OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 1, 2025
6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Edee Edwards called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. This meeting is remote-hybrid. Other Selectboard members present were Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft, Randy Pike, Lori Marchegiani and Administrative Assistant Emily Dow. Highway Supervisor Mike Fournier was present. Members of the public present were Stephan Chait, Stephanie Pike, Nancy McCrea, Wade Janovsky, Karin Larkin and Tristan Roberts.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
The Executive Session was brought to the beginning of the meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Edwards made a motion at 6:04pm to move the Executive Session to the beginning of the meeting under 1 VSA 313 A3 Employee Review. Christofferson seconded the motion. Motion carries 4-0 Roll call made by Marchegiani by voice over phone.
Emily Dow and Marchegiani moved to the Breakout room during the zoom call while other Selectboard members and participants attended the Executive Session.
Selectboard came out of Executive Session at 6:37pm and no decisions were made. The intention was for Marchegiani to be in the Executive Session however, with the first use of the Breakout Room option in Zoom, she ended up waiting with Dow until the session was ended.
NEW BUSINESS
The Ethics Liaison reappointment will be deferred until Tristan Roberts is in attendance.
Celebrations Committee Request
Patty Dow and Tina Blais mailed a letter to the Selectboard asking to remove the Celebrations Committee from the appointment list.
– The committee has received $5k and since expunged those funds and replaced them with donations.
– Reason to separate the committee is that it is not an advisory group to the Selectboard.
– The committee operates their own checking account.
– Following the open meeting law is a challenge for the committee as the group of people who are involved changes.
– Edwards reached out to VLCT and concluded that if it was a formally made committee that was set up by the Selectboard, the committee can be disbanded.
– If the committee was not formally made, it does not have to be disbanded.
– In 2009, the committee requested funding of $2k
– In 2019, the committee had a discussion about the Community Club for which Rafus explained that the celebration is not put on by the Community Club
– Roberts said as he was not on the Selectboard during that meeting, he attended as a spectator and recalls the Selectboard did take action to approve the Celebrations Committee
– The committee received private donations that should have documents and records about where the funds were donated from.
– The Celebrations Committee has a checking account with a Tax ID- Does that Tax ID belong to the Town of Halifax? May need to close this account and open a new one.
– How was the Celebrations Committee treated in prior municipal audits? Was it listed in the funding section?
Tasks:
– Emily Dow: Research 2019 minutes to locate when the Celebrations Committee began
– Christofferson: Confirm if the committee needs to be included in a municipal audit. Locate documents and records of how funding of $17k came into the checking account.
Edwards has concerns about the liability factor of what may be held at the celebration. Does the committee have Liability Insurance?
Pike confirmed all funds should be documented.
Edwards commented that the committee could be designated for funding in the social services portion of the Town Report.
Christofferson asked if the committee can be disbanded or if the funding should be confirmed and “unwound” prior to disbanding.
In previous celebrations, the Selectboard’s only part was the road closure approval.
Stephanie Pike researched and the in 11/5/19 Minutes, the Halifax Celebrations Committee was formed. It included 6 people who requested to be on the committee. There was prior discussion about the committee 3 years prior in 2016.
Ethics Liaison Reappointment
Roberts applied to and expresses strong interest in being reappointed as the Town of Halifax Ethics Liaison.
Edwards discussed this with the Ethics Board. They stated that someone who is in this position is supposed to be an employee of the town or on the Selectboard. The town could designate an additional position beyond the town employee or board member.
The Ethics board said an incident may have to be investigated on a personnel matter and in confidentiality. How can the position be made sustainable if there is turnover on Selectboard.
Pike commented that the position should be an employee or a board member.
Tristen expressed he has qualifications as well having been a State Rep during the creation of this legislation. He felt the Selectboard could appoint the Ethics Liaison to the position without it being an employee or Selectboard member; and the board has the ability to make that decision.
Edwards wanted to refer to how it is in statute. Discussion ensued about it being a Highway Department member.
Chrisofferson said the Highway Dept doesn’t have time for another position as they work many hours and strongly recommends against including the Highway Dept as candidates.
Edwards said this is a position that will need to react to complaints and may only require training and taking calls.
Christofferson asked who are the eligible town employees.
If we have a liaison, then it must be held in good faith. The Law was not written specifically and must act in good faith with the town’s best interest in mind.
Randy identified if training needs to be done by September 30th. Edwards offered to take the position if we could not designate someone else.
Tristan offered to act as a second appointee. This may create an ethics committee.
Further discussion needed on the Ethics Liaison position, and who is an employee. No decisions were made.
Remaining Appointments for 2025
Admin Assistant- Emily Dow
EMD- Paul Blais
ACO/1st Constable- Kyle Farnsworth
Forest Fire Warden, 5 year term- Malcolm Sumner
Appointment needed for Tina Blais
Planning and Zoning 3-year position:
– Kaitlin Stone is not interested in holding another term. Matt Gancz is interested in continuing.
– Nancy McCrea is interested however was worried about the ability to commit for 3 years. A majority of the board needs to be residents, but Nancy is not and that is ok per statute.
– The head of the Planning Commission vouched that McCrea is a good candidate for this position.
Edwards made a motion to appoint Nancy McCrea and Matt Gancz for a 3-year term on the Halifax Planning and Zoning Board. Pike seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0.
Stephan Chait spoke on behalf of the Halifax Conservation Commission with 4 year terms.
