OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES- DRAFT
February 3, 2026
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 Tim Jones (GMP), Mike Fournier, Don Mills (GMP), Kyle Buxton (GMP), Stephanie Pike, Stephan Chait, Emily Carris Duncan and Emily Dow.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
None.
NEW BUSINESS
GMP Zero Outage Initiative- 2026 Halifax Work
Tim Jones presented four new 2026 projects and thanked Halifax for its partnership since 2024, noting that 20 miles of line were installed in 2025. The upcoming work includes adding gravel to several roads, using two graders and 14 trucks daily, with an estimated eight‑week schedule from May 18 to July 17, 2026, and a final deadline of September. Fournier will receive “As Built” plans in February, and no road closures are expected.
Jones outlined four Halifax projects involving Route 112, Larabee Road, Lucier and Thomas Hill Roads, and Penel, Phillips, and Amadon Roads. He asked whether three inches of gravel could be used instead of six, but the board preferred six inches for durability and accepted an updated agreement reflecting that. Emergency communication, protection of historic stone walls, and coordination with upcoming Route 112 bridge work were also discussed. There will be a site visit for Penel Hill prior to starting work. There is also no foreseen conflict with the Route 112 bridge repair.
Edwards made a motion to accept the petition from Green Mountain Power to do the additional work ending September 20, 2026 contingent upon Christofferson’s final review of contact language and signature. Askcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Christofferson reported that the Town Report is complete and will be printed and posted online, along with an Excel version of the budget. Christofferson left the meeting at 6:30pm.
Winter Storm lessons learned & LEMP updates
Christofferson stayed in contact with Fournier throughout the widespread storm, while Edwards shared updates on Front Porch Forum. Laurel Copeland had previously asked whether the Halifax Community Club, which has a generator but no overnight capacity, could serve as a warming shelter; during the Blizzard Simulation it was noted that the town may open a shelter if 10% of residents lose power for six hours.
During the storm, plow trucks experienced fuel gelling because the diesel had not been pre‑mixed with kerosene. The road crew is not expected to plow overnight unless there is an emergency and they are notified.
With the LEMP renewal approaching, Edwards plans to ask Copeland if she wants to be involved in designating the community club as a warming shelter.
OLD BUSINESS
Approve additional road salt purchase
Fournier asked Marchegiani to order three loads of salt from Eastern Salt using the remaining budget, noting that Cargill has not delivered its pre‑ordered loads. Marchegiani will contact Cargill to cancel the backorder once the Eastern Salt shipment is confirmed, and Fournier has already instructed Cargill not to deliver any additional loads. Emily Carris Duncan added that a nationwide salt shortage is affecting supply, and towns can obtain salt through the Department of Transportation if necessary.
Marchegiani made a motion to call Eastern Salt to order three loads of salt. Pike seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Stephanie Pike asked about the recycling bin pickup as they are full and it was scheduled for pickup today. Edwards posted on Front Porch Forum in search of a recycling coordinator.
CORRESPONDENCE
Regional Policing Update: The Windham County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on new legislation related to regional policing, noting that the proposed change would allow a Selectboard to authorize a town to join the regional system. If enacted, the legislation would take effect in 2028.
Both the Emergency Management Director and the secretary are included on the Powers Generator email list to receive inspection reports and invoices.
Deerfield Valley News requested additional information regarding several of the articles included in Halifax’s Town Meeting Warning and Edwards sent a detailed response.
Opioid Abatement funding was previously discussed, and the board agreed not to accept direct funds because there is no clear way to demonstrate that residents are being helped. Edwards attempted to contact the attorney general to request that the funds remain in Vermont but has not yet received a response.
The 2025 Equalization Study found Halifax’s common level of appraisal (CLA) to be 70.87%, a figure that, along with other factors, influences the town’s tax rate. The coefficient of dispersion was reported at 27.62%. A town‑wide reappraisal scheduled for 2027 is expected to correct these values.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
January 19, 2026 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes
Pike made a motion to accept the minutes from January 19 as amended. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
January 20, 2026 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes
Marchegiani made a motion to accept the minutes from January 20 as amended. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
January 26, 2026 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes
Edwards made a motion to accept the minutes from January 26 as amended. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount for orders on February 3, 2026 for an order total of $23,108.15.
ADJOURNMENT
Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at 7:54 pm. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 4-0
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording link:
https://youtu.be/PhTngYx0Cpw
