October 17, 2023 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes

OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

October 17, 2023

6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE

CALL TO ORDER

Pete Silverberg called a meeting to order at 6:00pm on October 17th, 2023. Selectboard member present Tristan Roberts, Karen Christofferson, Edee Edwards, Patrick McAllister and Pete Silverberg. In person or remote persons were Mike Fournier, Stephan Chait, Mary Brewster, Laurel Copeland and Alison Crossley.

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

  • Overview of development of town trails
  • Update on HCA PACIF building appraisal

APPROVAL PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

  • October 3, 2023
    • Corrections: Under the list of participants Bob Leete – Marshall last name is Dix
    • Regarding Vermont Agency of Transportation map and a trail location
    • Edee made motion to approve the minutes with the changes above. Pete Silverberg seconded. Passed 3-0-1 abstain. Patrick abstained.

OLD BUSINESS

  • Opening Truck Chassis, Plow & Control Bids (Minute 10)
    • Pete Silverberg made motion to accept GM Bid for 5500 Chassis and Dump body/plow/controls accepted bid contingent on final approval by Mike Fournier. Edee Edwards seconds. Passed 5-0.
  • Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Comment Period (Minute 20)
  • Sale of Wheeler Road Property
    • Outstanding question from Attorney Fisher needs to understand how to sell property 
    • Sale of this property will be advertised
    • Tax sales are placed three times in Deerfield Valley News
      • Can email Mary Brewster to get on the announcement for Tax Sale: maryella1@earthlink.net
      • Next anticipated tax sale – February 20th
  • New truck to be available this week, issue resolved
    • Attorney Fisher’s advice to accept the offer due to the cost of court proceedings will be greater than the delta of current trade in value.
    • Pete Silverberg called VP of sales at ATG to review and came back to Pete confirming they can not change the offer.
  • Town Trails and Maps (Ballou Mountain) (Minute 40)
    • Discussion was had regarding Town Trails documentation
    • Designated legal trails – public has a right of way to access
    • Official highway maps are from Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT)  based on Certificate of Mileage and showing roads and legal trails
    • Action Item: Certificate for highway mileage for 2023. Need find and ensure town clerk records this. Then file in SB filing cabinet with others.
    • Action Item: Edee Edwards to follow up with residents for the legal trail in question.
  • Overview of development of town trails (Minute 71)
    • Discussion was had regarding understanding of “grandfather” zoning further development along legal trails in Halifax.
    • Discussion was had regarding conflict of interest (Minute 91)
  • Upcoming Special Meetings: (Minute 94)
    • Wednesday October 18th at 6pm w/ Gretchen MTAP Strategic Planning
      • ARPA candidate projects will not be directly spoken to and are not required to be present at meeting
    • Monday October 30th at 6pm for Highway Dept Job descriptions

New Business

  • Town Declaration of Inclusion (Minute 99)
    • Discussion was had regarding effort underway in the State of Vermont on a statement of inclusion. Board agreed this effort can be made by residents of Halifax to reflect the town.
    • Action Item: Selectboard members to discuss directly with residents regarding Halifax centered inclusion statement. 
    • Lewis Sumner Potluck Retirement Party – Saturday, November 4th, Noon at School Gym

***The Halifax Town Office internet went down. Zoom recording was stopped at this time and was unable to reboot before meeting ended.

  • Update on HCA PACIF building appraisal
    • Discussion had regarding insurance for HCA PACIF – board needs more clarification on Town needs.
    • Action Item: Karen Christofferson to follow up with Mike Fournier

HEARING OF VISITORS

SELECTBOARD ORDER

  • Treasury Order read in $4,479.52
  • Highway Order read in.

CORRESPONDENCE

  • E-signature PACIF 
    • Discussion was had regarding the insurance signature requested by PACIF.
    • Action Item: Pete Silverberg check with Patty to discuss budget items match PACIF vehicle insurance e-signature email

ADJOURNMENT

Patrick McAllister motioned to adjourn at 8:05pm. Pete Silverberg second. Passed 5-0.

***Partial Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/ebQJw4z9idM?si=kVxti10vya7ZkdZ0