OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
May 5, 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 (remote). Members of the public present were Nancy McCrea, Marion Canedy, Cate Matisi, Diana Conway, Stephanie Pike, Chris Lehner, Jeff Marsden (Bazin Brothers), Fred Aldrich (All State), Kyle Farnsworth, Tom Fox, Michael Fournier, Craig Stone, Patty Down, Dennis Annear, Tristan Roberts, (Bidder online?), Jeff Glaser, Stephan Chait and Emily Dow.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
New Business: Appointment for the Town Health Officer
NEW BUSINESS
Website Halifax News section update
News items on the town website homepage should stay for one or two weeks after the deadline passes, then will be moved, archived or deleted according to records retention policies. Posts with greater lifespans and only tagged on Halifax News can be posted for one year. “Born-digital” records must comply with the Vermont Public Records Act and retention schedules.
Open Paving Bids
The Selectboard opened 3 paving bids. Per the bid specifications, the paving consists of both reclaim and new on Jacksonville Stage Road between the intersections of Branch Road to the Tucker Road intersection.
Bidder and bid details were read. Below are the final total bids:
- All States Construction, Sunderland, MA; Estimated project timing: September 15, 2026 to September 30, 2026.
- Reclaim $8,250
- Bituminous Concrete Pavement $241,870.50
- Shoulder material $13,500
- Total bid amount $262,837.50
- Sunapee Paving (DBA Springfield Paving), Claremont, NH; Estimated project timing: June 15, 2026 to July 15, 2026
- Reclaim $22,000
- Bituminous Concrete Pavement $210,487.50
- Shoulder material $19,750
- Total bid amount $252,237.50
- Bazin Brothers Winchester, VT; Estimated project timing: July 15, 2026 to September 15, 2026
- Reclaim $10,230
- Bituminous Concrete Pavement $225,058.75
- Shoulder material $15,900
- Total bid amount $251,188.75
Edwards made a motion to accept the bid from Bazin Brothers for a total of $251,188.75. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0. Bidders were thanked.
Class 4 Roadway- “Rules of Engagement” Access and Maintenance
The Board noted that the Halifax Highway Map identifies 14 Class 4 road segments totaling 5.75 miles, which the town is not required to maintain. Landowners may petition for reclassification, and the Selectboard may also initiate reclassification to a town road or trail.
Based on history, Edwards said she understood that pent highways or blockades are not permitted. Edwards did not know about specific statutes on this matter. The town attorney recommended including Class 4 road provisions to a highway ordinance instead of adopting VLCT’s model policy. This might include defining maintenance and confirming whether the town maintains bridges and culverts on Class 4 roads.
The Board discussed Right‑of‑Way permit requirements, noting that a permit is required for any maintenance activity. Edwards had in the past suggested that this should include plowing by homeowners, and that the Board set a renewal frequency so updated information is known.
Nancy McCrea asked if class 4 roads were public rights of way, and that anyone can travel on them. Edwards said they were. McCrea then referenced and quoted Attorney Fisher’s comments from the September 3, 2024 Selectboard meeting (at minute 52:56 and 1:04:00) (courtesy link to first section: https://youtu.be/NdvoPWEO7Js &t=3110). This pertained to the suspension of a Woodward Hill Road Driveway permit and land ownership and property rights along the roads.
Bid opening date decisions for Truck #1 & Bridge (Branch @ RT112) Repairs
The Selectboard will be opening the bids for Truck #1 and the Bridge on June 2, 2026.
Town gift policy and staff appreciation
The town’s employee policy, last re‑adopted in 2014, permits only food and non‑alcoholic gifts and prohibits cash gifts. VLCT confirmed they believed cash gifts would be against our policy and recommended contacting PACIF for further assistance. As agreed at a recent meeting, Pike and Edwards discussed this further with PACIF. One suggestion was that the Selectboard could receive and distribute the gift to all employees (which would exclude elected officials but include stipend appointees), to reduce the risk of bias. PACIF suggested allowable activities for staff appreciation besides providing lunch or a meal could include paid time off granted by the Selectboard, and reasonable holiday food gifts.
Christofferson questioned why anonymous cash donations would be seen as influencing and why donors could not designate where funds went. Dow suggested adding a donation line item to the budget for equal distribution. Edwards highlighted that they had shared the “anonymous” aspect of the gift, but ethics and financial oversight concerns remained. Pike stated that our staff are government employees and government employees are generally not are allowed to receive gifts. The Board will continue the discussion at a future meeting.
Junk ordinance concern – Hubbard Hill Road
The Board reviewed a complaint reporting a large number of new trash bags in addition to a long-standing broken furniture and appliances outside a residence some of which are within the Right‑of‑Way on Hubbard Hill Road. The Board noted that the Town Health Officer becomes involvedif there is pollution or rodents. Members discussed that landlords are required to provide trash services, while homeowners manage their own disposal. The Board may inform the homeowner of the town’s junk ordinance and provide contacts for trash services.
In response to Pike’s question, Dow reported two prior enforcement outcomes: A bank‑resolved fine was paid before a property sale. An unpaid zoning violation was recorded in the land records and must be satisfied before the land can be transferred.
Stone requested that the record reflect the Board’s decision to proceed with this single junk ordinance issue, and asked for consistent enforcement across all qualifying properties. Edwards will request a formal complaint letter from the reporting party and draft the ordinance notice to the homeowner.
Open Meeting Law/Public Records Request – Document Drafts – Guidance & training
In response to a recent request by a member of the press to get a copy of the town plan being drafted, Edwards consulted with VLCT.VLCT attorney Garrett Baxter said under 1 VSA 317(b) records is a broad term includes any written or recorded information regardless of physical form or characteristics which is produced or acquired in the course of the public agency’s business. He advised giving the draft as produced in public meeting, to requestors. Edwards had forwarded this recommendation to Fox, who responded to the request. Christofferson stated that she wished to review the exemptions guidance from VLCT, as the town plan is a work in process and is “preliminary to policy, action or budget”, which may qualify as exemptions. Edwards stated that Baxter said if the board wished to withhold these records they should consult with the town attorney.
Appointment for the Town Health Officer
Edwards made a motion to appoint Sue Kelly as the Town Health Officer for a three-year term. Christofferson seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS
Celebration Committee disbandment reimbursement and timing
The committee would like to reimburse the town for $10K as previously requested in an article during the town meeting of March 2020. Christofferson will ask the auditor the legal financial process of receiving these funds.
HEARING OF VISITORS
- Dennis Annear said there was no notice given to Halifax regarding the closure of Moss Hollow Road by Green Mountain Power for the work being done in Marlboro. Christofferson will contact Tim Jones from Green Mountain Power.
- Tom Fox confirmed tech availability for Matt Bachler’s presentation on May 12 at 7:00pm.
- Stephan Chait said Windham Solid Waste Management District has not received the appointment letter from the Selectboard for the WSWMD representative. Dow will notify WSWMD.
- Nancy McCrea said 19 VSA 301(4) gives the definition of pent roads and 19 VSA 304(5) states that the Selectboard has the authority to grant permission for them.
NEW BUSINESS (continued)
FY26 Q3 Budget Status Report
Edwards asked for clarification on the bottom line showing a $1M deficit in total funds, which may show this based on how the report is generated and is unsure if this includes grants and self-funded accounts. Christofferson said verifying budget within NEMRC is a work in process with Dow and numbers are subject to change. Edwards shared her findings in the report as the fiscal year end is near:
- The Fire Company department property and casualty insurance budget line shows no expenditures for the year. This should be checked.
- Stipend-employees should submit their hours before the fiscal year ends
- The town highway budget includes $2000 for performance-based bonuses for staff.
Gravel Strategic Reserve
The town budgeted $215K for gravel and has currently spent $168,700K. Fournier suggested not purchasing more gravel as sand was overspent by $26K. Edwards suggested creating a strategic gravel reserve with the remaining amount as it was budgeted and contracted at a fixed price. She expects diesel prices to remain high and expects the coming summer’s bid to be higher for trucking costs.. This topic will continue at a future date.
Discussion was held due to an incoming call from Jeffrey Glaser asking for a Wheeler Road status update. He was unable to unmute when online. Christofferson will contact Attorney Fisher and this topic will be on a future agenda.
CORRESPONDENCE
Sign contract for Windham County Humane Society
The Humane society contract has been renewed. While this agreement has been signed in the past, services increased by 15% compared to the previous year. New clarifications include:
- If there is an issue of abuse, and the home has multiple animals, written agreement is required to remove them.
- $30 reclaim/impound fee
- The town may request an Annual Disposition Report
- Edwards will sign the contract tonight and return the updated contract
Ackerman ROW Permit 7652 Jacksonville Stage Road – Driveway
Culvert is not required. Edwards and other board members signed the permit. Christofferson noted this must be subject to signature of landowner, which was missing.
Edwards received a call from the acting zoning administrator about a potential zoning violation on Old County Road and forwarded it to Kyle Farnsworth.
Southern VT Economy Summit 5/12/2026 and Municipal Leaders Network 6/11/2026
Overweight permit granted: AS Clark.
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
April 21, 2026 Selectboard Regular Meeting Minutes
Edwards made a motion that we approve the April 21, 2026 minutes as amended. Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
The Selectboard orders were signed and Edwards read the aggregate amount for order #21 on May 5, 2026 for an order total of $11,084.05
ADJOURNMENT
Ashcraft made a motion to adjourn at 9:25pm. Marchegiani seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Emily Dow
Halifax Administrative Assistant
Recording Link: https://youtu.be/6vrMBtHeizQ
