OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

May 29, 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 present were Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft, Randy Pike, and Lori Marchegiani. Members of the public present were Nancy McCrea and Emily Dow.

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Patty Dow sent in a request for funds for office improvements. 

OLD BUSINESS

Designation of Vaughn Road FEMA additional payment

The Vaughn Road FEMA 90% increase in the amount of $22,638.43 has previously been placed in the building repair and maintenance fund, to cover the garage roof payment, as discussed in a past meeting; however, a motion hasn’t been made to solidify that. 

Edwards made a motion to put the Vaughn Road additional FEMA money in the amount of $22,638.43 into the building repair and maintenance fund. Christofferson seconded. 

The board confirmed this had not been handled before. 

Motion carried 5-0

Designation of Pike Road FEMA additional payment

Pike Road FEMA 90% additional payment fund of $35,825.16 has not been received yet but is expected within a couple weeks from submission date and needs the funds designated within the budget. 

The Town made the annual payment in advance for the excavator in the amount of $38,055.00.

Edwards made a motion to take the Pike Road FEMA adjustment money in the amount of $35,825.16 and designate it to the excavator that we purchased in advance into account 7615. Pike seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

Possible items for outlay/designation

The purpose of this section is based on the idea that there will be a surplus in the budget. 

Office Improvements

Patty Dow received a quote for $7,800 to replace office space flooring in the town office as the carpet is worn and tiles need replacing. Dow asked the board to use $4k of the total $18k that’s currently undesignated in the education money fund and the rest of the cost will be covered from the office equipment fund. 

Pike talked about the town office space being leased from the school and proposed discussing with the school to deduct the replacement & repairs cost for the flooring from the lease amount. The repairs would be in the school owned building. Edwards stated that this will not happen in the current fiscal year. 

The discussion may continue during the Cael Scholarship meeting with the school on June 11 and can be brought up informally. 

We don’t have an official projection of our year end surplus or deficit. The following items are under consideration if there is a surplus. 

Highway department staff one-time payout

The Highway department worked for five months with one less employee during the plowing season. Edwards suggested a one time payout to address the additional work the employees were doing. She estimated a surplus in wages of $12k based on a standard work week and remainder of the year as well as being over budget in health insurance. 

Edwards suggested giving bonuses to each of the four employees for the five months during plowing season and additional to the supervisor who assisted in recruiting and interviewing. She asked the board to consider a signing bonus for the newest employee. Health insurance costs for the road crew may also be changing in the near future. 

Christofferson agrees the prior year was a struggle for the road crew in many ways and if there is a surplus in wages, that’s a good way to give back to them. $8,319.10 came back from GMP from a difference in what was owed from billing the road crew. 

During FEMA disasters FEMA may help cover for road crew time. GMP also reimbursed the town for crew time. Upon occasion, the board in the past gave some additional money to the road crew. 

Ashcraft suggested using the extra funds for equipment that could make their jobs better. Edwards explained, since the year end is near, it is simpler to increase payroll than to purchase equipment as it’s not budgeted and it wouldn’t get delivered in this fiscal year. 

Pike suggested waiting until there’s more knowledge on what the health insurance prices will be and how the crew and town will be affected. 

Edwards assessed the board’s reaction and stated that there would be at least two no votes.

Marchegiani suggested, as taxes can be high, being conservative with the funding but attribute some percentage to the road crew. 

HEARING OF VISITORS

No visitors wished to speak.

CORRESPONDENCE 

Edwards received an email from R&R Communication, who is doing the FCC renewal and everything has been sent to the FCC coordination. 

Christofferson received an email on May 19, 2025 from VTrans, related to town highway class 2 roadway program grant application for Jacksonville Stage Road reclaim & overlay has been recommended for approval. An Environmental Review might be necessary and the project wouldn’t start until next fiscal year.  

ADJOURNMENT

Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at 1:33pm. Christofferson seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Emily Dow

Halifax Administrative Assistant 

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