OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES- DRAFT
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2025
6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. Other Selectboard members in person or remote are Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft, Randy Pike, Tristan Roberts and Secretary Assistant Emily Dow. Highway Supervisor Mike Fournier was present. Members of the town and public online or present in person are Paul Blais, Doug & Marilou Parkhurst, Stephen Chait and David Jones, Karin Larkin, Stephanie Pike, and Scott Ashcraft.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
- Mike Fournier Update about Sand Pile
- Old Business: Excavator Financing Status and Warranty
- Town Meeting Day Preparation: Mixer Device
- Other Business: Mailchimp Account
- Add December 9, 2025 previous meeting minutes to Approval
NEW BUSINESS
Sand Pile Update
The current Winter season has needed more sand than anticipated. There are 430 tons left to be delivered to expunge the budget.
- Fournier will contact Mitchell Materials and confirm if they can honor the cost per cubic yard as in the contract and order additional sand as needed
- Add to next Regular Meeting Agenda: Check-In about a cost estimate. Price per Ton is $28.60 cost per cubic yard delivered.
Resume Reviews & Interview Request Decisions
The Highway Department position was sponsored on Indeed Jobs.
Applications and Interviews will be ongoing.
Some of the 11 applicants have CDL’s.
Upcoming interviews for Candidate A and Candidate B
RFP’s for Recycling Services – WSWMD
If multiple towns collectively put together a RFP with a need for recycling services, it may lead to obtaining multiple vendor bids.
Multiple vendor bids provide the opportunity to get the best price and option for the town’s needs.
Some recycling customers are seeing higher costs as they renew their services.
Edwards will attend this meeting virtually.
Future Agenda Item: Visit the RFP for Recycling topic and sign the RFP
Incident Reports
Town Meeting Day Preparation: Mixer Device
Paul Blais, who is a network engineer, advises the board to purchase a Mixer device that will be reliable for audit and video capabilities. This also pertains to Town Meeting Day recording requirements. The Mixer allows for audio and video through multiple input and outputs from both in person and remote.
Edwards made a motion for Paul Blais to buy mixer for town meeting up to $250
Rhonda seconded the motion.
Motion carries 5-0
- Budget Defense
Christofferson discovered an error or placeholder that will be corrected in the tax payer’s favor. As the warning cannot be changed, a Selectboard member will make a motion for that particular article and would be called on to present any change in numbers at that time.
- Post-Town Meeting Special Meeting Topics
Can have a special meeting following town meeting
50 minutes in**
Connectivity fund- its available and how to proceed. Only spent fraction of the money and want to spend it all. For broadband committee Reports of officers- add this in.
OLD BUSINESS
Excavator Financing Status and Warranty:
Dealer Financing and Bank Financing- They need the election on the Warranty Choice
Quote received 2/4/25:
- Powertrain Coverage
- Powertrain plus Hydraulic
- Premier Coverage
Example given: 5 year, 3000 hours, would add $1250 for total $3325.
Current 2009 Excavator has 9000 hours as of December 2024.
Lease Quote in option:
- Annual in Advance
- 7 years in advance totals $38,296.31
- Annual in Arrears
The next update for the excavator will include the Financing Option.
Edwards made a motion that we pursue the 7 year warranty with the Premier Addition not to exceed $6000 for the entire warranty package.
Roberts seconded the motion
Motion carries 5-0
Town Right of Way Permit Application Resolution– Fence in Right of Way
Permit Application was submitted with a late fee as it was not completed prior to the fence installation.
The application was denied due to inability to maintain winter roads with this barrier.
The fence will be removed by June 15th along with conditions of the permit.
listen to recording 30 minutes in.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Scott ashcraft do they need a 5th employee ‘60 hours a week burned out
David jones question for town meeting- paul blais moderates and walks through the meeting. May set up a booth
Tristan left 7:09pm
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
Edee make a motion to approve minutes from dec 7 2024 , randy seconded, motion carries 3-0-1 rhonda abstaining
December 9, 2024 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes
Randy made a motion to approve minutes from dec 9. Motion carries 3-0-1 with christofferson abstained
Edee to make a motion to accept December 14, 2025 minutes. Karen seconded. Motion carries 4-0
Make a motion to accept jan 3 minutes randy seconded motion carries 4-0
Mailchimp: too many contacts listen to recording
Karen make a motion to buy the mailchimp service package – rhonda seconded. Motion carries 4-0
CORRESPONDENCE
list
SELECTBOARD ORDER
Edwards read $34,134.30
ADJOURNMENT
Rhonda made a motion to adjourn at 9:35pm. Karen seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link:
https://youtu.be/AD3kIE7kGsk?si=bgUJCX7SCBTf5qOn