– Mary Horne and David Towler expressed interest in being reappointed.
Christofferson made a motion to reappoint Mary Horne and David Towler with 4-year terms on the Halifax Conservation Commission. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0.
Broadband Committee- Roberts is the Chair.
The term lasts 2 years with 5 people. Edwards mentioned that the committee hasn’t held many meetings and asks if the purpose and function is still needed or if the committee can be disbanded.
The Broadband Committee is an advisory board and meetings should be held to discuss current and future plans.
No decisions have been made and further discussion is deferred to the meeting that will include the celebrations discussion.
Christofferson made a motion to reappoint Detlef Ronneburger as DVFiber’s primary representative. Ashcfaft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 verbally with Marchegiani on the phone.
Christofferson will continue as a Road Commissioner focusing on grants. Marchegiani will continue as Road Commissioner with the role of Public Inquiry.
The Tree Warden, Sue Kelly, holds an ongoing role and only task is to file her continuance.
Stephan Chait expresses interest in continuing on the Windham Regional Commission and would like to be reappointed. Edwards is not interested in continuing on this commission.
Edwards made a motion to appoint Stephan Chait and Peter Silverberg as a Windham Regional Commissioner. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
Edwards made a motion to reappoint Stephan Chait and Lewis Sumner as Windham Solid Waste Management Representatives. Pike seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote form Marchegiani on the phone.
Edwards made a motion to reappoint Allan Dacey and Andy Rice for 1 year as the Loan Review Committee. Christofferson seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
ADA Coordinator: Roberts sent an ADA Assessment for the Town Garage on 4/3 at 3pm.
Edwards made a motion to reappoint Bob Leete as the ADA Coordinator. Christofferson seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote form Marchegiani on the phone.
Edwards made a motion to reappoint Dennis Annear as the E-911 Coordinator. Pike seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
Christofferson made a motion to reappoint Lewis Sumner as the Recycling Coordinator for a 1-year term. Pike seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
Edwards made a motion to reappoint Jessica Cooney as Green Up VT coordinator. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
Pike made a motion to appoint Bob Leete as the Energy Conservation officer. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
There will not be a 2nd Constable as it is not required and it’s not an actively held role.
OTHER BUSINESS
Trade in offer for Ford F550
Trade in for the 2014 Ford F550 was initially quoted as $30k 18 months prior. The new trade in offer is $15k. Christofferson will assess where the depreciation came from and reach out to AutoMall. The vehicle should have been replaced in 2021. Pike mentioned that the vehicle has had previous repair needed. Christofferson said they replaced the truck in October 2024 and it was complete in Spring of 2025.
Tax Sale Outcome
The property has been purchased and the town did not need to make a bid.
Incident Reports
A letter will be sent explaining the point at which the town plow damaged the fence that is in the town’s Right of Way.
Christofferson explained in order to make an Incident Report, the report requires the driver, date and circumstance. There is not a formally made Incident Report for this instance. This must be written in caution when referring that the town made the damage as the fence was in the Right of Way.
The Highway Department ordinance and town Right of Way confirms the town is not liable and this was discussed in an open meeting. Christofferson expresses that documenting an incident can be important.
Edwards to follow up with the Selectboard in creating an Incident Report Form.
Marchegiani presented a question as she is a Road Commissioner. There was a question about the Winter Roads Policy and that the town is not responsible.
Future Board Logistics
Vote: Designee to sign Highway or Payroll orders weekly
Christofferson made a motion for Edwards to continue in this role with Marchegiani as backup and Selectboard will get a copy. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0.
Rules of Procedure for Members of the Public: VLCT has a model if we choose to later adopt it.
Rules of Procedure for Selectboard roles:
Christofferson will continue as the Liaison to the EMD.
Selectboard is neutral to needing a liaison to the Halifax School. Looking to obtain a signed lease for the space as well as use of the multipurpose room.
– The Halifax School handles the scholarships and awards.
– Future Meeting: Liaison to the Halifax School
Fire Company Liaison- Edwards did the insurance renewal. If they are Halifax’s emergency contact center, does the town need a liaison. No one was designated.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Hearing of visitors was moved up. No visitors wished to speak.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
Christofferson made a motion to approve the March 26, 2025 meeting minutes as written. Pike seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
Pike made a motion to approve the March 17, 2025 meeting minutes as amended. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 4-0-1 Christofferson abstention and with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
Future Discussion:
– Cash flow through the end of the year, especially whether we need to add to the gravel stockpile.
Pike made a motion to approve the March 18, 2025 meeting minutes as amended. Ashcraft seconded the motion. Motion carries 5-0 with verbal vote from Marchegiani on the phone.
Marchegiani left early at 9 PM.
CORRESPONDENCE
Governor’s proposed SPARC Program: Defer to a future meeting.
Coronavirus recovery funds: In compliance. April 22, 2025 Christofferson will do the final reporting. Test the VLCT login. Defer to a future meeting.
Overweight permits: Edwards signed the overweight permits for the companies listed as follows and are valid for one year.
– AS Clark & Sons
– Structural Wood Corporation
– Amerigas
– Dead River Company
– Huntington Homes Inc
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount for orders on April 1, 2025 for an order total of $24,191.98.
ADJOURNMENT
Christofferson made a motion to adjourn at 9:31pm
Ashcraft seconded the motion
Motion carries 4-0
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link:
