TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
SELECTBOARD REGULAR MEETING MINUTES—DRAFT
DECEMBER 21, 2021
CALL TO ORDER:
Sumner called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. Selectboard members present were Lewis Sumner, Tristan Roberts, Pete Silverberg. Others in attendance in person or remotely were Mike Fournier, Stephan Chait, David Jones, and Raquel Smith. Selectboard members not present: Earl Holtz, Cara Cheyette.
Sumner stated that Holtz is receiving medical treatment and would not be present. He said he would keep the board updated.
CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
None
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES:
Silverberg moved and Sumner seconded to accept the Dec. 7 regular minutes as written. The motion passed, 3-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
Highway department
Fournier reported applying for several grants.
Discussion of budgeting a vibratory roller. Silverberg reported there is a strong ROI for rollers and suggested we look at finding a way to obtain one. Fournier agreed that with 50 miles of road it would be a good thing in extending the lifetime of the roads. Fournier will look into options, time allowing.
Discussion of trucks with service issues. Fournier and Silverberg to follow up.
Truck bid package has been revised by Fournier, Cheyette, and Keith Stone. Fournier will send it out to multiple vendors, including two body companies and as many as four truck companies.
New guardrail has been going in on Green River Road on the new pavement near Deer Park.
Mobile vaccine unit
Silverberg said he had talked with Chum Sumner about bringing back a mobile immunization unit from Rescue to assistant with improving the vaccination rate in the school. He reported that Rescue was interested but wanted to know how many people would show up. They are busier now with boosters than they were earlier in the year when they came to Halifax.
Other new business
Sumner talked with the auditor. She is not going to get the audit done in time for the Town Report.
OLD BUSINESS:
Admin Assistant job description
Roberts moved and Silverberg seconded to accept the admin assistant job description with updates made to clarify responsibilities for remote meeting setup, and town website; and to post the vacancy.
Motion passed 3-0.
ARPA Funds Update
Silverberg has been attending webinars about use of funding. Roberts reported from the Broadband Committee that there may be compelling uses for funding in supporting broadband hookup.
Jones reported that DV Fiber has funding for pre-construction in Halifax. The next grant application will be for construction. There is an offer from the Vermont Community Broadband Board that if Selectboards appropriate a portion of their ARPA funds to support CUD projects, the Board will match it, doubling that money. There is a deadline of that match, likely to be April 15. DV Fiber has a task force working on a presentation to suggest what ARPA funds could be used for. No proposal is ready today.
Highway department
Fournier is still looking into best phone company to use. Vacation day conversation was tabled.
Post Office Update
Silverberg said he had made progress in discussing the issue with Congressman Welch’s office.
OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
HEARING OF VISITORS
In reference to the earlier ARPA discussion, Jones reported that Halifax has 61 mobile homes as of the last count. Those would all require underground service. There are dozens more homes that have underground service as well. Homes with underground service will incur higher costs for broadband hookup.
TREASURER’S ORDER FOR PAYMENT
The order was signed.
Link to meeting recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j3LEvcn0sA
Respectfully Submitted,
Tristan Roberts
For the Selectboard