Okay, the time now is 6 o'clock. I'd like to open the Halifax board of selectment meeting for Tuesday, January 27th, 2026. Uh we are in the selectman meeting room and by my I think I already said, but by my phone it is 6:00 on the nose. 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 notices being made that this meeting is being recorded and will be posted on area 58 community access channel. The board chair myself reasonably anticipates the following matters will
be discussed and or voted on at this meeting and agenda items may be taken out of order and will this evening for time management consideration. So, I ask everyone that can, we start every meeting with the pledge of allegiance. If you can stand, join me in the pledge. >> 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 very much. All right, we do have a couple guests and I want to get to those guys first.
But first and foremost, um, the people of Halifax are seeing a new face here at the table. So, I'd like to officially welcome Mr. Steven SBO here to the town of Halifax as our new town administrator. Uh, Steven's first day was well, it was yesterday, but not really. Mother [snorts] Nature had other
plans. So, today was really uh Steven's first day. I saw a meeting with all various department heads, and I will say Stephen, great job. You looked to hit the ground running even before Steven was official. He was going around speaking with folks, getting the lay of the land, uh, putting the time in and the effort in. So, uh, I'm very excited.
You're a former resident here of Halifax. Um, and I think it's a it's a great marriage going forward. So, welcome to Halifax officially, guys. Any words for Stephen as he embarks on this crazy journey? >> No, I look forward to working with you and u collaborating with you for the betterment of the town. Hopefully, it's
a long-lasting partnership on both ends. And best of luck. We need you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, we do. the fellow saying. All right. Well, good luck, Stephen. If there's anything the board can do, you'll find we're a pretty conducive board. Um, I feel like everybody here on
this board is always trying to do what they think is best for Halifax. >> Um, we have a good energy and I think a good synergy here. So, hopefully we can do good things for this town. >> Yep. I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it. I'm looking forward to helping out not only the select board, but also the residents here at town and um just
remembering back to when I lived here between 2005 and 2013. So, just looking to make some progress and help the town out. >> Great. Great. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, guys. >> All right. So, uh we are going to take things a little bit out of order here. [snorts] We're going to jump down to C. Uh joining us tonight is Jason Frasier.
He's a Plimpmpton resident. He's a member of the Silver Lake uh Regional School Committee, a member of the Plimpmpton Elementary School Committee. But tonight, Jason, you're joining us in your capacity with the Silver Lake School Committee uh about a proposed uh budget item you have for this coming fiscal year. So, without further ado,
we'll put you in the hot seat here, Jason. I know you have some high-tech presentation you'd like to give us. Um, and we're just going to turn microphones around for folks to hear uh what Jason has to say. >> So, thank you very much for having me this evening. Um, it turns out that my
props have become more popular than me. If I show up to make this presentation without them, there's an uproar. Um, but what I'm here before this select board this evening for is to talk about how we're going to fund uh the capital maintenance of the Silver Lake Regional
School buildings, prim primarily the high school and the middle school. Um, for the past 10 years, we've been funding our capital plan out of our END fund, which is analogous to um the free cash fund of a town. um we're allowed to
hold back 5% of our operational budget into END but with the blessing of the select boards boards of select and the finance committees of the three towns the past 10 years we've been presenting capital plans and we've been utilizing dollars from the END fund realizing that
someday that END fund would not be a sustainable mechanism for us to continue um funding the capital plan some of the things we have been able to do though is uh You may recall the snow apocalypse of 2015. Um, we were told by the fire
marshall of the state that we need [clears throat] to shovel off the roofs of both of those buildings and we uh punctured the membrane and roughly a thousand places between the buildings and we were in very close situation of having to do
full twoe on those buildings. Um, we utilized our capital plan and EMD dollars um, to not only get those RS back together and patch them up, but actually get them back under their original manufacturers's warranty. Um, but the buildings aren't getting any
younger. We're looking at buildings that are both about 25 years old each. Actually, part of the CTE wing of Silver Lake High School is from 1974. Um, and we really need to look at a long-term way of maintaining these buildings. So last year we did have an
engineering architectural um firm come out and take a look at our buildings and do a comprehensive review for us and the number they came back with was staggering. If we could take care of all of the issues right now would cost us over $50 million. Um
most of that comes in roofs and some air handling equipment on top, but it also comes down to to windows and epoxy floors and the CT wing. I could bore you with the details, but it's a 120 page document that we have previously shared with the towns and we'd be happy to
reshare with you again. Um, if we worked on this over 10 years with inflation, we estimate it would cost us about $73 million to take care of the problems. So, here's visual number one. Obviously, we want to avoid this bar
here. That's if we had to take out a debt exclusion for $400 million to replace those buildings annually. That would cost our three communities $34.4 million a year with a 20year MUN bond at
6%. And Halifax would be on the hook for about 35% of that number. So you're looking at close to $10 million annually if we have to build new buildings. We shouldn't even be talking about that cuz the buildings at age 25 should last us for at least another 25 years if we
maintain them well and beyond. If we took out exempt capital right now, a $60 million bond to try and address these issues as quickly as possible, it would actually increase how much Halifax is currently paying towards the capital
projects at Silver Lake by a factor of four. What I'm here to propose to you tonight would be a net zero impact on the taxpayers of Halifax, but still give us a substantial tool to continue taking care of the buildings in a much more sub
