Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 8:04 a.m. Selectboard members Lewis Sumner, Mitchell Green, and Bradley Rafus were present, as were Peggy Rafus and Robbin Gabriel. Patty Dow stepped in several times from the Town Clerk’s office to answer questions.

Changes and/or Additions to Agenda

None.

New Business

Sign March 2018 Town Meeting Warning
The Selectmen reviewed draft copies of the annual Town Meeting warning, noting that there were only nine articles this year. Questions arose regarding the wording of an article generated by a citizens’ petition to expand the size of the Selectboard from three to five members. During the 2017 Town Meeting, an article was approved allowing questions on Board size to be voted by Australian ballot rather than voice or floor vote. This year voters will be asked to vote yes or no by Australian ballot on whether to increase the size of the Board to five members, with the two new members each having a term of two years. Lewis Sumner advised that the term length of potential new members should be staggered, with one serving two years and the other one year. According to this wording, said Brad Rafus, we would be electing three members every two years. Mitch Green recommended striking the clause designating term lengths from the article. Patty Dow will call the State elections office on Monday for advice on whether the petition wording can be altered legally. We have time, she said, before the posting deadline the first week in February.

Under appropriations, the Board received notice that RSVP (Retired Volunteer Senior Program) is not making a funding request this year, as the State is now handling their funding. With Halifax EMS no longer in operation, the Board proposed requesting those monies be used to support the Halifax Fire Department First Responders.

Patty Dow told the Board we still need one person on the Cemetery Commission, and no further funding for the Summer Celebration of Community Life is being requested this year, as monies raised during last year’s event exceeded the amount originally approved by the voters in 2017.

Executive Session

None.

Old Business

None.

Other Business

None.

Hearing of Visitors

None.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Robbin Gabriel
Selectboard Secretary