OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
Town of Halifax, Vermont
SELECTBOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
December 7, 2019
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order
at 8:00 a.m. Selectboard members Lewis Sumner, Mitchell Green, and Bradley
Rafus were present, as were Stephan Chait and Robbin Gabriel.
Changes and/or Additions to Agenda
None.
New Business
FY21 Budget Preparation
Selectboard members reviewed all line items in the town portion of FY21 proposed budget, which will cover the period from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. The Highway budget will be addressed at the December 28th special meeting. Salaries were level-funded, with the exception of listers’ wages. That item was reduced by $4,000, as a portion of the listers’ time is being spent on town-wide reappraisal this year, and those hours are paid from separate reappraisal funds. Under Town Office expenses, telephone & internet was increased $700 to cover the cost of the upgraded internet system. Dues and subscriptions dropped by $500. Brad Rafus said GMP is planning to change out the older streetlights for LEDs, which should decrease the Town’s monthly invoice. The office copier lease amount was reduced by $400. The Board increased funding for ballot clerks, as 2020 is an election year, but cut postage costs slightly. Stephan Chait requested a line item in the budget for the newly formed Conservation Commission; he suggested $500, and the Board agreed. Recycling was increased from $10,000 to $12,000. The Town has received Vermont League of Cities and Towns 2020 insurance rates (liability, workers’ comp, property and casualty); those rates have come down considerably. Some figures, such as Windham Solid Waste Management District membership, dispatching fees, and county tax, have not yet been received. Chait asked about monies for the 10-acre land parcel the Town anticipates purchasing. The acreage will enlarge the Town Garage property and provide gravel for the Town. Sumner told him the purchase would be expensed as gravel in the Highway budget.
The Selectboard will meet again at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2019 to continue working on the budget.
Executive Session
None held.
Hearing of Visitors
None.
Old Business
None.
Other Business
None.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robbin Gabriel
Selectboard Secretary