Okay. By my clock here, it is 6:02 on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026. I'd like to call the Halifax Board of Selecmen meeting to order. Uh we are in the selectman meeting room right here. This meeting has been posted in accordance with the provisions of Mass General Law
Chapter 38 section 20B and pursuant to chapter 38 section 20F. Notice being made that this meeting is being recorded will be posted on area 58 community access channel. The board chair which is myself reasonably anticipates the following matters will be discussed and or voted on at this meeting. Agenda
items may be taken out of order and we plan on doing that this evening for some time management considerations. We're going to start the meeting like we always do. For those that can, please stand. Do 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 guys. All right. So, as I said in the beginning, we want to do things in the essence of time and we do have a visitor
with us this evening. Chief Wii's here. Um actually before we get started too re really quick attendance uh Pam McSherry our assistant uh Bill Smith selecman Tom Pratt selectman Jonathan Celig selectman Steven Solbo town administrator and
chief with them you are here we had this item on the agenda for our last meeting um but we just had some questions and just were wondering if you could walk us through uh the new ALS agreement with B Plymouth. >> I'd be more than happy to. >> Awesome. Appreciate it. I'm just going to swing this around so people can hear
me. Okay. Uh, so basically it's a basic agreement that all communities have to have to operate in their homes. Um, there's not a lot of changes that happen throughout the years. I've been doing this 37 years now and be honest with you, the the paperwork pretty much looks the same. Uh, there are some changes
that can happen depending on what doctor is in there that you know we work under. So what this agreement entails is um an agreement. This one happens to be with BI Bly uh B South. So the old Jordan hospital um what this entails is
basically we work under a doctor's license. So as a paramedic I'm certified certified in parame medicine but we work under that doctor's license. So there's a couple key factors that come into play. We have an agreement and an affiliation with the V hospitals. So
that gives us access to the pharmacy so we can uh exchange medications, exchange drugs, buy drugs, purchase medications that we need, things like that. We also have the uh make control doctor that works with us uh does all of our training. Uh we require to do rounds
with them. We need somebody a year. Um he comes to our station and does training us well. >> Yep. >> Um he also does uh he he's the one who basically says what we can do and what we cannot do. So what I mean by that is if there's a state regulation that we
ought to follow, we have state regulations to OEMs that we have, you know, basically a protocol that we follow. um he's the one that says yes, I'm comfortable with that. Uh I do allow you to do that or no, I don't agree with that. I'm not comfortable with allowing you guys to do that. So he can and
that's what I mean by there are some changes depending on what doctors in there. So out of the 37 years I think I can think of and it might be more like five doctors that I've had control doctors. Now we're in a a situation where we could be one of three hospitals. We happen to choose BI. We
had an affiliation there forever. Uh I've worked under Dr. use out of Brocken Hospital. I've worked out of Selshaw Hospital. I've worked with Dr. Tinowitz who we work with now. Uh have a great relationship with all of them. Um I think the key benefit to having the affiliation um just so you all know
there's zero cost to having an agreement with the hospital. Um I think the big key point is if there ever came up a situation where you know we had a complaint uh we had a a med medication error or something like that, I can call the doctor right away and say, "Hey,
what do you think? can you review this please? I've reviewed it. I don't see any fault in it. Uh but you know can you look into this? Uh and that can happen. You know there are times that things happen and it will go to the state level. A state gets involved and basically the the MIT control docket that we have in place you know can go
with us can make phone calls in regards to what we did or how we did it things like that. So kind of you know help us out and point us in the right direction. He's basically there for anyone. I can call him at any time and say doc can you review this case? I'm just not comfortable with it. Um, you know, we do, you know, QAQI all the time. Uh,
constantly on top of that. They can look at our files and and, you know, go run through everything and see what we've done. Uh, they keep us up to date on the newest protocols, the newest training, uh, newest equipment. You know, we also have regulations that we have to follow with the ambulance licensing, um, DEA
because we have narcotics and medications that we carry obviously in our ambulance. So this is just another affiliation that we have that protects us, protects the town, protects all of the, you know, paramedics and EMTs that work at the station. >> Forgive me if this is a silly question.
Is this an exclusive agreement with BIP? Like, uh, I mean, is that going to be our primary primary hospital? >> Primary hospital? >> Well, it it does. So, we can have an affiliation with any hospital we want and still not transport there. So our affiliation can be um you know with BI
but we can transport to selfshore we can transport to broad >> that's still an option. >> Yeah. That's what exhibit A is. So we have a patient with a broth in the hospital at the moment with future healthcare and so do we not have one with Southshore? >> We do not have one with social >> is it patient choice?
>> It is patient. So and that's what I mean just because we have an agreement and our med control is under BI we can transport to any hospital. So we get in there and it's closer to go to the Brockton hospital for you know accessibility and time wise and
everything else. We go to any hospital we want. Um even if we want to call make control we can still get med control through other hospitals. That's just the agreement we have. But >> the base agreement we have is with VIB. Um but that doesn't regulate us to do
you know most of our transport to BI or anything like that. It just basically says >> there's no obligation. >> Yes. It's every community has the same agreement and have worked under like I said social hospital worked at Brockton hospital work under they're all about the same it's just the doctor itself whatever he feels comfortable with um he
can allow EMTs to do certain uh procedures and things like that where other med control doctors may say I'm not at that comfort level yet and I don't agree to that >> but doesn't lock us into transports >> we can get med control by what I mean by
that in the back of our ambulance, we have a cement radio. So, we can call a hospital and speak to the doctor directly and say, you know, I need I need med control to push this medication. Uh we can call any hospital to get that. >> Gotcha. Okay.
All right. Any other questions from the board at all? >> Cool. All right. Um seeing none, I'll enter a motion to uh approve the board signing an ALS agreement with V Plymouth. as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor?
>> I oppos. Chief, thank you for coming. >> I appreciate. >> Thank you. >> Have a good evening. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh looking for is Steve Littlefield here yet? Is he coming on on? >> Steve said he'll be here between 6:30
and 7 because I know we have a couple of things going on. >> We'll jump down. Yeah. >> Um I do see we have I think um Mark is here for uh E on our agenda. So is the board okay if we jump down to E? Get kind of take care of all of our visitors here. >> Yep.
>> Um so E on your agenda if you're playing agenda bingo at home is Colonial Power Municipal Aggregation Amendment. Um Stephen, I know this is your wheelhouse here. >> Yeah. >> So you want to speak to um what we're looking at here? >> Yeah. So, I will uh introduce Mark and
let him take over, but I'll give you a brief introduction about how this came to be. Um, so last Thursday, Mark called me and alerted me to the fact that the municipal aggregation uh basically the price had been overrun based on rates and and usage essentially towards the
end of December. So, it left a amount of I believe $166,000 approximately. Mark, >> that's a correct number. That is correct. >> 166,000. And Mark, just sorry real quick. And where who where where are you with Mark? Just so we can know who we're talking
>> Colonial Power at 5 Royal Loation Consultant for the for the town. >> Awesome. Thank you, Mark. >> Thank you, Mark. So yeah, so Mark had reached out to me last Thursday alerting me of the situation that had arisen due to the low temperatures at the end of January that
caused some demand peak charges and caused the municipal aggregation plan to overrun its cost or what it was currently locked in at as far as what the rateayers are paying. So I will let Mark take over now and clarify for you that what that means moving forward for the residents of Halifax and and what
you guys will be authorizing potentially for me to sign off on. Take it away, Mark. >> Good evening, Mark with Formula Power. I'm here with Denise Allen with Formula Power. Um, so what we're here to talk to you tonight about Dave. This was a when
we went out to sign the contract. This is a brand new charge by ISO New England day ahead ancillary services charge. This charge was so new. Nobody wanted to nobody wanted to fix the cost. There was no way to hedge the cost and everyone
was nervous. So, what we worked out was, hey, we're we're going to um we're going to do a pass through. You're not going to pay any more than cost, which all sounded fine because I New England gave us um some uh some guidance for this um
this brand new charge of it being okay, it's going to be about a mill, right? Over all of ICU, it will be about 100 million $125 million for the year. That works out to about 0125. Well, we had an event in January that
that blizzard. I'm sure you're still unpacking it there at the town level that there are two days. The two days the cost was so high that they outstripped all of 2025 and all of 2026 projected cost by ISO New England. This
was so bad that ISO New England has come out and said, "Hey, listen. we have a mistake and we're going to adjust the program. Unfortunately, in the contract, we allowed for a pass through. So, all we're asking to do is to have a what I'm
hoping for. It's difficult to to change ISO right now because they they already gave us guidance and the guidance wasn't good. But we put six mills on the contract hoping to protect the town, but we're over that six mills right now. And
what I'm just glad everyone was sitting down. The cost is 00119 of an increase. So the current rate for the aggregation is 14166. The new rate would be 152 285
an average cost of about $6.75 per month per custom. The good news is you're you're just slightly below basic service. I don't mean good news. It's like 50 cents, right? So your rate would be 15285 and basic service is at 15372
small but make no mistake basic service rates are going to explode. First energy costs are going up and they don't have the full daisy in so when they went out to bid in December for this rate none of this chaos had
happened none of this exceptional cost had happened. So what we're expecting to see happen is the basic service rate will probably be in August around 2017 175. You'll be back at $10 per month savings. So for the next I'm hopeful for
the next 6 months to be some slim savings but still savings and then we're going to be paying down that that extra cost that is allowed in the contract for them to collect. We're only going to be paying costs. I want to make sure I'm clear on that. There is no margin on
this. We're going to verify that with them. The reason we want to start right away is it's it's a couple of of reasons. The governor has given everyone 25% off their uh their bill, which is off their electricity bill here in the next couple of months, which is a a
bonus for us. We'll take advantage of it. Usage is down, and given the guidance from last year's ISO cost for dates, it's down for March right through uh November. So the hope here is while
we're making these payments, these extra payments, we're paying this down aggressively and we can get back down to that, you know, the current rate of that 141. That's the goal here. And I I I will be back in touch with manager and let him know, hey, listen, this is
what's happening moving forward. I me, you know, they've fixed the cost, they've done X or Y, but make no mistake, they've committed to do something before that. So, forgive me if this I think I think so, Mark. I'll be honest. I'm trying to
wrap my head around it. My question is this aggregate is essentially an agreement. >> I can't hear you. >> Oh, Caesar, can they hear me? Hello. Hello. >> Hello. Hello. >> Hold on. Hold on.
>> Yeah. It's going to have to be a really good question now because there's been a lot of buildup. >> I got one. >> I can hear you now. >> Oh, great. You heard that. Fantastic. >> Yes, I did. >> So, so essentially, Mark, uh, put yourself in my seat here. We have an
agreement. Uh, we have we have this with ISO. What is our recourse? I mean, are our hands tied essentially? I mean, we can't just say no, we're we're not going to agree to this price adjustment or what what's our ramifications here um to
ensure that the town is getting its best opportunity. >> Yeah. So, in a sense, they have the right because it's over three mills to ask. I just want you to know if this rate was down and I'm saying to you, let's just say they came in at the mill. I would at some point I would be coming
to the manager say, "Hey, do you want to lower this rate or not?" I'm saying to you the opposite has happened and that's why I'm I'm here. They have the right to ask and given you're not the only town. I'm saying to you I have 60 other towns that are exposed to those that have same
cost. So I'm having this horrific conversation with many communities. You just have to be fortunate and not fortunate to be paying more but you're underneath basic service. >> Sure. We have certain towns that are overbasing service and it's you know given the energy burden in Massachusetts
this is just a ridiculous time for for these kind of cost to be being applied by isol on a brand new program that the lights have stayed on for the last 20 years. I wish someone had done a little bit more homework but but today from a contractual standpoint they have the ability to ask for this. I think the
time is right to do it swiftly given given those reasons I gave you know people use less in March and April the governor's giving us a little bit of help here it's a little bit of spoken mirrors but there's you know >> a little bit it's time so forth
>> so so that's why I thought now the time to act >> okay and and essentially you're saying that it's still going to be under the the regular rate um it'll be a slim savings to what the regular rate is almost negligible. But you foresee But
you foresee in the next 6 months or so going back to a greater difference between what our aggregate rate is and the current rate of electricity. >> That's correct. The one thing I want to make sure that everyone understands here, you bought the power, the
expensive part of this last year. What happened this winter guarantees next winter is brutally expensive. So starting in August, that's the winter rate. It'll have December and January in it. National Ge I I mean I can't I'm not going to promise it, but I'm telling you
it's going to be high, very high. It's going to also have 100% daisy in it at that time. So, you know, coming to a basic service rate near you, I expect it to be every bit 17 18 cents a kilowatt hour. >> Okay. The hits just keep on coming. What else we got here, guys?
>> What a nice thought for the governor to give us a 25% reduction. That's great. >> Yeah. >> Cheers. Right. That's That's a legit 25% reduction, correct? >> Yeah. No smoking mirrors, 25% reduction. That's all legit, right? Um, talk to me about the ISO's prediction uh last
fourth quarter and why that fell short and why we're here. These were extraordinary times like you mentioned, sir. What prevents the next quarter from being also being extraordinary? >> So, we have data on from from March all the way through, right? So natural gas
is the driver in this scenario and the big driver I just want to say there were two days January 26th to January 27th. Those two days outstripped all the cost that ISO had for G for 25 and 26. And the reason that actually happened was so
it was a blizzard and we got deep and I mean deep deep into the stack. So generation stack um how they how they actually procure and I is on New England. We've worked our way way down to no solar because of all the snow and then generation way way down. We're down
the last three generators. One of the problems we had is many of these are dual fuel uh plants and say they were going to say yes I'm going to run on oil. They couldn't get the oil to the facility. So many of them did not bid
because if you bid and you do not produce, they penalize you just dramatically. So could this happen? The answer is yes. The good news is this past weekend because we didn't have the same loads, meaning the snow wasn't as
bad and it was a weekend, we didn't have those huge daisy costs. I expect that running plenty of gas up here in Io New England from March all the way through no, you know, I'll say through October, no heating load. You and I get to use
that um gas to heat our homes before they can use it to generate electricity. But they I kid you not, shockingly, IO New England has said we have a design flaw and we are going to go to the FR to get this fixed for the winter of 26 and
27. So I'm hoping I'll be back. the administrator with some good news later on this summer. That's my hope. But I will make sure that he is a breast of everything that's happening because again once we've pinned this down, make no mistake, we shouldn't need if they
fix if they fix the problem. We should be able to back this off. >> If and if and you know, forgive me if you're being snide, but we are less than halfway through this winter. So I'm next I'm less concerned with next winter. What about this winter? ISO missed their
projections in the first half of this winter and we're short and here we are. So, what assurances do we have? Probably none. That ISO's projections for the next six weeks are not accurate or are they? And also your data today's February 10th. You mentioned January
26th and 27th. How deep does your data run through what day? >> So, the date only went through uh through January 31st, but >> it it has been bitterly cold for the last 10 days. Yep. >> Bitterly cold.
>> That is correct. We asked them for their estimates of the supplier right through February. So they had a good that that is included in that 166 so that we don't have to come back. Make no mistake about it. We made sure that we were we were tight the best we could do on how they
saw the load and so forth. >> I'm not I'm not doubting I'm not doubting this is the best projection they have, but their first projection for the first half of that winter was wrong. the the program was set up incorrectly. No one can. >> So So what are you asking from us
tonight after 50% of the program is putting us off kilter here? What what are we asking for? >> So tonight we're asking for the the administrator to be able to um increase the rate just sign a contract amendment to increase the rate by 011.
>> And the average the average impact on the the average impact of the taxpayer is what? >> Would you say $6? $6 $6.71. Just call it $7 a month. >> And you feel good about that? That's that's a good that's a good program that we signed off in the fall and we're
asking for good faith for residents for the next six weeks of winter. This is a good program for the residents of Halifax. >> Uh it's better than basic service. Is this a good situation? No, it's not a good situation. Aggregation does two things and I'm doing either one of them, right? It's about stability and savings
and I'm not delivering either one of them right now. So make no mistake, my job is to make sure that we to the best of our ability, we're not in charge of ISO, that we're able to solidify these costs moving forward and then bring that bring this price back into line the way it should be and then you know set it
and forget it. That's the goal here. But until these costs are calculated a little bit more um I don't want to say a little better for for everyone involved. Right now they got to do a redesign and what that redesign does I'm not certain. Sure.
>> Right now, we don't have the market to hit. >> And I'm not I I hope you understand. I'm not at you on this. I'm just talking out loud. Um you say set it and forget it, but what do we do in the fall? >> Well, the goal the goal would be at some
point ISO says here's the program. We we go to the supplier and say, "Okay, here are your costs." Now, again, guidance was terrible, but if we did, okay, we need to have 0.7. Okay. We bring down the rate by that by
a penny and and that's the rate is up all fixed low and the whole bit no more pass through because Daisy is now small that's the goal but again this is way above my payment needs to go to the first to get approval
and then their approval has to be in line with their diet. >> Sure. So >> my last my last question then I'll button it. Um we're not sure about this. So, you're asking for a leap of faith until next winter when rates will rise.
>> Cost, we're just asking to pay back the 166,000 right now. Make no mistake, Halifax will not pay more than cost. I I'm happy to show each and every uh month pay down or or added to so that that you can see that. But the supplier,
you're always passing through cost. That's it. this renewed cost that nobody could quite calculate at the time. >> Well, we were so we were we were sold that you could calculate it, right? We were we were told >> that you could calculate it
on the bottom mill. We put six on to protect the town. It didn't work. >> Can we put it one? We added six to the cost >> and it and it and it and it still wasn't representative of what we needed. So So the so the equation was broken. So
really, we're we're being asked here tonight to vote or rule on a broken equation, but trust that it's been fixed. That's where we are. >> All we're I just want to make sure I'm clear. All we're asking to do is pay back and it feels like the right time to pay back the cost that contractually
we're obligated to do. And when the hope here is ISO a message and they fix their program, that's the hope. Mark, can I can I ask you um I think in speaking with Stephen and he was mentioning um that there could be some sort of program being launched for for lowincome
families. Is that is that part of this agreement here? >> So there's another agreement. So just happened uh so this colonial has been approved for a low-inccome community solo program and it matches up perfectly with the usage in the town of Orange and the town of Halifax. It pulled town. the
low-inccome customers could get around two two and a half cents off for the next 20 years. Everyone it there's no commitment for the town. There's no cost for the town, but it would bring down the low-inccome customers. So, you know, when you're looking at energy burden and things of that nature, the customers
that need it the most would actually automatically get this under this program. So if you gave the authority uh of the uh the administrator to sign off on those contracts, it's just anou and an ASA as soon as this pro uh project came online. We would be delivering to
those customers. I'm going to use the current rate right now the 141. So the the low income customer would be paying like 121. We just be on their village 121 the next years. >> And and how Mark how would folks know that they're eligible? How what's what's
the process there? >> So, anyone that grid qualified as a low-inccome customer would automatically get that each and every one of them before the program started would get a uh a mailing letting them know, hey, listen, they're going to get an extra rate. The town of Halifax delivering
this discount. >> Okay. All right. Again, not not the best news, but um I I don't see any sort of alternative here. Can I ask you really quick, Mark, too? You've said you've you've made this uh presentation other communities. Are you seeing any sort of
uh I mean is it everyone taking their medicine or are you seeing push back in other communities as well? >> Un unfortunately everyone's taking their medicine because the timing is right. I'm not saying no no one's taking it willingly. I would say that and I don't
blame a soul because you know lots of budget municipal budgets are blowing up and you know given what's going on and this is just another step that people have to take. But Contractually, we're obligated to do it. That's the the difficult thing. >> Contractually by when, sir? When when
when? >> Well, we could do it at any point. It's not It's not obligated. It's anytime after three mills, they can ask. I think the suppliers here to work with you. I just thought given the timing is right to do it sooner than later because now
we're getting into it when when people's usage is coming down as well as the gau makes sense to do it now. pay it early. You know what I'm saying? We're paying it down quicker. That's the That's the only reason. If you wanted to wait a month or maybe year two, it's possible
that that rate could come. I I actually think it might come down a little bit just giving daisy cost in March might be much less than that factored in. >> And just for the uneducated, if we go from six mills to nine, the average cost on a taxpayer is6 to 7
or whatever. What does nine look like? Are we talking $11? Are we talking $40? What does that look like? >> So on this penny, right? On this penny that they're asking to increase about $7 a month. That's about $7.67
>> where we are now. So >> So $7. Yeah. And what if we what if we go to nine? What if we what if we sit in our hands and and wait, we're at nine mills. And so what does that look like to the average taxpayer? >> Uh you probably looking at around 50 cents. You got to come down more. Yeah,
you're probably looking at, you know, if it came down only went up nine mills, you'd be looking at like somewhere about a dollar less. A dollar 20 possibly. >> So for 50% we're talking about $2 a month. >> Uh for Yeah, that's about what you
each mill is about 60. >> Gotcha. Bill. >> Okay, Bill. Anything? You you keep saying they have the right to ask and what if we say no what happens then?
So if you're saying no, no, I'm sure that litigate because they're just coming to work with you, right? If you say I'm not going to pay it, I'm going to have to go to an attorney. Just our attorney, I can ask them, hey, they're not willing to pay it. What's the situation? Meaning, how does that end
up? I'm going to guess it's litigation. The one thing I should tell you is remember any customer can opt out of this program, no fear penalty, and they could opt back in. So make no mistake, it's not like forcing this on any they could go to basic service and pay a
little more if they wanted to. >> Right. Right. >> I just want I should have mentioned that earlier. I apologize for that, but it it would end up in litigation. I would imagine >> I just think I I just think it's unfortunate that the governor is generous enough to give 25% back to the
taxpayers and the ISO projections are off substantially and our recourse is getting sued again. What a backwards system. What a backwards system. >> I agree. >> All right. Um, >> any other comments or anything from the
board? Questions from the board? >> No. >> Uh, I guess I don't see any sort of >> I just want to say thank you. My my my angst is not towards either of you or your presentation. It just seems like a completely flipped thing where you come to us 6 months ago, present one side of
things with good faith estimates. It's signed. You're woefully short and underproductive on your estimates. There's no recourse. We get 25% token from the governor, which we all know is smok and mirrors, and there's no recourse besides future litigation. It's a joke. All right, Tom Pratt, ladies and
gentlemen. All right. So, that being said, uh I will entertain a motion to have uh Steven Silbo sign be our uh snee for the municipal aggregation agreement uh with
ISO New England. Is that verbiage proper? >> So, it would just be to sign a municipal aggregation ad amendment over first point power. >> First point power. >> That's correct. >> All right. So, I'll entertain a motion. Go ahead, Stephen. What would you
>> like to add the other program as well? >> Okay. >> Would you guys like to do that motion? >> Low income. So, if you want to do them in the same motion. >> Okay. So,
what's my Okay. I'll entertain a motion to make our town administrator Steven Sbo the signing authority uh for the um municipal aggregation agreement with first power as well as for anou
um with ASA um and I will entertain that motion for the board. He says to his compadres, >> I don't I'm just Can we >> Sure. Can we put this off to the next meeting?
