The special meeting started at 7:35 AM at the Halifax Fire Station. Board members in attendance were Lewis Sumner, Earl Holtz, and Edee Edwards. Also in attendance were John LaFlamme, Brad Rafus, Patty Dow, Frank Maltese, Susan Kelly, Travis Briggs, Andy Rice, and Wayne Courser. A drill evaluator, Paula, arrived at about 9:15 AM.

Hearing of Visitors

Frank Maltese requested approval of the Selectboard to use the Town Garage property later this year for a multi-community emergency training session. Vehicle extraction, fire hose, rescue, personal protective equipment, access control are all possible training activities. The town has hosted such drills in the past.

The board said this would be fine; Edwards pointed out that with the WiFi hotspot at the Town Garage, they may have curious watchers. Maltese said that was fine, and said he’d let the Selectboard know the time in case they wished to come.

Posting Roads for Mud Season

Edwards inquired about posting the roads for mud season. Rafus confirmed that the crew was putting in the signs today.   Edwards suggested a vote by the Selectboard. Sumner stated that since it wasn’t on the agenda, perhaps it should wait until next meeting. Edwards agreed that putting on the next agenda and ratifying the vote would be a good procedure, and also raise public awareness.

Edwards made a motion to post road weight limits for mud season. Holtz seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.

LaFlamme indicated that he’d spoken with a lost VTEL worker or contractor, who was looking for the tower in Halifax Center. He learned that they were planning to redo the foundation, but that the tower would be coming and would be put in place with a crane, which might be a problem with the roads. Edwards said she’d alert the broadband committee’s VTEL liaison at the committee’s meeting later today, to notify VTEL of the road posting.

Vermont Yankee Drill

After perusing a handout from the evaluator which noted restrictions in disclosure for drill activities, Edwards suggested that perhaps the board should go into Executive Session. LaFlamme posted a sign stating that a drill was underway, and that visitors may only enter with permission.   After further discussion about expected content of the drill, the possible public safety concerns if drill activities were made public to nefarious sorts, and the need to review again public meeting law regarding reasons allowed for executive session, Edwards voted to go into executive session with the drill participants as noted above. Earl seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-0.

Edwards left the meeting at 10:30 AM.

Holtz made a motion to leave executive session. Sumner seconded it. The motion carried 2-0.

Adjournment

The meeting ended at approximately 1:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Edee Edwards, Selectboard Member