All right, the time now is 5:35 and I'd like to open the board of selectment meeting for the town of Halifax for Wednesday, April 8th, 2026. We are in the selectman meeting room. Uh, quick introductions here. We have assistant Pam McSherry, town
administrator Steven Silbo, myself, Jonathan Celig, selectman, selectman Thomas Pratt, selectman Bill Smith. Just like to read this announcement here. This meeting has been posted in accordance with the provisions of Mass General Law Chapter 3A section 20B and
pursuant to chapter 38 section 20F. Notice is being made that this meeting is being recorded and will be posted on area 58 community access channel. Thanks to John. The board chair, which is myself, reasonably anticipates the following matters will be discussed in
or voted on at this meeting and the agenda items may be taken out of order for time management consideration. Guys, if you'll indulge me, how we start our meeting, the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge 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. Thank you everyone. So, a small uh agenda tonight. Essentially, we'll be going through our annual town meeting warrant. Uh that's
the the meat of it here. But we do have a couple of bills to pay. So, when we think bills, we think bill. There you go. You want to move these warrants and commitments for us, Bill? >> Certainly. I move to affirm approval of the following warrants and commitments. Payroll warrant number 92 for 453,17643.
Vendor warrant number 93 for 79,59040. Withholding warrant number 94 for 152,54787. Mobile home park fee number four for $5,160. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes
unanimous. >> I move to approve the following warrant. School warrant number 95 for 372,911.15. Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> Guys, I'm just going to skip down to be really quick. Why don't we just bang out
the approval of the selectman meeting minutes? U Pam got those to us. I hope everyone's read them. So if so, I will entertain a motion to approve the selectment meeting minutes for March 10th, 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimously.
>> Okay. Now, we are here for the meat and potatoes of this meeting, which is to review and give the final approval of our annual town meeting warrant. So, our warrant that you will get soon in the mail is a collection of articles that will be presented to the residents of Halifax at town meeting. It essentially
is every resident's uh ability and right to help set the year forward as far as budget concerns, as far as some procedural things that were going to be in front of you as residents. So, um Stephen, I don't know how you'd like to go through this. you want to take one one at a time, page by page. What's your
how are we going to attack this bad boy? >> So, first of all, thank you. Um, and yes, um, I think the best way to go through it is like we did with the fincom. I'll read through it briefly. You can stop me whenever once you understand and then I had them basically talk about the article and then issue
their recommendation if you'd like to do that. Obviously, you could have, >> you know, uh, a recommendation, no recommendation, or you will have a recommen recommendation at town meeting, uh, as the fincom does it. Um so if we want to get started here right on article one we'll get moving and um read
start reading through these articles and >> talk about them as we go. I do have one edit that I came across today. Okay. >> A lot to talk about. >> Uh we also have in attendance uh Mr. Jim Walters who's the chair of the fincom. So um if we have any questions for finance committee Mr. Walters is here to
speak to that. So >> all right. >> All right. Let's do it. So, moving into the first page of the warrant, article one, to see if the town will vote to amend the wage and personnel bylaw as presented below and as recommended by the board of sele and uh finance committee or take any other action
relative there too. Uh 2% cost of living adjustment for all non-un positions effective July 1st, 2026 within the existing compensation classification plan. Um the background on that was the fincom decided to put that up to 2% and then let town meeting um sort of discuss
it on the floor. >> Sure. >> That night and decide what they want to do with that. We will have the numbers presentable at town meeting as far as what each percentage increase means both you know zero one and two. >> Mhm. >> So >> and the majority of town employees
Stephen are uh way are contract employees. >> Correct. >> So these or union >> Yeah. or union sorry. So these non-union positions essentially there's about >> 14 in total. >> 14 folks we're talking about. >> Okay. Just so people are aware. >> Yep. >> It's a total of 14 people.
>> So do you guys want to issue a recommendation on that or do you want to just leave it as is? >> So I know in years past we haven't done a selectman recommendation on these. It's been fin. Um what does the board choose? What does the board feel in
here? I'm fine with going through guys and giving our seal of approval on the different articles if that's something the board wants to do or we can um hold to tradition and uh just leave it as fin. I've seen it in both done both ways in different communities. So uh any
thoughts gentlemen to whether we want to put our selectman recommendation seal of approval on the warrant this year >> on each individual article? >> Yep. >> I could I could go for that. Okay. Yeah. Okay. All right. If that's the case,
then um article one 2% cola for non-UN positions. How does the board feel? We want to uh entertain a motion to support article one. Any more discussion needed? What do we think? >> Trying to think.
>> It's all right. I'd feel a little bit more confident in one direction or another if I if we were more concrete on some of the union contracts that we're voting on. Um >> Yep. >> Mhm. >> You know, if we had that number. Um, you know, I know that's a multi-year
contract. I mean, that looks like a certain picture, year one, year, year two, year three. >> There's there's also the option, Tom, to say we could give >> um a recommendation at the meeting, which would buy us another month for some of the things you're talking about to play out. Um, so that's a possibility
as well. >> What did what did uh any offand recommendation or remember what we had game last year? What what >> I don't think we gave anything but it's usually the recommend. Yeah. >> All right. I'm okay with it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay.
