CONSERVATION COMMISSION of the TOWN OF HALIFAX
Regular Meeting, Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 6:30 PM
Hybrid meeting at Town Office, 246 Branch Road, West Halifax and online: Zoom Location
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83140976854?pwd=dFFkWE1tdk84VjFGc1RZODJvM2NjUT09
Meeting ID: 831 4097 6854
Passcode: 793307
You can dial in using your phone: +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Or one-tap mobile: +16468769923,,84085362701#,,,,*258796#
Dial *6 to mute/unmute on telephone
MINUTES
Attendees: Stephan Chait (Chair; SC), Lesley Pollitt (Treasurer; LP), Mary Horne (Member; MH), Dov Towler (Member; DT), Linda Huebner (LH; guest) Absent: Laurel Copeland (Clerk, LC)
CALL TO ORDER at 6:30 pm
HEARING OF VISITORS – LH noted that land posting bill H.723 has passed both the house and senate and is now on Governor Scott’s desk for review. Governor Scott expressed concerns about the bill in his press conference today. LH urged interested parties to call the governor’s office at 802-828-3333 to request he sign H.723 without delay Following is a link to the bill as passed:
H-0723 As Passed by Both House and Senate Official.pdf
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA – None
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – March 26, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved by the members present.
NEW BUSINESS
Election of Chair, Clerk and Treasurer as required by Title 24, Chapter 118 section
4505 Incumbent officers Stephan Chait – Chair, Laurel Copeland – Clerk, and Lesley Pollitt -Treasurer were re-elected unopposed.
Update on Selectboard letter regarding Act 181 proposed changes
In response to the Selectboard letter, two members of the Vermont Land Review Board – L. Brooke Dingledine and Kristen Sultan – attended the regular Selectboard meeting on April 21st to discuss the current status of Act 181, the aim of which is to balance land conservation and the growing need for housing in Vermont. Several parts of the act are now under reconsideration Please see the Select Board meeting minutes and meeting recording for this informative discussion in which key points were discussed in detail.
OLD BUSINESS
Updating the Halifax Town Plan –SC discussed the process by which an update to the Town Plan, which occurs every 8 years, is drafted, reviewed and posted for public comment. The Town Plan is a critical document that sets the direction for the development of the town and influences such matters as grant eligibility, zoning, etc. SC encouraged everyone interested in the direction of the town to attend, in person or via zoom, a joint meeting of the Select Board and Planning Commission on May 12th during which the draft changes will be discussed.
Costs and Benefits of Paving or Maintaining Dirt Roads –
SC gave a presentation at the April 7th Select Board meeting on his exploration into the non-monetary aspects of maintaining dirt roads versus paving roads, such as use of asphalt, increased runoff from the nonpermeable surface, salt from winter road maintenance polluting roadsides (and tons are spread on the roads), character of the town – 60 miles of scenic dirt roads characterize the town’s appearance and traffic is slower. He will follow up with an outline of his findings to the Select Board. The town has received a grant from VTRANS and plans to use the funds to pave a 1200 foot section of Jacksonville Stage Rd before Tucker Rd.
Planning for Removal of 4 stands of Japanese Knotweed on Deer Park Road
DT stated that planned removal of several stands of Japanese knotweed on Deer Park Rd. will commence in May, whether or not the HCC receives a grant for equipment to do so (see the section on Tiny Grants program below). The project may be scaled back if the grant is not received, but community involvement will still be solicited via Front Porch Forum, email, etc. LP suggested posting a few work dates at a time to help interested helpers plan ahead.
Association of Vermont Conservation Commissions (AVCC) – Tiny Grants Program (up to $800) – LC, MH and DT submitted an application on April 9th requesting $656 for equipment and supplies for removal of Japanese Knotweed along Deer Park Rd. Receipt by AVCC was acknowledged and awards will be announced by May 12th – https://vtconservation.com/tiny-grants/
OTHER BUSINESS
DT has noticed significant die-off of Hemlock and other conifer species along the top of Brook Road where it meets Green River Rd. Most of the die-off is close to the road. DT will email town tree warden, Sue Kelly, for information about possible causes.
ADJOURNMENT at 7:16 pm.
Link to video recording – https://youtu.be/Hv8Qb-21DqM
