OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD

TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

August 15, 2023

6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE

CALL TO ORDER

Edee Edwards called meeting to order 6:03pm on August 15^th, 2023. Selectboard members present Edee Edwards, Patrick McAllister, and Tristan Roberts. People in person or remote were Wendy Musiak, David Jones, Stephan Chait, and Alison Crossley.

CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

• Added Sheriff under correspondence

APPROVAL PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

• August 1st Regular Meeting Minutes
  • August 1 needs to be tied to correct Youtube
  • Patrick makes a motion to approve August 1^st meeting minutes with updated to youtube link. Passed 3-0.
• August 8th Special Meeting
  • Patrick makes motion to approve August 8^th meeting minutes as written. Passed 2-0-1 Abstain.

OLD BUSINESS

• Share final ARPA candidates with CAPP form / Discuss funding decision meeting date (Alison)
  • Review content with selectboard
  • Action Items: Alison to add
    • Safety equipment Dennis fire department
    • Fiber roll out
    • Fundraiser/grant writing
  • Vacant Auditor Position (Patrick)
    • Update there are still 3 vacant auditor positions open
    • Important note that auditor meeting has to take place 25 days before town meeting
    • No action taken.

NEW BUSINESS

• Timetable leading to Town Meeting (Patrick)
  • Residents asking when town makes decisions regarding budget that will be voted on during Town Meeting – Halifax selectboard typically starts in November regarding road budget, following with possibly one in December and January
  • Response: VLCT issues a calendar of items that need to be completed (Examples given on calendar: sign warning, availability of completed town report)
  • Finance committee would like to propose a different format when discussing budget:
    • Intention to present to residents what we are trying to accomplish and align budget with intention.
    • Equipment schedule coordination included this review
    • Selectboard report – completed by board and admin
    • Action Item: October proposal how to present the budget
    • Note to admin – Budget meetings are special meeting
    • Informational meeting presents as candidates and potential articles
      • Coordinate with schoolboard for this specific meeting
    • Criteria for residents to utilize DV Fiber affordability funding (Tristan)
      • Was not discussed. Moved to next agenda by Tristan.
    • Review of FY 2023 year-end financial information (Finance Committee)
      • Finance committee met on August 7^th, reviewed financial statements to date, are not finalized.
        • From the preliminary information FY23, small surplus but nothing alarming in initial review. Adjustment are still required.
        • Finance committee would like to walk forward FY22 finals to FY23 finals.
      • Website updates of meeting minutes; agenda postings; and other sections of the Website (Edee)
        • One point of contact is Selectboard admin – Alison Crossley
        • Action Item: Edee Edwards to be given login/password to website

HEARING OF VISITORS

• Wendy Musiak new president of Halifax Historical Society, wlgmusiak@gmail.com
• State Rep, Tristan Roberts – notes Efficiency Vermont is offering anyone in state due to loss from recent flooding in basement – replacement of appliances

SELECTBOARD ORDER

Treasury order #4 read in record. TOTAL: $8,331.60

Road commissioners order read in.

CORRESPONDENCE

• Windham Country Sheriff’s Office – owe the town of Halifax 78 hours, let’s ask sheriff to come next selectboard meeting to discuss.
  • Action item: Alison to invite Sheriff at next selectboard meeting
• VLCT Conference– September 26^th 2023 at 1pm

ADJOURNMENT

Patrick McAllister made motion to adjourn at 7:21 pm on August 15^th, 2023. Edee Edwards seconds. Passed 3-0.