>> So I I looking for a motion. >> Yeah. Like look for a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous 30. >> But again has the ability to go to the floor at town meeting modify. >> Oh, sure. >> Yeah. This is just a a guidance tool. >> Everything presented at town meeting can
go to the >> board. Yeah, >> that's what it's going to say. >> Okay. >> All right. Article two, Stephen. >> Yeah. Just got to drop these notes. >> Oh, yeah. No worries. >> So, in article two, you'll see a slight change to the table that's typically
presented. This was a change that the Fincom um wanted reflected. And this is to see if the town will vote pursuant to chapter 41 section 108 of the general laws to determine salaries of several elected elective town officers July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 or take any other
action relative there too. In years past, you had 20 a couple years of previous financial data. The fincom decided that those previous years was not necessary, but having the most direct previous year was was good for the public to or the residents to be
able to see. Then you see the 26 27 proposed number, what the 2% increase would actually be in dollars, what the stipens are associated with any of those specific positions. And again, those stipens of $1,000 are associated with certifications that the town clerk and
treasur collector both get, and then what the grand total is over here at the end. Um, so that basically just it spells it out very clearly for residents as you go through the table to figure out. So, is this is this if I'm reading it right, are we
backing off on not taking a salary selection? >> No, it's still there. See, under the >> No, it's 15. >> Yeah, I don't understand. >> Oh, yeah. So, I'd have to take it off the So, that's >> same with the moderator, too. I'm I'm confused with that wage as well where
it's 200 under the >> forgo his salary. >> He didn't forgo his. >> Okay. So the moderator stays but the selecting each 1500 should be zero and zero. >> Yep. Yep. >> And the 2% rather. >> Yep. So I carried the zeros just I didn't put them in 20 26 27. Thank you
for that. >> 25 26 >> 25 26 would stay. The rest of ours would be yep. Uh looks in order here. Any discussion, guys? No. All right. If if not, I'll entertain a motion for the board of selectment to approve article
two as written with the amendment to the selectment salary. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> All right. All right. 3A is the budget. This is the big one. So 3A is specifically the cut budget or the pre
the TA's proposed cuts uh as I've sort of coded them or or named them. Um, obviously this is the budget that shows all the direct cuts. As you go through um the budget, you'll see line you'll see letters next to certain items in the
on the far right column. So, if you go down to line 13, you'll see A next to $23,275. A. If you read the bold underneath town administrator proposed budget, it says the letter designation A through J shown
in this table correspond directly to the same letter items in the town administrator's recommended budget presented in 3A. This cross referencing is intended to provide clarity, allow readers to identify where each supplemental allocation applies within the operating budget. So this ties 3A
and 3B together because then as you can see the table as Jonathan has gone to under article 3B the table that is on that corresponds to those letters. So if you go down to the letter and you say to
yourself, okay, A is accounting 24,469. That applies to uh line 13, which is essentially the cutting of the position from full-time back to part-time. And then under the override would be allocated back to full-time with a
successful override vote. >> Just want to make sure you're all clear on that whether it needs to be clearer or presented in a different way. >> The only thing that is slightly confus Oh, I guess it's just in that 15 and 15a
cuz we're we're doing we're doing capital letters and small letters. Y >> and I know that can sometimes throw folks off. >> Y >> but it looks like it's only that. Yeah, it's all capital one line right there. >> The only line that might be confusing would be D.
>> So item D, which is the police department. So I have lines 50, 45 through 50 and 67. >> Underline 51, guys. >> 11 18 10 433. >> Yep. But that also that that basically
takes into effect multi multiple lines in the police department, but it ends up being that one 1,810,433. And then you have to go down one page further um to animal control officer and expense. >> What line is that?
>> Which is line 67 as referenced in the table. >> 67 D again. Yeah. >> And then you have $7,000 shown as the recommended and that is also D. So, that was another cut that the police department made because they took $25,000 off the acco budget and left
seven to to remain with. >> And this is obviously something that we'll explain and have in we'll have an actual supplemental document that will be one cohesive document for this as well. >> Sure. >> And we'll do it as in years past where we'll we'll go B will go through um you
know uh group at a time. Yep. ask if there are any holds and then vote each and finding separately. >> We can explain them explicitly as we go along. >> Great. >> Jim, how's it look? >> So far so good. >> All right. Good. Good.
So 3A um obviously is the the budget that's being cut. Um on this one, the FinCom did not I mean they have a I had them as FinCom recommends on 3B. >> Mhm. um because that was their vote. When it comes to 3A, obviously we're
trying to avoid that. So there was no recommendation made by the FINCOM on that. >> So you're looking for the select men to be in tow on 3B. We're talking specifically about the override and supporting the override. >> That that's essentially
>> so they're they're making their support of the override known by their recommendation on the 3B budget. >> 3B budget. >> Correct. Okay. Okay. Uh, thoughts on that, guys, on which budget we're we'd like to recommend?
>> 3B. >> 3B. That's my 3B. Tom, any ideas? 3A, 3B? >> Are we going to Are we going to dig in on 3B at all or just uh is that we just >> That's what we are. >> Dig in. What do you mean? Help me out. >> Well, 3B is the 1.5, right?
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Just as we listed it out previously, >> correct? >> I mean, I guess I wish I was stronger from the starter, had more support. I I I would have preferred to see separate overrides. I know that's not where we are at the moment. Um so I won't hold this up, but I know and I know I can move to town floor.
