Town of Halifax, Vermont
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
January 26, 2013
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 9:05am at the town office. Board members in attendance were Edee Edwards, Earl Holtz, and Lewis Sumner. Others in attendance were Jessica Bruno, Joe Tamburrino, Brad Rafus, Patricia Dow, Charlene Martynowski, Keith Stone, and Norman Fajans.
Review Bids on Town Truck
The group discussed the truck bids in detail. Rafus presented a comparison chart of the details of each truck.
Edwards made a motion to purchase the 2013 Intl Dump truck from Clark’s Truck Center in Jericho, VT for $179,990, and purchase the salvaged truck from the fire in the amount of $5,400.
Edwards amended the motion to include purchasing the 5 year 60k mile warranty on the 2013 truck for a total of $184,990.
Holtz seconded the motion and the amendment, which passed 3-0-0.
Rafus inquired whether it looks like the town will purchase the second truck this year. The Selectboard expressed that they need to review the budget again in greater detail. There was a discussion regarding whether there would be a surplus and where that money would be applied. It is unknown at this point whether there is indeed a surplus.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
The application for the grant needs to be submitted by February 1, 2013. Edwards expressed that Christina Moore went to a training session on how to complete the cost benefit analysis. Moore came out of the session recognizing that it will take an incredible amount of time and effort to document things and we don’t have the historic data to indicate losses necessary to include in the cost benefit analysis. If we don’t have the data, they will not approve the projects for the program. Edwards feels we should not pursue it as it sounds like we will not be eligible. However, we should continue to document and add a weather report into the damage reports. She noted that there are other grants from PACIF for equipment and projects and wondered if the fuel tank would qualify. Rafus added that there is a committee process, but he was told he should apply. Holtz added that C Moore expressed that a lot of mitigation grant awards are based on population density and we don’t meet that qualification or have those statistics.
Sumner made a motion that the Selectboard not pursue the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program at this point. Edwards seconded the motion, which passed 3-0-0.
COD Issue
Martynowski expressed that the listers have an issue with their COD which is at 19.38 right now. It is based on 3 year sales but because we went from really good sales to poor sales due to the economy, we have to adjust it. When COD hits 20, we have to do a town wide revaluation. The listers are looking to do a land grade revaluation. They have approximately $12,559 in funds at the moment, but would like $5k to cover just in case. They asked John Fike and Penny Allen (Reading, VT listers) who helped with the revaluation last time and their estimate is 7-10 days of work ($200 day Penny, $300 day John), plus mileage (140mi each trip).
Town Budget
The Selectboard reviewed several outstanding budget line items. It was noted that our lease agreement with the school may need to be modified.
The Selectboard briefly discussed the town warning. They briefly discussed the idea of adding an article on economic development. They also discussed the advantages/disadvantages of having a five person Selectboard.
It was noted that they need to set a policy to determine when you need a petition. Do you need one for an increase for an agency or position the Selectboard has supported in the past?
The Selectboard will have a Special Meeting on Monday January 28, 2013 at 6:30pm to complete the town warning and finalize the budget.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Bruno
Halifax Selectboard Secretary