OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
August 19, 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 Patty Dow, Sue Kelly, Stephanie Pike, Nancy McCrea, Mike Fournier and Emily Dow.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
New Business: Deer Park Road Better Back Roads Grant Authorization
Correspondence:
– Forlie discussion regarding snow stakes
– The Commons Article: GMP Zero Outage Initiative
– Sign contract for auction sale of Ford F550
– Counterweight quote for excavator
NEW BUSINESS
Old Home Day road closure request: Multi-day event seeking approval for road closures with the following specifications
- Friday, Sept. 19: 4pm-11pm road closure- Jacksonville Stage Road through Community Hall.
- Saturday, Sept. 20: 7am-10pm full road closure.
- Sunday, Sept. 21: 11am-3pm full road closure.
- Patty Dow is mailing road closure letters to residents and will notify the Fire Department.
Pike made a motion to approve the road closures for the Old Home Day events on Friday 4:00pm-11:00pm, Saturday 7:00am-10:00pm, and Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm on Branch Road between the school intersection to the Brook Road intersection. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Highway Wage Increases for current fiscal year: Edwards advocated for wage increases this fiscal year to help employees manage finances amid uncertain health insurance costs. She emphasized that tenure should influence pay and noted that percentage-based raises may benefit higher earners. She also presented the 2024 VLCT Compensation and Benefits Report and proposed a 2026 wage plan comparing regional pay averages based on a full-time pay schedule.
Total budget: $314,716
Actual current amount: $304,491.20
Available funds: $10,224.80
Average hourly amount to apply to wage increases across all employees: $4.92
Anticipated Soc Sec COLA increase: 2.5%
Christofferson entered wage increases per employee based on her research resulting in a total hourly increase across all employees of $4.80 leaving $0.12 for leeway.
The board aims to balance taxpayer-approved budgets with fair compensation for employees based on their service to the town. The new actual amount that will be paid to employees, based on a full-time pay schedule is: $314,475.20. This wage increase takes effect Sunday, August 24 and will appear in the September 4 paycheck.
Christofferson made a motion to increase the highway department wages beginning on Sunday, August 24 with new amounts for Mike Fournier $37.40, Keith Stone $32.25, Ben Barnett $28.29, Wade Janovsky $26.50, and Travis Stone $26.75 with a recognition that salary will be reviewed in December. Edwards seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
PC/ZBA Secretary Hourly Rate: A secretary position, not previously listed in the Town Report, will be added moving forward. The role currently pays $16/hour for an average of 5.5 hours per month. The secretary uses their own laptop but has access to a mini Mac in the town office. A highway department laptop was suggested but needs refurbishing. Edwards plans to revise the job description with a proposed hiring rate of $20–$22/hour, keeping within a $1500 annual budget.
Committee for Animal Control timeline and survey expenditures: The ordinance process requires certain deadlines to be met. After an ordinance is adopted, it can be challenged if 5% of voters petition for a town-wide vote to overturn the ordinance, which would prevent it from taking effect.
Ordinance timeline:
- 10/7/25- Selectboard receives first draft of the ordinance and vote to obtain legal advice
- 11/4/25- Allows 4 weeks to receive the legal advice response
- 11/18/25- Selectboard receives revised version of the ordinance
- 12/2/25- Adopt the ordinance
- 12/16/25- Deadline for publication and posting
- 1/15/26- Deadline to petition opposition to the ordinance
- 1/22/26- Ordinance included in the Town Meeting warning
- 3/3/26- Town Meeting
The committee created a three-question yes/no survey about the ordinance using the free version of Survey Monkey. To encourage participation, they plan to mail postcards containing the survey link and deadline to residents. Alternatively, residents can complete the survey at the town office. The committee is requesting funding to cover 600 postcards and postage costs.
Edwards made a motion to authorize the Committee for Animal Control to spend up to $500 for survey awareness postcards and mailing. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Better Back Roads Grant- Pike Road: Halifax received a $20,000 grant from the Better Back Roads which Halifax must put a $5000 match. The grant begins in July 1, 2025 and work must be completed by September 30, 2026. Tied to the Clean Water requirement, the funds will support stone line ditching on Pike Road. The grant can be applied toward materials, labor, equipment, and other related expenses.
Christofferson made a motion that the board authorize Christofferson to sign the Better Roads Grant Agreement #1335 for ditching on Pike Road. Edwards seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Deer Park Better Back Roads project wrap: Christofferson shared before and after photos of the stone ditch work on Deer Park Road and will be posted on the website following the update. Refer to the ditch work notes on the Halifax website Highway Department page for more information.
Incoming credit card payments: Marchegiani provided Greg Youkov with details about credit card payment options via Hamer Enterprise and plans to research the service further. Implementation will take place once the website update is complete. Greg Youkov is encouraged to attend the September 2 Selectboard meeting to participate in a discussion and address any questions.
HEARING OF VISITORS
No visitors wished to speak.
CORRESPONDENCE
Forlie Property: To prevent further erosion, Edwards suggested snow stakes in a landowner’s yard caused by winter plowing. Forlie offered assistance to purchase. Marchegiani and Christofferson (Road Commissioners) will serve as liaisons with the Highway Supervisor.
The Commons GMP Zero Outage Initiative Article: A reporter from The Commons contacted Edwards to discuss the GMP Zero Outage Initiative. Edwards plans to follow up and request the questions ahead of time to prepare a balanced statement highlighting the work conducted in Halifax.
Sign contract for auction sale of Ford F550: At the August 5 Selectboard meeting, prior approval was granted to enter the F550 Truck into an auction. The truck is now ready for sale, and Edwards has signed the auction contract, finalizing its entry.
Counterweight Quote for Excavator: Pike was advised that the excavator is boom heavy and needs an additional counterweight. A CASE salesman obtained a quote of $9,860 from a specialized company, while Pike secured a lower quote of $7,400 from a local fabricator who inspected the machine. Fournier recommended using the equipment repairs fund for the purchase. The matter will be discussed at the September 2 Selectboard meeting to ensure compliance with the town’s purchasing policy.
Bagley/Williams ROW permit- 1437 Hatch School Road: A ROW Driveway Permit has been conditionally approved for an additional driveway leading to the sawmill, supplementing the existing one. Final approval is contingent upon the landowner completing the road frontage information on the application before starting any work. Edwards will send a formal letter to the landowner outlining this requirement.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
August 5, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes-DRAFT
Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from August 5, 2025 Selectboard regular meeting minutes as amended. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard Orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount of orders on August 5, 2025 for an order total of $8,942.45.
ADJOURNMENT
Edwards made a motion to adjourn at 8:27pm. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link:
