February 25, 2025 Selectboard Informational Hearing for Town Meeting Minutes

 OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

INFORMATIONAL HEARING FOR TOWN MEETING MINUTES- DRAFT

February 25, 2025

6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM

CALL TO ORDER

Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. This meeting is remote-hybrid. Other Selectboard members present were Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft and Randy Pike with Secretary Assistant Emily Dow. Members of the town and public who are running for an office position within the Town of Halifax present in-person or online-remote were; Cara Cheyette, Nina Bond, Lori Marchegiani, Cassie McLaren, Mary Brewster, Wade Ryan and Paul Blais. About 20 other members of the Town and public attended the meeting in-person or remotely. 

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

There are no changes to be made to the agenda. 

NEW BUSINESS

The purpose of the Informational Hearing for Town Meeting Day is to review the items that will be voted on during Town Meeting Day.  

Article 3: Shall the Town approve Selectboard and Highway expenditures of $2,518,875 of which $2,097,575 shall be raised by taxes and $421,300 by non-tax revenues to care for the expenses and liabilities of the Town for FY26.

The Selectboard Budget Spreadsheet interlinks the sheets to combine and create the total budget. 

Page 7- Changes to Article 3: 

    • Truck Financing Principal account 7696 & Truck Financing Interest account 7695: The amounts given in the spreadsheet were placeholders and have been updated since a truck has been paid off and replaced with the actual amount. 
      • Actual amount for Truck Financing Principal is $106,709. Note: Pg. 14 links to Pg. 20
      • Actual amount for Truck Financing Interest is $19,260. 
      • Previous total cost of the Truck was $239,708. 
      • Actual total cost of the Truck is $196,760
    • Page 14- Equipment Reserve Fund: Edwards explained there is no capital fund for equipment as it was not a decision for this process. Christofferson recommends maintaining an equipment reserve fund but it was not an active decision and has a zero balance since FY24. 
      • Sean McLaren commented on the topic
  • Not Included in FY26 Budget:
    • Warned Article: Grader Purchase for the Highway Department. The Excavator and Loader were purchased and will wait until next fiscal year to discuss the purchase of a new Grader. 
    • 4-Wheel Drive Package installation for a Highway Department Truck to safely drive on certain roads of Halifax. There is no anticipation on a request for a Special Town Meeting to purchase the Grader. The Highway Supervisor will relay information on the refurbishment cost of the Grader once it’s known. Paul Blais commented on this matter. 
    • No budget set for website maintenance upgrades
    • No budget set for Fiscal Year 2026 Audit. 
      • FY25 Audit was voted on at Town Meeting three years prior. 
      • Budget increase in contribution to the Audit Reserve Fund 
      • Future Agenda Discussion: Budgeting for an annual professional audit
  • Page 15: Raise and Appropriate for the Highway Department Changes:
    • The Town of Halifax opens Bids and contracts for special projects related to maintenance of roads as it is best and safest practice to use a trade professional to manage these projects. Nina Bond and Sean McLaren commented on this matter. 
    • The Highway Department manages the day to day maintenance of the town roads such as roadside mowing and much more. 
    • Current Bid: Large box culvert on Hatch School Road is being done by the lowest bidder. Christofferson explains that the box culvert is an engineered concrete structure. While removing the corrugated metal culvert and replacing it with a structure that requires state standards. The Hatch School Road problem was identified in 2022 as how water travels through. The $200k grant to cover the costs is fully covered by the $180k project.
    • The Town of Halifax opens bidding for Paving
    • Gravel is contracted to be delivered as labor is done by others. 
    • The Highway Department follows a formal hiring process. A CDL is a requirement for the position. 
    • Plowing within the Town of Halifax can be an “ad hoc basis”. Those who are interested in plowing on an occasional basis can reach out to the Highway Supervisor.
    • Cross country wages increase. Road Crew wage increases are actual amounts. Goals include lowering turnover rate as well as decreasing Overtime Hours worked and compensated for. 
  • Health Insurance budgets for a 5% increase but exact amounts are to be determined as the second half of the year is yet to be known while the first half of the year is current. 
    • Sean McLaren commented on this matter pertaining to appropriate annual budget increase.

