OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
March 5, 2024
WHEN: Immediately following Town Meeting Day Adjournment
WHERE: the Halifax School Multipurpose Room
(No virtual option)
CALL TO ORDER
Pete Silverberg called the meeting to order at approximately 11 AM. Present were Selectboard Members Edee Edwards, Karen Christofferson, and Patrick McAllister. Also present were numerous members of the public as we had just concluded Town Meeting Day
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
None
NEW BUSINESS
The Selectboard was seeking community input on
- Town recycling containers for FY26 budget cycle (FY25 Budget $20,000)
Numerous residents spoke. They were universally in favor of keeping the service of recycling bins, despite the cost, historic issues of where to place the bins, and concerns about contamination and trash. One or two spoke in favor of expanding services, possibly jointly with another town, with composting or transfer station.
- Vermont Declaration of Inclusion: https://vtdeclarationofinclusion.org/
Edwards read the declaration and stated the Selectboard had decided that signing the declaration would entail additional follow through that the board does not feel it has capacity for at this time without community members stepping forward. The declaration is reproduced below.
Declaration of Inclusion
Town of _____________________, Vermont
The Town of ______________ condemns racism and welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, or socioeconomic status, and wants everyone to feel safe and welcome in our community.
As a town, we formally condemn all discrimination in all of its forms, commit to fair and equal treatment of everyone in our community, and will strive to ensure all of our actions, policies, and operating procedures reflect this commitment.
The Town of ________________________ has and will continue to be a place where individuals can live freely and express their opinions.
By the ________________________ Selectboard on ________________________ 20__.
The first few community members who spoke felt it was ok to sign the declaration, but were not in favor of spending time nor money to work towards improvements or change. Concerns seemed to center around inviting people into town with implications that immigrants in particular were people who should be feared for criminal behavior. Others spoke of the need to sign the statement as a moral imperative to set the tone for the community, and again separate out the need to actually take any action. Some spoke of feeling good about living in Halifax and interacting pleasantly with others with whom they likely would disagree on this matter, although they were members of groups who might not be welcomed by all. One spoke about a need to be welcoming to people in town now who were disabled and other members in the community in need today.
Edwards thanked the community for a robust and respectful discussion about a hard topic, and asked people who will willing to help the Selectboard to follow up with a member of the board.
HEARING OF VISITORS
Stephan Chait asked the community to recognize the hard work of the town road crew, which it did with vigor.
ADJOURNMENT
Pete Silverberg adjourned the meeting at approximately noon.