and bring the meeting to order. Uh thank you. Got a thumbs up over there. Uh let's see. So, the first uh part of our agenda, I will make a motion to go into executive session in the town administrator's office pursuant to general laws chapter 30A section 21 uh
to discuss the teamsters local 653 clerical and administrative um contract uh pursuant to general laws chapter 38 section 213. Uh also uh the town accountant um
uh contract uh uh again uh chapter 3A section 21A2 uh and the MBTA zoning mandate pursuant to chapter chapter 30A section 21 A3 all of which uh to uh discuss in open
session would be have detrimental effect on the uh uh town's position. So do I have a second? I will second that. Okay. Uh Tom, yes. John, yeah. and I vote yes. We'll come back when we come back around 6:00. Uh, okay. I guess we come back into
public session. Um, and I should have said before this is being recorded. Um, and by area 58, uh, we usually start with a pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Um, you mind if I say something, John? Uh, no. Go right ahead. Thanks. So, you know, in typical John Bruno fashion, he didn't want to anything big um for his last meeting
here, but I think it's very important your your service to the town um has been unparalleled to anything else. In time of un instability, you know, you came back and provided the stability that the town needed. Um, and I think I speak for everybody um, in Halifax, all the boards, committees, and residents
that we thank you for everything you've done for the community. I personally thank you um, for, you know, being there to support me and supporting the town. Um, and we just wanted to recognize you in your last regular meeting here at town hall. You really don't have to do that. So, well, I think you you deserve it. We
did throw in my two cents. Um the the running joke with me and I tell John this is that when I grow up I want to be John Brudo. In all seriousness though, John um we were in some tough times and I I always wondered if there was a bat signal that we sent out because uh John
heard it and and and to many degree rescued the town. Um thank you for being an incredible role model, a solid citizen. Um, just the best. We're gonna miss you. You really don't have to be so
nice to me. I'm not used to it. And then I would just say as a new guy on the block, the young kid, quote unquote, not that young, but um, actually go down the line here. Yeah, we are younger. Um, just a good example, and I I think when you think about a leadership perspective, a good example
is hard to find. Um, you were the first phone call I got when I got elected. Um, forever appreciative of that. Um, and you've never stopped being a good example. Uh, whether we agreed or not, you provided perspective. Um, broad view, big view, larger picture, uh,
reminding me to take a deep breath maybe a few times. Um, and I'm ever appreciative of that. So, I wish you well. Thank you for your service both now and in years past. And, uh, certainly wish you the best. Thank you. Well, Um, I wasn't expecting anything like
this. Uh, it's really unnecessary. I mean, uh, it's my town, too. So, I don't mind, uh, I don't mind pitching in when, uh, when I can. Um, this goround has been, um, an adventure. Really, it's really kind of
an adventure. Um, in a lot of ways, it's but it's, I think, you know, I think we've managed to bring things back to stability. And that's really what I would hope to do. So, um I'm not dying. I'm not going anywhere. So, I'm always around and glad to get back in if I have
to. Uh but I think it is uh time probably uh for me at my advanced age to uh uh kind of pass the torch. So, I'm passing the torch down the line here from 10 years younger to a little bit younger than that. And who knows what's
going to be sitting over here next. I don't know. But either way, and uh I think we're in good hands. Um I appreciate all the help that everyone has given me. It's been fantastic. Um it people that work here are underappreciated, I think, um by by all
of us uh until you see actually what you do and how well you do it. Um so I'm just honored to be a part of it. So, I I I really do I I I really mean that when I say that um uh for me, it's always been an honor to um be um to to been to
been elected to to represent the town, to do the best I can at it, and I hope I have. So, thank thank you for this. Thank you, John. So, thank you. Best appreciate it. And now the real
reason why everyone's here, there's cupcakes in the back. Wow. So, enjoy everyone. Please grab some cupcakes and take a few minute recess. Yeah, take a little recess. Absolutely. Recess. I love recess. My favorite class.
All right, everyone dig in guilty in and out. Let's see here. Uh, so you want to uh start with um Joe Brown. Joe. Yeah. Mhm. Okay. Um, all right. So, we'll come back into session. Thank you all for the very kind words. Uh I don't know what to say outside of
that. So let's uh Joe, uh the last name is Yeah, Joe Braga. So Joe, you had um appointed Joe as interim building commissioner. So I thought it'd be a good opportunity to have Mr. Braga in introduce himself, give you some of his background. Uh
you'll be seeing his face around town. The residents can see him on uh screen. So this is Joe. Joe, you want to come up and just introduce yourself? Thank you for the time. My name is Joe Baraga. Um, I started out in inspectional services in low. I'll start the story there real quick. So, I've pretty much seen
everything as a building inspector from low I moved on to um deputy commissioner in Brooklyn now. So, that's that's very heavily zoned in Brooklyn. Almost everything is pre-existing non-conforming in Brooklyn. So, you got the ZBA and it really takes a lot. And
then finally lately um I just retired from being the building commissioner in Dartmouth in 2023 from my ver because I didn't think I had enough information in my life. I wanted to start off somewhat but most of my background
is I also teach I teach the exam prep for contractors. Um, I have a consulting company that I operate where I represent clients before zoning boards, planning boards, and I have six attorneys that I'm working with at the present time
that we're working with problem properties. So, as an expert witness consultant, I usually I write up all the reports to go to court in those situations. So, and then I was a builder. So, I built for 20 years um
both residential and commercial. So, I appreciate the opportunity. I know. Um, do you want a full-time job? Yeah, I know. Golf's overrated, Joe. You don't want to golf. Come work. Um, um, I I came because of um Ed, but you probably
know Ed was my villain inspector and and D. So, I trained Ed um and worked closely with Cody and D. And Cody and I got along very well. Sometimes we didn't agree, but we saw I most of the time and I have the highest respect for him. That's why when I got the call, I said,
"I'm glad to come help the town and I will stay for as long as necessary until you hire a commissioner um or if you need me to do something. I'm not going to just drop the ball and run away." That's not what I do. So, just wanted to
assure you, the residents, I did my staff already, um that I plan on staying. Great. As long as it takes. Fantastic. Thank you, Joe. Thank you. You're very welcome. We do have uh some fairly big project around the corner that needs some oversight. So, we're glad to have an experienced hand to do
it honestly. So, that residential project that was over there already once. Yeah. So, I'm looking at those fine with the fire chief. So, anything don't hesitate to reach out to me. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much for coming in. We were also fortunate enough where um
Joe was able to come in during Ed Bailey's last week. And so Ed was able to bring him around town, give him a little bit of lay of the land, introduce him to some of the contractors, some of our bigger projects. And like Joe said, um he, you know, he was Ed's mentor, so him and Ed are very friendly. So anytime
something comes up, Joe has the luxury of being able to call Ed um if he needs clarification on things. But yeah, Joe is very good building commissioner. We're very lucky to have him in the interim while we seek a full-time replacement. Fantastic. Joe. Joe, you're you're plugged into the industry. How is the We're looking for one. How's the
talent pool right now, do you think? I don't I don't know if you have insights there. I do. You have to remember that most recently, I know I know that Ed had put out a statement to I believe to the the town that 112 um building officials chose not
to renew their certification. Wow. That's threeyear cycle. So um two retired and 112 just just have done all set. So um the pool there there are people available. Um I just don't know
how many to be honest with you and I will I will check out it also see who is out there. Um but it really is going to be a tougher job to be a building official in in the municipalities because the state has taken a yeah big turn and they've made it more difficult.