>> That's doc Steven on Tom's idea. >> I think from a timing perspective it's difficult. >> Maybe it is now, but I've been on this for a month. >> Yeah. No, I understand. >> I've asked three or four times >> and we could technically still do that and it can technically still be done that way on town meeting floor. Um
>> I'm okay with that. I don't I don't want to hold >> but I mean special town meeting could also be called and then we could definitely separate out the buckets if it fails. >> No, I'm okay. I'm okay with it as printed. I just wanted to know there that you know. >> Okay. >> I tried. >> Yeah. >> Mhm. >> That's the beauty of this board, Tom. And I can speak for you and for Bill in
that I know everything you guys bring to the table is what you think is the best for the town. >> So that's board select recommends for 3B. >> For 3B. Well, we have to we have to take the vote. >> Okay. So um I will entertain a motion for the board of selectments to recommend 3B. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> I Oh, I just say I >> I haven't had a chance to watch the fin. Wasn't able to watch the fin. Are we allowed to talk about the fin vote on that >> from last night? >> Sure. Yeah. >> Was that was that a unanimous vote? >> Yes.
>> Three vote. >> Yes. 70. Yep. >> All right. >> All right. We're cooking with gas. Article four. >> Yeah. So Jim, I did add the bolded section to above and below. >> Okay. >> So it's on both sides. So hopefully folks will not miss it. Um that was just
a point of reference from the FinCom meeting um to clarify where I had added that bold that bold section you see was originally placed just here and then I moved it up to the in front of the other article as well just for more clarification. It's verbatim exactly the
same. Um so article four to see if the town will vote to amend uh town fox town bylaw section 23-3 subsection 5 authorize revolving funds to include one additional revolving fund as identified below or take any other action relative there too. This is for EV charging
revolving account. We have uh monies coming in from the level three chargers. This is to establish the account so that we can pay future um software agreements or warranties or maintenance costs on the chargers themselves. So, as of right now, Stephen, it's coming to the general fund. >> Yes. >> So, we haven't set up this is
essentially >> set up an account an account for that. So, pretty cut and dry, but I'll entertain a motion for the board to uh recommend article 4. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> opposed. Passes unanimously. >> Article five. >> Article five. to see the town will vote
to raise an appropriate or transfer from available funds the sum of $100,000 to the reserve fund to cover extraordinary or unforeseen expenditures during FY2027 in accordance with chapter 40 section 6 of mass general laws and to transfer from available funds a sum of $50,000 to
water department reserve or take any other action relative there too. >> This is from what I remember this is an annual article that we do. >> It's the uh oshoot fund. You know, it's always good to have a reserve fund to cover, as it says right here, extraordinary unforeseen circumstances.
So, um, you know, traditionally 100,000 and 50,000 isn't a lot of money, but it's still >> what's in the accounts something. I can I can check that with Lindsay tomorrow, >> but doesn't hurt in my opinion to always I know we're up against it this year,
but to still kind of have add to a little bit of a rainy day fund if we can if we can swing it >> in case of emergency break glass. >> Yeah. >> Thoughts on the board? We're good. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Um I'll entertain a motion to board of
selectment to approve article five. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> Article six. >> So on the next set of um articles, the fincome because they had no financial um
backing or status. These were obviously no recommendations. So these are the government study committee uh questions. Um and the first one is to see if the town um if town meeting will change the town clerk from an elected office to an appointed office. Um I think this
board's very familiar with these articles and especially Tom. >> Um and he can speak to them as far as you know the content. >> Um but as far as that's concerned, I think you guys can issue a recommendation on that if you'd like. But I mean
>> silly question. We're technically the ones proposing them. >> So doesn't that just assume that we support them? >> That was the same case with article one. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Article one we proposed. >> Right. So, I'm wondering with the ones that we're proposing, do we have to
um >> would you not support something you're proposing? >> Well, article Well, article two was proposed by the finance committee and they recommended it. So, if we're going to be consistent, we should >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. No, I mean, I'm I'm for all of them, but I just didn't know what >> my only question on six
>> six >> seven >> seven >> uh eight. Yep. >> I know we're not there yet. And 10. >> Okay. Should the finance committee have made a recommendation or would it have been approved to do that where they do
affect future wages and earnings potentially? >> They do and I think that sort of almost came to the surface but then I think the fincom decided that that's more of a personnel matter. >> Okay. Um >> yeah it's wagering personnel. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. >> When it comes to >> I mean we know there's a financial impact because it's staff. So >> would all so the town clerk, the town treasurer collector, the highway superintendent >> would all fall under wage agent personnel
>> or some other sort of contract potentially depending on how BOS decided to >> uh effectively >> staff those positions moving on beyond elected. >> I mean I've I'm I've read all these
articles. I've followed the work that the government study committee has done. Uh I could not recommend these any more than I am ready to recommend. You know, it just makes in my opinion just makes sense. Um so I would I would uh gladly
have the board recommend these. >> I agree. I think >> the fincom did them as a group. >> Yep. >> So they approved them as a group because they were all sort of uniform. So they approved them all as a group in one vote. >> So we should just review them quickly then. Article six was >> article six was the town clerk. >> Sure. Town clerk
>> moving from appointed to elected. Article seven was the treasur collector moving from uh elected to appointed. Article eight uh is the office of the highway surveyor or called in Halifax as a highway department superintendent from
elected to appointed. Article nine is the change of the executive board from uh board of selectman to select board. And article 10 is the water commissioners going from um elected to appointed. >> Just remind me when we vote here in a
second. I can vote. I don't have to recuse or anything like that. Right. >> Yep. Correct. >> All right. Um any other discussion? If not, I will entertain a motion for the board of selectmen to approve articles 6 through 10 for the upcoming town meeting. >> So moved. Second.
>> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. And so those are all >> those are back there. >> Yep. That's it. >> Just so I know. >> Yeah. No, that's okay. >> Yep. >> Uh article 11.
>> What is this one? >> Article 11. >> Oh, this this is the Hero Act, right? >> This is the Hero Act. Y >> um so the Hero Act. Um the fincom unanimously recommended this 70. Um, so
this is to see if the town of Halifax would vote to accept Mass General laws chapter 59 section 5 clause 22I, which authorizes annual increase in the amount of the exemption granted under Mass General Laws Chapter 59, Section 5, Clauses 22, 22A, 22B, 22 C, 22E, 22F by
the percentage increase in the department, US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for the previous year as determined by the Commissioner of Revenue to be effective for the applicable exemptions granted for any fiscal year. Secondly, to see if the
town of Halifax will accept Mass General Laws chapter 59, section 5, clause 22J, which authorizes increase of the amount of the exemption granted under uh Mass General Laws chapter 59 section 5 clauses 22, 22A, 22B, 22 C, 22E, 22F by
100% or any other increase approved by town meeting of the personal exemption amount subject to the conditions in clause 22J to be effective for applicable exe exemptions granted for any fiscal here beginning on or after July 1, 2026 or take any other action
relative there too uh proposed by the board of selectment on behalf of the veterans officer. So, so my question to this is have I don't know if Steve was able to provide or if Jim if the fincome had any idea as
to um if we have uh a generous amount of folks eligible for this program what our number >> so the financial >> don't want the chart >> yeah I didn't have the chart I do have the chart in my office but there's a chart with the um that Caroline from the
assessor's office put together that shows the minimum contribution of change so The vote that def made approves a uh obligate an annual obligation of $64,000 to the town. Okay, that would be extended above what it was for this year
for exemption ability. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that that obligation will come forth because the numbers can fluctuate over the course of the year. So, it may not be 64,000. It may be less. >> Mhm. Um, so it is classified each each
category each each 22 22A 22B 22 C 22E 22F those are different classifications and there's different residents that qualify for each one of those different categories. >> Each of those categories are also worth a different dollar amount as far as what they receive as a benefit.
>> Um, and then like I said, the additional charge would be about 65,000 annually, but we don't know what that full amount would be. Um it could be less than that. >> Okay. So you're telling me 65 is kind of the m the cap would say the max have to
be done through a separate >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. Any discussion from the board at all on this one? >> No. >> All right. Seeing none. Well,
>> I Yeah, listen. I always want to support the veterans. Um just a on on the on the circling back to 3A and 3B. Just a little bit of a look. Um >> um so there's also I mean there there's
also the issue of whether we want to go 100%. I mean we can set the percent as whatever >> I'm okay with personally putting my name on voting guest for this. I just it should be recognized that I think that there are some who are going to
>> object who will say hey listen >> and that's and I and I think that >> it's a little bit of a just position of position when we're asking on one thing and then giving on the other. So I just want to >> and I don't want to I don't want to speak for Steve Littlefield but I think there is the acknowledgement that while they are presenting the 100% funding
that they very well might not get the 100% at town meeting. you know, what might be edited on the fly um at town meeting. So, so there's that, you know, facet to it as well. >> And in the meantime, if you guys if this is something you guys want to take a
look at and then view it with town meeting, I can provide those those data for you like today. >> No, I'm I mean, I'm okay with it. >> I'll give it to you. >> I'm okay with it where it stands. I just >> I think it's worth noting >> in the bigger picture. Yeah. >> Of in the 21 articles here, there's these these two there are two that are
flying in the face a little bit. >> Yep. Um will we will we have access is that chart public knowledge? Is that chart for the public consumption? >> I mean you could probably figure out the numbers by doing enough public records requests that yeah I would make it I mean it's it's simple Excel. It just
shows the number. It doesn't have any um confidential information. It's just essentially public information >> and that's broken down Stephen as the different >> as the different uh yes as Jim saw it's broken down by like 25 50 75 and 100%. >> Okay. >> Okay. And it's based on FY 2025. So you
can see the obligations and how they're broken down. >> Just a quick formality question. >> 22 A B C E F. We skipped D. I'm obviously guessing that's not a mistake. Is it that we don't have any classifications under that code? >> Yeah, I mean this is verbatim through what Steve sent us. So uh we'll double
check for the presence of 22D >> before we print them all. >> Well, it says it twice. So I'm guessing it's correct. I'm just wondering if it's intentionally on. >> Yeah, it could be. Yeah, we don't have any or may could we have them down the line? I know that's a >> or it could be right on there and I just missed it. >> Yeah, >> just double check. >> I will double check. Good double check.
Y >> Okay, that said, um I guess I'll entertain a motion to approve article 11 for the board of selection. >> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? I >> opposed. Passes unanimous. >> All right. Article 12 is the solicitation and canvasing bylaw.
>> Yes. So on this one that was going to say board of selection recommend on behalf of the veterans agent. How are we going to >> I think we can just do board of selection. >> Just a separate another separate line. >> Pam another separate line. >> Yeah. I'm I'll help you edit tomorrow. >> We're just going to add separate lines
that >> Yeah. So I'm sure you guys have had a chance to read through this um as uh distributed by Chief Jobs. um the finance committee um made no recommendation because it doesn't particularly have a financial
impact. So >> my only question did we know I think Tom I think you brought up a good question. Um did we ever get to the bottom of whether or not it's allowed legally to just completely ban what it was soliciting or >> so there is an exceptions there's an
exceptions um we had the chief on during the fin and I believe someone did ask that very question. Yep. >> And if you look to section uh 4B, >> 4B is in boy. >> Yep. >> Exceptions. >> Yep.
