August 5, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes

OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

August 5, 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 Stephan Chait, David Jones, Nancy McCrea, Tom Raffensperger, Laure Raffensperger, Patty Dow, Linda Lyon, Linda Heubner, Sue Kelly, Scott Ashcraft, Jennie Crocker, Mike McConnell, Ed Forlie, Maria Huffman, Levin Hardison, Cara Cheyette, Bettye Roberts, Liz Moore, Diana Conway and Emily Dow. 

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Old Business: Property Insurance

 

NEW BUSINESS

Incoming Credit Card Payments

Patty Dow provided information about paying property taxes via credit card through a secure online portal provided by Hamer Enterprises, an M&T Bank affiliate, at no cost to the town for the service. Taxpayer fees include: $3 fee per $100 for payments up to $500, and 3% fee for payments over $500. 

This option may reduce delinquent tax amounts. 

A payment processing link to the Hamer Website could be added to the Halifax website once updates by On Fire Media are complete. 

Future Agenda Item: Incoming Credit Card Payments through Hamer Enterprises

 

Green River Marathon

Tom Raffensperger shared details about the Green River Marathon scheduled for Sunday, August 24. The event follows the Road Runners Club of America: Safe Event Guidelines, and is fully insured with support from local EMS. 

The marathon starts at the old Marlboro College, follows Moss Hollow, turns left onto Green River Road, and passes Deer Park Road. Roads will be closed to local traffic from 7:00–8:30 AM, with a volunteer stationed at the Moss Hollow intersection.

The marathon is increasing inclusivity by welcoming wheelchair and hand cycle participants for the first time.

Raffensperger will notify the police and EMS two weeks prior to the race. 

Edwards made a motion to close Green River Road allowing local traffic only between 7:00am and 8:30am on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

Plans/Use for Old Town Garage property

Two residents expressed interest in repurposing the Old Town Garage site. Linda Huebner proposed a public park with a Halifax sign, free library, and community garden, though maintenance concerns were raised. Scott Ashcraft, who owns adjacent land, suggested buying it to expand his lawn, noting part of the concrete pad overlaps his property.

The one-acre parcel is town owned and tax exempt. Its use as a former town garage potentially makes it unsuitable for gardening. Its proximity to the river may place it in a FEMA flood zone. Damaged monitoring wells are no longer tested.

The board will check with the town council about sale options. 

 

Animal Control Ordinance & Committee for Animal Control 

Without an ordinance, enforcement options are limited unless specific legal parameters are met. A previous Town Meeting supported using the VLCT model to draft a suitable Animal Control Ordinance for Halifax. While residents may petition to initiate an ordinance, the Selectboard holds final decision-making authority.

Edwards attended a VLCT session outlining the lengthy ordinance adoption timeline. It’s recommended the ordinance be drafted in time for the next Town Meeting in case the voters wish to overturn it. 

State law offers limited guidance on animal control, requiring specific conditions for enforcement. The Animal Control Committee plans to poll residents to gauge community support and need for the ordinance.

Edwards made a motion to create a Committee for Animal Control of five people who will be charged with getting a dog ordinance to the Selectboard for its consideration, from the VLCT model dog control ordinance and to do so in time to adopt the ordinance by Town Meeting. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.

Edwards made a motion to have Sue Kelly, Kim and Chris Lehner, Jennie Crocker, and Liz Moore be on the Committee for Animal Control. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

OLD BUSINESS

Whitneyville Road cut through/spur/triangle

There is uncertainty regarding whether the town holds a public right of way through the cut-through or if the area is part of a private property deed. Edwards reviewed the deed and found no evidence of town ownership or rights.

If it qualifies as a town highway, the Selectboard could vote to discontinue its use. However, if the land is privately owned, the landowner has the authority to restrict access.

Additional research is required to determine whether the property was established through the statutory layout process or by dedication and acceptance.

 

Forlie-Huffman Sprague Road width

Marchegiani emphasized that, due to the historic nature of the house, it would be best not to widen the road that borders the property. Pike acknowledged an existing right of way but agreed the road should remain narrow. Edwards proposed using snow stakes to mark plowing boundaries. Christofferson noted that restoring this road is not a priority, as other roads in town may need to be restored as well. 

Approval for WRC Handling of MERP Grant

Mike McConnell will serve as general contractor for the town garage improvements, contingent on board approval, and will oversee work funded by the MERP grant. WRC’s handling fee for the MERP grant is capped at $5,200. It will be important to follow Halifax’s purchasing policy. 

