Nominations for Offices due 2024-07-08 for Selectboard and Auditor Open Seats
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Halifax is hiring!
The Town of Halifax VT seeks an Administrative Assistant to the Selectboard. This key part-time role helps keep town functions rolling, and requires strong writing, research, computer, and people skills. Averaging 15-20 hrs/week, there are some firm time commitments like attending regular meetings. Other project time can be more flexible, with seasonal variations as well. Download the job description here, and apply by emailing your resume to halifaxsecretary@gmail.com by July 16, 2024 for first consideration. Come be part of our local government team!
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Open Meeting Law complaints directed to the Town of Halifax must be filed with the Selectboard Chair by e-mail (edee.halifaxvt.selectboard@gmail.com) or to: Selectboard Chair, Town of Halifax, PO Box 127, West Halifax, VT 05358.
The written notice of complaint must allege a specific violation of the Open Meeting Law, identify the public body that committed the alleged violation, and request a specific cure of such violation. This form can be used to share/collect the required information: Open Meeting Law Complaint Form for Halifax VT
Upon receipt of the written notice of alleged violation, the public body will respond publicly to the alleged violation within 10 calendar days by:
- acknowledging the violation of this subchapter and stating an intent to cure the violation within 14 calendar days; or
- stating that the public body has determined that no violation has occurred and that no cure is necessary.
Failure of a public body to respond to a written notice of alleged violation within 10 calendar days will be treated as a denial of the violation for purposes of enforcement of the Open Meeting Law.
Open Meeting Law complaints directed to Vermont’s Attorney General can be sent to:
Vermont Attorney General’s Office
Address: 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609
Phone (802) 828-3171
Email: ago.info@vermont.gov
The law also states we must post this (although as of 6/30/2024, this is cobbled together from the Vermont Statute Online https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/01/005/00314 which is not yet updated and the updated text of the law):
1 VSA § 314. Penalty and enforcement
- (a) A person who is a member of a public body and who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of this subchapter, a person who knowingly and intentionally violates the provisions of this subchapter on behalf or at the behest of a public body, or a person who knowingly and intentionally participates in the wrongful exclusion of any person or persons from any meeting subject to this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $500.00.(b)(1) Prior to instituting an action under subsection (c) of this section, the Attorney General or any person aggrieved by a violation of the provisions of this subchapter shall provide the public body written notice that alleges a specific violation of this subchapter and requests a specific cure of such violation. The public body will not be liable for attorney’s fees and litigation costs under subsection (d) of this section if it cures in fact a violation of this subchapter in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.(2) Upon receipt of the written notice of alleged violation, the public body shall respond publicly to the alleged violation within 10 calendar days by:(A) acknowledging the violation of this subchapter and stating an intent to cure the violation within 14 calendar days; or(B) stating that the public body has determined that no violation has occurred and that no cure is necessary.(3) Failure of a public body to respond to a written notice of alleged violation within 10 calendar days shall be treated as a denial of the violation for purposes of enforcement of the requirements of this subchapter.
(4) Within 14 calendar days after a public body acknowledges a violation under subdivision (2)(A) of this subsection, the public body shall cure the violation at an open meeting by:
(A) either ratifying, or declaring as void, any action taken at or resulting from:
(i) a meeting that was not noticed in accordance with subsection 312(c) of this title; or
(ii) a meeting that a person or the public was wrongfully excluded from attending; or
(iii) an executive session or portion thereof not authorized under subdivisions 313(a)(1)-(10) of this title; and
(B) adopting specific measures that actually prevent future violations.
(c) Following an acknowledgment or denial of a violation and, if applicable, following expiration of the 14-calendar-day cure period for public bodies acknowledging a violation, the Attorney General or any person aggrieved by a violation of the provisions of this subchapter may bring an action in the Civil Division of the Superior Court in the county in which the violation has taken place for appropriate injunctive relief or for a declaratory judgment. An action may be brought under this section no later than one year after the meeting at which the alleged violation occurred or to which the alleged violation relates. Except as to cases the court considers of greater importance, proceedings before the Civil Division of the Superior Court, as authorized by this section and appeals therefrom, take precedence on the docket over all cases and shall be assigned for hearing and trial or for argument at the earliest practicable date and expedited in every way.
(d) The court shall assess against a public body found to have violated the requirements of this subchapter reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred in any case under this subchapter in which the complainant has substantially prevailed, unless the court finds that:
(1)(A) the public body had a reasonable basis in fact and law for its position; and
(B) the public body acted in good faith. In determining whether a public body acted in good faith, the court shall consider, among other factors, whether the public body responded to a notice of an alleged violation of this subchapter in a timely manner under subsection (b) of this section; or
(2) the public body cured the violation in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. (Amended 1979, No. 151 (Adj. Sess.), § 4, eff. April 24, 1980; 1987, No. 256 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2013, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2015, No. 129 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 24, 2016; 2017, No. 113 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)
(e) A municipality shall post on its website, if it maintains one:
(1) an explanation of the procedures for submitting notice of an Open 2 Meeting Law violation to the public body or the Attorney General; and 3
(2) a copy of the text of this section.
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Broadband Connectivity Program Documents:
Invitation to Bid_Town Halifax_CONDUIT FINAL
Master Agreement Draft v3 22May2024
Work Agreement Draft v2 22May2024
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Legal Notice 149 Wheeler Sale 2024-02-12
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Budget information for Town Meeting March 5, 2024 is on pages 9-20 of the
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Legal Notice – Invitation to Bid – Property Sale (149 Wheeler Road)
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BDCC Halifax Community Assessment and Prioritization Report April 2023
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Selectboard Rules of Procedure
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Halifax DRAFT Budget 2022-2023 – Current draft as of the three public budget meetings. Updates are expected to be made between now and January. The public is invited to review this draft budget and offer comments.
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RECLASSIFICATION FINDINGS & DECISION, AUGUST 20, 2019
Thurber Road Reclassification Decision
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PFC TEST RESULTS–HALIFAX CLOSED LANDFILL AND PRIVATE WELLS
PFC stands for Perfluorinated chemicals. These are also generically called PFAS: per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS).
EPA is now trying to use “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs)” rather than “perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)” consistently to collectively describe PFOA, PFOS and the other chemicals in this group. See an overview at https://www.epa.gov/pfas
Click on the link below to view test results. Any further documentation will be added as it is received.
PFC Test Results, Spring 2024–Groundwater and Garage
PFC Test Results, Fall 2023–Groundwater and Garage and Rafus well water
PFC Test Results-Tamburrino, Rafus, Town Garage, August 2017
PFC Test Results, MW-4 & Private Well
Landfill PFC Test Work Plan September 2016
Private Well FPC Test Work Plan November 2016
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ANR PUBLIC NOTICE
(see also, May 2, 2017 Selectboard meeting minutes)
Public Notice–Landfill Post-Closure Care Certification
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