OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 8, 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 Stephan Chait, Nancy McCrea, Mike Fournier, Kaitlin Stone and Emily Dow.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
There are no changes to be made to the agenda.
OLD BUSINESS
Dog ordinance and committee membership update
The Committee for Animal Control has presented a second revision of the dog ordinance to the board, narrowing its focus to potentially vicious dogs and proof of rabies vaccination while removing earlier provisions about dogs running at large or barking excessively. The ordinancee retains much of VLCT’s legal wording to ensure it is enforceable. It does not restrict dogs on their own property and is intended to protect public safety and allow residents to use roadways without fear.
The committee was charged with revising VLCT’s model so that the ordinance could be put in place by or shortly after the 2026 Town Meeting. Steps remaining include legal review from VLCT, formal adoption in a public meeting, posting in five town locations, and advertising within 14 days. The ordinance would take effect 60 days after adoption, though residents could petition against it within 44 days, prompting a special or annual meeting discussion. Edwards shared the summary with the board., The committee also sent a marked-up version showing all changes, which Edwards has not yet distributed
Two adoption paths were outlined: (1) a fast-track option with legal review and approval between December 9–19. This would still allow time for any petition to disapprove, but risks appearing rushed. (2) A slower option, allowing more time for selectboard review, listening sessions, and legal review, but which should be timed closely to Town Meeting Day. This would allow for additional public input and understanding. The hope is that people may be less likely to petition with the second option. If it is petitioned, the town would bear the cost of a special meeting. The board decided to proceed with the second option.
There are currently 3 people on the committee with someone else needing to step back.
Edwards made a motion that the board appoint Linda Huebner to the Committee for Animal Control until March 2026, when the committee is either disbanded or extended. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
FY27 Budget Discussion
The board reviewed line items on the Selectboard budget associated with the Highway Department and key points covered included:
- Vermont Municipal Employees’ Retirement System (VMERS) retirement fund amount employer share for FY27 is 7.5% of all wages, which includes overtime. This has been on a steady annual increase of 0.25% the past few years. In FY25 it was 7% and it was 7.25% in FY26.
- Electricity – Edwards shared a GMP notice regarding electricity fees that stated in March 2025 our solar installation turned 10 years old, which means some renewable energy infrastructure fees will now be collected. We don’t know if we will still receive Greenbacker invoices as well. The board decided to double the electricity budget to $2400.
- Halifax receives some funds back from solar at WSWMD. Edwards will speak with WSWMD about billing questions.
- Heating Oil: We budget for 2000 gallons. The MERP grant might assist in reducing some of the costs. $28,644 in the MERP budget is allocated for the boiler and other insulation work. The account was level funded from FY26 at $6000.
- Telephone was level funded from FY26 but actual monthly costs might be higher than last year’s estimate. Christofferson will speak with DVFiber.
- Radio repeater was a one-time expense and changed to zero.
- Building repairs and maintenance has been level funded at $5,000 for FY26. Edwards suggested that boiler repairs should fall under this account. However, the reserve fund tied to building maintenance was finally zero’ed out with roof repairs, having previously been at $6,000 for decades. This raises the question of whether that reserve fund should be replenished.
- The Ditch and Crushed Stone account was bid at $19,000, with ditch stone purchased as needed at $38 per cubic yard. Fournier noted that current grants have increased the frequency of ditch stone use. Recent projects highlight the costs involved: the Bucklin Hill project totaled $80,000, offset by a $22,000 grant, leaving $58,000 of labor, equipment or other costs in the town budget. The upcoming Perry Road project, spanning 1,100 feet, was estimated at $52,630 in total.
- Chloride is budgeted for 2500 gallons at $1.75 per gallon. Account is level-funded at $25k. Chloride is purchased throughout the year.
- Erosion control was combined with Hydro Seeding. Budget is set at $3500 based on prior two years (FY25 $4000 and FY26 $3000).
- Resurfacing funds will be discussed with reserve funds.
- Cold patch and culvert account is level funded at $27k. Two culverts, at $10k each, need replacements and the town crew would like to build a stockpile for emergencies and to create a more stable budget. With the stockpile, it’s anticipated to have a reduction in the budget for FY28.
- Christofferson and Fournier don’t have a dollar amount yet for the grader refurbishment. Scheduling is difficult. Haven Brown looked at the grader and noted the working hours and age of the equipment, and doesn’t believe there will be a large repair cost. He offered to join the next regular meeting to discuss more specific costs following the Milton Cat technician review of the grader. Refurbishment is where the boards leans.
- The excavator financing number is based on the financing schedule. The excavator and loader will be updated when interest is added to the financing schedule.
- Property and casualty insurance will be updated with current numbers when provided by VLCT. Edwards updated the covered equipment list.
- Repairs and maintenance fund includes $200k as an estimated placeholder for the grader refurbishment. The account is currently at $325k and covers equipment and trucks on a 7-year replacement schedule. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
- The account for chains will be over budget this year as the new loader needed a new set due to rust. The account is level funded at $6000.
The current bottom line is not reflective of the final budget as multiple accounts still need to be discussed.
The listers budget level funded the same as FY26 plus another $1000 for state training. It includes costs for salaries at $25k and new computers.
HEARING OF VISITORS
No visitors wished to speak.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
December 2, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes
Pike made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from December 2, 2025 as amended. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:22pm. Pike seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link: https://youtu.be/EJ16syO6AIk
