OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
November 7, 2023
6:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
Tristan Roberts called the meeting to order 6:00pm. Selectboard members present were Patrick McAllister, Karen Christofferson, and Tristan Roberts. Others in attendance in person or remotely were Ryck Morales, Mike Fournier, Archie Clark, Cassie (didn’t get last night – sorry) and Alison Crossley.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
- Add Chassis 550 Plow & Controls
APPROVAL PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
- No minutes were approved.
NEW BUSINESS
- Chassis 550, Plow and Controls
- Chevrolet that was approved – 60 to 84’’ cab to axel will increase price by $1700
- Total: $67,800 + 1,700 =$69,500
- Trade in value $29,000
- Tristan Roberts made motion to approve Viking bid for total $69,500. Karen Christofferson seconds. Passed 3-0.
- Chevrolet that was approved – 60 to 84’’ cab to axel will increase price by $1700
- Opening of Pike Road Box Culvert Bids
- A.S. Clark+Sons, Newfane VT Total: $190,500
- Renaud Brothers, Inc, Vernon VT Total: $193,000
- Patrick made motion to approve A.S. Clark for the Pike Road Culvert at $190,500. Karen Christofferson seconds. Passed 3-0.
- Salt Bid for Mike Fournier
- Tristan Roberts made motion to approve salt bid $86.00 per ton bid by State of Vermont. Patrick seconds. Passed 3-0.
- Frost Solutions’ mini-weather stations
- Discussion was had regarding weather stations. No action taken.
- 911 Coordinator Discussion (Pete)
- Pushed to next selectboard meeting – no discussion was had.
- Budget Planning & Schedule (Karen)
- Discussion was had regarding scheduling budgeting meeting.
- Town Report with budgets included must be finalized and sent to Alison by February 26th, 2024 to meet state deadline of printing and distributing within town.
- November 28th 6pm – 8pm Highway budget
- December 2nd 10am – 12pm Selectboard budget
- December 12th 6pm – 8pm Remaining open items
- DVFiber Halifax Representative
- David Jones has resigned from DVFiber – Selectboard would like to thank David for the years of hard work, dedication, and knowledge he has brought to DVFiber for the betterment of our community.
- Action Item: Send MailChimp to notify residents of vacancy and request for applicants to fill the open Halifax Representative position.
OLD BUSINESS
- Emergency Management & Response Update (Karen)
- Discussion was had regarding emergency management & response – Paul Blais (EMD) suggested meeting with two selectboard member previous full selectboard discussion to download them on current plan.
- Action Item: Karen Christofferson will follow up with Edee Edwards & Paul Blais to set up the initial discussion.
- ARPA Timeline update discussion (Karen)
- Karen reported to the board the following key dates from the VLCT seminar she took on ARPA funding guidelines:
- Funds not obligated by 12/31/2024 will be returned to Treasury
- Funds not expended by 12/31/2026 will be returned to Treasury
- If funds are not obligated to a project and the project doesn’t happen after 1/1/2025 then funds must be returned to Treasury
- Obligate ALL your ARPA funds before March 31, 2024
- Report ALL ARPA funds as obligated during the next required annual reporting to Treasury (April 2024)
- Action Item: Karen to follow up with Pete for documentation on where current ARPA funds are located and status of current documentation.
- Future Meeting: December 14th 2023 5pm – 7pm special meeting to make decision on ARPA funding.
- Karen reported to the board the following key dates from the VLCT seminar she took on ARPA funding guidelines:
- FEMA Update (Alison)
- Alison reported on updates to FEMA documentation – working with Mike Fournier to ensure all documentation is being uploaded. No action taken.
- YouTube issues (Alison)
- Discussion was had regarding Town of Halifax having multiple YouTube channels. One is named Halifax
OTHER BUSINESS
- Fire department request Town of Halifax to pay for Starlink monthly fee $90/month.
- Action Item: Alison to follow up to get details of payment to be reviewed at November 21st meeting by selectboard.
HEARING OF VISITORS
- Small Business Administration discussion was had regarding residents applying for money (that don’t need to be a small business owner to apply). No action taken.
- For residents understanding qualifications/eligibility guidelines call 800-659-2955 or visit SBA center in Barre, VT
- Deadline was October 31, 2023 deadline to apply for flooding with two week grace period.
SELECTBOARD ORDER
- Treasury Order read in. Total: $6,409.00
- Highway Order read in.
ADJOURNMENT
Tristan Roberts adjourned at 7:33pm. Patrick McAllister seconds. Passed 3-0.
Meeting Recording: https://youtu.be/R1spCjcELFE?si=R9chOSxx_7wPdgnV