OFFICE OF THE SELECTBOARD
TOWN OF HALIFAX, VERMONT
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
September 5, 2024
7:00 PM AT THE HALIFAX TOWN OFFICE
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Edee Edwards at 7:00 PM. Other Selectboard members present were Karen Christofferson, Rhonda Ashcraft and Randy Pike. Others present in person were David Jones and Rebecca Stone. No one joined virtually.
CHANGES AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA
Edwards suggested changing the order of business to do old business first to allow David Jones to leave after that.
HEARING OF VISITORS – none
OLD BUSINESS
A right-of-way (ROW) permit for Old County Road was discussed for installation of conduit under the road for fiber internet services. Photos of the location were provided by David Jones, along with proposed standards.
This permit for Old County Road is to dig a trench to get conduit to a pole across the street from the person’s property. The pole is within the town’s right of way. This one has no drainage ditches on either side. It is technically simple, requiring no other easements.
Jones talked about the standards he pulled together, focused not on the Halifax roadway portion, but for the contractors involved with the Halifax Connectivity Program, which he had laid out in a document sent to Edwards just before the meeting. These include following Dig Safe, construct new conduit or repair to the standards for DVFiber, perform limited site restoration, maintain required insurance coverage, and stop work if underground utilities not found by DigSafe.
Edwards asked questions about the actual location, which appears to be on town trail from the map, and how the Dig Safe information gets updated. Christofferson said she would contact Jeff Nugent and Patrick Wilson from VTRANS to see if they had something protecting the town for years to come to make sure anyone is putting back the road for long-term standards. Edwards wants to make sure the process is documented for people submitting the permit. Volume of the permits, turnaround time, length of time for road closures, and other pieces all still missing. Jones asked for a timeframe for a decision on this particular permit. It will be on the agenda for September 17th or less likely Wednesday September 11th.
Action Item: Edwards (town attorney, road classification, forward David’s proposed standards), Christofferson (highway standards, WRC), Jones (DVFiber other towns) continue following up.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:40 PM, Edwards made a motion to go into executive session 19 VSA § 313 (a)(3) for the appointment or employment or evaluation of a public officer or employee, provided that the public body shall make a final decision to hire or appoint a public officer or employee in an open meeting and shall explain the reasons for its final decision during the open meeting. Ashcraft seconded, and the motion carried 4-0. The recording was paused.
At 9:14 PM, the Halifax Selectboard reconvened. No decisions were made in executive session.
NEW BUSINESS
Edwards noted that we interviewed a candidate who has solid experience working in places like in Halifax doing important work and asked the board for feedback with the candidate’s qualifications and whether this would be a match for us at this time. Christofferson expressed appreciation that the candidate came in for an interview and felt that there a lot of experience that was comparable and applicable. As for the expectations for compensation and time commitment with our position including as we go forward into budget season, she felt there wasn’t a good alignment between the time commitment. Ashcraft concurred. Pike also noted time commitment needed was a challenge, especially compared to the budget.
Edwards noted that the actual position needs should be reevaluated going forward, and whether it’s more than a 20 hour a week position. It’s mission critical, agreed Christofferson, and work for other boards needs to be factored in.
Additional advertising is needed now to continue finding candidates. The board discussed local paper flyer postings, and getting to other newspapers beyond the Brattleboro Reformer which is now partnered with Monster not Indeed, as well as VLCT’s job board and Front Porch Forum. Radio ads were discussed and contacting community colleges nearby. Edwards noted we’d spent about $500 of the $1000 budgeted and $1000 is what the board authorized to spend at an earlier meeting.
Action items: Edwards to follow up with candidate and work on advertisement for Indeed. Christofferson will work on a local flyer.
ADJOURNMENT
Pike made a motion to adjourn, Ashcraft seconded. Motion carried 4-0 at 9:28 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Edee Edwards, Secretary Pro Tempore
Zoom meeting recording: https://youtu.be/gKsLyYqVlC0