OFFICE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION / ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES – DRAFT
October 13, 2026
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Tom Fox (TF) called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Other board members present were Matt Gancz (MG), and Elijah Summers (ES), Bill Pusey (BP) <7:05>, and Nancy McCrea (NM) joining online. Jessica Cooney-PCZBA Secretary, Stephan Chait, Edee Edwards, Karen Christofferson, Wendy Musiak, Jeff Musiak was also in attendance. Attending online was Linda Huebner, Lesley Pollitt, Bonnie Brown, and Cara Cheyette.
CHANGES AND/OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
None
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
The Board approved the minutes from September 8, 2026 without corrections. (TF made the motion, 2nd by MG – all ayes).
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
TF initiated the Public Hearing for the updated Town Plan Draft. TF started by explaining the Town Plan update process and recommended updates along with changes made. He then opened the discussion up to the public. (See ‘Hearing of Visitors’ below)
ES suggested to reach out to the Schoolboard for collaboration in the Education portion of the Town Plan.
MG stated that the focus should be more on the Town’s Educational Facilities than the Education subject itself.
NM voiced that she didn’t know how to weigh in on the Educational section because it is highly controversial while ES believed the opposite.
ES would like the adjective “strong” to describe the Police’s presence in the Town Plan to be removed.
Board reviewed all changes to be approved (YouTube link time stamp: 1:38:00). MG made a motion to make the revisions and send the new updated Town Plan draft to the Selectboard. TF 2nd the motion, all ayes.
HEARING OF VISITORS:
Karen Christofferson suggested correcting inaccurate information and/or dated wording such as driveway versus right of way (ROW). She also wanted to have some clarification present such as stating that Class 4 roads may have limited access for emergency services.
Bonnie Brown had no comment but appreciates the Community Hall language.
Linda Huebner had no comment.
Cara Cheyette questioned why individuals are called out in the Community Hall of the Town Plan. She also stated that she appreciated all the work that has been done on the Town Plan.
Stephan Chait had no comment.
Lesley Pollitt wanted to say “thank you” for all the work put into the Town Plan.
Wendy Musiak had no comment except “great job”.
Jeff Musiak had no comment.
Edee Edwards brought changing font size and making the maps available as minor comments on the Town Plan. She continued with bigger concerns of future thinking on the topics Aging and Education. Edee Edwards made recommendations such as adding back in a line that the Town supports the local public school.
Stephan Chait suggested using the verbiage “the Town in consultation from the Schoolboard…” for clarification on who shall investigate educational opportunities.
Bonnie Brown added that a simple statement that ‘the Halifax School is important to the community’ should be added in the beginning of the Educational section. ES made the argument that the statement does not speak to policy.
Cara Cheyette stated that the Town’s support for the local school doesn’t have to hinge on the funding of said educational facility.
Stephan Chait said that the tone of the Town Plan does discuss the importance of our natural resources, agriculture, etc. and can also say that it values the educational opportunities that the school provides.
Bonnie Brown “The Halifax School is an important resource to the Town.” MG agreed to putting that specific statement in the description of the Halifax Elementary School.
Edee Edwards would like the numbers of both homeschool students of Halifax and the largest town employer (School/Town Office) FTE (fulltime equivalent) employee totals to be included.
Edee Edwards will send wording to fix the Health & Emergency Policy #2.
Edee Edwards recommended streamlining charts, insert an Act 200 explanation, perhaps update town history, and the difference between ACS and US Census. She also said, ‘Thank you for all the work’.
ADJOURNMENT:
TF adjourned the meeting at 9:02 PM.
YOUTUBE recording link: https://youtu.be/OT-4bXY6Lc0
Respectfully Submitted,
Jessica Cooney, Secretary to the PCZBA
