Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm. Board members in attendance were Lewis Sumner, Earl Holtz, and Edee Edwards. Others in attendance were Jessica Bruno, Margo Avakian, Phyllis Evanuk, Pete Silverberg, and Mary Horne.

Halifax Town Plan Public Hearing

Edwards read aloud the notice of public hearing for the Selectboard to approve the updated and amended town plan.

The Selectboard expressed their appreciation for the hard work that the Planning Commission put into the updated plan.

The Selectboard noted that they would like to make the following updates to the town plan:

Page 41- Update the school name to Twin Valley and add Mohawk Trail Regional High School and Franklin County Technical School

Page 27- Under Surface Water Policies Item 1, add AOT

The group discussed getting the zoning bylaws in line with the town plan and the process. Edwards noted that they applied for a grant to get help from Windham Regional Commission to update the zoning bylaws. The group discussed Act 250 in general. The group discussed the rural character of the town. It was noted that if the town plan is not approved by the voters, the current plan would expire and zoning changes would not be allowed. The current plan becomes obsolete in March, 2015. Silverberg expressed his concerns about the extraction policies in conservation districts. There was a review and discussion about the mineral extraction sections of the town plan.

Page 32- page 5 #6 Natural Area Policies- as the gorge is owned privately, that item should be stricken from the policy

Page 5- change All Hazard Mitigation Plan to Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan and add Radiological Emergency Response Plan

Page 7- modify to read the second volume is near completion in 2013

Page12- There was a discussion regarding growth in Halifax- change the word probable to possible

Page16- There was a discussion regarding the accuracy of the income figures as the census is based on mailing address and Halifax has people with Brattleboro and Jacksonville addresses so our figures may not be accurate.

Page 37- change to “Animal Control Officer”

Page 43- update the names of the medical centers

Page 45- move Guiding Star Grange back to page 47 under meeting places

Page 50- Verify the bridge and structure numbers with Rafus

Page 51- add “legal” trails

It was noted that updates to maps will be coming as well.

Edwards made a motion to approve the Halifax Town Plan with the changes suggested to present to the voters on town meeting day. Holtz seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned 8:38 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jessica Bruno
Selectboard Secretary