sane substantial, sustainable, and predictable manner. And that's where I present this to you this evening. Um, we currently have two mortgages for those buildings at Silver Lake. One of the mortgages is going to end this year and
we will actually see $700,000 rolling off the exempt capital that we have been drawing from the three towns. My proposal is that we replace that $700,000 with $700,000 in the Silver Lake
Stabilization Fund that was established by town meeting just a few years ago. Um, the Silver Lake Stabilization Fund is specifically earmarked for capital expenses only. So in year 1, which would be FY27, we
would still have $600,000 in exempt capital for the last mortgage, $700,000, and that would still keep us at the 1.3 million that the three towns are currently used to paying for. And I would propose in FY28
when the second mortgage rolls off, we roll that 600,000 in and keep the amount of money we're investing in our $500 million investment at $1.3 million annually. With us being able to have conversations in the future of do we
maintain this at 1.3, do we allow it to grow at 2% or 2.5% with the rest of the budget? This will not take care of $50 million plus in projects, but this will give us a substantial tool to address some of the most pressing issues. Will
give us an opportunity to allow our access and deficiency fund hopefully to replenish itself. And there's even a marked opportunity that we may come before the three towns at some points for warrant articles on specific projects to try and chip away at all of
these projects. Um, but again, this would be a sustainable, predictable method that would have zero impact on our taxpayers. I know that budgets are a difficult thing right now and everybody would love to have that money roll off and roll right back into the operating
budget of their towns. Um, I'm just very concerned about what happens in long term if we don't take care of the two most expensive buildings that we collectively own together. I'm happy to answer any questions, but I just wanted to let you know I did ask
the Silver Lake School Committee um to include $700,000 in the Silver Lake stabilization fund as part of our proposed budget. And I also asked the committee to join me in reducing our overall budget increase to a 2.5%.
At our last meeting and prior to tomorrow, when the governor's budget comes out, we finally have some sense of where we're going to be with state aid. Uh that would potentially include um four teaching positions, two teachers aids, and one um administrator being cut
from the Silver Lake Regional School system in order to get to that 2.5 um% overall increase for the budget. So we are definitely willing to work with the towns to try and deliver to you guys a sustainable budget that is affordable to the three towns. We just wanted some
direction from you all to know whether or not this is something worth continuing to pursue as we move through our budget cycle with you. Obviously, this isn't the last conversation, but we wanted to get to you as soon as possible to give you the heads up. >> Great. Um, I don't know, we have Sarah
Hickeyi here um from Silver Lake who's also a Halifax resident. Sarah's the the financial officer for Silver Lake. Would you care to come up and speak to to this? Do you feel comfortable doing that or um just your insights on the plan as the bookkeeper for for Silver Lake?
>> When you say come up, I need to physically >> Well, you know what it is? The microphones don't pick you up. Unfortunately, >> I can I was a teacher. >> Just so that um you know people at home, it doesn't do us any good, Sarah, if they can't they can't hear you at home. So, as much as we want the the uh 10
people here to hear you, we want the folks that are watching later to be able to to hear you as well. >> Okay. So, I want to go back to the facility conditions assessment that was done last year. Um, the we have a a an architectural firm on retainer. It's
called the house doctor agreement. They came out with 30 40 engineers all over the property and looked at the middle school, the high school, the sewage treatment plant, and the administration building. and the um
they gave us the their recommendations which was this. I don't know the numbers off the top of my head. I thought I saw you had it. >> Thank you. You're welcome. >> Uh seven uh $6.9 million
to take care of immediately, which is the do it now within a year. this um this is from last February, so we're almost done with the year and we haven't we don't have the ability to take care of the um bulk of the big things that
are on the list. We've done um some ADA compliance work. We've done some work on building envelopes, some HBAC repairs, but there are some big ticket items that need to be looked at in this phase one. Um uh scope two was $26 million and that
was to be addressed within five years. And then uh scope 3 another 19.5 million I'm sorry 19.9 million and that should be addressed within 10 years. And so this facility conditions assessment
literally lays out what should be done. It's like having a home inspection on your house and they come out and they say you want to get rid of the knob and tube wiring and you want to do this and this and cut that tree down. Um so it's it's the same type of thing. The what is
holding us up is the funding source for this. So I'm here tonight in support of Jason's presentation. Um the facil the I'm sorry the stabilization fund was established in um town meetings in 2022
and we just haven't um started using it yet. And with the debt falling off from the middle school project, it's in my opinion time to repurpose that money into the
stabilization fund so that we can start working on big ticket [snorts] items. >> I I agree with both of your assessments of this plan and I think the plan makes complete and utter sense. Complete and utter sense. The only issue I have, and
I was spoken with Jason a little bit about this ahead of time, is that we're up against it financially uh this year in Halifax, and I don't want to say much further than the other two communities in Silver Lake, but we we have challenges that I would argue are at least on par with Kingston and
Plimpmpton, and and likely further [snorts] uh in the hole than those two percentage-wise. We'll have more information, you know, next next month, so we'll kind of have a better picture of that. in a vacuum, it makes complete and utter sense. Um, and I applaud Jason for coming up with plans. You're always
thinking out of the box. You always come up with great ideas. Um, I just wanted to to bring to the board slight concerns that if we are really up against it this year, uh, in a budget hole where we're looking at reduction in force, we're
looking at cuts to services. I just I don't know how the board feels or how the town feels with setting aside money, which is for a great cause. Uh I did take the tour of the facilities. Uh was that last month or two months ago? >> It was actually back in June. June.
>> It's been a while. >> No, it wasn't June. Yes, it was. >> Oh my gosh. Scary. Um and I will say kudos to Halifax resident Mike Lawis who is uh in charge of buildings over there. He's doing yman's work with those buildings. That said, you could still see signs of of aging starting and it's
like anything with your home. If you if you don't paint it long enough, you're rotting. Uh if you don't take care of the projects now, they're only going to grow down the road. So, I'm not saying that I'm not for this plan. I just want to make sure that the board knows and the town is aware that if we decide to
go with this plan. Um that pinch will likely be felt on the town side of things to make sure that the community of Halifax that this board that our fin um while it's a fantastic plan and it makes as I said in a vacuum is a
no-brainer that there could be um consequences on the town side. So I just wanted to bring that up to you guys. >> Walk me through the process of uh what happens if two of the three communities are on board and one is not. >> Yes. So since this or >> one is not. This is going to be
presented in the regular budget. And the way that our regional agreement works is that if two of the three towns vote yes on the budget, >> the the regional Silver Lake regional budget, you ask, >> then all three towns do have to follow
that budget aspect. >> Um, and this might be the most well two questions. What is the approval process for this? Is this a warrant article at some point or does this board unilaterally have that opinion to to probably >> I think we would continue with the same
precedent that we've established for the past 10 years. We have a public document that's our capital plan that shows the historic work that's been accomplished. It shows the scope of work that we anticipate in the next year to two. And that's above and beyond now this 120
page document from our architects and our engineers also laying out the scope and the sequence of the work to do. So every single year we would bring forth to you and your town what we intended to spend the $1.3 million on. So every
single year you at town meeting would have the ability to put the brakes on it and even before that with the process and the two-way communications we've established over the past decade. >> Okay. And then for the unenrolled or underinformed the stabilization fund is
is funded how is that? >> It is a line item transfer from the operating budget >> from the operating budget on a yearly basis. So this is not free cash that we set aside for capital just like we do capital funers. This is a line item budget item. >> Correct. >> Each year.
>> So no new impact or no new tech no net taxpayer impact. But it does come directly from the budget. The operating budget. >> Yes. Yeah. >> So we're talking one point we're talking 4%. >> A $30 million budget. Correct. >> 5%.
>> Well, one it was 1.3 with with all of the >> all in where 35% of that. Is that right? >> Yeah. zone. >> So 400 or so >> roughly before50. >> Yeah. >> So that's and again I I don't want to sound like I'm not in support of [clears throat] this plan.
>> It's a really bright, really well thought out, really good plan. It's just we don't know at this point uh budgetarily if we're looking at maybe losing a finger or losing a little, not to be dramatic. So, I think I think for
me, my appetite for this plan will will be really on the table in a couple weeks, you know, when we have more solid numbers and we see that, oh, geesh, that 450,000 could could save X here in the town of Halifax. So, and this year for
you, it would be 250 cuz we're [snorts] only dealing with the 700, >> right? Not the full, right? Right. Just so you understand that's still real money. You're talking about $250,000. Correct. Understand that. >> Correct. And and and again, I I can't
say this enough. It's a great plan. I just have to balance it out with what kind of Rifs are we looking at? What kind of cuts and services are we looking at for me to to personally get on board? Um but I can't say this enough. It's not that I don't like the plan. It's just the the environment that the town is in
currently. So to >> I totally understand and respect that. >> Yeah, >> I've been through those assessments before and they're usually spot on. >> And the longer you wait >> Yeah. >> the worse it gets. >> It's like your house, right? >> It just multiplies and multiplies. We
had a building we were managing and it got away from us and it it eventually costed the town huge chunk of money because we got so far behind. >> If we listen to the plan, >> it would never been that bad. >> Yeah. So, >> and let me let me just establish for you,
>> there is state reimbursement for some projects you do on school buildings. And one of the things they look at is if you actually have a stabilization plan, >> they'll give you 2% more reimbursement if you have a sustainable stabilization plan to deal with capital expenses. Y
>> this would also allow us not to rely on END for capital and let that grow back out to the $2.5 million over the next couple of years if we don't draw on it. >> Right. >> That would give us a very nice safety net if we ever had a major capital
failure in either one of the buildings mid year. >> You and the other towns could authorize us to pull from END midyear through the budget cycle and take care of something. We have a major air handler right now. >> Didn't we approve that this middle of
last year? The air conditioning system. >> So, that is a separate issue. >> That's not a capital that a capital item for them or what is that? >> That was a capital item, but this is even beyond that. We have a major air handler on the top of our cafeteria that does heating and air conditioning >> that's running at below 50% its capacity
right now. Great. If that ever goes and we lose the ability to heat or air condition the area of the building that's for food service, we might lose occupancy of that part of the building or the building in totality. >> And so is that part of the phase one or scope one >> definitely be one of the items we would
want to tackle. Right. >> Yeah. Right. So >> and the entire cost of that project is included in that first phase or first scope. >> It is. Okay. >> It is. And and again, Jason, I know you mentioned in one of your options was uh taking out a new taking out a new bond. Yeah, that was actually um
>> because uh just not to cut you off, but if this if the price of this is only going to go up, do we if you could explain to me I think you said Halifax's contribution would would jump four times. What I like the idea of of hitting it before the prices get a
little out of whack, you know, 10 years from now, 20 years from now, but is it a concern that the communities would would be willing to to jump into that or why are we looking at that, I guess? Um because we go from what we've been paying this past year of$ 1.3 million
annually to $5.2 million annually for 20 years. >> Gotcha. >> And we would also we would save on inflation but we would be paying interest. >> Yeah. >> Currently a 20 year MUN bond is going at about a 6% interest rate. >> Makes sense. >> So it's a it's a balancing act. And I
don't think 1.3 is actually going to be the total tool to chip away at $50 million. >> No, but it'll help. It'll help. >> It It'll help. It'll help us take care of some of the items that keep us awake at night. >> It'll allow us to let END rebuild so we can maybe have conversations. Hey, use
some END this year. Use the 1.3 for that. Maybe you need a warrant article in a year or two when the towns are breathing better. We're trying to give everyone room because we understand how tough the past three or four years have been. We're very proud of the fact that it's so late. We're we're close to
bringing in the two and a half. It's going to take some tough decisions on behalf of the committee. We're looking at reductions in force as well to try and bring the number in to a place where it's palatable to all three communities. >> Yeah, I think obviously they're all hand in hand, right? We're all kind of have
the same bucket. So, uh, it it it it, uh, what's the word I'm looking for? It behooves, is that the word I'm looking for? It wasn't an English word. >> It behooves the the the administration of the community to come in with as lean a budget as possible to give this more
teeth to actually become a reality. And obviously, you know that. >> On the same page with I just have one more thought. It's not really a question. It's a thought. I guess this is good progressive thinking, out of the box thinking to move things forward. And I can appreciate that. uh with young kids, the school system's at the forefront of my mind for sure,
both here and at the regional level. Um the and I support what Jonathan said about this, you know, in a vacuum. This is a terrific idea. If money was no objectless, what are we waiting for? The signing of yesterday kind of thing. Um, funny thing is, and I haven't sat in this seat for a very long time, and I'm not suggesting that you folks have done
have been here before doing this, but we have a lot of people who maybe not a lot of people. There's been instances where somebody asks for $10 and then they come back next week with for 20 and 50 and then 100. So my concern would be, you know, if this is voted in or we support
this and this is, you know, established at 1.3 or whatever or 35% of that or whatever, what prevents the air hand, not the air handler, but the central VAT from going next year and using more money, >> nothing. Not again. If we stop tapping
END, >> yeah, >> we would have a substantial reservoir of funds in an emergency, >> which we should with a $700 $700,000 reduction with a mortgage being gone. >> That would No, our END is filled when we
don't utilize all of the funds that were dispersed to us in a given fiscal year or we base our budget typically on House one or House two, the governor's budget. And as you know, the legislature likes to throw us something. The Senate likes to throw us something. We end up getting
maybe 300,000 more than our budget was based on. That flows into END. EMD also gets money from a power purchase agreement that we made over a decade ago, which I'm worried is going to start to have some diminishing returns as that
plant ages out. And we also the elephant in the room is the Pemrook settlement money. A lot of what funded that END to the to the capacity that we could draw on it year after year after year was money we were getting from the divorce of Pembrook from Silver Lake and that is
suns setting very rapidly. >> Do we have a time on that? >> Every year it goes down and the amount went from six figures to five figures and eventually to be zero. >> Um >> is this the retirees? >> Yes. >> So these are people that retired prior
to 2004. >> Okay. And every sing one of the things I do is I build the town of Pembroke for their benefits. >> Gotcha. >> And >> it's uh monthly going through legacy.com and seeing who's still alive.
>> So as they as our roles turn over. >> So um the numbers going the numbers going down [clears throat] >> because these were people that were eligible to retire years ago. >> Yeah. >> But Mr. Pratt, I would say to you that
the reason why I believe the committee elected me to come and speak as their agent, even though I'm not a [snorts] citizen of Halifax, is I I have been on that committee the longest out of anybody. I've been on it over a decade, and we have built a level of trust in two-way communication with all three
towns um that I'm extremely proud of. Um >> I could ask the same question to the towns. How do I know every year you're going to you're going to continue to approve the 1.3 that I need to plan to build up my capital plan on? Right? It's
going to come down to communication and trust. We could just as easily come back and ask for more as a town could say, "We don't want that in the budget anymore, Jason." Right? So, it's the communication >> and being open with one another. >> So, the mortgage being paid off that
comes out of the operating budget. Is that correct? So, the mortgage coming off, it depends how your town funds it. Um, I know in in Plumpton, it is not being paid from Exempt Capital. We are paying it out of our operating budget. >> Um, I don't know how it's paid locally
or over in Kingston. >> Sure. >> Um, but we are going to be wrapping it into our operating budget at Silver Lake. So, it might require a change of methodology of how you're allocating those funds, >> especially for our council. Yeah. >> Exactly. and even potentially council
because if you're up against the levy and you're going from 700,000 in exempt to 700,000 in operating, you might need an override for it even though the net impact is a zero. >> Right. Just to make that change,
right? Gotcha. >> Okay. And and to your point, Tom, I mean, I've I've known Jason a while and Sarah, um I have the utmost respect for these guys. Uh I do even though Jason is a resident of Plimpmpton, I'm the the school liaison for the select board. I've gone to a bunch of meetings. It's
clear that um that board thinks of all three communities. So I do think any plan that's presented um is with the the best interest of all all the three towns um at heart, you know. >> Yeah. The question wasn't any disrespect. >> No. No. Just it's you know it's it's
>> No, I got you. I got you. We have recent examples of >> if you were here today, it'll be we'll be good for a year. Just kidding. We're we're back. >> Sure. >> I understand. And I appreciate that. >> Yeah. But I mean, I wanted to let you know that we as a committee will also have the same concerns that we're
building this plan and then one day down the road someone might say, "Well, we actually need that for something else." Right? So I would prefer a slow time to process and really take this in and understand the broad impact
it will have for your community and your citizens. Um rather than have a quick yes now and then regret it later, >> you know. So I'm not looking for a vote tonight. I just wanted to have a conversation. I wanted to answer some questions. I wanted you guys to give me some feedback that I can think about and
bring back to my committee as well. >> Sure. Uh, so I deeply appreciate the time. >> Yeah. >> And not to speak for the board, Jason, but I think you can report that all three of us uh think it's a fantastic plan. Uh, makes complete and utter sense. Um, just for myself, uh, when we
get more pieces of the budget puzzle in place, um, I think the appetite will reveal itself, you know, for this plan. And like I said, you know, being a regional school, um, we're desperate for the cherry sheets to come out, >> um, based on House Two. Hopefully, we'll
get that tomorrow. I mean, we've already had some indications. It's not going to be very rosy. >> Um, but we can always hope for the best. >> Prepare for the worst and hope for the best, right? >> But we we really appreciate the relationship. >> Absolutely.
>> Um, between this board and our committee and your time this evening. >> Thank you. Anything questions? >> No, we could. >> Thanks, guys. Appreciate it. Thank you, Sarah. >> All right, so that was C. For all those playing agenda bingo at home,
we're going to jump down. We're going a little out of order. We're going down to to letter E. So, we have members of Halifax Pride here. Uh, come on. Do you guys mind just coming down a little bit just so the microphones can get you? Um, who have a request? Uh, it looks like for Town Green. Absolutely. Much
appreciation. I know who you are, but if you can say it just for the record, guys. >> Sure. Um, I'm Lori Costa Klein. I'm one of the board members of Halifax Pride, which is a nonprofit organization that operates here in Halifax, Massachusetts.
>> I'm Danielle Lai, also one of the board members. >> Great. And you're here to uh request use of the town green. What year is this for you guys? >> This is our sixth year. >> Wow. Sixth year. Okay. Um, and it looks like pretty standard from what I've seen here on this application to what you
guys have done before. Any new, this is your chance to pitch the event. Any new um, features this year or anything? >> There is one thing we'd like to add if it's okay. I don't think our application had a rain date. We were hoping to add a rain date of the the next day, which is the Sunday. Um,
>> 67. Oh, got it. I just said it. >> 67. So, yeah, the rain came. All right. Then date would be 67 kids. >> Is that on your bingo card? Um yeah, so um actually one thing that we are very proud of with our event is
that every year we um strive to raise money so we can give back to the community. Um this year we've been able to make donations to uh the Helping Hands food pantry. Um especially in that critical time when SNAP benefits were in
limbo, we were able to help um the food pantry keep our residents fed. Um, we've made donations to the local school. We donate to the Halifax softball program. Um, and probably the thing that we're most proud of is every year we've been able to give a scholarship to a
graduating Silver Lake student. In fact, this week we wrote the check for uh our recipient this year for her college. So, yeah. Um, we anticipate a great event with entertainment. We also have um we
have a forum or an a venue if you will to showcase some of the local talent that we have. Um >> our Silver Lake uh students um have a great pickup band. >> Yeah. >> Um and they perform every year. They are terrific and we look forward to having
them again. Um so yeah, it's a great day. The church next door um has a couple of booths. We have information. We have all kinds of vendors. Um, we we have worked with the town to stay in compliance with all the town's
regulations to make sure that the town is indemnified as well as our event um to keep everyone safe. We use the Halifax police. We rent our own port of bodies. We try to make this a very We leave the grounds better than we found them. That's
>> the Girl Scout motto, right? >> Yeah. No, it looks like you've checked all the boxes. Uh, guys, any questions for the event? So it just says possible food trucks. I mean is that >> so yes every year we do have food trucks. We work very diligently with board of health make sure that our food trucks are registered. They have all
their lensure. Um we've had Teddy's dogs um our fan favorite uh local hot dog vendor known well to those in Halifax. Um I don't know in the past we've had Cape Cod Cafe sell pizzas. We try to um we try to keep it local. Um but yeah, at
least one or two food vendors. The church um does a strawberry shortcake that literally people show up for the strawberry shortcake. [laughter] They stay for Pride, but they come for the short cake. >> That's great. >> That's awesome. >> Good, good, good. All right. Any other questions, guys? All right. Seeing none,
I'll entertain a motion to approve uh the Halifax Pride event for the date of June 6th, 2026 for start time 11:00 a.m., end time 3:00 p.m., uh setup time 9:00 a.m. with a rain date of 67 2026.
>> So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. Thanks, guys. Good luck. Wish you good weather. >> Thank you. >> Maybe no. >> Yes. Who knows? might still be >> black.
>> All right, we're going to jump back up. Thanks, guys. That clears out all our uh all our audience this evening. >> Must have been something we did. Uh Bill, we want to jump back up. We'll do the affirmation of uh the warrant. >> Certainly. I move to affirm approval of
the following warrant. Vendor warrant number 67 for $35,15622. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> I move to approve the following commitments. Ambulance commitments
12 26 11826 $7,41960. >> Second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. All right, we'll jump down to B. Uh, selectman minutes. I'll entertain a motion to approve the selectment
meeting minutes for December 16th, 2025 and December 17th, 2025. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. We are down to D, which is a town green request from Generations for their
annual fur festival. Uh we have that here. Thanks, Stephen. So we have the Generations application. This is a fun event. It's obviously pet driven for your your furry friends. Uh the date
they have here is September 19th, 2026 with a rain date of September 20th, 2026. Usually a little later, Pam, don't they usually do it in the summer? Middle of the summer or they moved it back to the fall? >> Yeah, you're right. >> I don't remember this. >> Yeah,
>> I remember last year was like Yeah, I think he did. Yeah. So, uh, looks like hot dogs and chips, the vendor, uh, DJ, they're going to be a porta potty. Um,
vendors will have their own insurance. >> Um, and yeah, everything seems as it has in years past. So, any questions from the board? >> Just one quick question. Uh, do you need access to water? Does that mean access to the building? >> No, I believe it's access to the outside
hose of spets. Yeah. So, yep. And, uh, looks like they do need electricity as well. So, a lot of times we'll run the extension cord out of the building. Um, but it's a great event. Uh, I think I brought my dog. I was able to go the last couple years, but I know at least one year I brought my dog and it was a
great time. So, um, yeah, wanted to let the board know and I will entertain a motion if anyone's ready. All right. Entertain a motion to approve uh generations for their fur festival for the date of September 19th, 2026 with a rain date of September 20th, 2026. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> All right, we're down to F, the ALS agreement with B Plymouth. So we are in an agreement uh with hospitals for our ALS services. Uh and
where is the copy of this one? towards the end >> towards the end of the back end. >> Yeah. Yeah. I used the fun. >> Oh, >> but he has the original. >> Steve, do you want to take a crack and explain this one to us or what do you got? >> Didn't look at it.
>> Okay. No problem. >> No problem. So, we we enter an agreement uh with local hospitals. Um Beth Israel Deaconist is one of the hospitals we use in Plymouth. Um, the things that I saw here, I didn't see anything
earthshattering as far as differences from years past. Um, but I'll be honest, I I don't I didn't look at last year's. I'll be completely honest. So, um, I don't know if if the board still feels comfortable going with this agreement now. Um, I
>> did we talked to Chief? I was wondering if we talked to chief ahead of time >> just to make sure that there's no >> sent so it's been chief approved. >> Yeah. Um I would imagine I can't say I go home go home. >> Okay.
>> Um but what we could do is if you wanted I could get the other one out. I could email it to you guys and take a peek at each one. >> Well this one it looks like this agreement enters the last day of April. So, there's another 90 days. >> Yep. >> For review and or just to confirm the chief of them that it's >> the same or better.
>> Okay. Um, yeah. Would we want to will we want to put a hold on it and talk to the chief and then we can bring it back in February if we do have until April? >> Uh, page one at the top says >> Yeah, I saw that. >> Effective April 2026. So, >> I'm assuming that we can if needed, we
have another two weeks to >> Yeah. And much like our agreement we had with the Lakeville Animal Shelter, you know, we had some time. So, >> like I said, I'll pull out the other one and then um I'll email it to you guys and then you guys can just, you know, compare both of them. Yeah. >> And it and it might be nice to have
Chief here >> um just to kind of go over any sort of differences we have, you know, if there's any sort of cost increase to the town or savings or um you know, any sort of uh historian on it so we know what the changes are from last year. >> Was that February?
>> February. I believe it's the 10th. >> I think you're right. So, we're going to be tired after the Super Bowl. Yes, we will. Exhausted from screaming all those touchdowns [snorts] in table. >> Yeah, >> just we don't want to jump into anything
that we we don't have the full picture on. So, um we're going to table that until the February 10th meeting. [snorts] >> All right. Uh and last but not least, are you ready, sir, for your first town administrator update? I sure am.
>> All right, nerves of steel. Look at this guy. >> Um, I'll just I'll give you an update on what I did today. >> There you go. We'll start with day one in the office. >> As as you guys know, we had some weather issues over the last couple days. I was in late last week before the conference
and give you an update on Connect 351. I really get to meet um several um people that will impact my role moving forward like Justin Evans that was at the override study committee last night. Um, [clears throat] I met Michael Ward from uh the Collins
Center who's going to be assisting with the Silver Lake Regional uh organizational talks. Um, so that was very good. Uh, I got to meet several other town administrators and town managers who had seen me be appointed to the post and offered their advice for
overrides they had in their towns and and what we're sort of facing and what we need to navigate. So, that was great. Um, you know, today I also got to sit down with uh Kathy Stanley to talk about the energy projects, uh, which is nice for me coming from something I was most
recently working on. Um, just the various um, between the EEGCB uh, funded HVAC study that was just completed over at the elementary school that she has a draft format that she'll be um, giving us a final draft on very soon. um preliminary findings and
anticipated outcomes of that. You know, basically what the cost is going to be over there and then, you know, we can talk about that as we go on with more costs about regional schools. >> Sure. >> So, um you know, discussed uh some potential future meetings with the engineer she works with and uh Scott
from internally here as far as facilities goes to talk about, you know, building automation controls and some green communities going forward. the whole MBTA standing uh because that will clarify what we can do with green communities. Um so as you as you can understand I've basically just been
trying to gather a lot of information pull together next steps on sort of the bigger issues. >> Can I can I stop you? What was Kathy's take on our non-compliance with MBTA as far as a lot of those? Is that is that going to throw a monkey wrench in a lot of these grants? Well, the so for the
green communities grants um I had the well I'm lucky to have worked with Lisa Sullivan who I will we will I will continue to work with here in Halifax. So I have a familiarity with her based on her last discussion with Kathy was that grants those monies were being
held. They were not being re returned back to the state. They were being held. >> So to me uh and I'll have to clarify this with the state or will have to cl this clarify this with the state. What does that mean? Are they just being held until a decision is made or >> perpetuity?
>> Yeah. So, >> we need to clarify that. Does it mean once the state makes a decision, if the residents can't make a decision, what happens to the monies at that point? So, there's a bunch of questions to be answered on that front. >> Um, the grants are obviously going to be important for a community like Halifax
moving forward as we leverage any potential money we can get. >> We need every time. >> Yes. and green communities. I'll tell you right now, as far as um you know, prescriptive measures go, that money is very easy to attain. I mean, Kathy could probably get 250 grand a year, year over
year, as long as we're in compliance with MBTA. So, I mean, that's the type of that's the type of money we're talking about in four years, that's a million dollars. I will I will say when we brought on Kathy, um I was a little concerned because it comes with a salary, you know, that the town is paying her. she has made the money back
in spades. Yep. You know, so it was a a very smart decision. Uh and I think it's awesome that she's on board and hopefully uh the state we get things squared away in the PTA and can get the full bang for our buck with with the program, >> the full value. Yeah. Yeah. No, I I think the same thing. Uh I think towns
that have I'll tell you energy managers unlock a lot of money. I I just did it for the last 20 plus months. I unlocked a lot of money and I didn't really have an understanding of how energy unlocked those things at the beginning. So, uh, having her is definitely a great asset. Great.
