Town of Halifax, Vermont
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
April 24, 2013
Call to Order
The Selectboard met first at the Halifax Fire Station, calling the meeting to order at 6:07 pm. Present were Selectboard members Earl Holtz and Edee Edwards. Selectboard member Lewis Sumner joined at approximately 7:15 pm. Also present were Rich Cogliano of Vermont Emergency Management, John LaFlamme, Ross Barnett, Leonard Derby, Patricia Dow, Travis Briggs, Brad Rafus and Wayne Courser.
Vermont Yankee Drills
Rich Cogliano went through pointers on Practicing Good Drills to reinforce the expectations during Vermont Yankee Drills. Some points which were discussed in a little more detail included the roles of non-Halifax people at the drills (i.e. Controllers, Evaluators, and Observers); minimizing simulations (e.g. actually calling people on the special needs list rather than simulating that action); and maintaining normal activities until the drill or exercise dictates a response (e.g. do not go to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) until notified you should report there).
John LaFlamme and Ross Barnett as co-EMDs discussed Halifax Roles & Responsibilities according to our plan, including IP-1, the Selectboard role, and IP-2, the EMD role. Some additional people will be needed to fill in other roles. LaFlamme and others noted some brief ideas about the EOC space, communications such as DSL and cell signal boosting, and other physical location issues. No decisions were made, and the conversations were curtailed by the Selectboard’s need to move the meeting to the Town Office to take up their additional agenda items.
(Above submitted by Edee Edwards.)
The Selectboard met at the town office and reconvened for the second half of the 4/24/13 meeting to order at 7:35pm (after returning from VT Yankee training at the fire department). Board members present were Edee Edwards, Lewis Sumner and Earl Holtz. Members of the public present were Jessica Bruno and Brad Rafus.
Truck Bids
The Selectboard discussed the 2013 and 2014 truck bids from Delurey Sales & Service. Discussion included cost, imminent changes to engines and exhaust systems, equipment, and funding.
Holtz made a motion to procure the 2014 International heavy-duty tandem axle cab and chassis from Delurey Sales & Service, Inc. in N. Hoosick, NY, as quoted for $106,875. Sumner seconded the motion.
Rafus asked the Selectboard to consider the options in the back of the bid packet.
Edwards amended the original motion to include the purchase of the options listed on page 8 of the proposal from Delurey Sales & Service dated 1/23/13 for an additional $2,000 (driver controlled locking differential in Fwd rear axle, rear shocks, power windows and power locks, and front shocks). Holtz seconded the amendment, and the amendment passed 3-0-0.
The motion to procure the 2014 International heavy-duty tandem axle cab and chassis from Delurey Sales & Service, Inc. in N. Hoosick, NY, as quoted for $106,875 including the purchase of the options listed on page 8 of the proposal from Delurey Sales & Service dated 1/23/13 for an additional $2,000 (driver controlled locking differential in Fwd rear axle, rear shocks, power windows and power locks, and front shocks) was voted upon and passed 3-0-0.
Equipment Bids
Edwards made a motion to put out a request for bid on equipment for the new chassis following the form attached. Bids will be accepted until May 21, 2013 at 3:00pm. Sumner seconded the motion.
After a brief discussion about the equipment, Edwards amended the motion to add “installation” of equipment on the chassis. Holtz seconded the amendment, which passed 3-0-0.
The Selectboard now voted on the motion to put out a request for bid on equipment and installation of equipment for the new chassis following the form attached. Bids will be accepted until May 21, 2013 at 3:00pm. The motion passed 3-0-0.
Holtz and Rafus will work together to get the advertisement ready for the newspaper.
Other Business
Edwards shared an agreement she drafted with the school for the lease of space. Upon review of the agreement, the Selectboard agreed to send the draft to Stephanie Aldrich to start the process of finalizing the agreement. It was noted that the town has paid the school for the current fiscal year ($10k plus $1).
Edwards shared a draft ambulance service agreement with the other Selectboard members. She noted that she would like to include a description of the service area, financial arrangement, availability of coverage for events, length of term, reporting frequency, and steps to modify the arrangement. Edwards will send the draft to Deerfield Valley Rescue in preparation for the meeting 4/29/13.
Hearing of Visitors
Rafus inquired whether the town will hold off on paving until next fiscal year due to budget constraints. Edwards will include this topic on the agenda for 5/7, as the Selectboard needs to look at the budget more closely.
The group discussed items left to bid:
Paving
Fuel (heating & diesel)
Sand & Gravel
Stone (2 types)
Roadside mowing
Roof and Containment
Rafus reported that we had done a gravel bid for 12k yards but only received and paid for half so far. Rafus inquired whether we should push the second half delivery out until after 7/1/13 as he has enough to get through the end of this fiscal year. The Selectboard agreed that deferring any further gravel purchase until next fiscal year makes sense as we’ve already spent over $80k.
Rafus reported that Mr. Farrington called about a mound between his two driveways that he would like to remove in order to improve the line of sight and avoid accidents. There are Act 250 issues involved. Holtz advised that Mr. Farrington should go to the Planning Commission and Zoning Board to discuss.
Edwards reported that a representative from a private insurance agency would like the Selectboard to facilitate a discussion on employee paid supplemental insurance with the town employees. As it is not on the list of Selectboard priorities, Edwards will ask the representative for paperwork to forward to the town employees and see if there is any interest in scheduling a meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Bruno
Selectboard Secretary