Town of Halifax, Vermont

MINUTES

April 21, 2009

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM.  Board members in attendance were John LaFlamme, Mitchell Green, and Lewis Sumner. Others in attendance were Margo Avakian, Brad Rafus, and Board Secretary Phyllis Evanuk.

Approval of Minutes

Mr. Green moved to accept the minutes of the April 7, 2009 meeting as written.

Mr. Sumner seconded the motion.

The motion carried 3-0, and the minutes were approved.

Hearing of Visitors

1. Mr. Rafus gave a progress report on the storm cleanup and advised he would like permission to hire a second contractor to do Thomas Hill.  He advised that there is still much work to be done. There are some trees that are too high for the road crew to reach with their equipment and depending on what other work is needed they may not have time to complete the cleanup before winter.  He further advised that once they are sure of whatever state grant money they will receive for paving he will be able to assess whether or not the road crew will need further assistance in the cleanup.  The tree work they are not able to do because of the height will need to be contracted, and he suggested that Mayotte’s would be able to do it.

The Board suggested that he hold off for a few weeks to see how much (if any) grant money they will receive before any work is contracted out.  Mr. LaFlamme advised he would not want to contract out work if the road crew had time to perform it.

Old Business

None

New Business

1. Update Employee Handbook

The Board began review and updating of the employee handbook.  Mr. Green advised that he felt that resident participation in town meeting is important and he would like to see one of the existing holidays removed and in place of it have Town Meeting Day as a holiday.  

The Board reviewed and discussed the designated holidays but made no decision on a substitution.  They noted that currently there are nine paid holidays plus two half days (on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve).  Mr. Rafus advised that the road crew had discussed holidays and they would like to substitute Friday the day after Thanksgiving for the two half days.   This would make it a long weekend (provided there are no storms during that time) at the beginning of hunting season and would also allow holiday travel for those who celebrate holidays away from home. 

The Board reviewed the sick and/or personal days and also discussed bereavement days which currently are not mentioned.  After a short discussion the Board decided that input from employees should be considered and they scheduled a meeting with Mr. Rafus and the road crew for Wednesday, April 29h at 5:00 PM at the Town Garage.  This meeting will cover handbook issues and they will also cover employee performance reviews.

Other Business

 Brian McNeice tendered his resignation from the Windham Regional Commission.

Mr. Sumner moved to accept the resignation of Brian McNeice as Town Representative to the Windham Regional Commission.

Mr. Green seconded the motion which carried 3-0. 

Mr. Green moved to appoint Phyllis Evanuk to replace Mr. McNeice as representative to the Windham Regional Commission.

Mr. Sumner seconded the motion which carried 3-0. 

Communications/Mail

The mail was reviewed and appropriately filed.

Selectmen’s Order to Town Treasurer for bill payment

The order for payment of bills was completed and signed.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Phyllis H. Evanuk

Secretary