I mean, does it have to be signed tonight? >> What's the What's the timeline? What's the option if we decide to push this off to another meeting here, Mark? >> So So we won't be able to effectuate a rate change in time for the daisy piece.
if you wanted, you know, the low-inccome community solar that that's not a problem. I I you know, that that's whenever you you get to it if that's something that you do. But if you wanted to make the rate so regulatory requires us 30 days ahead of time. So by
the rate change, you know, we're going to look at the meter rates, we'll be we'll have time to do that for March. >> If we go to the next, we will not. And then that will move it to uh an April uh rate change. And again, Mark, you know,
I know you don't like to bring be the bearer of bad news, but you're you're trying to find the sweet spot of unfortunately swallowing this medicine as we said before. And in your professional opinion, you think this is the time that makes the most sense for for us to do it.
>> My biggest concern is that you'd be over basic service and then there wouldn't be, you know, right now this there's it's dim, right? There's no not really 50 cents amount on you know there's not really a lot but at least we're break even. >> Sure.
>> The goal of this is you know to deliver savings. >> Correct. >> And then I hope come August we continue to explode those savings. That's my goal. >> Okay. And what if it and what if it goes what if it goes worse in the other direction? What if it goes worse?
>> No. And make no mistake I don't know it can go worse than it went. I mean, we're off by a factor of 20 right now. So, I don't think it can go worse only given how cold this winter was. But, >> but we're but we're only we're only half we're only halfway through winter. So,
you keep mentioning winter, but we're only really cold in the last 3 weeks. And your numbers are through February 1st. This last week has been colder than any week so far. >> Correct. And our estimate of the 16 uh 166 has February been there from the
supplier standpoint. Make no mistake. In fact, it is high cost, but they weren't as bad as January. I would I would argue that in March, we expect uh we expect those daisy costs to come down. And I'm happy to deliver that chart to to the
administrator just to show you what happened last March because at that point the heating season, I'm not saying it's over, and I agree with you, it's not over, but the the capacity issues for um you know, the natural gas issues, they kind of go away. Yep.
>> And now all of a sudden, you know, costs are much less on the daisy cost. >> Thisou that you're asking us to sign, how long is that good through? >> Theou for the low-inccome community solar, that that's going to be a 20-year
deal that customers would get that that that discount for everyone that's a a low-inccome customer would get it for 20 years. >> But this this is this adjustment that we're looking for to for the 166. Uh yeah, that so depending on where day
costs continue. So if if they continue to run low, I'm hopeful by the end of the year we might be able to work out something that says okay, we paid them down and and we're now at zero. I'm I'm not certain that's going to happen, >> right? Because if the if if the if the >> cost actually come in.
>> Yeah. So if the next assessment if the next ISO assessment is similarly wrong, we'll be right back here in the fall. Well, well, >> fa facing facing future litigation. >> Uh, no. I have data on what happened. So, that's why I'm trying to to get this
effectuated now. Correct. I know I know what happened last year. We've never been through a winter of days. And we have to hit double, you know, a double vortex. >> Haven't seen it in coldest winter in 25 years. When it rains and snows and snows
into a blizzard on the 26th, 27th. Sure. >> All right. We do have a motion on the floor, guys. If you want to um make any motion to accept or move it um so moved.
Do I have a second? I will second it. All right. All those in favor of the motion I >> I >> I Tom >> opposed. >> Okay. Motion carries 21. Thank you guys. Mark, thank you Denise for your time. I
know, you know, it's not uh it was like sitting in the dentist's chair tonight. So, um I we don't find, you know, we're not holding you guys, you know, at fault for this kind of stuff, but you can understand our frustration where we're trying to offer you savings to our
residents and uh it's not >> and it's not what we we originally thought it was, but hopefully there are better times ahead. >> That's it. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Thanks, guys. >> Yep. Take care. >> All right, moving over. We have another
guest. Come on down, sir. Uh, we're jumping over to B. We have Steve Littlefield, our veterans service agent for an update on the memorial garden. What do you got? Right in there. Right there. I flip this around. I'm excited to see this, but I saw on the agenda. Thanks. So, what do we got? Okay.
>> So, I'm kind of picking up Dave. Well, I know you guys have talked to Dave a little bit. >> So, uh, I'm kind of picking up. He asked me to kind of take over as the conduit. This is a VFW project. This is not a town of Halifax veteran service project. So,
>> um, he had this done up. I don't know if he did it or whatever. >> U, so the intent is to take the walkway and the bench area over here and kind of give it some meaning. Um, the Veterans Memorial Garden. So,
the plan um was kind of a multi-phased approach. So, this initial plan, uh, if approved, would cover some land basic landscaping. Um, there's an existing tree out there. The plan was to add a couple similar style, smaller trees,
some some small like perennials and some mulch. Um, just kind of spruce it up a little bit. At first, that's kind of this initial project that we were looking for. Um, no cost to the town, the BFW is going to fund it all. We have a couple um landscape contractors that
we have been discussing with and we've got insurance certificates and stuff like that that I know you guys have previously asked for. >> Um so that's kind of where we're at now. Obviously not going to be able to do anything until the weather breaks. Um the intent after that, we're still kind
of kicking around, but we were um discussing some ideas like a buy a brick fundraiser and kind of do a patio thing in that walkway and then in the circular area, >> people can buy bricks for, you know, different veterans or the families that sponsor the bricks, um stuff like that.
But that's still kind of up in the air. Uh we're just looking at phase one for now and that's kind of where we're at. Do you have a I know you say you don't have a set time. You have like a ballpark for this timeline for this project. >> We'd like to get it done before Memorial
Day, but obviously in between when the weather breaks, >> depends on what mother nature says. >> Yeah. >> Yep. Okay. >> So, >> and again, you said no cost to the town. >> No cost to the town. >> If they'll use foot in the bill. >> Yep. Yes, sir. >> Okay. Um >> what what about maintaining it? >> I was saying maint cost to maintain.
>> I have volunteered and as long as I'm here, I'll make sure I take care of it. Um, and I'm sure that the people in the BFW will do so as well. We're not going to need any outside resources to to maintain it. I mean, hopefully it makes landscaping for the highway department a
little easier. Um, but really no no big changes. I mean, couple trees and some mulch for now. Um, you know, if we plant flowers and stuff, we want things that are going to come back year after year. Not overtake anything over there. just to make it look nice and have a place
where people can go and reflect. And I know the girls like to eat lunch out there when it's nice out and just kind of make it something special. >> It is u I know ADA obviously is always at the top of everyone's mind. This won't that's currently ADA compliant. This won't change any >> Yeah. We won't narrow anything or make
it you know >> the designers have that in their head. >> I will make sure they do. >> Great. >> Great. So, you looking for um a motion to support here, Steve, or >> Yeah, we're looking for a motion to uh approve phase one. Okay, would be the intent.
>> Okay. Um I will gladly make a motion or entertain a motion to approve phase one of uh the memorial garden project on the town of Green. >> So, moved. >> Second. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Passes unanimous. Thank you, sir. >> All right. Appreciate anything you need
on my end as far as insurance for the people doing the work or anything. Yeah. You want you mind sending that over to Stephen so we can have it on file? >> Okay. Yeah, sure. I gave that information. >> Okay. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. Appreciate it, Steve. >> Have a good night.
>> You too. >> All right. So, I think we've done all of our special guests this evening. We can go back to kind of the standard order here. So, Bill, you want to jump back to approval of warrants and commitments? >> Certainly. I move to affirm approval of
the following warrants and commitments. Payroll warrant number 68 for $460,17.90. Vendor warrant number 69 for 131,75587. Withholding warrant number 70 for 156,537.76. Vendor warrant number 71 for
$329,285.96. School warrant number 72 for 219,718. Ableless commitments from 12626 to 2126 for 15,92160. >> Second. All those in favor. >> I opposed passes unanimously. I move to
approve the following warrants of commitment. Payroll warrant number 73476,994.73. Vendor warrant number 74 161,281.99. Withholding warrant number 75 for 162,948.36. Mobile park fee number two for 5,160
>> 0 cents. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> All right, we're going to jump down to C. Approval of select and meeting minutes. Uh I enterain I hope that you folks have uh read the following minutes here. So, uh, if there are no questions
or discussion, I'll entertain a motion to approve the meeting minutes for December 31st, 2025, January 13th, 2026, and January 27th, 2026. >> Some moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous.
>> All right. Going down to D on our agenda. What we do here in in uh the board of selectmen is every once in a while we have to have an executive session. uh in an executive session. There are certain reasons why we have to do things in a closed session and not uh
open in the open session that we have here uh that you guys are watching this evening. Um there are spelled out reasons why things have to be in executive session. Essentially, it's to ensure that the town uh is not uh in any sort of uh vulnerability for any sort of
legal action. um you know there basically there are ways spelled out as to why uh we go into executive session. Uh that said once those executive session minutes are done if it's an item that is no longer um being considered or
no longer has any sort of ramifications to current events in the town uh it is up to the board to release those minutes. So, we are making an effort. I just wanted to say we are making an effort to release as many of these meeting minutes as we can. We have a
bunch listed here uh on our agenda, but I do want to say I think we're going to do the first seven just to give us a little bit more time to go over some of these meetings just to make sure again that there's no uh any sort of vulnerable information that uh again
could put the town in any sort of uh legal jeopardy. So, that said, I think we're going to uh entertain a motion here to release the executive session minutes for January 9th, 2024, January 23rd, 2024, February 27th, 2024, March
12th, 2024, April 23rd, 2024, May 7th, 2024, and June 11th, 2024. Can we vote for them singularly if we weren't in attendance for those executive sessions? >> Have you read the minutes?
>> Yes. >> Um, so if you've read the minutes, I believe you are allowed to Okay. >> to vote on them. >> Yeah. >> So, so moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I opposed. Passes unanimous. And again, we will circle back and the
office is doing a great job. Pam's doing yman's work to get all these um you know up and to the public as soon as we can. So, we're going to continue to plow through these. Hopefully, you'll see more of these in the next meeting we have in a couple weeks um as we release things that uh no longer need to be kept
sensitive uh or privy to the town. So, that's what that move was there. All right, down to G. Uh board of selectmen open the annual and special town meeting warrant. It is that time of year. So, traditionally we have to open the
warrant every year um to start adding our articles to our start adding our citizens petitions. So, this uh effectively tonight we will vote to open it. Uh it remains open for what's the timeline on that? 6 weeks or so.
>> Um we're going to open it today on 21026 and we'll close it on 31026. >> So, it's essentially open for a month. Yep. Uh that gives us time to put our warrant articles together to collect any sort of citizens petitions that want to um submit for an article in town
meeting. Uh so it officially kicks off the the town meeting season. We're officially here. So uh without further ado, any questions from the board at all? I'll entertain a motion to open um the warrant for both the annual and
special town meeting for 2026. >> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor I >> I opposed passes unanimous. >> All right. H good vote to close it too on the 10th. Do they do that, Steve? >> Yes, we do vote to close. I remember to vote to close. >> So, you want to vote to close it tonight
or do you want to close it on the 10th of um March? Is that how you guys >> I don't think we need I don't think we need to set a close date right now. >> Okay. >> Um >> I'm trying to think of >> But I'm not I'm not sure to be honest. >> We meet on the 10th, >> right? We So, we'll just Okay, then I'll be there. >> Yep.
