Office of the Selectboard
Town of Halifax, Vermont
Information Session Meeting Minutes – Draft
August 6, 2024
9:00 a.m. at the Halifax Town Office
Call to Order. The info session was called to order by Edee Edwards at 9:04am. Edee and Rhonda Ashcraft were the only selectboard members present. Public attendees, in person or remote were Cara Cheyette, Mike Fournier, Marilou and Doug Parkhurst, Stephanie Pike, Deborah and Chum Sumner.
Edee noted that given that the meeting was properly warned and was for informational (not action) purposes, she decided to move forward but will circle back with VLCT about the lack of a quorum.
Edee’s presentation tracked the PPT which is posted on the town website here: https://halifaxvt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Halifax-Town-Informational-Meeting-August-6-2024.pdf
Article 2: Replacing the excavator. In addition to the detailed info on the PPT (e.g., that the machine has 9000 hours on it and we’ve had it for its full expected life span of 15 years), Edee noted that the town has and will continue to explore repayment options. Questions remain about what’s available and what might be best fort the town based on variables that are likely out of the town’s control, like interest rates.
Mike noted that he is also looking at the possibility of refurbishing rather than replacing the excavator. His request for details of what that might cost has been outstanding for a few weeks so he wasn’t able to provide numbers but he thought it might be a cheaper option. He expanded on this in response to a later question from Chum Sumner. A refurbished machine would be practically new. Mike’s looking at the cost of replacing every moving part necessary to get another 15 years of use out of it. In response to a question from Cara, Edee said that the article on next week’s ballot wouldn’t cover refurbishment. That cost would end up as part of the annual budget.
Article 3: Replacing the loader. All of the details about the loader are on the PPT. Mike added that he hasn’t looked into a refurbishment option for this machine.
Anticipating Questions: Edee went through the next section of the PPT, which addresses the questions of why the town/board is making this request now, what happens if the voters reject the request and what happens if the voters approve the request.
Edee added that the board believes it’s important to get the longest length loan possible so that the significant cost of equipment like this is borne by the maximum number of residents who will reap the benefits of these kinds of investments – that is, so that residents who might move out of town in the next few years won’t have to shoulder the full cost of something they won’t be able to benefit from for the long haul and new residents will help with the cost, as well.
Elections: There are four positions open. There is the remainder of Patrick McAllister’s term, which will end in 2026. Edee has been hoping someone would step forward and asked if anyone in attendance was interested in being a write-in candidate since it was an opportunity to introduce themselves to the voters. No one put up their hand. She emphasized that if there is anyone who wishes to be a write-in candidate, they should let people know. One or two votes isn’t enough to win a write-in campaign. There is a modest minimum required number of votes, although no one had that number off the top of their head. Patty Dow would be the one to ask.
Erin Lovern is a candidate for one of the three auditor positions. She wasn’t able to be present but sent in a written statement. Edee read it into the record in order to pass the important info along to the public, not to endorse Erin’s candidacy.
Erin’s statement noted her local roots and family background of service to local communities, as well as her deep professional experience working in finance. She served as a Halifax auditor already last year and is only running now because she missed the opportunity to get her name on the ballot in March.
Stephanie Pike is also running. She spoke about her experience doing bookkeeping, as well as her commitment to being more involved in town affairs and her value of conservative spending.
The third auditor’s seat doesn’t have any candidate so write-in candidates are encouraged.
Closing remarks. Remember to vote! No floor meeting! Absentee ballots available through usual process!
With no further questions from members of the public, Edee closed the info session at 9:31 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Cara Cheyette, volunteer minute taker
YouTube link to video recording (linked to point where the meeting started): https://youtu.be/9pIlvq_bU_s?si=J9uCWRECn8xbEvd1&t=396