Furnace and insulation costs will not be impacted by the 20% management fee tied to the MERP grant. McConnell recommends starting with insulation repairs and weather stripping, then reassessing funding availability. A boiler replacement assessment has been quoted at $11,000.

Christofferson made a motion to work with Windham Regional to complete the MERP garage project. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

The website update estimate has been received and will cost $1985. It does not include the credit card payment module of $600. The update includes ADA Compliance and PHP upgrade resulting in improved search capability and online payment processing. A deposit is required to begin the upgrade but there is no contract and an annual fee of $675. 

Edwards made a motion to go with Five Fire Media to do the website redesign including ADA Compliance, updating base WordPress modules and possibly adding on payment module. Pike seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

 

2014 F550 Update

The 2014 F550 was originally planned for trade-in upon arrival of the 5500 replacement. An interested buyer contacted Pike; per Fournier and Dow, there is no policy prohibiting a direct sale, but a standard BID process must be followed.

Pike contacted Auctions International following Mike Fournier’s discussion with the Wilmington Road Foreman. Their process includes: Vehicle inspection and photography (with a $30 photo fee), requirement for title copy (to confirm no liens), and keys needed to assess specifications. 

The truck will be sold as-is, with no warranty implied. No commission is charged to the town; instead, a 10% buyer’s premium is added to the purchaser’s cost. If the auctioneer presents a strong offer, the board may counter, relist, or withdraw the truck from auction. The plow is not included but the sander is included in the sale. 

Christofferson made a motion to use the auction service to try and sell the F550. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

 

Property Insurance

During the budget process, the fire chief requested increased coverage on fire vehicles to enhance replacement cost protection. Edwards will update the policy with the insurer to reflect the voter-approved budget amount.

FY25 budget: $16,956. 

FY26 budget: $23,565.

 

HEARING OF VISITORS

No visitors wished to speak.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

Akerman and Swinburne ROW Permit- 820 Thomas Hill- UG Utilities with Easement

To connect to the utility pole on the South side of the driveway, underground conduit will be installed running to the North side of the home. Saladino Property Maintenance is managing the installation. Dow will record the Easement Deed that has been provided. The Selectboard has approved the permit for this project.

 

Hardison ROW Permit- 495 McMillan Road- Driveway

Permit Submitted: Hardison requested approval to install a culvert and permanent driveway at 495 McMillan Road (E911 address per tax bill). A 15-inch culvert is required, confirmed by Fournier. The driveway will support electrical service installation, potentially requiring underground utilities and a pad-mounted transformer.

Driveway Location is flagged between the utility pole and culvert, entirely within Hardison’s property line—no right-of-way needed from adjacent landowners.

The utility pole is on the property side of the road, so no road crossing is needed. Some poles will be removed, and lines will be run underground. One pole will remain as a branch point, and a meter wall will be installed. Fournier confirmed GMP’s work area and found no conflict with the roadway. 

If underground utilities must enter the town right-of-way, Hardison must notify the Selectboard for trenching approval. 

Town highway frontage is 849.5 feet, not yet reflected on the parcel map.

Future Discussion: Hardison may seek access to a separate logging road he owns; no culvert is needed for that location.

Permit Approved by the Selectboard with the stated condition regarding utility trenching.

 

Dead River Company BID

Dead River Company submitted a $1,200 sales proposal for installing a water feeder combo on a boiler that currently lacks one. The proposal included a Vermont initial disclosure fee form and an informational sheet. They also provided a tank inspection report.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

July 14, 2025 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes-DRAFT

Pike made a motion to accept the minutes from July 14, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes as amended. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0 

July 15, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes-DRAFT

Pike made a motion to accept the minutes from July 15, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes as amended. Marchegiani seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 

July 28, 2025 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes–DRAFT

Pike made a motion to accept the July 28, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes as amended. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

 

SELECTBOARD ORDER

The Selectboard Orders were signed and Marchegiani read the aggregate amount of orders on August 5, 2025 for an order total of $197,058.89

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Edwards made a motion to go into Executive Session under 1 VSA § 313 (a) (3) for annual employee evaluation and 6 month recap reviews. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.

No decisions were made. Discussion was held about the annual and 6 month reviews of employees. The board is continuing to streamline the process and to be clear on responsibilities and challenges which will make it easier to assess employees in their roles. 

Edwards made a motion to come out of the Executive Session. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0. 

ADJOURNMENT

Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at 9:46pm. 

Pike seconded the motion. 

Motion carried 5-0. 

Respectfully submitted,

Emily Dow

Halifax Administrative Assistant

 

Recording Link: 

https://youtu.be/bcsT6VbJnzc