OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 20, 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 Nancy McCrea, David Jones, Stephanie Pike, Stephan Chait, Doug Parkhurst, Marilou Parkhurst, and Emily Dow.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
None.
NEW BUSINESS
FCC Town Radio Renewal Assistance
The Highway Department’s FCC radio license needs renewal. Since its last renewal, additional equipment has been added. The new repeater on an antenna on the Silverberg property will require approval through Frequency Coordination at FCC. R&R Communications also recommended adding mobile units to our license for room for growth, and they estimated the cost to assist us at $825. APCO is another firm that offers assistance, but the Selectboard prefers working with a known company who actually installed our equipment.
Christofferson made a motion to retain R&R Communication for FCC renewal not to exceed $1100. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Local Emergency Management Plan (LEMP) Signing
The Board received the 2024 LEMP and a proposed 2025 LEMP. Tasks include appointing a Regional Emergency Management Committee (REMC) member and setting spending limits for the Emergency Operations Director. Edwards consulted Dennis Annear on REMC membership.
Edwards made a motion to appoint Dennis Annear to the Regional Emergency Management Committee. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Purchasing Authority in Emergency Operations Center
The Board discussed emergency spending procedures and previous purchases during Tropical Storm Irene. The Town’s Purchasing Policy does not require bidding for emergency purchases. The LEMP document can be updated yearly for changes in this amount.
Edwards made a motion to set the emergency spending limit at $25k. Christofferson seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
Christofferson made a motion to approve the updated Local Emergency Management Plan. Marchegiani seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
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Lien Release Request – 194 Old Green River Road
In Nov/Dec 2024, a property owner inquired about a lien on a neighboring property they hoped to purchase. The board opted not to discuss it at the time. This past week Patty Dow sent a Zoning Lien Release Form for our review for this same property. Due to past events involving the property, the Environmental Court was involved, and the board placed a $3,126.99 lien on it years ago.
The board discussed options for the town: forgiving, modifying, or requiring payment. Given the town’s prior determination, expenses, and considerations such setting precedent, the board maintains that the lien was and is appropriate and should be paid in full. The town is not a party to a property purchase agreement; the parties involved work out the details, but this is essentially a bill to be paid to the town that is attached to that property.
Edwards will inform the parties of this discussion by the Selectboard and that it is our continued view that the town seeks payment of the lien in the amount of $3,126.99.
OLD BUSINESS
End of Year Budget Review – Spending Plan
Unplanned Income: The town will receive a FY25 education tax overpayment refund of $43,825.81. Patty Dow recommended using it to cover the negative balance for the town garage roof. Edwards confirmed that this amount is separate from the FY24 Act 68 refund of $26,455.24, which was also received in FY25.
FEMA approved 90% reimbursement for Pike RD on May 12. The additional amount received for this will total $35,825.16.
Of the FY24 education tax refund, $26,455.24 will go to the Building Reserve and Maintenance Fund. From the pending FY25 refund, $25,558.19 will be placed in the same fund, zeroing out Account 1191. The remaining $18k will be designated later.
Pike moved to zero out the $52,013.43 balance of the Building Reserve and Maintenance Fund by applying the FY24 education tax refund $26,455.24 and part of the FY25 education tax refund $25,558.19, with the remaining $18,267.62 allocated to the general fund. Edwards seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
The board also touched upon other budget needs, but determined there was not enough time to fully discuss an expected budget surplus. This will need a special meeting. Items included:
- Finance system updates and audit requirements
- Truck/equipment purchases, with prepayment of leases as an option to save interest
- Strategic gravel reserve and materials might be able to be purchased within six weeks
- Surplus allocation to reserve funds, including creating a resiliency fund for federal funding gaps
ROW Permit Processes with Multiple Parties
Edwards spoke with Attorney Fisher, who clarified that when the town issues a permit involving other parties, an easement is required for work involving that non-town property. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is not enough for the long-term. Approval of the ROW permit does not grant permission to work on private land. Fisher provided an easement template for situations like electrical projects or DVFiber work.
The Rossetti permit is complex, as the proposed electrical service crosses two private landowners. Easements are agreements between landowners, and while the town must verify them, it is only involved in approving work in the right of way (ROW).
David Jones has been coordinating with DVFiber; he believes that DVFiber has existing rights. Edwards said the attorney would need to clarify those but she believes Attorney Fisher would continue to recommend securing an additional easement as being in the town’s best interest. The board agreed Edwards will consult Fisher for next steps to resolve this with DVFiber. Edwards will reach out to Rossetti as well.
Mini-MERP Grant redesignation and planning
The awarded $4K can only be used in one of 8 designated categories. The town needs to clarify if the funds need to pertain to energy resilience as well. Could the funds be used to enhance the website for ADA Compliance requirements? Our second MERP grant mentioned ADA improvements could be made.
Edwards made a motion to reverse designating the $4k Mini-MERP funds for building repairs and maintenance and put it into the general fund until ready to be spent. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
FIRM Map updates
The flood insurance rate maps mentioned at the last meeting pertain only to a small corner of Halifax. That batch is focused on the West River drainage. However, there are updated maps coming for the Deerfield River. Edwards informed the Zoning Board of the possible need to update the flood regulations within this process.
Hatch School Road structure project oversight
Christofferson and Fournier spoke with Fitzpatrick who will be doing the work. Fitzpatrick spoke with Bell, who is making the culvert. Jensen has also been contacted, and is working on the stream profile. The beaver deceiver needs to be removed at the appropriate time. Christofferson applied to get the stream permit for the town. Mid-June is still the expected start date. An easement from a property owner was granted; the board has a copy of that.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Stephan Chait, on behalf of the Conservation Commission, updated the board about invasive plants that are in the town’s right of way. If the commission creates plans to remove plants, he assumes they need to first inform the Selectboard, and then inform the property owners. Nothing is firm yet.
OTHER BUSINESS
Recap of Southern Vermont Economic Summit
Edwards attended the Southern VT Economic Summit. Minuteman Press was there as a vendor, and since the town used this company for the town report, Edwards asked why the town report was more expensive this year than previous years. He is a new owner. Pricing had not increased in many years. Printing in color, especially if it goes to the edge of the page, is also expensive as well. For future Town Reports, we can note this and limit the reports to save money.
Southern Vermont is aging, and topics include ensuring there are services available in town, housing and people entering the trades. Longer-range planning for smart growth is happening in neighboring towns . Edwards made brief connections with other Selectboards, planning boards, and local business owners.
CORRESPONDENCE
Bike Races- July 6 Guilford Gravel Grinder
The event will come through Halifax on July 6 and roads will not be closed. A donation from registration fees goes to the Fire Company. Signage will be posted as well showing the route as well as posted online.
Trustee of Public Funds- Laurel Copeland was elected as a Trustee of Public Funds. She still needs to change some stocks to be managed under her name versus the former trustee. Edwards will sign in front of a notary authorizing the change.
Application for Cael scholarship- The Selectboard must meet with the School Board to proceed with this.
A recycling bid was returned to the sender for not a valid address.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
May 6, 2025 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes
Edwards made a motion to approve the minutes from May 6, 2025 as updated. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No Executive Session was held.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard orders were signed. Edwards read the aggregate amount for orders on May 20, 2025 for an order total of $17,550.52.
ADJOURNMENT
Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at 8:47pm. Christofferson seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5-0
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link:
