OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
December 12, 2024
8:00 AM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 8:00 AM. Also present were Selectboard members Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft, Randy Pike, and Tristan Roberts (remote). Highway Supervisor Mike Fournier was also present.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
None, although Roberts noted the one-tap mobile Zoom information was not correct on the meeting agendas. Edwards and our administrative assistant will follow up.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Edwards made a motion to go into executive session for Highway Maintenance Worker candidates assessment per 1 V.S.A. § 313(a)(3). Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Recording was stopped at 8:02 AM.
At 8:28 AM, the board came out of executive session. No decisions were made in executive session.
NEW BUSINESS
Edwards noted that the board’s initial offer to our chosen candidate for a position on the Highway Department was not accepted by the candidate. She asked the board for perspectives on how to proceed.
Christofferson stated that although she was not at the last meeting where the candidate was interviewed, she noted the qualifications of the candidate and she felt the initial offer was low. She suggested we offer the candidate $27. Christofferson noted that the annualize rate increase over the original offer would be only $3110.
Christofferson made a motion to make an offer to Greg Dekoschak for $27/hour, contingent upon positive reference checks. Roberts seconded.
Pike noted he made the original offer, and he thought given that we are in budget season and looking to save money, it was a good offer. He was concerned that offering more would raise parity issues and a need to look at other’s salaries as well. Edwards stated that she felt this offer would be more likely to produce a good candidate at parity with the existing crew. Motion carried 3-2, with Pike and Ashcraft voting in the negative.
Roberts made a motion that if the employment offer to our first candidate was not accepted, to make an offer to Peter Chandler at $23.00/hour, subject to reference checks. Ashcraft seconded.
Edwards noted that Chandler is very close to getting his CDL, but acknowledged that he will have to learn the Halifax roads and will be just starting to leverage his CDL. Christofferson and Fournier pointed out the 1-year probationary period. Pike stated that Peter did seem like a go-getter. Motion carried 5-0.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Fournier asked that the Winter Roads Policy address parking violations and allow the town to tow people after 1-2 warnings. Edwards stated that we had discussed Winter Road Policy at a recent meeting, and looked at this from a communications perspective to the public about limitations on the hours the town would plow. Attorney consultation recommended that adopting an ordinance would allow for enforcement, so upcoming review of the Highway Ordinance could help over revisiting the policy.
ADJOURNMENT
Roberts made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried at 8:43 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Edee Edwards, Secretary Pro Tempore
Recording link: https://youtu.be/FiXDYNyComg