>> Um, update on the EV chargers as far as rectifying all the bills, making sure they're all straightened out. Kathy's going to get me a hold of, I believe it's Nick with um, >> Linkwell. Yeah, >> Lyn Sierra, right? Linkwell. >> Yeah, Lakewell. Um, to talk about policy setting as far as the rates go. Um cuz
based on where the rates are, I think we could potentially even go up even more because I mean I had case studies back in Sharon where we were making upwards of 12 to $1,400 a month into the black um monthly. Um and that was on two chargers. So basically the same setup.
Um it just depends on sort of how you want to set the policies, but the those fast chargers can certainly turn into mini money makers. >> Good. >> For sure. So it's definitely a benefit to have those there. Um, then I also got to meet with Darlene Reagan over from
the COA. She came over to discuss her um, she had sent an email about CPR and um, first aid for some of her staff that need to be reuped on it. It's it's free to the town. She just wanted to know if she could actively get the staff enrolled and start that training. So,
approved that to get that going and then she's going to open it up to other communities to potentially get their staff so that we have full class sizes. >> Great. So, we'll circulate emails around the town, make sure that anyone that needs the uh CPR first aid training or wants it has it. You know, maybe some
DPW staff could use it. Um, police, fire. I know that um she had indicated to me that the internally we used to do it with EMS or EMT um uh internal EMT or paramedic staff, >> but it just became they became too busy,
which is understandable. Um but again, no cost to the town even in this model. So, um, and then lastly, basically got sworn in this afternoon. I just finished my ethics training before the meeting here to make sure that was done so I get that all to, uh, Susan downstairs. Um,
and then I'll be meeting with Lindsay. Today was kind of crazy with the delay in opening. Um, so I'll be meeting with Lindsay tomorrow to sit down and finally camera out some last budget meetings, get closer to that final number. And um like me and Jonathan saw at the Override Study Committee uh meeting last night,
maybe we're a touch ahead of other communities where they were. >> Yeah. >> Um based on what we heard. So it's all good news. Um I've hit the ground running. It's exactly what I expected to do. Um and I'm just looking for more to do and it will continue to happen. Today
was Today was crazy. >> Be careful what you ask for in there. >> Today was crazy. you know, just kind of bringing in some um some of my home office stuff, getting that situated, working with Caesar to get my um computers all set up and, you know, busy day, but I've still got some energy. Um
go home, eat some dinner, go to bed, rinse, repeat. Great. >> Well, we're we're we're thrilled to have you on board. Uh again, I think it it's kind of a little bit of kismmet that you're a former Halifax resident, so you know what this town's about. You know what the people are about. Um, and I
think you know um what what path to help us get on. So, I'm looking forward to it. >> Yeah. I'm I'm here to uh show you guys all the things I know so that you guys can pick the ones that are most appropriate for the residents. >> Great. You know, and and help them and help you guys help them understand it.
>> Great. >> Great. >> Understand that message. >> Good. All right. Is that our our report in a nutshell? >> That's your final answer. >> First one. >> All right. Well done. >> Very well done. Okay. Anything else from the board before we sign off?
>> Thank you. Highway department. >> Yes. You know what I did? Thank you. Cuz I forget what I had for breakfast. Um yeah, I just want to give a huge shout out to our highway department, our first responders, police and fire. Uh this was a humdinger of a winter storm this
weekend. This wasn't no 6 to 10 incher. This is this was a lot. Um, so kudos to those folks that were uh out there when the conditions weren't great, when the conditions weren't the safest, uh, trying to make things passible for our community and safe for our community.
So, a huge uh, debt of gratitude from our board, for the town, uh, to keep things running. So, thank you guys and and women for doing what you do. >> Stand by for the next one. >> I know. Rinse and repeat. We got another one coming next weekend. >> They did a great job winding the roads
up today. Yeah, it was a lot of snow. They pushed that snow back. >> It was a lot of snow. It was wild driving up here today. >> Yeah. And I think building maintenance works especially hard too. Parking lots for schools. And so everybody top to bottom who was out there away from your families and >> Right. >> I think I think people, you know,
sometimes sitting in the comforts of their couch don't really completely understand the sacrifices that folks make uh in events like that. So, uh, kudos and a good call to point out Scott Materna and his crew, uh, for getting us up and running as quickly as they could. Uh, and there are there are folks, you
know, there's something to be said for standing behind our crews and our and our men and women. So, I will gladly stand behind our crews because I think they do a great job. I agree. Yep. All right. I'm off my soap box. So, uh, if there's nothing else to say, I will
entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So move. >> Second. All those in favor? >> I oppose. passes unanimous. Time is 6:50. Thank you very much. >> Stay safe out there. [music]