OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
November 18, 2025
6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Other Selectboard members present were Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft (remote), Randy Pike and Lori Marchegiani. Members of the public present were Stephan Chait, Nancy McCrea, Mike Fournier, Joseph Brown, Katelyn Brown, Jeffrey Glaser, Emily Carris Duncan, Kaitlin Stone, Wayne Courser, Joan Courser, Stephanie Pike, and Emily Dow.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Moved hearing of visitors to the beginning of the meeting.
HEARING OF VISITORS
No visitors wished to speak.
NEW BUSINESS
FY27 Budget
Recap Objectives
The board outlined their FY27 budget goals: Edwards emphasized resilience and realistic, Christofferson sought sustainability with reserve funds, and Marchegiani suggested revenue beyond taxpayer contributions, with Edwards noting options like a 1% option tax for short-term rental article, town fees, and an economic development forum in Wilmington. Pike prioritized stability and efficiency, supporting cuts where we can, and Ashcraft would like the town to avoid stagnation.
Starting Numbers (FY26 Budget, FY25 Closeout)
The FY26 budget raised $2,054,627 from taxes and $421,300 from non-revenue sources. Article 3, which we amended on the floor, proposed a budget of $2,475,927, which includes covering a $41,000 FY24 deficit.
Christofferson presented a budget spreadsheet showing a current but not final $83,000 deficit for FY25. She explained that adopting NEMRC next year will improve clarity by using accrual-based accounting instead of the cash basis shown in Town Report schedules. Much of the deficit stems from timing issues that can be addressed in the next cycle, and she outlined the components and factors contributing to the shortfall.
The FEMA funding for Pike and Vaughn Road, received three weeks early on June 6, was recorded on a cash basis and therefore counted in FY24 instead of FY25. Because it was included in anticipated grant income for FY25 during last year’s budgeting, this timing issue is believed to have contributed to the 3.4% deficit; without it, the year may have shown a surplus.
Town operations reported total expenses of $4,021,489, including school taxes and resurfacing costs. Selectboard expenses in FY25 were $460,435.46. Highway net expenses reached $1,666,228.91. Overall, town operations generated $4,548,253.86 in revenue, leaving a deficit of $83,711.51.
The deficit included several factors: $17,279 in EOC emergency supplies and generator/internet costs compared to a $1,200 budget, with grant funding still uncertain; $142,875 paid to A.S. Clark for Pike and Vaughn Road projects from the Selectboard line item rather than a bridge reserve fund; highway health insurance and building repairs exceeding expectations, including $82,000 for the garage roof against a $6,500 historic building maintenance fund; sand costs over budget by $19,792 as examples.0. Offsetting these, gravel showed a $61,629 surplus from GMP reimbursements, with total GMP reimbursements reaching $181,000.
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A tracker on the board was created for concerns/wish lists:
- Annual professional audits
- Refurbishing the grader
- Equipment schedule
Highway- Needle Movers and Beyond
Christofferson shared the budget spreadsheet and explained the mechanics.
Edwards noted that a recent highway order for gravel was $155,000, but the vendor initially submitted multiple invoices with incorrect lower amounts. Fournier worked with them to fix the issue, part of which was due to them being hacked. Edwards wanted him to confirm the company delivered the proper quantity of gravel as requested, and that we did not go over budget. Fournier confirmed that.
For gravel, to reduce costs, Pike suggested not purchasing gravel for the 20 miles of road that GMP is already required to cover with six inches of gravel.
Stephan Chait cautioned against reducing the gravel budget, noting that mud season often requires extra gravel and cutting funds could risk a shortage. Pike asked what percentage of roads receive gravel each year, but Fournier explained there are no exact figures given the variety of road types in Halifax. Edwards proposed setting the FY27 gravel budget at 5,000 cubic yards, estimated at $33 per ton (slightly higher than the $31.50), compared to the previous 6,500 cubic yards allocation. This totaled $165K, which is a 23% reduction.
Christofferson and Marchegiani planned to meet with the VTRANS bridge supervisor to review the VT RT 112 Branch Road bridge project, which is classified as a repair and estimated to cost between $600,000 and $1 million. In 2020 or 2024, $464,000 was the estimate. Edwards stated that she really wanted to be involved with this meeting.
