OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 20, 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 Patty Dow, Emily Dow, Stephanie Pike and Eli Summers.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Old business- Cash flow reserve funds and grants: Address cash flow through and around reserve funds and grants to offset expenses.
Old business- Salt discussion: Discuss the material cost per ton on an emergency basis from Eastern Salt and how it relates to shipments we have yet to receive from Cargill.
Correspondence: Sign engagement letter in addition to the letter to the auditor
OLD BUSINESS
Town Meeting Warning Review (Annual Meeting: March 3, 2026)
Article 3- VLCT model uses “Total Fund expenditures,” but Christofferson prefers “selectboard and highway department” for clarity. Total: $2,518,875. VLCT also recommends using the wording of non‑property tax revenues ($421,300 for Halifax).
Article 5- Proposal to eliminate the elected Town Auditor position and replace it with a licensed public accountant. Board noted difficulty filling the auditor role and that the professional auditor has a higher skill level. VLCT advised there is no need to rescind prior year’s votes—just proceed. The $3500 stipend for elected auditors has been removed from the budget; if the voters keep the elected auditors, this line will be overspent. This article must be voted by paper ballot.
Article 6- Create a highway equipment purchase reserve fund for partial funding of major equipment.
Article 7- Raise and appropriate $20,000 for the highway equipment reserve fund.
Article 8- Raise and appropriate $30,000 for the operational reserve fund. Background: A 5% reserve was warned in 2014 but there was no surplus; in 2015, $60,000 was approved but later depleted in FY18 to cover a deficit. Attorney Fisher believes the fund is capped at $60,000, not 5% of the budget.
One percent option tax- The board revisited the 1% local option tax on sales, meals and alcohol, and rooms. Pike noted it was proposed last year and rejected. Edwards explained two changes this year: the state has simplified administration, and towns now receive 75% of the revenue instead of 70%. Edwards supported keeping the article to allow discussion, noting it could bring in non‑property‑tax revenue, though only a small number of local properties—one sales vendor, two alcohol license holders, and several short‑term rentals—would be affected. Pike opposed adding any tax burden to residents, and Christofferson felt the limited number of applicable properties, mostly private homes rather than businesses, made the tax unnecessary. The board ultimately removed the article from the warning.
Article 8 [sic]- Social services budget is $20,165. Visiting nurse and hospice was removed during a floor vote last year.
The town officer election section has been updated with the correct term years. Dow contacted the two former auditors to see if they are interested in filling the current vacancies. Additional open positions include moderator, school moderator, and school director, for which a petition is already circulating.
Recycling Bins: The board discussed whether recycling should become a separate article. Lewis has stepped down as the volunteer recycling coordinator, and the position needs to be filled. The coordinator’s duties include checking the bins weekly, scheduling pickups when bins are three‑quarters full, and organizing volunteer cleanups.
A group bid with other towns last year did not reduce costs, and one nearby town is pricing home pickup. A recent Brattleboro opinion piece suggested ending curbside pickup. At our 2024 Town Meeting, residents overwhelmingly supported keeping bins despite concerns about cost, placement, and contamination. The board also discussed regional options for composting or transfer station access. Edwards noted some residents are illegally burning trash, and there has been an uptick in junk ordinance enforcement questions, suggesting poverty is growing.
Two approaches were considered: removing the recycling line item and creating a separate article with a $28,000 budget, or leaving it in the budget where it still could be raised from the floor. Christofferson recommended limiting bin access to business hours by locking the area when gates are closed.
Action items:
- Recycling will be its own article.
- Edwards will seek a new volunteer coordinator.
- Edwards will contact Whitingham about whether they offer non‑resident stickers for their staffed facility.
Eastern Salt: The highway department received three salt loads from Eastern Salt. Cargill is facing supply delays, with remaining deliveries possibly two weeks out. The October quote was $9,975, while the delivered price was $8,241. Christofferson will review Cargill’s contract to determine whether the pending shipment can be canceled, and Marchegiani will contact Cargill to confirm whether the town has any further obligations.
Budget Cash Flow Reserve Funds and Grants: The board reviewed cash flow, reserve funds, and grant timing, noting that some grant‑funded work will extend into FY27, delaying reimbursement. The budget currently reflects a 6.6% increase, but once grant timing is accounted for, the adjustment is expected to reduce expenses at the bottom line by about 2.2%.
Christofferson, Dow, and Fournier suggest raising the highway resurfacing line from $200,000 to $220,000 to fully cover the $240,000 project. With $192,000 expected in grant reimbursement, the town’s 20% share is $48,000, and the existing $25,000 balance will help cover costs. Grant funds will be placed in a reserve and used to pay contractors.
Edwards emphasized keeping the tax rate from large swings. Paving grants might be received only every 4–5 years, covering about 1,300 feet with grant support. To maintain rate stability, at the final number was set at $270,000. Grant revenue cannot be counted until received, even if projects cross fiscal years. When Pike asked whether extra funds would expand paving, Christofferson clarified they are intended to build reserves for future routine paving, not increase mileage now.
Dow noted that final liability, insurance, and workers’ compensation figures from VLCT are still pending, though some preliminary numbers have arrived.
NEW BUSINESS
Town meeting day preparations: The board must decide on the schedule and topics for the meeting held after Town Meeting, for example discussing dog ordinance. Dow noted that residents appreciate having an “other business” section at the end, but VLCT no longer recommends including it in the warning because some towns saw it used for unrelated national or global issues that the towns have no authority to take action upon. Instead, Edwards recommended as in recent years, that the board will hold a separate meeting after Town Meeting and include a “hearing of visitors” at the start, making clear that this is the time for public comment.
Review of selectboard report for town report: The budget reflects the board’s effort to meet the town’s needs without reducing services. The report will note that highway positions have been filled, highlight infrastructure improvements such as GMP’s underground electrical wire installation, acknowledge the controversy around the dog ordinance, and include general reminders for residents.
HEARING OF VISITORS
None wished to speak
CORRESPONDENCE
Flood Maps FEMA Meeting, Windham County VT– CCO meeting on Feb 5, 2026. The changes affect only a small portion of town, but the town must meet FEMA requirements to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program and stay eligible for better rates for disaster funding.
Letter to Professional Auditor: Edwards signed the engagement letter, which requires notifying the auditor of any fraud allegations. She prepared and submitted a letter outlining those concerns.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
January 6, 2026 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes
Pike made a motion to accept the January 6 meeting minutes as amended. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
January 12, 2026 Selectboard Special Meeting Minutes
Marchegiani made a motion to accept the January 12 meeting minutes as amended. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount for orders on January 20, 2026 for an order total of $9,955.80.
ADJOURNMENT
Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at 9:09 pm. Pike seconded. Motion carried 5-0
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link: https://youtu.be/LsOdIPKEwWg
