OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
Town of Halifax, Vermont
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
January 18, 2014
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:35 am at the town office. Board members in attendance were Lewis Sumner, Earl Holtz and Edee Edwards. Others present were Jessica Bruno, Brad Rafus, Margo Avakian, Charlene Martynowski, Cara Cheyette, Craig Stone, Jesse Ferland, Marilyn Allen, Greg Marguet, Nick Bartenhagen, Maggie Bartenhagen, Kay Lewis, Kate Staman, Kathy McLean, and Ray Combs.
Selectboard Budget FY15
The Selectboard reviewed and updated the FY15 Selectboard budget.
The Selectboard updated the cost of the Old County North Bridge project as the revised estimate came in higher at $279,280. Bids will be opened at the end of the month and the final number should be updated in the budget before submission for the town report. An additional $15k was included in the budget for construction oversight. The town portion of the CDBG (disaster planning grant) was updated to $2k and dispatching fees were updated with final estimates as well.
There was a group discussion about a five person Selectboard as well as the need for administrative support. These items will potentially be listed as separate articles.
The group reviewed and discussed many line items in the budget.
The group took a break at 10:43am and returned at 10:52am.
The group discussed leasing versus purchasing equipment. Several items in the equipment reserve schedule initially noted as future purchases were changed to leases which reduced the budget.
The group discussed the blacktop budget and the potential for deferring some of the planned projects.
The highway department overtime cushion was reduced to 50 additional hours (above the standard average overtime budgeted).
There was a discussion about the various small organizations that the town contributes to. The group discussed ways to seek endowments and funding.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:57 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Bruno
Selectboard Secretary
SB Budget FY15 Updated 2014-1-18