up to code. This is administered through the Windham and Windsor Housing Trust. She also noted a bill she is sponsoring to create stormwater “utilities” which can create an assessment-based funding mechanism towns could use to help pay for stormwater improvements. Board members observed that our need for continued ditch work in Halifax to reduce stormwater runoff is extensive, but that our ability to administer another program to collect these separate assessments would be a big stretch. Finally, Harrison noted and confirmed that Halifax does not have a village designation, which might allow for additional grants or development efforts, but Edwards and Roberts also noted that with potential changes to the various zones or districts towns can created, the time may not be suitable to explore that further.

No other Hearing of Visitors issues were brought up.

OLD BUSINESS

Town budget/meeting preparation: deliverables, timelines, accountability. Discussion around the timelines for elements and of the town report and who was responsible for which sections was held. Budget preparation is ongoing and of concern due to expected large increases in need for equipment that is aging out of service. Chait asked that the board note what was deemed essential and where there is discretion. Edwards stated that she plans to update the appointments page and attend VLCT training on writing the warning articles. Much assistance from Patty Dow, Town Clerk and Town Treasurer, is always needed and appreciated.

NEW BUSINESS

Given the recent rainstorms and a temporary road closure, Edwards noted she would make a renewed attempt to connect with the town’s Emergency Management Director to help prepare for a full board discussion.

OTHER BUSINESS—none noted.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Edwards made a motion following VSA § 313.a(1)(F) that premature knowledge of the public would put the town at a disadvantage with regard to discussions held with attorney-client privilege. Silverberg seconded. Motion carried 3-0.

Edwards made a motion to enter executive session. Christofferson seconded. Motion carried 3-0.

At ##:## pm. The board returned from executive session. No decisions were made in executive session. Edwards was empowered to follow up with an attorney under the guidance of town legal council.

SELECTBOARD ORDER

There were some questions with some of the material on Selectboard order; Christofferson was to follow up.

CORRESPONDENCE–none

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 7:##, following a motion by ## and second by ##, and a vote of 3-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Edee Edwards, secretary pro tempore

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