>> So then you have regist registration shall not be required for officers or employees in the town, county, state, or federal governments. Should not be required for minors. Uh soliciting on behalf of for-profit organization, newspaper carriers. Uh the next one is >> cookies,
>> you know. Yeah. Essentially the next one is religious political newspaper distribution um non-commercial and other or other non-commercial purposes regardless of what other may what other such activities includes acts that would otherwise constitute soliciting or
canvasing. So there are a lot of exceptions there >> that would cover probably a lot of the reasons why people would be soliciting or canvasing. >> Yeah. So, they're probably going to be able to come into town and still be able to solicit a canvas because they'll probably qualify for one of these exceptions or groups. I mean, I
understand the minors one. I understand um >> the town and county. >> Yeah. Town employees, federal employees, state employees. Um >> what about uh candidates seeking re-election? >> Well, here under >> paper signing against >> Yeah. No political. >> So, that would be unaffected.
>> Yep. So, that's in section three here. Not nothing in this soliciting or canvasing viol should be construed to impose any registration required otherwise restrict >> or in any way regulate any activity for religious political newspaper distribution or public policy purposes or other non-commercial purposes.
>> Yeah. >> So >> okay. Hey I mean I think it's at least a really good really good start. You know let's start here and see how we do. >> So um any other discussion guys on this one? >> No. >> No. All right. Uh seeing none, I will entertain a motion to have the board of
selectmen approve article 12 for town meeting. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> All right. Flip then over to article number 13. >> Article 13 which concerns all the various revolving funds. Um, see if the
town will vote to fix the maximum amount that may be spent during fiscal year 2027 beginning on July 1, 2026 for revolving funds established by in town bylaws section 23-3 for certain departments, boards, committees, agencies or officers in accordance with Massachusetts general laws chapter 44
section 53E 1/2 or take any other action relative there too. Um, the only question I had on this was again I and I had asked the fincom about it. um when we get down to the school committee at the end where they we have those $100,000 caps down there. >> Yeah, it's I think that's too low
>> and I think at least having the conversation and they were having the conversation at their most recent school committee meeting about wanting to investigate that >> and I think these caps might restrict them. I know that it's probably another two years, another year plus out before they even entertain that. But do you
make the move on the cap this year or do you wait till next year and see what they're actually going to do? Well, I know at one of the the last um school committee meeting I was at, they did a synopsis where, pardon me, where if everything clicked on all cylinders and they hit everything just right, that if
they did charge full day kindergarten, it could bring in $200,000. >> So, I would hate as a town for us to cap that at $100,000. It just makes sense to me to bump that limit up in my opinion. I don't know if that necessitates a vote
of the school committee for them to or is >> Yeah, I don't know. I can ask that. >> Or is that a town vote? >> Because I remember we were actually and since then I've been asking them, you know, have you thought any about these two numbers and I haven't gotten really a response. So >> what is a concession stand? I know in
theory what it is, but what is it here for $10,000 under the board of selection? >> I believe it's the concession stand down at the ball fields. >> Yeah. Oh, okay. The um for baseball, it's not really softball cuz softball's in a different location, but they have
that. Um >> and why would we have why would we have any spending on that? >> Electric. >> Yeah, electric, I guess. Water. >> Actually, the electric bill is usually paid from um the baseball.
>> They still get money from that um credit that we have from Boston. >> Okay. >> Um and they're in there. It's usually $20, $30 maybe during the season, you know, but off season it's very stick.
>> Would you say that anything being fixed down there? Like let's say the dugouts need to be fixed or >> usually comes out of the sport. >> Yeah, usually out of their own the league. >> That's fine. That's a good That's a good question. >> And then just uh just a quick question. >> Uh I guess we be careful here. Um on the
fourth one down, >> one two three four >> earth removal review. Does that include litigation costs? >> I believe it's if we want somebody to come in and look at any sort of earth removal um operation. >> Okay. So, it's not
>> it's not current. It's not litigation cuz that's a separate legal that's if we want to bring in independent you know engineer >> separate from current or future litigation regarding removal. >> Correct. No problem. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, >> sorry. >> Oh, it's okay.
question's a bad one. >> Yeah, I need to understand these accounts, too, where they originated from. >> Anything else, guys, on 13? Are we comfortable with taking a vote? >> I'm okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. Y >> All right. I'll entertain a motion for the board selection to approve article 13.
>> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. Article 14, capital plan. >> So, yes. So, funding the FY27 capital plan to see if the town will vote to fund the uh recommendation of the capital planning committee. even though we really didn't have one uh for the
fiscal year 2027 capital plan and you will see why. Um and the fund and fund from the following. So the 19,300 from free cash is for the assessing department to do their certification which is a compliance reertification which is a compliance issue. Um and
that's necessary. Uh other than that I have stripped out everything except for the water retained earnings related capital items and I do need to make a change there. Um, so we're, you guys are familiar with the ban that was issued, the short-term um,
financing for the water treatment plant, correct? >> So, in learning about the ban, and I'll have it on the agenda for the April 14th meeting because we need to finalize uh, it to go to bond council for on the April 28th meeting. Um, what I need to
do with Bill Row and Lindsay tomorrow is figure out the dollar amount to pay towards the principal in order to roll over to next year in the ban. >> Okay. >> Um, I will figure that out tomorrow. Now, that number could be it's not going to be the 52,000 you're seeing here cuz
that's the interest that was budgeted for already as part of last year. So, that line is in the water department. uh it's actually 60k in the water department and that takes care of the interest associated with the rollover on the ban. Um now we have to figure out
what portion of water retain or earnings we will put towards principal because ideally we want to be done with this debt in the next two years >> two years right >> so I'm sitting with build tomorrow to structure the debt um payoff plan and hopefully it will be 500,000 this year
500,000 next year if it's not it could be more in the neighborhood of 250 you know 400 300 but it's going to be the ban rolling over uh to to fund this and water retained earnings >> and there's plenty of funding in in retained earnings for water.
