OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
Town of Halifax, Vermont
SELECTBOARD SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
December 31, 2019
Call to Order
The meeting opened at 9:00 a.m. with Selectboard members Lewis Sumner and Mitchell Green present; Bradley Rafus was maintaining roads. Robbin Gabriel was also present.
Changes and/or Additions to Agenda
None.
New Business
FY21 Budget Preparation
Selectboard members updated the Town side of the proposed FY21 budget with the new figure for yearly WSWMD membership; the cost has come down by about $200. They then turned their attention to a line item review of the proposed Highway budget, calculating a 2% raise in wages, and an $8,000 health insurance increase. A $40,000 line item was added to cover the FY19 deficit created by unexpected expenses during the winter and the unusually troublesome spring mud season. Allowances for sand and gravel were also raised; the additional funds will cover an anticipated 10-acre land purchase the Board is currently negotiating. That acreage is adjacent to the Town-owned property at 2044 Branch Road, and will give the Town its own sand and gravel supply at reduced cost in future years. Fewer dollars were budgeted for stone, as the Town still has some on site, and chloride cost is down. Culvert and road sign costs were reduced by several thousand dollars and the expected expenditure for FY21 resurfacing is $11,000 less than the amount proposed for FY20. VLCT insurance premiums have also decreased again this year. Interest on the garage bond decreases each year; that bond will be paid off in FY22.
The Board is still awaiting some additional figures; one more meeting will be held to finalize the proposed budget prior to submitting it for inclusion in the yearly Town Report.
Executive Session
None held.
Hearing of Visitors
None.
Old Business
None.
Other Business
None.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Robbin Gabriel
Selectboard Secretary