Article 4: Shall the Town set the Treasurer’s budget for salary and collection of current taxes at $20,000 plus $4000 for expenses for FY26

  • The early pages of the Town Report include Selectboard and Highway budgets. Page 17 notes Property Taxes, Various Revenues, Town Operations and taxes to be paid to the school are included in the Treasurer’s budget. Edwards explained this Article has to be separate by law. Doug and Marilou Parkhurst commented on this article.

Article 5: To see is the voters will apprive the sum of $6000 to continue support of the Whitingham Free Public Library in recognition of services, materials, and programs provided to the residents of Halifax in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2691.

  • Prior budget to fund the library was $5k and the new budget is $6k. The library’s total budget increased $5k and is requesting additional funding from surrounding towns.
  • The Whitingham Free Public Library building is a branch of the government. The town pays for utilities. Budget funding request is $1k additional funds from Halifax. 
  • 20% of Books checked out from the library are from Halifax residents.
  • Trustee; Mark Halverston commented on this matter.
  • Cara Cheyette took her grandson and expressed how wonderful the library services are.
  • Linda Lyon commented on this matter.

Article 6: Shall the Town of Halifax vote to raise, appropriate and expend the sum of $500 for the support of Southeast Vermont Transit/The Moover to provide transportation services to residents of the Town in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2691.

No visitors wished to speak on this article.

Article 7: Shall the Town vote to exempt the Halifax Community Club from property taxation for ensuing five years pursuant to 32 V.S.A. § 3840.

No visitors wished to speak on this article.

Article 8: Shall the Town appropriate a total of $15,574 to the following social service agencies, in accordance with 24 V.S.A. § 2691.

  • Edwards discussed that this item is likely to be amended during the Town Meeting.
  • The Visiting Nurse Association has not served Halifax the last two years but only provides minimal service. A notice was received that confirms there are no services provided in Halifax. 
  • $1900 Reduction in budget funding- Page 8 
  • Other services that may be available to Halifax include: BAYADA Home Health Care services, Brattleboro Hospice non-profit and Senior Solutions  
  • Paul Blais commented on this matter

Edwards explained the Town Meeting Day Schedule: 

Doors open at 7am. Town Meeting starts at 10am. Lunch begins at noon. The School Board speaks at 1pm. 

There is a Special Meeting held directly after Town Meeting to discuss community awareness or input on matters of the 1. Halifax Connectivity Program, 2. Animal Control ordinance, and 3. Housing and Economic Development. 

6:41pm Selectboard portion of the Informational Hearing ended and stepped down. 

Meet the Candidates Running for Office Positions

Please refer to the Meeting Recording on all candidate hearings for office and school positions. https://youtu.be/sp3ijNG1-eg?t=2455 

Town District Meeting Moderator: Paul Blais 

Open Selectboard Position: Lori Marchegiani

Selectboard Position: Edee Edwards

Lister and Collector of Delinquent Taxes Positions: Mary Brewster

Trustee of Public Funds: (NAME) Not present

Conservation Commission: (NAME) Not present

Halifax School Moderator: Cara Cheyette

School Director: Write-In Candidates

Cassie McLaren: Term expires in 2 years in 2027

Nina Bond: Term expires in 3 years in 2028

Wade Ryan: Term expires in 3 years in 2028

 

HEARING OF VISITORS

Absentee Ballot Box accessible hours are during Office Hours

CORRESPONDENCE 

ADJOURNMENT

Respectfully submitted, 

Emily Dow

Halifax Administrative Assistant 

Recording Link: 

https://youtu.be/sp3ijNG1-eg&t=81