The sand budget represents 7% of the highway budget, with the most recent winter sand bid awarded at $27.30 per yard, totaling $109,200. For the FY27 budget, we added 500 cubic yards based on Fournier’s recommendation to increase it. Last year we needed to order more than planned and budgeted. The budget line went up nominally.
Salt budget: $98.25 per ton for a total of 450 tons from Cargill. Costs increased from last year.
Conferences and training budget was reduced, as all staff have CDL’s, and most training is free.
Trash pickup: $170 a month
The town’s grader, purchased for $288,745 and now at 8,235 hours, is targeted for replacement in FY27 with an estimated cost of $445,000. While replacement could be financed with longer-term loans, refurbishment would need to be paid in the current year since there is no maintenance reserve fund. The Highway Department favors refurbishing the grader over full replacement.
Edwards observed that other towns hold “listening sessions” to boost community involvement, though they require extra meetings. Christofferson responded that residents with concerns will attend regular meetings, while Pike added that since meetings are already warned and shared by word of mouth, additional sessions aren’t needed.
Christofferson emphasized the goal of finalizing the budget by December 31, 2025, stressing the importance of town departments submitting their funding requests promptly. Noting that the EMD budget was underfunded in FY26 due to the department not providing a response. January can be for additional revisions.
OLD BUSINESS
Whitneyville Road Intersection Reconfiguration
At the November 4, 2025 meeting, followed by a smaller session with 2 selectboard members, town counsel, the property owner, and the highway supervisor, it was agreed to place gravel south of the town sign within the right-of-way, with two access points to Brook.
A long discussion ensued, with it being unclear whether we were “moving” or making a new cut-through or just widening the intersection. We agree that the plan is to make it safe within the existing right-of-way, yet requiring no road reclassification. On Friday, a subset of the board and Mike will remeasure and discuss on site.
Wayne Courser raised concerns about the relocated town sign and property ownership, but the board, relying on the town attorney’s instruction for measurements, confirmed the property line. Edwards added that if the Town sign were in the right-of-way, visibility would be reduced. Courser gave some of the history, with the sign there since around 2004.
Clark Road- Site visit follow up
Pike reported on the November 15, 2025 site visit, which marked 30 days since the prior inspection. The landowner was present and had made significant progress: one truck in the town trail was moved further down, another truck was removed, and while some junk items remain, the neighbor is helping relocate a motorcycle. Christofferson assisted by moving tires, and Pike helped with a battery. Pike encouraged the property owner to finish the remaining cleanup within the week, noting the strong effort already made.
Preliminary Flood insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) from FEMA
FEMA updated the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and presented them to the town along with Windham County’s flood insurance study report. FIRM panels were revised, and Halifax has just one property with a flood zone, where FEMA advises against building. Edwards contacted Tom Fox and noted no conflict of interest if Ashcraft helps inform the property owner. A meeting will be held to address questions or feedback.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Jeffrey Glaser requested an update on Wheeler Road, and Christofferson explained that measurements had been taken and would be shared with the town attorney. The town road length was confirmed as 2 tenths of a mile (1056 feet) from the center of Hanson Road to the town line, with land stakes at 1022 feet. This means only a few feet of Glaser’s property falls within town property, while the remainder is private. Glaser was advised to hold off on making changes until the board receives guidance from the attorney. Christofferson will confirm with the attorney that measurements were taken correctly.
CORRESPONDENCE
PACIF Renewal Application: Patty Dow received a message from PACIF that a renewal application was due by November 15th. Edwards did it last year. The selectboard chair does this, but this year Edwards didn’t received it until November 14th. The application requires listing insured town assets, which still included the old excavator, old loader, and a recently sold truck that must be removed since they are no longer owned. A major update from the previous year involved the fire company’s concern about underinsured equipment, which was addressed in the budget. Additionally, the application needs to include the second repeater located on Silverberg property. Edwards will try to work with Patty Dow and PACIF to update this.
Whitneyville Road Notice: Send a notice to property owners on Whitneyville Road about the change. The communication is on the website.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
November 4, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes
Pike made a motion to accept the November 4, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes as amended. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount for orders on November 18, 2025 for an order total of $30,932.12.
ADJOURNMENT
Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at 8:32 pm. Pike seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link: https://youtu.be/CbOXvoTDNb0
