OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
October 17, 2023
6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Edee Edwards, Patrick McAllister, Karen Christofferson,
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 Leete – Marshall last name is Dix
- Regarding vermont agency of transportation map and a trail location
- Edee made motion to approve the minutes with following changes. Pete Silverberg seconds. Passed 3-0-1 abstain.
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)
- Halifax_LHMP-10-23-DRAFT-plan.pdf (halifaxvt.com)
- Available for public comment until October 30, 2023
- Comments directed back to Mike McConnell mgm@windhamregional.org
- 802-257-4547
- Sale of Wheeler Road Property
- Outstanding question from Attorney Fischer needs to understand how to sell property
- Sell of property will be advertised
- Tax sell – Placed three time in Valley news
- Can email Mary Brewster to get on the announcement for Tax Sale: maryella1@earthlink.net
- Next tax sale – February 20th
- New truck to be available this week, issue resolved
- Attorney Fischer’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 away to access
- Official map is from Vermont Agency of Transportation – 2005
- Reference the AOT uses an official map of roads and legal trail
- Action Item: Certificate for highway mileage for 2023 need to find properly clerk and filed in SB filing cabinet
- 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
- Wednesday October 18th at 6pm w/ Gretchen MTAP Strategic Planning
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.