OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES- DRAFT
December 16, 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 Travis Stone, Stephan Chait, Stephanie Pike, Nancy McCrea, Mike Fournier and Emily Dow.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Under 1 VSA § 313 (a) (3) [for] the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, provided that the public body shall make a final decision to hire or appoint a public officer or employee in an open meeting and shall explain the reasons for its final decision during the open meeting.
Marchegiani made a motion to go into executive session for employee evaluation. Christofferson seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Edwards made a motion to come out of executive session. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
No action was made during the executive session.
OLD BUSINESS
FY27 Budget Discussion
The flow of reserve funds are first appropriated then approved by the town. Second, they are assessed by the incurred town expenses and are invoiced. Finally, the funds are transferred from the reserve to pay the bill. To make the budget vision clearer, Christofferson explained the build of the budget model and showed that reserve funds have been sectioned together versus scattered throughout as it made it difficult to see the activity. Reserve funds don’t always equal the associated expense amount.
Resurfacing Highway Fund- FY26 was funded with a reduced $275k. Incoming resurfacing grants create surplus deficit timing issues as receiving the grant and completion of the project can be within multiple fiscal years. The current paving grant is $192k for a $240k project set to be completed December of 2027 and could potentially flow into FY28. In efforts to create a conservative budget, while also expecting state funding, Edwards proposed to fund this account with $200k for FY27 which is the cost of the Jacksonville Stage Road project along with the current balance of $25k.
Bridge Reserve Fund- The current balance is just below $80k which is accrued from an ending balance in FY25 of $65k and an additional $15k added in FY26. After VTRANS representatives assessed the bridge on Route 112, it may require a 2 foot full wrap which costs around $600k. However, it may only need ledge bolts which cost around $100k. This will be put out to bid. Edwards suggested doubling the FY26 funded amount for FY27 to $30k as it will make the total fund amount $110k, allowing for the 10% overage over the estimate and expecting the repair to be $100k for the ledge bolts.
Reappraisal Fund- We are expecting a townwide reappraisal in FY27. The previous reappraisal was in FY21 and supposed to be completed every 5 years. The state contributes $5k. The current working balance for FY26 is $56k. The cost of the upcoming reappraisal is $44,700. The town could consider withholding their contribution of $5k. The cost will be covered with current funds and FY27 is funded at zero per lister memo.
Cemetery Perpetual Fund- The Cemetery Committee has yet to request FY27 funding. The town allocates funds to the perpetual main fund whereas there is a separate allocation for self-funded restoration. FY26 ending balance was $13k. The FY27 budget amount is pending the budget request.
Building Maintenance Reserve Fund- The account is currently funded at zero as the remainder was paid to the town garage roof repairs. The fund will maintain at zero until repairs are needed elsewhere.
Audit Reserve Fund- FY26 was funded with $28,500. The current balance is $17,890. The town should do annual audits as it reduces the cost. Edwards proposed to send out a bid for the audit however, may present a red flag as a change in auditors may not be best practice. FY27 will be funded with $10k to cover the FY25 audit deficit plus the FY26 audit estimate of $25k.
Equipment Reserve Fund- This is a new account fund and has to be warned in a separate article. FY27 will be funded with $200k for the estimated grader refurbishment cost. In efforts to reduce costs, this account is intended to prefund future fleet replacement without incurring large bank financing and interest payments. In referencing the equipment schedule, truck 1 and the pickup need current attention but heavy equipment is up to date. The dump truck is set to be replaced in FY27. Pike said a note written on 11/24 said to replace the 2016 truck in 2027 and to prefund the account with $60k to cover the first payment. FY27 will be funded with $20k which is the estimated interest payment and $40k will be funded in the main account.
Operational Reserve Fund- This account was created during tropical storm Irene. VLCT advises towns to have an operational reserve fund with one or two months of operational expenses. Christofferson said to take the selectboard and highway orders and use the average amount to determine the approximate monthly expense amount, which for Halifax is roughly $320k for two months. This will be funded overtime rather than a one time expense. Edwards suggested funding FY27 with $30k which is slightly higher than the equipment fund amount.
Grant Reserve Fund- The current account balance is $2k which is left from the mini MERP. FY25 ending balance was zero. The money in this account was rescinded because of ARPA, but moved back per VLCT instruction.
HEARING OF VISITORS
No visitors wished to speak.
CORRESPONDENCE
- An organization must be created in order to receive opioid settlement funds.
- The economic development forum in Wilmington has moved to January.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
December 8, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes
Christofferson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from December 8, 2025 as amended. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount for orders on December 16, 2025 for an order total of $
ADJOURNMENT
Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at (TIME)pm. (NAME) seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link: https://youtu.be/tpCnnwJlBGQ