So that I'm being honest with you. Yeah. I wouldn't mix words. Yeah. But somebody will come along and they'll want to step in in this community and they'll make a difference. I I tend to believe that. Okay. Well, we're thrilled to have you in the meantime. Thank you. Yeah. Fantastic. Thank you again. Thank you,
sir. Yeah. So, I know we have um uh this motorcycle thing. Is someone here for that? Yeah. John Fe right here. All right. Why don't we skip ahead to that because we don't want to keep you any longer than we have to. So, do you want to come on up and uh Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Come on up uh to the microphone
here and just uh tell us uh who you are and what you want us to do. Hi. Um so I want to say thank you. I appreciate the um the proclamation. Um let you just explain what cuz you're on
camera here. So can you just explain what You're doing fine, Johnny. You want to identify yourself, too? My name is John Fagy. Where do you live Johnny? I live uh right here in Halifax. Great. Good enough. Check check check. So just um is this about motorcycles?
Just just tell us what what it is you're interested in. Um there's over 350 uh registered motorcycles in the town and um as and then thousands more in the surrounding communities.
Um all this is is just uh the checks twice save a life. um is just to bring awareness to um people out there on motorcycles and um having the town make the proclamation
that they're a part of that and it's okay. So, uh I'll just I'll just read a little bit of the letter. I I don't know if you sent this or Mhm. someone else did, but um so town uh to
Halifax uh select board members and public safety officials on behalf of our writing committee. This is from Massachusetts Motorcyclist Survivors Fund. Does that sound right? Okay. Um uh on behalf of our writing committee with John Fehee of Halifax and the blessings
from his close friend Regis of Whitman, uh the daughter of Philip Flip Classen Cleason if I mispronounced that. classic in his memory killed while riding his motorcycle on September 5th, 2025 in Carver. Uh I request you join Governor
Healey's statewide proclamation for the Commonwealth's motorcycle safety awareness period March 23rd through April 30th and throughout the 2025 riding season. Uh this is aimed at increasing awareness and reducing accidents by issuing a town of Halifax
proclamation for the approximately 375 citizen biker riders owners and their families of uh motorcycles registered in and others visiting Halifax. Uh and then this goes on to say how many other towns have already done that. And we do have a
uh proclamation that has been um uh put together I guess by you actually put it together. So I'll just read it out loud and tell us if it's what you want. Uh whereas the motorcycle is a popular means of transport transportation for commuting as well as for touring and
recreation. And whereas there is a growing need for cooperation among drivers of automobiles and trucks, motorcyclists, bike bicyclists and pedestrians who use our streets and highway to reduce injuries and fatalities. And whereas it is critical for all to increase their knowledge of
the rules of the road and the rights and responsibilities of all roadway users. And whereas for the benefit of all citizen, bikers, riders, and owners of registered motorcycles residing in Halifax and our surrounding communities aimed at increasing awareness and reducing accidents. Whereas numerous
departments and organizations are committed to making our streets and highways safe for all motor vehicle related transportation, urging and reminding drivers to quote, "Check twice, save a life. Motorcycles are everywhere." End quote. Uh, quote, "Check twice uh when pulling out and
backing out from parked positions. Check twice when making left turns. Check twice when changing Check twice when changing traffic lanes. checked twice for our fellow bikers of Halifax and visitors to our town on motorcycles. Uh now therefore, we the town of Halifax
select board hereby proclaim March 23rd, April 25th to April 30th, 2025 to be motorcycle uh safety awareness period in the town of Halifax and wish all who ride an enjoyable and safe riding season. uh in witness whereof we've set
our hand and seal uh of the town of Halifax to be affixed this 29th day of April in the year 2025. Um so I would u move that we uh approve the um uh proclamation. I'll second that. Okay. Uh anything else you
want to tell us about it or this is what you want us to do? Nope. That's that's that's great. Fantastic. And u sign um Okay. What do you want us to do with the sign? So you can put it up um on anywhere on anywhere along any of the public roads. Oh, okay. All right. So
you we have it here for us. Yes. All right. Very good. Um any comments from the board questions? Um all right. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor? Opposed? Unanimous. Thank you for your opportunity. Thanks. Thank you. Thanks.
All right. Now jump to Allen cuz Allan's here for his article. Uh uh oh the sign. Yeah, you can just leave it there. We'll take care of it. If you want Allan Diaz because he's here to explain his petition article. If you want to take that one next. Oh, okay. Allan, you're here for something in particular. We
want to uh Thank you. Out of order. Yeah. Oh, yeah. No. Well, you're always in order. Snow Street. I have a plan. I don't want to give each one of his outlines, but thank you. Oh, okay.
