Town of Halifax, Vermont
MINUTES
February 2, 2010
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7: 30 PM. Board members in attendance were John LaFlamme, Mitchell Green, and Lewis Sumner. Others in attendance were Margo Avakian, Andy Rice, Edee Edwards, Mark Halverson, Greg Marguet, Christina Moore, and Board Secretary Phyllis Evanuk.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Green noted that the minutes referenced grader bids but it should be loader bids.
Mr. Green moved to accept the minutes of the January 19, 2010 meeting with the correction.
Mr. LaFlamme seconded the motion.
Mr. LaFlamme suggested that for clarification, the minutes should explain that 15,000 yards of gravel is equal to 20,000 tons.
The motion carried 3-0, and the minutes were approved as corrected.
New Business
None
Hearing of Visitors
Ø Andy Rice gave updates on grant paperwork. He advised that in order to be eligible for future grants the Constable must be NIMS compliant. NIMS is a structuring protocol for issues regarding chain of command and is a nation-wide protocol. He advised that if the town adopts the State Police protocol, it will eliminate the need to write a separate one for the town.
Ø Mr. Rice advised that there will be a “tabletop” training held for LEPC and he has been told that Halifax is required to have 7 people participate.
Mr. Sumner advised that it is being held at the Brattleboro Fire Department on Saturday, April 10th, for three towns, and he believes that Halifax will be able to participate with less than 7 people if they cannot get that many. He advised that they should try to have 7 but it may not be possible. Pre-registration through Vermont Homeland Security is required.
Mr. Rice and the Board also discussed the possibility of have a training session in Halifax to address the ICS (Incident Command System). Mr. LaFlamme asked Mr. Rice to check into it and see what the cost would be. He further advised that all these requirements are coming to light because the town is taking advantage of the grants that are available to assist towns in emergency preparations.
Ø Mr. Rice advised that over the holidays he had received a number of requests from homeowners asking him to check their property as they would be away and there had been a number of burglaries in the area. He advised that he has since read that police officers in Massachusetts caught the people responsible for 70 burglaries in Massachusetts and Vermont.
Ø Mr. Marguet was in attendance to voice his concern that the gravel contract that the Board approved at the last meeting was not put out to bid. He advised that he would like to know what guarantees they have that the quality of the product will meet the town’s approval, and why they did not put requests out for bids from surrounding states.
Mr. LaFlamme advised that the Road Commissioner and the Board have been researching, reviewing and considering this project for many months, and that having inquired of numerous contractors it was determined that Mr. Mitchell was the only one with equipment to handle the material involved, and also the only one who would defer ½ of the cost to the next fiscal year. He further advised that the Road Commissioner is the supervisor on the project, and that the contractor is not responsible for the product as he is only processing the material provided by the town. The gravel is already here, it just needs to be crushed to a usable consistency.
Mr. Marguet wanted to know how big a rock this contractor could handle. Mr. LaFlamme advised that the size was described to him as “big as a Volkswagen”.
Old Business
None
Other Business
Ø Mr. LaFlamme advised that there will be an informational meeting on the budget and anything else regarding Town Meeting and afterward a Meet the Candidates opportunity, on Tuesday, February 23rd at 7:00 PM in the school gymnasium.
Mr. Marguet wanted to know if the candidates would debate at this meeting. Mr. Green advised that it is not really a debate, but questions could be asked of the candidates.
Ø The Board was in receipt of a contract for services from Windham County Humane Society (WCHS) for the purpose of clarifying the conditions under which the Society would serve as the impoundment facility for the town.
Mr. Rice advised that the Town’s impoundment area can only be used short term as it does not meet the requirements for extended housing of animals.
In the past the usual fees for the WCHS services have been to cover the actual costs incurred by the animals in their care; food, and any other necessary treatments.
Communications/Mail
The mail was reviewed and appropriately 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 8:08 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis H. Evanuk
Secretary