OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
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
Marchegiani made a motion to go into executive session under 1 VSA § 313 (a) (3) for employee evaluation. Christofferson seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Edwards made a motion to come out of executive session at 6:35 PM. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
No action was taken during the executive session.
OLD BUSINESS
FY27 Budget Discussion
Reserve funds are first appropriated (in separate articles or within the overall budget) then approved by the town. The treasurer moves the funds into the reserve fund. When the town incurs expenses, the vendor invoices us. Then the funds are transferred from the reserve fund into the general fund to pay the bill. To make the budget report clearer, Christofferson showed that reserve funds have now been placed together versus scattered throughout the budget Excel file. She noted that reserve funds don’t always equal the associated expense amount. Tonight we are focusing on Reserve Funds.
Resurfacing (Highway Reserve Fund 7460)– FY26 was funded at $275k. Incoming resurfacing grants create surplus/deficit timing issues as receiving the grant and completing 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. This could mean work and payment could happen in FY28. In efforts to create a conservative budget, while also expecting state funding, Edwards proposed to fund this account with $200k for FY27 which mostly covers the cost of the Jacksonville Stage Road project if we tap the current reserve fund balance of $25k.
Bridge Construction Reserve Fund (6452)- The current balance is just below $80k. $15k was added in FY26. After VTRANS representatives assessed the bridge on Route 112, they felt it only needs ledge bolts and epoxy, which with possible engineering review might land 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 reserve fund amount $110k, allowing for the 10% overage over the estimate.
Reappraisal Reserve Fund (9300)- We are scheduled for a townwide reappraisal in FY27. The previous reappraisal was in FY21. The state contributes $5k annually. 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 the lister’s memo.
Cemetery Perpetual Care Reserve Fund (6281)-The Cemetery Commissioners have yet to request FY27 funding. There is a separate Public Fund (called the Cemetery Fund), managed by the Trustees of Public Funds. It’s FY26 ending balance was $13k. We do not budget towards that. Edwards sent an email to request the Commissioners submit their budget request. This will be further discussed when it is received.
Building Maintenance Reserve Fund – The account is currently at zero as the remainder was paid out for the town garage roof repairs, and historically no funds were placed in this for years beyond the original allotment. No money was budgeted; no large expenditures are expected.
(Audit) Accounting Services Reserve Fund – FY26 was funded at $28,500. The current balance is $17,890. Christofferson noted annual audits reduce costs (also note the discussion in the last meeting). Edwards suggested we send out a request for bids for future audits, however, Christofferson said this presents a red flag to auditors. FY27 will be funded with $10k to cover the FY25 audit amount under reserved in past years, plus the FY26 audit estimate of $25k. Total is $35,600.
Proposed Equipment Reserve Fund– This is a new reserve fund that has to be warned in a separate article for voter approval. FY27 budget already has $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 were discussed but not funded. The heavy equipment is up to date. The 2016 International dump truck (#1) is set to be replaced in FY27. Pike said his notes from 11/24 said to replace the 2016 truck in 2027 and to prefund the account with $60k to cover the first payment. At town meeting March 2026, we will propose creating the reserve fund and putting $20k into the new fund, which is the estimated interest payment. Meanwhile, the principal of $40k will be requested in the base budget existing accounts so we can at least consider proceeding with a purchase even if the reserve fund is not approved by the voters.
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.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Chait asked how it was decided which dirt roads would be paved in light of the discussion of the grant for continuing paving on Jacksonville Stage Road toward Tucker Road. Edwards stated it was not discussed by the full board, but should be. Christofferson noted she has data which has not been presented to the board about long-term maintenance costs for paved roads being less than for gravel. Chait asked that the character of Halifax be part of the considerations in future decisions.
McCrea stated that the Planning Commission will be updating the Town Plan, and requested the board revisit that budget line to account for more administrative time.
CORRESPONDENCE
- An organization must be designated to receive opioid settlement funds. We will put this on the future agenda list
- 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 $11,997.73.
ADJOURNMENT
Edwards made a motion to adjourn at 9:35 pm. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link: https://youtu.be/tpCnnwJlBGQ