Is this about your petition article? Yes, it is. Okay. Y So, Allan had requested to be on the agenda to explain the petition article. So, we thought it'd be beneficial both to the board and for the public uh to see this. Okay. Um we don't have a copy of that handy, do we? The petition article. Uh I can get
it out once. We just uh put it out on the table. Excuse me. So, we all know what we're talking about. You want to get the article? Basically, I put Yeah, you can start al. Basically, I put in an article that
um that I originally used back in the 70s cuz I did buy a lot of the little lots that are near me uh for protection. Um what had happened, and I'll show you the plan, is that in 1978, um when I got the property from my parents, we had a little title issue, so
we had a subdivision done. And since then, 1978, we've used that same plan. Found out in the mid '9s, that plan was incorrect. So if you look at this plan, this is the Calac and my residence is
over here. 1989 had built a commercial building which is here. And as you can see, I have a paper street called Vernon Street that runs through my commercial building. Mhm. So the reason I'm here today is that at
the end of Vernon Street is lot 2136. It's a total of 3200 ft. It is not in the wetlands, but it is in the buffer zone. So my intent is to purchase from the town block
2136 and then I have to proceed with an adverse possession claim to quiet the title to remove Vernon Street from the map. Do you own all the other uh lots from from uh 10144 across? I own um from
1138 all the way over to 1050 then across the street. And then I own um this 1048 and 144. They're all part of a 32 acre apostle that I had here. And I've purchased these lots over the
years. Most of these lots have been here. So my what I was wondering so 10 144 is that 101 144 is my 32 acre parcel. So this whole piece is part of um a large apostle. I cut off almost 2
acres from my residential house. Okay. That's over here on Snow Street. Correct. Okay. And so this whole area that is where the existing building is is all owned by you except for 2136. Correct. Okay. And okay. And then I see.
And then because this is has a uh uh a um subdivision plan uh where the street was already identified which is never never been built, never been used. It's a paper street. You want to eliminate that. And the reason being because uh it
somehow impacts your exist existing building. Exactly. And impacts the title on it. Ah you know you can't get clear title. I didn't mortgage it when I built the building. So we never realized it. Um so in order for me to quiet the title
to make sure when something happens to me, you know, my kids are able to sell it, you know, I have two options. I have to quiet the title. Mhm. So I can either put in through land court. I can give the town uh an easement across
1135, which um I'm willing to do if they want to. Um, but that's going to be expensive in the town. Alan, where's 1135? Sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah. Where's 35? 113. Okay. Right here. I'm shoot 1138. 1138. Okay. So, yeah. Just to let you know, this
Pine Street North is developed. I develop my Pine Street North. Mhm. And I own all that. So, it's 2136. Where Where do you I guess the easy thing for me to get Where do you not own on this map? 1131 2136. Is that the only spot? That's
the only spot. And I don't own uh 1034. Okay. But everything else is your property. Well, everything from Pine Street North down is these are different residential. This is residents here. So, this is And you live over here. I live
right over here. You live on here. So, as you can see from all these pictures, these are pictures of uh trailers and other equipment that are being stored on the property. You know, by tenants and stuff like that. So, where is 135? cuz the articles for 135 and 136. It
doesn't. They're both together. You just It's not here on the map. Is it this one here? That's 136. 20-136, but this should say 2135 and 6. Okay. So, that's both together. That's right. That's 3200 ft.
Okay. Okay. Uh so, if I purchase the the property, the town will have no legal obligation. If I don't, then I have to bring uh an adverse possession coin. Then what your town is going to have to respond. Um land is no value.
Oh, an adverse possession on that lot you're talking about. I have to file an adverse possession on the roadway and eliminate the roadway. Okay. But I cannot I believe I cannot eliminate the roadway without providing alternative
access to whoever else owns property there. the when you say the roadway, you're only talking about Vernon Street. That that Yeah. Okay. Um Okay. I was just going to ask so normally when we sell property, we declare it surplus.
It goes up for auction. This is a different process. Can you or Cody explain what that's all about? Okay. Over the years, I've purchased maybe 25 of these 30t by 8t lots. the process that I used
originally. A lot of these I've owned since the late 70s and the early 80s and that was the process that that I used back then. Okay. So this is a a legal uh again I'm
just trying to make it understood to myself. So if we take a property, if we own if we own a piece of property, which we had over here on um East Lake, right? We had Ocean Street or something like that. And so normal way of doing things like with a property or anything like that, it's declared surplus. It goes to
auction. But you're not asking for you're asking for us just to sell it to you directly. Correct. Only as an aba. And I think with the statute that I use as an aba, you're allowed to do that. Um one of the things with the auction, I don't know. I mean, the town probably
owns a few hundred of these lots, I'm sure. All right. I don't know if the town is planning an auction in the next four or five years. You haven't had an auction. As long as I've been around, I don't I haven't seen the town have an auction. Typically, if you want to buy
adjacent property, you're going to petition and then typically you can have um um they'll put it out for bids and then whoever bids buys it. So, I mean, if the town was going to have an auction, I'd be okay with that. But I
don't believe No, no. I I'm not saying we should. I'm just trying to make sure I understand like what this process is. Yeah. Under that statute that I used. Yeah. That that's this is the process. Okay. And it just happens to be the the same statuto process that we used on all
of the other lots over the years. Okay. When was the last time one of these lots was acquired by you? Was it the '9s? No. 80s. 80s. So, we're talking 35 plus years ago. Yeah. Yeah. Um, are you undergoing the same sort of
process in the town of Hansen for any other existing properties on this lot? No. Did you apply for a a warrant on on their article town meeting on any buttered property over here? No. No. No. I don't own anything in town. Everything was in LAX. Okay. So, there's no other
um similar warrant request. And any Hansen zoned area? No. Hansen Town Line is ahead. Yep. And so you didn't apply for any other zoning. Okay. Any other question? Just is this something that and forgive me for my
naivity, but is this something that like our land use council can chirp in on as to their take as to the procedure? Rich can Rich is will provide his, you know, legal, you know, whether this process is legal or not. Beyond that, you know, that's not for them to it's a it's a policy decision. Not for decision, but
just to kick the tires on. Rich has reviewed it and he will um be doing more of a thorough review prior to town meeting just to make sure that it checks all legal boxes if approved. Okay. He hasn't given you any indication that we can't do it, has he? Um he he's in his preliminary review, it um resulted in
need for further investigation. Okay. So to be clear, this warrant article is subject to town vote and then as board of selectmen. Yeah. So the article also only authorizes the right. So, um, and just so we know, Cody, what number is it for folks at home? What article number?
222. 22. All right. So, this will be article 22 at town meeting. Um, okay. Um, so the only thing I would ask is if uh we do hear from uh attorney Hux uh that there is some issue here
that he let just let Mr. Diaz know that ahead of time since he, you know, it's personal to him and they want to make sure that we got uh I don't want to see any surprises. Okay. Okay. Cool. Any questions? Uh I think so. No, no sense. You want me to leave
all three coffees? You want to just keep one? I think we need three of them. I mean, I'm sure you have. I wrote on mine. I apologize. All right. Just a nice nice picture for you to keep at home. Right. Thank you very much. Thanks. All
right. So, well, I would ask if you take a vote, then you can let me know or whatever. Okay. Well, we'll wait until we hear from Attorney Hux and then uh we will probably pick this up um at right before town meeting, I suppose. But if there's any issue, we'll make sure to
Well, just to clarify, doesn't it go to town meeting first, then back to us? Correct. Y nothing. I think he's asking us whether we would recommend it. Is that what you're ask? Yeah. Well, you know, it it's nice to have the support. When I've purchased stuff in the past, finance committee's already always supported it. Um, again, it's not a big
ticket item. Um, so, you know, once Tyson Okay. Yeah. I just I would want to wait to hear from him before, you know, before approving or not approving, you know. Okay. Great. Thank you, sir. Yeah. Thanks, Ellen. All right. Let's go back
up to the top here. Uh, I want to do the warrants and commitments. I move to affirm approval of the following warrants and commitments. School warrant number 93 for 381,293.91. Vendor warrant number 94 for
$17,2827. Pay payroll war number 95 for $485,61.33. Vendor warrant number 96 for $126,162.99. Withholding war number 97 for $160,53152. Ambulance amendments 3312025 through462025 for
$34,736. Ambulance amendments 472025 through4132025 for $60,38. Ambulance 414 2022 through420 20225 for $40,49.64. Second bless you. God bless you. Second.
God bless you. Second. God bless you. Second. That's enough. Sorry about that. Any other comments besides or sneezes? Um, okay. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. It's unanimous. I move to approve the following warrant vendor
warrant number 98 for $51,66.99. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Oppos. It's unanimous. Um, I apologize. Um, you're here for the council on aging thing. Yeah, I should have I should have jumped you ahead of that. So, I I apologize. So, we do have
a um a request. I thought I had a letter here somewhere, but I lost. It's just an annual um appointment to the Old Colony Elder Services Advisory Board. Um Barbara served on it for the last year. She is the outreach uh services coordinator for the COA. Um so this is kind of just a housekeeping item to
reappoint her to represent Halifax. Okay. And I would like to just thank Barbara because when it was just me here, I was the uh designate and I swear there spoke a different language at these meetings. So, I mean, she knew, you know, you guys know the ins and the
outs of a lot of the stuff. So, I thank Barbara for for jumping on. So, if I may, um, Darling Reagan, um, COA director, um, actually, so because I had served um, you know, I was a part of Colony um, community there for about
seven years. And part of their um, bylaws is that if you worked there at one point, you could not serve on the board. That's right. So therefore, Jonathan was elected and then Barbara came aboard and because of her experience and her commitment to the
aging population, I thought this was a good fit. So she served on the board this past year and we've asked her to re um reup that and um you know continue that. There's a lot to be learned there in the industry of course and um we're
excited to have her on again. So, so it's um it's a good thing and it's it's part of the whole aging process under the executive office of aging and independence now. So that they have the commitment or the coordinated care plans through the COA, the front line to the
community as well as the ASAPS, which is the aging service access points and the independent living centers. So we all work together and you know they learned so much being on this board and Barbara has learned a great deal in the last year. Fantastic. Okay, thank you. Um, any questions for the board? So, uh,
I'll move that we appoint Barbara Curtis to, um, Old Colony Elder Services Representative for the term ending June 30th, 2026. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Unanimous. Sorry for making the delay,
you guys. Thanks, All right. Now we can go back to our uh our agenda and we left off with um approval of a $1.3 million borrowing. Yes. So um Tom meeting had previously approved bond authorization uh for the
water achievement plant upgrades up to $3 million. Uh what we that project is pretty much complete. The plant is um it might be on back online at this point or close to it. So, um, we did not have to borrow the full $3 million as a result
of using $600,000 in ARPA funds and then, um, we have slowly, um, appropriated retained earnings toward the project, so less financing. So, um, and speaking with our financial team, speaking with our financial adviserss, when you when you, um, go out for long-term borrowing for a municipal
project, you have to do at least 10 years. And it's not like, let's say, a car loan or a personal mortgage, you can't just pay it off early and then you're good. you you have a death schedule. You have you're obligated to to follow that. We um because of our healthy financial position in
particularly in the water department. I think well I know we will be able to pay that off prior to 10 years. So I don't want to lock the town into paying 10 years of interest when we don't have to. So last year we took a a ban bond anticipated note a one year basically um
borrowing for 1.6 million. The project was still in place. Um what we've been able to do is do this year 1.3 million. That's what's before you. Uh we've been able to pay down part of it using retained earnings from last year. Um and also now we we know what the project
final cost will be cuz it's it's pretty much done. So and and there's another article in town meeting in May for another 500,000. So at the very least we have to roll over um you know 800,000 next year and ideally within 2 or 3 years this is completely paid off and
we've only paid 5 years of interest versus 10. So this is to approve um the $1.3 million ban another year. Um the the winner the it went out to bid with our financial advisors Fidelity um was
the uh winning bid. Um and so we just need the board to approve the the issuance of the um bond anticipated note. Okay. Uh you So uh because the winning bid was Fidelity, I am going to abstain from voting. Um my wife does
work uh in the media marketing section of the company. Um I have filed disclosure paperwork with the town clerk. Um, again, there's no personal gain here, but just in a true transparency sense, I will abstain from
the vote. I appreciate that. Yeah. So, I will make a motion that we approve the 1.3 million borrow million borrowing for water treatment projects. Second. All right. Any discussion? Um, I'll take a roll call. Tom, yes. John abstain. And I
vote yes also. So, passes uh by majority. Very good. So, I have a bunch of things you have to sign. So, I'll we'll catch up at the end of the meeting for you to sign these. Sounds good. Um uh by the way, will this address any of the complaints we have with the water? So, with the water, um and
speaking with Mr. Lindseay, the superintendent, because this plant was offline, the wells were offline periodically over the last year. We were buying water from Brockton. Um and because we were purchasing the water, we did not do flushing uh last year because
ultimately you were spending the money, right? You get flushing money, right? So we did not do flushing last year, which um Mr. Lindseay believes led to an increased um yeah sediment in the water. So we have resumed flushing as of this month. Um we anticipate that should take
care of most of the complaints of the sediment in the water. That would be great. That would be great. Okay. uh contact a contractor rather with Cardinal Contra contracting services for town hall portico repair. Yes. So um you
notice the front of town hall uh the portico is in rough shape. Um town meeting uh in 2023 uh had approved funds for the um repair of the town hall portico. So, it
it took a while because we um we have to go out to bid to to get the contracting services and we also had to find an engineer. We had to get engineered plans. So, we finally got the engineer in place. They finished those plans and we were able to get proposals. Um the low bidder was Cardinal Contracting. So,
we would ask that the board approve that and we can um get that project started. Okay. So, looks like it'll be done by the end of June. That is Yes, that is the goal. Uh it came in um right around where we were expecting. Actually a little bit under budget. 27 27 a change.
Correct. Correct. Yes. That's great. Okay. Uh do we have a motion to approve the um uh contract with Cardinal Contracting? I will gladly make a motion to approve the contract with Cardinal Contract for Services for the repairs for the town hall port. Okay. Do we have
a second? Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed? It's unanimous. Got a comment from the crowd. Oh, this Oh, sorry. Um Oh, I'm sorry. Can approve uh authorize me to sign on your behalf. It's a I'll make a motion for Cody Hadad
to be the signing authority for the contract for Cardinal uh contracting services for town hall portal repair. Okay. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. Opposed? Unanimous. Uh community survey. Yes. So, um you may recall that Oh,
sorry. Chris, did you do Chris, did you have a quick Yeah, real quick. Oh, I'm sorry. You got to raise your hand and holler a little bit. Chris, one is 129 Second Street. Just real back quick back to the water. I heard you say they've already started flushing. I believe they have. They They had said they were going
to start flushing mid to late April. Okay. Cuz I've had trouble before too with the flushing. I didn't see any notices, but u but they might already be doing that. I'd have to confirm with the water department, but just just clarify that. What are your concerns with the flushing?
Well, last two years, well, not last year, previous year, we've had some trouble on our street. It's like the flushing got changed how they were doing it and we ended up with brown water for 4 days. Okay. So, why don't you um give the call over there to the water department? Just Yeah, I was going to, but when I just caught them, they said
they might already start a I was told they were going to start in in mid to late April. So, maybe they're going to start tomorrow. Tomorrow's the last day of April. That's late April. Thanks. Yeah. Okay. Uh All right. Going back to the um
community survey. Yeah. So um you may recall we received these opioid funds as part of the opioid settlement. Uh the attorney general part of those funds were allocated to the uh municipalities. There's an article on town meeting just to clean up the bookkeeping behind it. But um we would like to be able to start
uh you know putting those funds to use. Um, we did we set up an internal team with uh myself, uh, the police chief, the fire chief, our health director, and Darlene, our COA director, uh, just to start brainstorming some different things. Part of the, um, part of
utilizing these funds is to conduct a a public survey of the community. So, um I would request the board the survey that was in your packet is very similar to uh what's been utilized in other communities just captures some information on um you know opioids uh
overall health uh mental health throughout the community. It's anonymous when it's filled out and allows us to get a better idea of maybe where these funds should be allocated uh for what types of projects. But it's really step one of of starting to u get a plan for utilizing those funds.
any any appropriation of the funds will go through the board. The board has to approve that. But I'm just asking for approval to publish the survey so we can start that process. Um, won't the survey have to go in the in the mail? Is it No, it'll be online. There's no requirement that every resident gets it. They just you need to do some sort of outreach.
All right. So, you'll make that notice to the world to the world that it's online if you want to fill out the survey that kind of Yep. It'll be online posted on our website um within the next couple of weeks if the board approves it. Okay. Um, just a random question, Cody. About how much do we have? And then right now we have about
$80,000. Excellent. And through the life of the opioid funds, we get annual set annual amounts. We'll have well over 200,000 through 2035, I believe it is. And what are you seeing? I don't know if it's too far down the road, but what are you seeing other communities using the funding for? Like, you know, vary
significantly. So, we're obviously as a smaller community, we're on the lower side of uh the funds. I mean some bigger communities are hiring dedicated staff um for for you know opioid crisis. Um there's some communities that are stock stalking uh nlloxxone the um uh to put
in you know public places. Um you're seeing funding of different, you know, resources. The Plymouth County Sheriff's Department is running a program where if a town gives them x amount of dollars, um it's it's dedicated for incarcerated individuals getting uh out of prison
that are um it can help them with, you know, housing, transportation. So, they're running a program like that. Um Plymouth County Outreach, I Services, I believe, um it currently runs a program. It's federally funded. Um we are not so
certain that the funding for that will continue. So that may be an opportunity to for the towns to utilize those services. That was something the chief and deputy chief and chief um police and fire chief um had brought up. So um it varies it across the board. I think
there wasn't a lot of movement at first because a the accounting side of it was challenging but also no one wanted to get in trouble of of does this meet the parameter? You you know buying a lock zone meets the parameter, right? how how much can you do of that and how effective is that going to be
particularly not in like a city where there's you know dense populations. Um so the more rural communities have have been a little bit slower to allocate those but I do think we have a good team put together. Hopefully we gather some good information from the survey and then that team can continue to make
recommendations to the selectman on um where to allocate those funds. Great. Thank you. Okay. Um, we have a request from the veterans agent. Steve, did you approve that? Oh, I'm sorry. Do we have a motion to Yeah.
motion to approve uh the community survey um in regards to the use of opioid settlement funding. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. It's unanimous. All right. Uh next up is the
um you'll have the field of flags. So, uh, Steve Littlefield, the veterans agent, has asked, uh, uh, let's see, asked the board of selectman having the field of flags put up in front of town hall on the weekend before Memorial Day through the weekend
following Memorial Day would be roughly May 17th to the 31st. So, basically, they want to use the town hall for that. I'm in agreement, Adam. Yeah. So, I'm 100% in favor of that. So, I would I'd be glad to make that motion. We have a second. Second. Any discussion? All
those in favor say I. Opposed. It's a wonderful thing. I'm glad he doesn't. Okay. We have a whole list of road cuts. Uh, are these all related or they're not? Not all of them. They're not all related. No. All right. Um, do you have
the paperwork? Yeah. The first one is is 314 Plymouth Street and has the signature pages there. Okay. All right. This all of them. Yeah. Okay. All right. So, the first uh is um let's see here. Uh they want a a road opening 120 ft by
8 ft at 314 uh Plymouth Street. Uh all the uh um um departments have agreed to it's okay. Uh and this work includes driveway modification, associated traffic signal work opposite the existing stop and shop
driveway, including working on the on the uh traffic signals and all. So uh I will move to approve the road cut for uh Brett Johnson Midland General Contractors. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. It's
unanimous. First one. All right. The next one is um a 4x6 uh road cut for renew service at 46 and 46A Mlen Road. Again, it's all been uh approved by the various
departments. Um so this is um looks like a repair of some sort. So, uh, I will, uh, move that we, uh, u authorize Eversource to make that road cut at four, uh, 46 and 46A
MLEN Road. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. Opposed? It's unanimous. Uh, the next one is another Eversource. This is, um, another 4x6 cut uh, to install test stations and anodes on gas
main at Fort Mlullen Road. Um and again everyone has uh approved it. So I will make that motion to approve this uh gr road cut also. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. Opposed. It's unanimous.
Uh yeah. Oh, you're saving them up. All right. Uh the next one's another 4x6 road cut to renew service line at 86 Mlen Road. Uh again by Eversource. All the stipulations are in order. So, I would make that motion. Second. Good
luck driving down ML. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Maybe we won't have potholes. That's true. All right. Uh, finally, another 4x6 uh road cut. Um, this is on uh 20 Anowan
Drive. Uh, install test stations and anodes on gas man. This is from Eversource. So, again, all uh everything's in order. I will make that motion. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. Opposed. It's unanimous. Okay. Uh let's see. Town accountant
contract. Yes. So, uh you may recall that Lindsay Martin was appointed interm accountant last year. Uh she's served in that role and done a phenomenal job. Um so now I believe it is time to appoint Lindsay as um actually the permanent
role of town accountant. So, this is a employment contract um with Lindsay for the town of Count effective July 1st, 2025 and for three years. Okay. I've looked at it. I'm I'm in agreement with it. I have heard nothing but good uh um
reports about Lindsay's uh abilities and she seems to be uh someone that hopefully we'll be able to keep for a while so we can continue to build on that. So, I would move that we approve the county accountant contract. Who's going to sign this one? Uh the full board sign. uh that we approve the town
accountant contract. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. It's unanimous. Uh local 653 library. We will skip over that item. Oh, I'm sorry. Yep. Okay. Uh local 653
administrative clerical. Yes. So, um the we previously had mentioned we had um two new uh unions in town. Several of our non-UN employees um formed and rec were recognized by a teamsters local uh
653 uh myself and selectman Seleague as the board's uh representative uh had several bargaining sessions with them. We've obviously kept the board updated uh in executive session um but we were able to reach an agreement. Uh as of this
morning the union ratified the agreement. So now I would ask the board to uh approve the agreement as well. It's for a three-year contract. uh starting July 1st, 2025 through June June 30th, 2028. Okay. Again, I've looked at it. I'm I'm in agreement with it. Uh so I would move that we approve
the uh local 653 administrative clerical contract. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed? Unanimous. Looks like I'm the only one that signed this one. They're on the next page. It's the rest of the board. Okay. Uh ambulance abatement.
Um, so we have a request from the fire department uh for ambulance abatement uh for March of 2025 of 100,373.14. So I make that motion. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. Opposed. It's unanimous.
Let me get that back to you. Yes. One more. John, just before we missed uh approval of the minutes, March on that first page. So many so many things in here. Okay. Uh so March 25th, 2025 minutes. We have a motion. Make a motion to approve March 25th, 2025 select
minutes. Second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. It's unanimous. Now, is that everything? I think so. Except for uh town administrators update. Yes. So, a few updates. Um the first one is I'd request that the board approve um for us to hire
a full-time firefighter. The posting obviously with the hiring freeze and need the board's approval. Um we had we have a unexpected vacancy as of today and just in the interest of public safety. The quicker we can get someone in the less we spending on overtime. Um, and so I would, it came up today, so it was unexpected, but I would ask that the
board approve that uh request to Is this likely to result in a uh a higher that will be at a lower rate than what we are losing? Um, not significantly. It might be like one step. Uh, the tenure wasn't uh significant of the what we're
replacing. Well, also though, we're not going to pay Well, we'll be paying overtime to cover a shift. Yeah. So, we want to get it filled as quick as possible. possible. Um, you know, that the shift has to be filled, so it likely is overtime, so we'd rather get them a full-time position in. Absolutely. Okay.
Um, board's question. Y I would move that we uh approve the hiring of uh the uh replacement firefighter. Uh second. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. Opposed. It's unanimous. Thank you. Um tomorrow
evening at 6 p.m. we are holding a public forum on the proposed zoning uh bylaw changes. Is it 6:00? Yes. 7. Yes. 7. Is it 6 to 7? No. 6:00. Oh, it's at 6:00. Yeah. The planning board meeting was at 7:00. I thought it was 7. I would
be late. Let me confirm. I'm be nervous here. No, 6 p.m. Yeah. Yeah. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. in the great hall. Uh the information is posted on our website. Also, there will be a Zoom option. So, uh we encourage residents to attend that. We'll provide kind of an
overview of the proposed changes. uh review the uh changes of substance and also go through kind of the bylaw uh to hopefully answer any questions that that may come up during that process. We're also will be holding another uh budget forum uh similar to what we held a few
weeks ago. That'll be on May 5th at 6 p.m. in the great hall. Uh that's a week before town meeting. So we encourage the community to please come out to that. Um, like I said, there's an in-person obviously there's where it'll take place, but we also will be doing a Zoom option. So, if you can't be here in
person, uh, you can log on to Zoom. Uh, really provided a thorough breakdown of the budget, uh, explaining increases where they are, and also answering questions prior to town meeting to hopefully make that process a little bit simpler at town meeting. Um, on the zoning one, um, is it scheduled for 6 to
7? Yeah, I mean if it goes over seven that that's fine but that that is technically Attorney Hux will be there and you have your PowerPoint from the planning board form. Yes. So uh I will be providing brief presentation. Uh members of the zoning B review committee will also be
there to provide uh some information and insight into how the zoning uh proposals were developed. Um and hopefully again answer questions and there's a Zoom option as well. Uh, and then last, uh, I wanted to Cody, before you get going, the Cody's Corner was released, too. It
was. So, we did a town meeting, uh, warrant preview, myself and Sleman Celig. Um, that was released today. It's a in-depth review of each article on the town meeting warrant. Um, so we encourage residents to also use that. You can see there's a theme here. We're trying to be as transparent and, uh, get
the information out in every single way possible. Um if anyone has any recommendations of what we can do to improve that, we're we're more than uh happy to listen. But I think we heard that there was um a request for more kind of due diligence ahead of time and
I think we've certainly accomplished that this year. Um so yeah, thank you select for doing that. To follow up on that, um so there are several um articles that are proposed by the board of selectman. Typically we go through and assign them amongst ourselves. Um, we don't have another meeting before
town meeting to do that. So, I have that I'll be drafting that with the motions and then we will review that at the town meeting premeating that that evening. All right. Um, 10 minutes before be ready, John. We'll meet a little bit before 10 minutes
beforehand. But there's um, you know, we'll we'll pull some of the same housekeeping ones that were done last year. um you know, we'll tentatively assign those to uh the board and then if you know, if there's other ones that you're more comfortable doing, but I'll send out a draft of that probably by the
end of this week. Um and so you can let me know if there's particular draft of uh the assignments, who's going to handle each and the motions. Yes. I think I think what John's saying, it'd be helpful to get it a little bit earlier just so we can wrap our heads around, right, which article we're going to present. Yep. I also I also want to
be sure that whoever is going to speak to it wants to. So, and I know that our our uh our junior member here is new to this process and I want you to make just feel comfortable feel comfortable if we make
you talk. That's all right. They'll do. Yep. No. and and I think the the packet that I've historically put together has um thorough explanations of each article in that and if there's particular articles that you know one member wants to do over the other we can change that
up at the premeating um but I will I'll get that out within the next week or so hopefully by the end of this week and we will have notebooks yeah that'll the notebooks will have all the motions and they'll have who's assigned to the motions and notes we might have necessary like for example that one with
the um Southshore domestic violence or something like that. It's always good to have something from them. Yep. We'll have all that in case. Yes. Yep. Any other questions on that? Not yet. Okay. Um and then the last update I have is um
I'm sure me many members of the community have seen, but I will be resigning from my position as town administrator here um effective at the end of July. Um it was a personal decision. I think that's best for me and my family at this time. Uh certainly wasn't an easy decision to make. Um, I
truly my tenure certainly wasn't anywhere near as long as Mr. Bruto's, but I think looking back, um, I I think I gave the town my all. I think we made a lot of progress and, um, I really am thankful to the board for being so supportive during my tenure. Um, if it
weren't for your support, we wouldn't have accomplished everything that we did. And the team here, it's an amazing team here. um from the department heads to the staff to our public safety, you don't accomplish, if you look at what we've accomplished in the past two years, you don't accomplish that without
a great team. Um and so I'm I'm very fortunate to have been a part of that and um I look forward to assisting the board with the transition over the next couple of months, but I certainly will miss the community. Um it's it really has been an honor serving here in Halifax. So, um I want to uh uh thank
you uh on behalf myself if not for the whole town for the work that you've done. Um we've had I think uh excellent um service. Uh I think I think um I know you came in as uh never having been the boss before
and this was your opportunity to uh to grow into that position and I think you did fantastic. Thank you. I know that your uh your next move up is uh to a much bigger community. Uh, I'm sure it's a bigger job and all of that and I personally would never stand in the way of anyone uh advancing their career. Uh,
you're a young man and I think you've got a a beautiful future ahead of you. I feel sorry for us, but that's just the way it is. Uh, we're a small town and it's not unusual for us to uh uh not unusual for us to de to find and develop
really good people who then uh get poached, frankly. And that's I've seen that happen a lot over the course of time that I've been involved. And so I mean I suppose that's a suppose that's a good thing for Halifax. I suppose at least we get we got a lot of good work
out of you. So I I want to thank you for everything you've done. Uh wish you well in the future and um now we need to talk about what to do next. Yeah, I echo your sentiments too, John. Um, Cody came in at a at a crossroads much like you did,
you know, and not only settled the waters a little bit, but gave us kind of charted a course for us. Um, and while I am too sad to see him go, I'm not surprised, uh, just because, yeah, I can't tell you how many people have come up to me and said, "Wow, that town
administrator is is something." Like, he really is a shining star. So, like you say, John, sad for us. Um, happy for Cody, you know, to advance his career. Uh, and I do think in the essence of trying to limit the downtime, we should
look at some sort of uh um using a a consultant to help us navigate the next steps. Yeah. So, the new guy on the block, the junior member, as you said, I have nothing to compare Cody to. Um, I think with my election about a year ago, just
under a year ago, um, I was supposed to come in with some sort of, you know, ad adversary reaction to the status quo. Uh, Cody, I never had another town minister besides Cody. So, I have nothing to compare him to. Um, but anybody you talk to in town, in this
building, in this room, um, has nothing but glowing things to say. Uh, I always felt prepared. Amen. I was always ready. Uh, I was never surprised at what was before us. And I'm not really sure what else he could do besides make the team
feel valued um that they mattered and that their contribution was meaningful. And so um while I was supposed to probably be the naysayer of the group, I have nothing but glowing things to say about a quite frankly a young kid who's going places.
And um that might not be the popular opinion for those that voted for me, but you'd find you'd be hardressed to find someone who supported him more and was more appreciative of the time he put into my contribution to the town over the last year.
Um top grade, grade A and clearly going places and uh we we'll all be thankful to say we knew him when I think. So uh best of luck, best wishes, and honestly, thanks. Thank you. It's been an honor. Sure. I have to
say I'm Darlene Reagan, COA director and I wanted to say you little rascal. Um so I want to say that he's been um Cody has been such a support to the COA and progressive thinker. Um and that's a
great thing for today the way that things are going. Um so you'll be missed. Okay. So I I wish you well. Thank you. Um the COA and everyone there, I'm sure as well, you'll still have to we you still have to come to an art class. I will, but I won't be on
Fridays off anymore, so it'll have before my tenure ends here. And you also have to come and see the um the nice mural that was just completed in the resources of me. They actually did. Oh my. I'm kidding. I'm kidding.
Like an icon of some sort. Isn't that nice? That'll be awesome. So that will be your going away process. Oh, excellent. Thank you. All right. Thanks, darling. Thank you. I appreciate it. And not to go full eulogy here, but uh in the time that I've been here for the 3 years, one of the biggest difference I
noticed with you, Cody, at the helm was we went from putting out fires in the now to thinking down the road and that was refreshing. Uh we we started divi we started developing plans for not just the next 6 months, the next couple weeks, but like what are we going to do
down the road? and and that was refreshing to do and uh I thank you for that as well. No, thank you. It it really I couldn't have asked for a better um tenure. I think we we accomplished a lot. The board has been phenomenal. I speak with my colleagues all the time and and many people are not
as fortunate as I am to have had such a phenomenal board. Um you've been supportive. Um and you've let me kind of lead and and I think that is that's the reason we've had the success. So I appreciate it. I'm not going anywhere yet. I still have uh you know a few months of work here. We still have a lot
of work to do. I'm going to not going to let off the gas here. Um so we'll continue to get things done and um as you, you know, embark on this uh recruitment, again, I will support the board and the town in any way that you would like me to. Um, you mentioned getting started with the process. If
it's the board's pleasure, I can start reaching out to search firms uh to get some proposals and we could have that on the next um agenda to to review those proposal or proposals uh and hopefully try to make an award then and get this process started. Yeah, I personally think the quicker we do it, the better.
um just simply uh the end of July will come here faster than we realize it and it's better to have ideally we would I would like to I mean I won't I won't be sitting here but but I think ideally we would want to have uh some sort of an
overlap uh where where whoever this is if we could get them in say by the beginning of July even I don't know if that's possible but if we can there's some little bit of an overlap so that we can at least make sure that the transition uh goes smoothly. Uh summer is typically slower
um but you know once the fall hits things start picking up again. So and he's going to be or he or she whoever is going to be um you know right right in the middle of it and um of course we brought Cody in in February so January February so we were right in the middle
of the budget and we had a lot of a lot of things to fix at the time. So we did um with that uh so anyway those are my suggestions but I do think it I do think the quicker we can get going on this the better. Agreed. Yeah. Okay. You need a vote or No, I think as long as there's consensus of the board you're not really
deciding anything but I'll I'll start reaching out uh and get those and I think I've said this to each of you but my number is not changing. Um, even if I'm no longer here, I'm always be supportive of Halifax and it's on the stall downstairs. Uh, bathroom always and um, any way I can support, you know,
you as board members, anyone from the community and and our team, department heads, you name it, I I I will say this, so again, I don't want to make youngster jokes, but I am the oldest guy here, so I will. uh for a young guy, uh Cody has
has uh really had some very good contacts in the community. Like I know he develops that. He he works on it. He he meets with people and so on. And uh he's been a great resource for that. We've had some fantastic people come in
uh you know through his efforts. And so um I'm going to put him on the spot and tell them that they're going to call you and say, "Cody, we need to I we need to hire this guy or that guy. What do you think? And I hope you do. I hope they can continue to assist the town. That that's meant as a compliment. It really
is. I think that you know for for someone at your stage of development even uh you know your contacts your your rolodex if people do people use rolodexes. Not really in your phone. Virtual Rolodex. I know where you're getting but it's fantastic. Thank you. I
I I think that's wonderful. Okay. We'll get working on that over the next week. All right. and the MBTA. I have no new updates on that. Um my goal at the next meeting would be we can provide an update on where we are with that um okay situation. Okay. Anything else to come before the
board? No. Uh I will make the motion to adjurnn. Second. All those in favor? I I I've never used this before. Well, let's go. Five six terms as a selectman. I've never used it. I've always tried I've
always tried to to maintain order through uh kindness and persuasion or the evil eye once in a while. So, but back to I'm going to say meeting a journey. Thanks, John. Thank you. Thank you
again. Thank you. You guys are really too nice to me. [Music]