October 17, 2023 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes

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)
  • 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

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.