OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MAY 21, 2024
6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Edee Edwards called meeting to order at 6:01 on May 21, 2024. Selectboard members present Rhonda Ashcraft, Edee Edwards, and Tristan Roberts. People present or remote were David Jones, Steph Pike, Randy Pike, Stephan Chait, and Alison Crossley.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
- Discussion to defer opening chipper bid
- Defer Animal Control Warrant (5 minutes) to after May 31st, 2024
APPROVAL PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES (5 minutes)
- May 7, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes
- Edwards makes motion to approve minutes based on the following changes. Ashcraft seconded. VOTED 2-0-1.
- Delete e from Ashcraft
- Call to order needs -ed
- Open paving bid missing totals
- Northeast & Peckman need TOTAL for bid line items
- Action Item: Check on procedure for passing with quorum.
HEARING OF VISITORS (10 minutes)
- No residents shared.
NEW BUSINESS
- Open chipper bids (15 minutes)
- Defer opening due to mistake made by local newspaper to advertise as required by Halifax purchasing policy.
- Action Item: Admin to reach out to submitted bids to update them on new opening date.
- Action Item: Special Meeting May 29, 2024, Wednesday 4pm
- Open Bid for Chipper
- Discussing other highway bid items
- Mike Fournier wage adjustment with position changes (15 minutes)
- Discussion was had regarding wage adjustment with position update regarding road commissioner and road supervisor.
- Any wage increase needs to include:
- .6075% to cover pension
- Consider overtime budget
- Made motion to raise Mike Fournier a $2.00/hr. raise starting in Fiscal Year 2024. Ashcraft seconded. Passed 3-0.
- Josh Road maintenance / class 4 road question and policy (10 minutes)
- Discussion was had regarding road maintenance on specific type of class road.
- Action Item: Add to selectboard task list to adopt a highway class 4 road policy and discuss adding “legal trail” language.
- Action Item: Respond to individual with selectboard next steps
- Action Item: Clarify trail and zoning policy, recommendation from the selectboard to planning/zoning of an offer of help from Fischer
- Budget Adjustment Act / $20,000 Local Economic Impact Payment – Designate Usage (Tristan/Edee/All: 10 minutes)
- Discussion was had regarding payment
- Roberts made motion to allocate $20,000 to stone for highway department once it has been received. Ashcraft seconded. Passed 3-0.
- Halifax Town Garage Roof (Tristan/Edee: 10 minutes)
- Discussion was had regarding town roof, funding repairs/replacement and timing of a RFP or Request for Information/Informal estimate.
- Action Item: Roberts to research with VLCT for funding
- Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Adjustment Vacancy (5 minutes)
- Turner Lewis passed away previous week.
- Action Item: Formally post vacancy to website and in town.
- Action Item: Write a letter of condolence to family from Selectboard mtg.
OLD BUSINESS
- Halifax Connectivity Program RFP (fiber conduit installation) (David Jones: 10 minutes)
- Discussion was had regarding Halifax Connectivity Program RFP with David Jones.
- Roberts made motion to approve the plan for the Halifax Connectivity Program and authorized David Jones to issue the RFP as substantially written. Ashcraft seconded. Passed 3-0.
- Tax Sale (2 lots Wheeler Road) (5 minutes)
- Roberts made motion to authorize member of the selectboard to bid on behalf of the town if there are no third-party bidders. Edwards seconded. Passed 3-0.
- Action Item: Selectboard member must be present for tax sale on June 25th
- Action Item: Admin to request time of sale from Mary Brewster.
- Roberts volunteered to attend and bid if timing works. Edwards and Ashcraft concurred.
- Windham County Humane Society—sign contract (5 minutes)
- Discussion was had regarding WCHS contract and Animal Control officer relationship between Town.
- Edwards signed contract
- Action Item: Admin to return WCHS.
- Approve the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (Overdue: 5 minutes)
- Discussion was had regarding updated local hazard mitigation plan
- Notes:
- Approving means Selectboard must meet on annual basis for review of actions taken for mitigation.
- Edwards made motion to adopt Local Hazard Mitigation Plan for Halifax. Roberts seconded. Passed 3-0.
- Discussion was had regarding Halifax Connectivity Program RFP with David Jones.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
- Personnel Review with stipend appointees: Administrative Assistant/Secretary Alison Crossley (10 minutes)
- Edwards made amotion to go into executive session for personnel issue regarding admin/secretary. Ashcraft seconded. Passed 3-0.
- Roberts recused himself due to personal connection with Admin.
- Exited executive session at 8:09, no decisions were made in executive session.
- Selectboard to review newer version of Admin job description.
- Admin office hours Wednesday 9 – 12 at Town Office
- Edwards made amotion to go into executive session for personnel issue regarding admin/secretary. Ashcraft seconded. Passed 3-0.
OTHER BUSINESS
- Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation meetings recap (5 minutes)
- Discuss training for residents interested in serving/getting involved in town government.
- Shared purchasing agreement between towns is being development.
CORRESPONDENCE
- Edwards to coordinate with School board to schedule CAEL Fund joint meeting.
- Excess weight permit signed by Edwards. (Fitzpatrick LLC, Cardinal Logistics Management)
SELECTBOARD ORDER (15 minutes)
- Treasury Order read into the record. Total: $6,641.53
- Highway Order signed.
ADJOURNMENT
Roberts made motion to adjourn meeting at 8:20pm. Ashcraft seconded. Passed 3-0.
Meeting recording (no video): https://youtu.be/ezHsvaE2RNM