OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
July 14, 2025
SITE VISIT – 358 Sprague Road, Halifax
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting of the Selectboard was called to order by Edee Edwards at 7:31 am. Other Selectboard Members present were Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft, Lori Marchegiani, and Randy Pike. Also present were Ed Forlie and Maria Huffman, the property owners.
OLD BUSINESS
- Site visit to 358 Sprague road to review road width and request for restoration
o Property owners, Ed and Maria, state their lawn has been cut back at the edge of the road due to plowing and grading of the road.
o Current owners purchased property in 2006. At that time they were able to park cars beside the house with room to spare, which they currently are unable to due to loss of property.
o Ed stated he brought this issue to the attention of the then current road foreman, Brad Rafus, 5 or 6 years ago. Ed said that Brad
admitted that it was possibly being pushed back. Ed also noted that the property on the other side of the road is not having the same issue with diminishing property.
o The new fence that Ed installed last year along Sprague Road was destroyed this winter. Edwards noted that there was not a permit for the new fence.
o Ed requests that the edge of the lawn by the lower fence along Sprague Road be restored by the town.
o Christofferson asked if Ed had a deed, or survey, that shows the original property lines. Ed replied that he has the deed, and the property has not been surveyed. Edwards noted the adjoining property along Sprague Rd has been surveyed. A property line was found in the lower corner next to the road.
o Pike stated that town right of ways are measured from the centerline of the road, and should not change unless a natural disaster changes the road significantly. Pike continued to describe the history of how
Sprague road has changed from a dead end, to its current state. Pike continued that Sprague road is currently classified as a “3 rod road” (a “rod” is 16.5 inches). In the past before the road was connected to Reed Hill Road assumed it was a 2 rod road, and as the road goes up the hill it is more of a sunken lane.
o Sprague Road measurements were taken:
▪ From lower fence, lower post to curb 90° across the road bed is 23 feet 2 inches
▪ Same point from south side (grass) to road crown is 8 feet 6 inches
▪ Crown to grass on property is 9 feet 0 inches
o Reed Hill and Sprague Road intersection measurements:
▪ Selectboard noted there is a culvert running under the
intersection
▪ Measurement taken from just below the taper from the
intersection was 19 feet 6 inches.
o Road measurement from just above the house (by pile of now removed posts) is 20 feet 2 inches wide. From the crown to the property owners side (north) is 11 feet 2 inches.
o Measurement from small maple tree on their property:
▪ 18 feet 6 inches total road width
▪ 10 feet 2 inches from the crown to their side of the road
o Edwards reminded that after Hurricane Irene Sprague Rd was used to get around the lower part of Reed Hill rd. due to the bridge being out. Due to this natural disaster roads might change to benefit the town and people.
o Edwards thanked all for their time and the Selectboard will assess the information to make a decision.
ADJOURNMENT
At 8:17 am a motion was made by Ashcraft to adjourn, seconded by Christofferson, motion carried 5-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Randy Pike, Secretary Pro Tempore
Note: as this was a site visit, no recording was made.