>> Right now we estimate about 790K and that's and but that doesn't necessarily include the 300 they have on for the books for the filter replacement this year. Okay. >> So that's why I have to do the navigation with Bill Row in the morning to figure out which amount to put towards principal tomorrow so we can get that number knocked down so the interest
is lower and obviously the principal is lower so we can get closer to paying it off. >> Gotcha. Did the Fed call know that last night when they when they voted that? >> No. I think I don't think I want to put anything on there that we recommend anything whether if the number's going to change >> without a number. Right. So >> I would I would >> do we want to do we want to wait put
make that one a at meeting? >> Yeah. That's fine. >> Okay. I got a question. This is the only capital we're doing >> for right now. We're going to do a special town meeting to address the rest of the capital items. >> And when's that going to happen? >> Uh probably end of the summer, early fall. So, I think the idea, Stephen, not to
speak for you, is that um it's hard to based on, you know, whether the overhead passes, whether it doesn't, uh how much we're going to have set aside for capital stuff. Do we want to invest in certain capital items, not knowing the status of our of our employment as as
far as having employees to operate machinery as far, you know, different things. So, it I agree with Stephen in that it doesn't necessarily make sense to make these expenditures until we've seen the dust settle from whether or not the override goes or doesn't go.
>> I understand that. But >> where the police department only got one cruise last year and now you're putting off this in the fall, the lead time of getting a cruise is a year. So now he's going to be a whole another year >> without a new cruiser and the the repair
costs are going to skyrocket. up for him without having new vehicles because you it's just it's a year process to get a new car. So if you wait till fall to go to town meeting get it you're talking next summer he's going to get the car probably which is puts him
way behind. It's just I mean >> so you're you're Bill you're looking at adding you'd like to add a cruiser to it. >> Yeah it's just repair costs are going to skyrocket. >> I mean >> drop a transmission eight grand easy. I mean is it something that I mean this
has already gotten the blessing of the fincom >> but the number changed >> right but the number did change >> well only water retained earnings which is >> you can't you can't do anything else with water retaination which we have to do >> like so don't be I mean the 52,000's
coming off but that number literally is to pay off debt so it's only coming out of water retained earnings >> yeah that's it >> so just just to Bill's point if we left as is made our recommendation at town meeting one and that final number could change.
>> Mhm. >> If Bill or a citizen brought up on the town floor to add to this article the appropriation of a cruiser at this town meeting rather than wait for the special. Is that an option? >> I guess technically yeah I'd have to
verify but >> rules. >> Right. So I mean if we can if we can amend article 3B's budget to break down the override of 1.5 and pick and choose that number then we probably are similarly okay. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. >> I just don't want to I don't want to leave him short you know. >> Yeah. And I just wanted
>> just be aware the capital planning committee has not met this year. >> Yeah. >> Has not met. >> What can I ask why? >> Just scheduling I guess. >> Yeah. So we were working you know we had >> we have a list there's a request list a list of
requests >> we have a list that's give us that you mean to pack through the list to see what >> we haven't really so the capital planning committee hasn't met so that's probably just more timing new town administrators right fantasy was just
kind of like rubber stamp and stuff as he was here y >> um so we haven't had the capital planning committee hasn't had a chance to review it discuss it and talk to department heads. Now, department heads have to every year give us their operational budget, right? Their capital requests and any revenue estimates.
Those are the three things they have to give us annually. Um, and that's governed by I don't know article 44 somewhere in one of those sections. Um, so that's that's we we haven't had a chance to discuss this with anybody capital planning wise. the FINCOM asked
the at the outset there was monies in there for the highway department and we just said we need to take that out because if nobody's getting anything we can't put anything in there for one department out of just out of a sense of equity and fairness. >> Um so we left the reertification in cuz
we need to do that. Um but again town meeting rules if somebody makes a motion to allocate whatever you know >> bear in mind the money's got to come from somewhere. Sure. >> Right. >> It's not money sitting out. >> Are we certified yet?
>> Got an email today that Martin is working on it in their office. >> I checked I checked DLS and it's not even there. >> I No, Jim. I literally got an email today and said that Martin is hopefully going to have it by. >> It'd be nice to know what free cash number we have so we can make these decisions. >> Y. >> So, let me ask you this. On this expense
sheet for the accessories, last year we voted 295. >> Mhm. If 193 is here, why is why is it on this budget here? >> That was uh >> I know you weren't here, but why wasn't it voted into last year's budget if it needed to be done?
>> Is this an annual thing or is this a different >> This is a This is not an annual thing. This is a reertification that comes up every I'll have to verify. >> Three, five, seven years. >> Three, five, seven years, >> right? But we probably should have been budgeted for last year if we knew what was coming here rather than appropriate the money out of free cash.
