HALIFAX SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES—DRAFT
August 2, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
Silverberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Selectboard in Person is Peter Silverberg, remote are Tristan Roberts, Paul Blais, and Patrick McAllister. Selectboard member not present was Lewis Sumner. Others attending in person or remotely are Roza Podlaski, Nadir Hashim, and Raquel Smith.
CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
-Letter to Schoolboard about NTO (No Trespass Order)
-Move Nadir to first item on New Business
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
Both July and May minutes will be approved at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Nader Hashim – Running for VT Senate, requested to meet with SB at this meeting and make his initiatives known. Top priorities are housing, workforce development and climate change. He wants to make visiting rural communities a priority and understand their individual needs. Nadir came to Halifax to ask what our needs are. Silverberg discussed the difficulties of the costs and maintenance of our town roads.
Blais reached out to VLCT and forwarded a sample policy letter to the board to make sure that we have all of our ducks in a row. They typically do require that their bids be posted since municipalities receive a lot of state and federal funding. VLCT also states that their recommendation is only a suggestion and that we should review with our legal team to make a final decision. The Selectboard will review the policy at the first board meeting of September when there is time to review and all members are present.
There have been a lot of volunteers in Halifax. Someone suggested that we review and consider having volunteers sign a liability waiver at a previous meeting. Silverberg reached out to the VLCT legal department. They have a page that discusses Risk Management policies and procedures for volunteers. There is a one page service agreement for reference. Silverberg suggests that the legal team review the form and see if it works for our needs. McAllister made a motion that we use the form provided by VLCT for current volunteers, that way we can move forward, and then tweak as needed. Motion seconded by Blais, approved 4-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
No updates for ARPA Funds.
No news for DV Fiber.
Silverberg received a phone call from a post office employee who works in the real estate department who will try and help get some answers for us. He spoke with Kelly Goulett at Congressman Welch’s office. He got a note back from her that they are working on getting an extension in place for keeping the space. Silverberg has not been able to reach the landlord yet to give them an update.
OTHER BUSINESS:
The Schoolboard asked if Selectboard can give them a letter as discussed in a prior meeting a few weeks ago. Blais stated that they have not received anything yet. Silverberg will draft a letter and send it to the school.
Silverberg received a phone call from the town attorney whether professional services should go out to bid. Roberts asked that we add this to the purchasing policy and revisit. Blais suggested that we discuss this with a warning to invite the town members to discuss. Once we have the purchasing policy adopted we will add this item to the agenda for the following week at the second September board meeting.
HEARING OF VISITORS
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Roberts moved to go into executive session to discuss a personnel matter, Silverberg seconded, passed 4-0.
Meeting went into executive session at 6:50pm and came out at 7:18pm with no decisions made.
The Selectboard order was signed.
No overweight permits to sign.
Silverberg motioned to adjourn the meeting, Blais seconded and passed 4-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:21 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Roza Podlaski
For the Selectboard
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