OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
Town of Halifax, Vermont
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
February 18, 2014
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. Board members in attendance were Lewis Sumner, Earl Holtz, and Edee Edwards. Others in attendance were Jessica Bruno, Marilyn Allen, Mary Horne, Howard Smith, Nick Bartenhagen, Maggie Bartenhagen, Jesse Ferland, Ray Combs, Sue Kelly, Len Derby, Ross Barnett, John LaFlamme, Rick Gay, Dan Kehoe (Whitingham Library Trustee), Carl Barman, Jack Rossetti, Liam Wheeler, Jerry Pratt (Ashfield Stone), Jim Coughlin, and Linda Huebner.
Approval of Minutes
Holtz made a motion to accept the January 31, 2014 special meeting minutes as written. Edwards seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
Sumner made a motion to accept the February 4, 2014 regular meeting minutes as written. Holtz seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
Holtz made a motion to accept the February 10, 2014 regular meeting minutes as written pending confirmation of the Holden Engineering estimate amount. Edwards seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
Holtz made a motion to accept the February 12, 2014 am special meeting minutes as written. Edwards seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
Edwards made a motion to accept the February 12, 2014 pm special meeting minutes with a small correction. Sumner seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
New Business
Whitingham Library
Edwards reported that they posted the Whitingham Library Trustee position and were given a recommendation from the current trustees. Kehoe led a discussion about the Whitingham Library services. Kehoe reported that there are approximately 240 members from Halifax, over half of the computer users are from Halifax, and top circulating patrons are from Halifax as well. Members may also use the Wilmington or Guilford libraries. The library also holds about 3 events in Halifax per year (usually at the school or community hall), provides inter-library loans at the school, and partners with the Wings program. They plan to do a renovation in May paid for through fundraising. The Wi-Fi may be accessed in the parking lot at any time.
Sumner made a motion to appoint Doug Parkhurst as the Whitingham Free Public Library Trustee for a term ending at the 2015 election or special election held prior to that. Holtz seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
Wastewater Discharge Permit for Halifax Quarry
Although this is normally a Planning and Zoning issue, the Selectboard invited people to discuss the wastewater discharge permit for the proposed Halifax quarry. Russell Dennison is the contact person. His attorney indicated via e-mail that they are setting up a website detailing information regarding the project and they are in the process of preparing local and Act 250 applications.
Jerry Pratt from Ashfield Stone is involved with the quarry project with Russ Dennison and tried to answer questions from the group. Pratt indicated that this permit allows them to design the system laid out by the state. The comment period ends February 19th for this piece of the process and allows them to continue with additional permitting. They are designing a system that acts as a seeping system including two sediment ponds on an 11 acre quarry area (though the excavated part of the quarry will be smaller). The group discussed their concerns about native trout, wetland disturbances, sediment control, and environmental impacts. Pratt indicated that there will be no blasting but rather sawing and drilling.
Concerned citizens should contact the town clerk’s office for details on where and how to submit concerns officially during the comment periods. Public notices are posted on the bulletin board outside the town clerk’s office.
EOC Equipment
The Selectboard discussed concerns about storing EOC equipment at the fire house with no clear access to the building and no written agreement about phone, DSL etc. The Selectboard will attend the general assembly meeting on the third Monday in March.
Old County North Bridge Update
The payment for Holden Engineering will be on the order tonight. The Selectboard will invite them to call in to the next Monday meeting to discuss construction oversight.
Other Business
The highway certificate of mileage was signed.
Sumner made a motion to sign the lister notice that there are no appeals. Holtz seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
Edwards called VLCT regarding bonding but they advised that they contact boding counsel.
Old Business
Liaison Reports
Sumner noted that the one to truck is back from repair. Truck #4 is patched and back on the road.
Edwards reported that the school board concurred that they should not pursue a Wi-Fi hotspot at the town office/school building.
Holtz reported that there is a tentative meeting scheduled for Thursday concerning the cell phone/ hotspot Rte112 corridor project.
Correspondence
The mail was reviewed and filed.
Selectmen’s Order to Town Treasurer for bill payment
The order for payment of bills was completed and signed.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Bruno
Selectboard Secretary