HALIFAX SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES—APPROVED

June 7, 2022

CALL TO ORDER

Sumner called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Selectboard members present were, Lewis Sumner, Tristan Roberts and Peter Silverberg attending remotely. Others in attendance in person or remotely were Patty Dow, Linda Swanson, Gary Rand, Patrick McAllister, Kiel Moe, Mike Fournier, Barbara Brown, Paul Blais, Ben Barnett, Andrea Rand, Stephan Chait, Chum and Edee Edwards.

CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

None.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

Cannot approve minutes at this time.

NEW BUSINESS

Appoint 2 Selectboard Members:

Lewis moved, Tristan seconded to go into Executive Session at 6:01 and interview potential Selectboard and Cemetery Commission members. 3-0

come out at 6:56 pm with no decisions made.

Sumner moves to appoint Paul Blais and Patrick McAllister to the Selectboard vacancies until the next Town Meeting. Silverberg seconds. Passes 3-0

Appoint 3 Cemetery Commissioners:

Roberts moves to appoint Patrick McAllister, Gary Rand, and Linda Swanson as Cemetery Commissioners.

Motion carried 3-0.

Blais and McAllister joined the Board after being sworn in by Dow.

Sumner moved and Roberts seconded to cancel the Special Town Meeting that had been scheduled to address the lack of Cemetery Commissioners. Motion passed 5-0.

Dow swore in the new Cemetery Commissioners.

Sumner moved to appoint Mary Horn to the Conservation Commission. Roberts seconded.

Motion passed 5-0.

Broadband Committee & DV Fiber Reps:

Roberts moved to appoint the following Broadband Committee members for this year:

Thomas Fischer

David Jones

Tristan Roberts

Stephan Chait

Jennie Strowe

The motion also included the following reps to DV Fiber, as voted by the Broadband Committee:

Edee Edwards – Rep to DV Fiber

Tristan Roberts and Stephan Chait as Alternate Reps

Blais seconded.

Motion passed 5-0.

Review Transactions from Batchelder Auditor:

Discussion of town audit. Dow asked the Selectboard to review a set of transactions from the Batchelder audit.

“Please review these transactions from Batchelder auditor. They are adjusting entries to be made for fiscal year end 2020 and 2021. Some are to remove the school accounts from the chart of accounts lineup and some are to move the town info to a modified accrual basis of accounting.” 

There was discussion on moving to a modified accrual basis of accounting versus a cash basis. No vote was taken but there was a consensus to move forward with the recommendations of the audit, including looking at recommended municipal accounting software. McAllister volunteered to look into it more closely and work with Dow on behalf of the Board.

Sumner moved that the Board sign the Windham County Humane Society contract, and Roberts seconded. The contract is for $395/year.

Motion passed 5-0.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

HEARING OF VISITORS

Silverberg followed up with Franklin Land Trust on the bike ride and they will make the donation as discussed.

Silverberg reported that there has been some communication with the post office and with the landlord.

There was discussion of the condition of the cemeteries, with Barnett and Brown noting the unmowed condition of town cemeteries was unacceptable for Memorial Day, and overall the cemeteries have years of deferred maintenance. All in the room agreed, and noted no one stepping forward to serve as commissioner at Town Meeting, but that three citizens have now stepped forward who have been very involved in caring for the cemeteries on a volunteer basis.

Andrea Rand discussed the bad condition of the Historical Society building and noted that it would need a lot of funding. She inquired about ARPA funding, and board members suggested the Historical Society do a more detailed assessment of the building.

Tristan Roberts said he was running for Vermont State Representative. He said that he would like to hear from residents about how they would like to be represented in Montpelier. Asked if he would continue to served on the Selectboard if elected Representative, he said that some people hold both positions, and it’s allowed. He said it would be a matter of evaluating whether he can do both jobs well.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

OVERWEIGHT PERMIT

None.

Roberts motioned to adjourn the meeting, Blais seconded. Passed 5-0. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Roza Podlaski & Tristan Roberts

For the Selectboard

Recording link:

June 7, 2022 Regular Selectboard Meeting Minutes – YouTube