All right. H pickle ball conveyance documents. So, this is exciting. So, uh as part of our agreement with um Thornike developers that have put together the condominiums there on 58, uh they have granted the town given the
town a pickle ball court. Actually, is there four of them? I'm trying to remember the number. It's either two or four of them. Sorry, I should know that off the top of my head. But anyway, they're ready to give these pickle ball courts to the town. Um, >> can't see them yet, though.
>> Exactly. That's the problem we're having, Bill. So, as part of their conveyance to the town, we need to do a walk through of these courts to make sure that they're up to the town standards and specifications that we're essentially okay to receive them. Um, Bill brings up smartly so, we can't see
them. Um, so what we're doing originally, the agreement had us conveying them originally was January 1st, if I'm not mistaken, Stephen. Um, but now they're looking to move that to April 1st. So, I think it makes sense
for the town side. We don't want to sign off on any sort of courts or any sort of uh area that we we essentially can't see. Um, but yeah, we wanted to bring that to the board to the agreement stays the same. All we're doing on this
amendment is moving it uh to April 1st, which gives the town time to examine the courts, make sure they're up to um the specifications we're looking for uh before we receive the pickle ball courts as officially town property.
So, any questions or anything from you guys? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion uh for the board of selectment to sign uh the amendment. Was it amendment four? Which amendment was it? >> Uh fourth. Yep. Fourth. >> Fourth amendment.
>> Uh amendment four uh with the Thorndikeke development uh in regards to a date change on the pickle ball courts conveyance. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> Okay. Oh, Chris. Yeah. Sorry.
>> 129 Circuit Street. Quick question. Now, you just said once they're signed over, they're town property. >> Correct. >> And then we're fully responsible on maintaining them. >> Correct. They are town. They belong to the town. >> So when we look them over, we make sure everything's up to standard. They're built correctly.
>> Correct. >> No hidden >> correct facts or anything. >> Correct. And we plan on taking a field trip with our building commissioner, um, with members of planning, members of zoning, folks that are in the I don't want to say the business, you know, field, but folks that know what to look
for. >> Okay. So, >> engineer, someone will be there. >> Correct. That will that is a lot smarter than me that will be able to look through >> like the planning board meeting. They found like the crosswalk in the new Starbucks things weren't done correctly. Correct. Ripped up. Yeah. >> Show like something like this, you know, a month down the road you find
something's wrong with it. >> No, no, it should be it should be quite the traveling circus. We'll have a lot of folks, town officials there uh to go over it, check the landscaping, check the construction to make sure that, as you say, we're we're receiving this pickle ball court um in good faith that
it was done properly and put together. >> Question. >> Yeah. >> So, they're not going to be done with construction, >> correct? >> On the other projects, >> correct? town owns the pickle ball courts. >> Correct. >> They damage them during construction.
>> I I would think we have a claim there. You know, it's it's town property that >> somewhere that's we should maybe have that in writing somewhere that any future damage until they're complete is their responsibility. >> Yeah. I mean, I would assume it's essentially like any town property. Someone damages the town property, we we
have the right to collect. you're doing excavation stuff that could affect >> I don't believe so if you look at the site plan most of that stuff is is set way back right >> um so but to your point there could
>> y so >> um I don't know that's good question Stephen maybe for you if we want to reach out to thorn dyke and see how that should be handled >> yeah I can certainly reach out and see what they have in mind as far as trucks and stuff in the future passing by the pickle ball courts Let's say
>> they should have a pretty good idea as far as what their construction plan is. >> Sure. >> And if they want to put in an amendment to protect maybe themselves and the town, say any damages will be picked up, you know, necessarily by them or >> All right. Well, well, we've we've kicked it back to April 1st, so we have time. Y
>> So, um, if we get together with those guys and talk it out and we feel like there needs to be another amendment, um, you know, dealing with what Bill brought up, we can absolutely entertain that as well. For sure. >> Based what Bill just said. Um, >> sure.
>> With the continuing construction there, we're taking no responsibility, but will we have use of them? >> Like, will there be a parking here? >> Yes. Yes, there is parking. Yep. There's designated parking already set up. >> I didn't know the construction go. >> No, it's off it's off to the side, you know. So, there's a main road that
they'll be using, but there is parking area. >> So, we get used right away. >> Correct. April 1st. Grab your racket. Me and you. Let's go. It's on Clash of the Titans. Um, so it's and it's exciting. You know, it's I I've never tried pickle ball. I hear it's fun.
>> There's a lot of injuries. >> Oh jeez, don't tell me that. >> But no, I'm willing to give it a try. >> Yeah, >> I'm in tip-top shape, Bill, so that's not a problem. So, um, thank you guys for entertaining that. And we're jumping
down to I. We have to appoint our town administrator, Steven Silvo, as the Americans with Disability Act coordinator. Obviously, that's traditionally your town administrator. Steven is now our town administrator. So, uh it makes sense to appoint him for that. Um and then you'll see on Jay, we
also need to appoint him officially as our records access officer uh for any sort of rec records request. So, um what do you think? Do them together, guys, or separate? >> Separate. All right. I'll entertain a motion to appoint our town administrator, Steven SBO, as the
Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator. >> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. I will also entertain a motion to appoint town administrator, this guy, Steven Silbo, as our records access officer. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor. I oppose. Passes
unanimous. All right, down to the big part of the meeting, letter K for those following at home, our town administrator update. Stephen, you have the floor. >> Thank you very much. Um, yeah. So, what is this? Week three. We're in the midst of >> week three.
feel like I'm finally starting to set in and get a rhythm with the um with the staff around the building, getting familiar with everybody. >> Um you know, just listening, observing, seeing how things work around here. But on to more important things. So, like I said, I hit the ground running. Um you
know, I'll give you a quick budget update. So, me and Lindsay have been hard at work along with all the other financial staff in the building. We believe we've come to a number where we know where the neighborhood and ballpark of where the deficit will be uh heading into next year and we're going to investigate it a little bit more with
Sandy Nolan tomorrow as well as Linda McCarthy from Treasury and uh Lindsay as well uh at 1:00 to really finalize the the budget spreadsheet to make sure that Sandy has the institutional knowledge to make sure all the numbers are entered correctly and that all the inputs are
there. Um, so that you should have a really good idea by tomorrow afternoon. >> Great. >> Like I said, right now we have a a ballpark figure where we know where we're kind of stand. Um, so moving on to the next item. I have um my first department head meeting which I'll be scheduling for the second Tuesday in
March. Um Cody typically held these meetings on Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. The department heads have said that's the time that works most conveniently for them. So, I will flex to their um convenience and meet with them at 10:00 a.m. on our meeting day. So, anything that potentially pops up during that
meeting could make its way to this forum at night. So, um that's a good thing. I'm excited to get started with them and uh really get those meetings going, involve more staff, start one-on- ones with department heads, and really just kick that portion off. Um uh we have um
started the conservation agent uh interviews with the town of Bridgewater. >> Great. Uh we had our first one yesterday. Uh we have two more tomorrow morning. Uh Pam's been sitting in. Um and then we have one more next Thursday. Uh and the candidate field was very was
it was was good. I mean there was a lot of great resumes. >> I would know because that's the background I come from. So I see a lot of resumes that sort of look like mine from early in my career. So it's nice to see that there's still people interested in conservation. And um on top of that,
I got to sit with the chairman uh ed of the conservation commission today and chatter for about 45 minutes about where the commission stands at, what his vision for the commission is. Uh he's been in the role for about 5 months now. Um and what I can offer sort of as a you know chief administrative officer, but
also coming from that background, you know, supporting his commission and and the staff that eventually will be assigned to him. Um, so we should have, I would imagine, someone in place hopefully much greater than that because um, we're going to move down to probably two and then and then one after that
obviously. So um, we had a meeting with the Silver Lake Regional um, coordination committee today. Um, and on top of that, I'm working on setting up a meeting with uh, Dr. P um and Stephanie
Hatton from the Silver Lake Region uh school district along with Lindsay and we want to sit down and get insight into the school budget uh and start fresh with them heading into next year. And because we know we have a school business administrator retiring this year, actually at the end of this month
and moving forward, uh we want to make sure we have our hands in the finances at the school so we get a clearer picture earlier in the as early in the game next year as we can. uh and just to establish those relationships with Dr. Pru and Stephanie so that we can talk to each other. You know, this that's
effectively how information gets transferred. Um so that's good. Um I just set my appointment before this meeting with uh Representative Swezy who will be stopping by on Thursday at uh 10:00 a.m. um to just introduce himself and you know talk about the region and
the town and his district. Um it's not my first time meeting, you know, elected officials and at the state level and and conversing with them about their district. So excited to sit with him and just see what his vision is and hear about it and how he can help Halifax out
and how I can help, you know, how he can leverage me to help the community out moving forward. Uh and then also, State Senator Michael Brady also stopped by briefly last week uh to introduce himself. It was very short. I was in the middle of a budget meeting. Um probably follow up with him at some point. I'm
not really 100% familiar with the um state reps in this in this region. So, it is getting it is good to get to meet them in this fashion. So, >> um I know that they especially at Middbor, my time there, I did learn a lot about the relationships that the you know, town administrator, town manager
has with those folks and how they assist you in your in your mission. So, um and then as I was telling John before this, I've got a only a few more boards to catch up on. Uh I've been making my rounds showing up at the different committees. Uh, I'm gonna be that type of town administrator. You're going to
see me in person at a lot of meetings. Um, I don't like the Zoom version. So, I like to be there in person because I feel like it's uh it's more authentic that way and you actually are able to get a better read on people and see people's body language and really just get the feel for it and see how people are really feeling in the room. Uh, I
think we missed a little we we've lost a little bit of that with Zoom, but each their own. I'm flexible in both both scenarios. So, um, other than that, um, just taking it as it comes at this point. You know, still drinking from the fire hose a little bit, but, um, the staff has been great. They've been very welcoming.
>> Um, I'm still, you know, very energetic. I'm still going. Um, getting my seven hours of sleep at night, and >> that's all you need. >> Yeah, that's all I need. >> Sleep's overrated. >> As I was talking to Ed today, uh, of the conservation commission chair, he's like, "Boy, you seem like an energetic guy." I was like, "This position, you
kind of got to be one of those." Um just always on the move and always thinking, you know, even after last night's meeting, just you know, ruminations running through my head just uh but still got my 7 hours. So came in and just hit do it again tomorrow. >> Awesome. Rinse and repeat.
>> That's right. >> That's it. >> Got a mountain to climb, but we'll get there. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Go. It's It's uh you eat the I always tell my kids, eat the elephant one bite at a time. Yep. >> Right. That's right. >> So that's how you do it. >> Uh All right. Anything else from the
board tonight? No, we're good. We don't want to talk about that football game at all. Pitchers and catchers today. So, we get that going for us. Spring's coming. >> All right. Uh, that said, I will entertain a motion then to adjurnn. >> So much. >> Second. All those in favor?
>> I oppose. Passes unanimous at 7:02. Thank you everybody. Have a great day.