>> That would have been in town administrator duty. No, I I understand that. >> I'm not casting stone on this house. You understand? >> Yeah. No, I understand too. Yeah. When I'm looking if we budgeted 30 and 20 of it was here, then they were >> When I'm looking at a total When I'm looking at a total 19,300, I'm like, why
is why is this the 100% necessary item on the capital plan? >> If it's required, it's required. I just I'm wondering why it wasn't accounted for. >> But to your point, Tom, I agree 100% why it wasn't just simply budgeted into an expense line in in the department. So on this our article 14 guys. So we want to
have a recommendation made at meeting. >> Yeah. >> You okay with that? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. So I'll entertain a motion to have the board selectman give their recommendation at the town meeting for article 14. >> So move. So >> second. >> All those in favor? I oppose. Pass. Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Article 15. One of the Troy
Garren articles. >> Yeah. We should be able to move through the next few pretty quickly. So, this is the um article that pertains to the monies that are spent to help folks with um elders, low-income families, and their children, including those the town of Halifax or any other action relative
there, too. The finance committee recommended, and I am looking into what the status of that account is because they wanted to know if anyone's actually using it. >> Correct. I did get some odd survey for that one. I do have um they give me a quarterly report.
>> So I have that one, but as for the other one for the 3500, I have to ask them about it. They >> they don't send it. >> So you're saying legal services, Pam, you have documentation that shows that Halifax residents use it. >> I got a lot.
>> All right. So I'll entertain a motion for the board to recommend article 15. >> So move. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I >> passes unanimous. >> Um 16 is unpaid bills. >> Yes. So I did take um some suggestions from the fincom and change the language
here because it was worded differently when I presented to it to them on Monday night. Um so this will be to see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate transfer from funds a sum of money to pay any unpaid bills run to the town or schools for unpaid bills received during
the current fiscal year 2026 or take any other action relative there too. It was very vague before and I think I doubled up unpaid bills in there. Um, so it's still poorly worded. >> We have no idea what the amount is. >> No, we will have an updated amount at town meeting. We will know what the
amount is. Um, >> you guys want to hold off and wait till the meeting >> or I mean essentially bills are >> Well, our our issue was time. >> Mhm. >> So there wasn't a cap. So, you know, as an example, the state of Massachusetts
gives you 6 weeks at the end of their fiscal year to build them for whatever services you did for the previous year. >> Anything after 6 weeks, >> it's not getting paid. >> Right. >> Right. Ours says nothing. So, I could find a bill on my desk from two years
ago and say, "You guys need to pay this." Or I could do some work in January or in June and then wait till the end of the next fiscal year because we passed this article and bill you for something that happened 24 months ago. >> Sure. >> So it needs to be in my opinion it needs
to be capitated. That's just business. That's just smart business. >> Right. Sure. >> Or the date. >> Yeah. If you got 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, you know, that's a policy decision. So it's not a it's not really a warrant article. It's more of a financial policy decision which the fin
will undertake here in very short order. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Sounds good. >> And I agree with the fin sentiment 100%. Um because we don't like bills that sit on tables or people's desks. And >> we're not trying to short any >> and even Lindsay said, you know, as an
accountant, she would like to see the bills when they show up. >> Sure. you know, because we're getting bills from various departments that are three or four months, you know, after they showed up in in town hall or at the school department or at >> that's more of an internal thing, not a vendor to customer, >> right?
>> Yeah, we're getting it. Just not all the way up. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, I think if we take out So, you say town or schools, take out that four unpaid bills. Yeah. >> You know, what reads better? If you take out that four unpaid bills section, >> pay any unpaid bills under the town. >> Yeah. So, take out that second four
unpaid bills. It just reads better. Um, I'll entertain a motion for the board to approve article 16. >> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? I >> I posted pass unanimous. >> That also just to add a note there, that was the article that effectively
eliminated the need for special town meeting. Uh, cuz that was the only item on special town meeting. And after consulting with town council, the rationale was during a special town meeting, you need uh 9/10 of a vote. And during uh annual town meeting, you only
need four fifths. So the the line to get is easier to achieve. And when you're talking about bills, you know, we can explain it away simply as if you vote this down, then we will actively be sued by other council and people vendors will come get their money. Um so that's the
rationale behind it. So, article 17, uh, you're saying, Pam, that we got to wait a little bit to get more information on >> whether or not the who's using it. Halifax folks are using it. That's for the domestic abuse. >> Yeah. >> How about the other we got we get I can't remember because I always because
they both I'd be okay on this one making an exception to my general rule about wanting more information. If we're making 3500 available >> to citizens for domestic violence intervention, >> I don't need to see the using I >> I would I would argue to make it available to all >> to all people, non-halifax residents
included. >> I'm okay with that. >> Okay. >> I don't want to speak for No, I know that too. >> A lot of this money is used like >> if it's even if it's I want it to be I would I like to be available for everybody. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Yeah. All right. I'll get a motion to approve article 17. >> So moved. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. So, article 18, >> article 18 is 4. >> Yeah. So, that's pretty simple, guys. Uh, for the hundred the the huge sum of $150 um it essentially puts Halifax um as
part of the county cooperative extension service, makes them eligible. So, I entertain a motion to approve that. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I passes unanimous. Uh Stephen, article 19. >> Article 19. So, this is the PAS article. So, we have backto-back PAS articles
here. You'll see them. um here and how they relate. So to see if town will vote to uh pursuant to MGL chapter 40 section 5B to establish a uh stabilization fund to be called the PAS settlement stabilization fund for multi-dist uh
litigation against manufacturers of per and poly floral alcohol substances PAS. Um, basically this is the article that establishes the account because we have been receiving monies in to the general fund and now we need a place to go put those monies so that we can spend them
according to the statutes that control them. So this creates the fund. >> My only question is does in order to ping pong balls does 19 have to come before 20? >> They don't have to be tied together necessarily. Okay, >> they can stand independently. So what happens if article 20 comes up first
and we vote to approve >> the transfer of the of the money and then article >> 19 so so what we so what we've done in the past guys is if 19 or 20 gets pulled >> you do them 19 then 20 they are they do have to be
>> okay so we'll can I ask a question you guys didn't recommend or >> we wanted more information okay >> and we're make a decision at town meeting >> okay Yeah, it was mainly about the wording and I did add a word at the end. You'll see um there had um Frank
Johnston had questioned the use of the funds as far as being only applied to drinking water and then I changed it. Um the last sentence I included with applicable environmental to capture not just drinking water but also any
environmental PAS issue. That wasn't just the only objection because it we we felt that it just being under the guidance and super and um of the water commissioners. >> Well, that's what the settlement comes down to. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Well, you know, we we were thinking it
should be in collaboration with perhaps the board in order to direct the monies cuz it's a fairly substantial sum of money >> that is going to be set to this specific board to spend on this specific issue. And if this specific board spends it on
something else, it's not following this specific issue and there is no oversight. >> Are you guys okay if we um punt on this and make it at the meeting just so it gives us more time to do some more digging? >> That's fine. But I do think we should tie in 19 and 20. >> Yes, they've got to be tied in.
