OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 18, 2025
6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. This meeting is remote-hybrid. Other Selectboard members present were Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft, Randy Pike and Lori Marchegiani with Secretary Assistant Emily Dow. Members of the public present were Stephanie Pike, Nancy McCrea, Mary Brewster, Stephan Chait, Doug Parkhurst and Marilou Parkhurst.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Old Business: Christofferson will update about Laptop Discussion and Bids
NEW BUSINESS
Edwards welcomed Lori Marchegiani to the Selectboard. Marchegiani is looking to be more involved in the town.
Formally decided Selectboard Roles
Christofferson made a motion to elect Edee Edwards as the Chairman for the next term. Marchegiani seconded.
Motion carried 4-0-1 with Edwards as the abstention.
Edwards nominated Christofferson as the Vice Chair
Ashcraft seconded the motion.
Motion carried 4-0-1 Christofferson was the abstention.
Pike nominated Christofferson as Road Commissioner who will cover the Grant and Budget aspect of the position.
Edwards seconded the motion.
Motion carried 4-0-1 Christofferson abstained.
Ashcraft nominated Marchegiani as Road Commissioner who will cover Public Relations.
Edwards seconded the motion.
Motion carried 4-0-1. Marchegiani abstained.
Informal and Preliminary Discussion on Roles
Liaisons to Departments
Future Agenda Item: Christofferson to be considered for appointment as the liaison for the EMD.
HR Role for oversight for Highway Department-The Board wants to formally have an HR liaison for the Highway Department because of family relationships in the department.
Edwards made a motion for Pike to be the HR liaison for the Highway Department.
Ashcraft seconded the motion.
Motion carries 4-0-1. Pike Abstained.
Logistics
Preliminary discussion on the approval of designee to sign highway or payroll orders weekly.
Edwards was primary signer and Christofferson was secondary signer last year.
Meeting Schedule:
Regular Selectboard meetings to occur every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM. Edwards moved to continue with this schedule. Pike seconded. The motion carried 5-0.
Tax Sale: Designation of town bidder
Mary Brewster informed Selectboard of a Tax Sale on March 19, 2025. The minimum bid is $5081.07 for VT RT 100, VTR5901. It will be held at the Town Office at 10:00am. Edwards confirmed the Board is interested in buying the property to get the taxes owed on it returned if there are no other bidders.
Edwards made a motion to have Ashcraft and Marchegiani bid the tax sale minimum for VTR5901 for $5081.07 if there are visitors. Pike seconded the motion. Pike seconded.
Motion carries 3-0-2 with Ashcraft and Marchegiani abstaining.
GMP Contractor laydown area at Town Garage
Christofferson led a discussion of the details returned from Attorney Fisher.
Doug Parkhurst commented that any agreement that the Board makes should be fair.
Edwards explained that in the previous and current year the town has been getting infrastructure upgrades from GMP.
Considerations included wear and tear on the Highway Department driveway, the number of vehicles, the vehicle types, environmental issues including hazardous waste and the designated area the trucks should park in. The area should be staked out with physical markers.
Christofferson was authorized to continue the discussion with GMP and Attorney Fisher.
Town Meeting Follow Up
Follow up meeting on producing the Town Report
- Future idea is to create and designate an email address solely for the Town Report
- Clearly assess and go over roles and responsibilities of people who are assisting in the Town Report
Appointments
Roles and departments will be holding Appointments and Interviews as with paid appointments such as Secretary Assistant, ACO and more. Zoning and Planning has a vacancy and the Auditors election and subsequent vacancies will need to be handled in a special format according to VLCT and statute.
Newspaper of Record: Edwards made a motion to have Deerfield Valley News be the newspaper of record. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Excavator financing signatures
Christofferson reviewed the specifications.
Christofferson moved to authorize Edwards to sign the documents that are subject to Attorney Fisher’s review. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0.
The first payment for the Excavator is on the Highway order for the amount of $38055.18 for the new Ford truck.
Trade-in after purchase of 6500
The trade-in value will be assessed as numbers were given a year prior as $40k for the 6500 from Viking. If the value decreased, it may be decided to keep the truck for a few extra months or sell it individually.
Sign VTRANS Annual Paperwork
Christofferson was authorized to sign VTRANS annual paperwork.
Future: Notice for Windham Regional Commission contact list. Edwards will follow up.
Blacktop Bids—Karen will follow up to have bids due for the April 15 meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
Edwards will be attending Selectboard Essential remotely this Saturday. Other members to drop by, 9-2:30, in the Town Office.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Stephan Chait will try to find replacement for Windham Regional Commissioner.
CORRESPONDENCE
Pike made a motion for Edwards to sign the contract for $780 per mow from Saladino Property Maintenance. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0.
Mary Brewster sent to the Selectboard the letter of the tax sale.
Overweight permit- Multiple came in for trucks and weights. The fee is $10 as well as certificate of insurance. Permits are effective for a year.
The board agreed to move ahead with generator special servicing. Edwards will follow up.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
Christofferson left at 8:57 PM.
The Selectboard orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount for orders on March 18, 2025 for an order total of $47,815.82.
ADJOURNMENT
Edwards made a motion to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.
Ashcraft seconded the motion
Motion passed 4-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link: https://youtu.be/YJl-oV44Tns