OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

March 26, 2025

6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE

CALL TO ORDER

Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. Other Selectboard members present were Karen Christofferson, Randy Pike, Rhonda Ashcraft, and Lori Marchegiani. Selectboard Secretary Emily Dow was present online at the outset of the meeting. Kyle Farnsworth was present in person at the end of meeting. No other members of the public joined in person or remotely. 

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Christofferson requested to add: GMP lease, excavator warranty and beavers discussion which will be done under Other Business. 

This was not captured in the original recording because of initial audio/visual problems with the recording equipment. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Edwards made a motion to go into executive session at 6:05 for the purpose of doing reviews/interviews for Selectboard Administrative Assistant, First Constable, Animal Control Officer, per 1 V.S.A  313 (a)(3).

At 7:43, the board came out of executive session. No decisions were made.

NEW BUSINESS

Christofferson moved that we reappoint Kyle Farnsworth for First Constable. Pike seconded. Edwards noted that Farnsworth was eager and willing to learn and share information in his role that he took on in the past year for First Constable. He can be reached at the halifax constable gmail account. He’s learned about certification for a future date. Edwards noted that we want to work with him towards getting citation / ticket books and safety gear. Ashcraft said Kyle was amazing and quickly responsive. Christofferson said he was proactive and a steady hand if situations get tense. Pike and Marchegiani agreed with these comments. The motion carried 5-0. 

Christofferson moved that we reappoint Kyle Farnsworth for Animal Control Officer. Ashcraft seconded. Ashcraft said Farnsworth is right on it. Christofferson noted that it sounds like he has his hands full, and that there’s a lot more going on in this space with large situations. Farnsworth did say it was a lot more work than he thought it would be, but he enjoys it. Edwards noted the interest in the town for setting up an Animal Control Ordinance. We are looking for a quarterback for that, Christofferson said. Edwards agreed and determined the process for that, possibly as a committee. The motion carried 5-0. 

Edwards made a motion to appoint Emily Dow as Selectboard Administrative Assistant for the coming year. Marchegiani seconded. Christofferson said that she’s doing ok with a tough learning curve with us being very busy. The board will offer further help to help meet deadlines, but Dow remains interested and proactive. Pike noted she is learning and looking for streamlining. Edwards is committed to trying to offer more training time as so much is still new. She’s doing a good job said Ashcraft.  Motion carried 5-0. 

OTHER BUSINESS

GMP lease has been reviewed by counsel, and Christofferson will circulate for board review. She requests that we get it back to GMP after discussion at the next meeting (March 31 2025). Various details were discussed in brief. Edwards noted that DVFiber has not given a timeline for cleanup and vacating their spot.

Excavator warranty was clarified as 7-year, 4000 hours with Mike Fournier. Edwards suggested an open house or a site visit.

Beavers & culverts policy: Christofferson was asked by Pete Silverberg to meet and discuss this idea, but she knows it will have to come before the full board. The conservation commission has been discussing this and other issues.

HEARING OF VISITORS 

No further comments were made.

ADJOURNMENT

Marchegiani made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 pm. Edwards seconded the motion.

The motion carried 5-0.

Respectfully submitted, 

Edee Edwards, 

Secretary Pro tempore

Recording Link: https://youtu.be/txw-Lfb-LG8?t=154 

This link is to a playlist starting a few minutes in, when audio/video was restored. 

There is a second recording after executive session: https://youtu.be/kcbNK3ROlsM because the meeting shut itself off after 40 minutes of inactivity.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBAfSE_4uVqXPhEIC7oXxq6TEd_r6QWmt&si=k17QOPdk0CUv4UYF is a playlist that will play both recordings sequentially.