>> Yeah. So we'll tie 19 and 20. >> They've got to be and I know we've done that in past meetings. So that's that's okay. So basically if 20's total we go 19 then 20. Correct. If it's 19 goes we can put it back in. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So what I will do is I will look into um
the statute as far as who controls this money. That's what it boils down to. >> Controlling it and spending it. Two different things. >> It will save the settlement. >> Okay. Um so so I'll entertain a motion to have the board selectmen make their recommendation available at town meeting
for articles 19 and 20. So >> second. >> All those in favor? I >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> We're down to article 21. >> Yes. And this one is this one was one we've talked about before. So, um this would apply to basically if we had any
like breweries in town. So, on premise um changing of alcohol, beer and wine to all alcohol, uh as a local authority versus um the typical going to the ABCC with other types of situations like this. >> Someone we just talked about that last uh public hearing.
>> Yep. Yeah. Okay. >> Yep. Um, any discussion from the board? I'm okay with this one. >> Nope. I'm good. >> I'll entertain a motion to have the board approve article 21. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. >> Passes unanimous.
>> Article 22. So, article 22 is the citizens petition uh regarding soil soil reuse um and declaring uh certain aspects of certain businesses
in town nuisance trades. There's a lot in this um >> has legal weight in yet. >> Yes, I do have that for you guys to review. So, um there's a lot here guys. Uh, I don't know if you guys have kind of read through it yet or need more time with
it. Um, and again, we do have our our council has looked into this and made their opinion known. >> Um, I'd like to probably review that before we >> Yeah. >> So, you guys want to do it after meeting? >> I'm just concerned. My biggest concern is we got a landfill. It's got to be
fixed. >> Mhm. >> And >> Mhm. >> we start limiting how we're going to fix it. It's going to cost us more money and more money. It's going to take some options off the table. >> I mean, if you go to the side of it, it's all eroding in the side. It's it's coming down into the water. It's got to be stopped. >> Yeah.
>> So, >> well, we could we could take a vote here to not support article 22. >> We're still waiting for the report from um >> from Tai and B. It was just signed, so they'll be out there very soon. >> Okay. >> So, yeah. So to that point, I don't I
don't think we can, and I'm speaking for myself, guys, I don't think we can yay or nay this because we have the Tide and Bond thing still waiting to come in to give us an independent look at at the project we're talking about here. >> Um, >> which is not going to be done before town meeting.
>> Thoughts, Stephen? >> I can check in with that. I'll verify. Um, I expect the turnaround. So, the contract was the Yeah, it was just signed. Um, I know the operator is very
open to having them on site as soon as possible. >> Um, so I imagine they'll be out there within the next week or so. I mean, I know we've got like 5 weeks, 6 weeks left to town meeting, so it's going to be tight, but we'll definitely know more information before town meeting. >> I think that in conjunction with the legal review, I'd be fine with I don't I
mean, >> make it at the meeting. >> That would be Yeah. Yeah, definitely. give us more to because there's a couple of different balls in the air. So to kind of come down on one side or the other right now might seem a little premature. >> So I'll make a motion for the board of selectment or I'll entertain a motion,
sorry guys, to um have the board of select and make their recommendation known at town meeting for article 22. So move >> second. All those in favor. >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> Nice small concise warrant. There you
go. Yeah, I saw the politicians that >> valid questions. We we we don't get into that. >> This is just the election warrant. We were able to do it in one so that we don't have to create a separate warrant. >> Yep. We don't have to give our our blessing on article 20. >> We don't have to give Sue more work to do. >> Did we ever I mean this is probably not
why we're here. I know Jonathan whatever. Um did we establish it's Halifax Elementary School. We didn't there was no need to other venues. We discussed in other venues. >> Yeah. Yeah. We actually we're having a meeting tomorrow morning to start uh planning logistics everything. Y
>> what's our over under? How many folks are showing up? >> I'd say >> on Monday, May 11th. >> Close to five. >> 500. >> Uh 300. >> Take the over. >> I'm going with the end. >> I'll split the difference. I'll go four.
>> I'll take the over. >> Come on. >> The price is right. >> All right. Um Guys, Pam, give a quote. Pam, what do you got? >> Um, >> 522. >> Sorry, Pam.
>> You should say, I'll go with one or one. >> Yeah. Is there Is there a $1? >> Anybody number? Oh, I thought you asked for the number. >> All right. Anything else on the board? >> Uh, before I ask for a motion to adjurnn. >> Everybody good?
>> All right. I'll let a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? I >> I opposed. Meeting is adjourned at 6:32. >> Thank you very much, guys.