order. Uh this is the meeting of the Halifax uh finance committee. It is uh 5:30 on the 28th of July, 2026. >> He just said in the back that he's not ready yet. >> Caesar said he'd be right back. Just
give me a minute, please. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sorry. >> Technical difficulties. The cameras were early when you had >> You guys can start. It sounds >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Okay. So, we'll go ahead and start now.
Uh we are going to call to order the meeting of the Halifax Finance Committee. It is now 5:32 on the 28th of July of 2026. This meeting has been posted in accordance with the provisions of Mass General Law
3A section 20B and is being recorded and will be posted to the area 58 community access channel. The finance committee and its chair reasonably anticipates the following matters will be discussed and/or voted on at this meeting. Agenda items may be taken out of order for time
management considerations. in attendance in the room. Cheryl Burke, Mike Bennett, Frank Johnston, EJ Bryan, Rod Hemingway is on video, and myself, Jim Walters. Um, so that concludes the call to order. We'll move to our next item. The only
the item that we have on our agenda at this point in time is the review of two reserve fund requests that came in from the fire chief and from the police chief. So, I will open it up to the committee for any comments or questions regarding the uh transfer request. Each
department is asking for $100,000 to be moved from the reserve fund to the police wages account line 012105115. And for the fire department, it is moving from the reserve fund to fire
department wages 012205115. comments questions. So I would just ask Lindsay from your perspective any surprises with this >> I personally should wait until
>> why? >> Because a reserve fund transfer can be done at any time. >> Mhm. >> So if tomorrow doesn't go Then >> it can still get done, >> but it could still get done today. >> It could, but it could get done next
week too. >> Sandy, name and address, please. >> Sandra Nolan, 360 South Street. Um, can I just ask you to read the reserve fund transfer requests and explain how they
are extraordinary in emphasis? >> Sure. So from the to the finance committee is requested is hereby made for the following transfer from the reserve fund in accordance with chapter 40 section 6 of mass general laws. The amount
requested is $100,000 to be transferred to the fire department wages line 012205115. The present balance in appropriation is1,182,682. The amount requested will be used for filling shifts that were not funded at
the town [snorts] meeting to keeping our staffing at the current level, which is still less than NFPA standards. Please see the attached letter. I have it here. So from the fire chief, I respectfully
request a transfer of funds from the reserve fund to the fire department wages account to ensure that we can continue to pro provide appropriate level of emergency response services to the town of Halifax. Currently, one of our full-time firefighters is out on approved family and medical leave act.
Uh and in order to maintain minimum staffing, these shifts must be covered often at overtime rates, resulting in significant unbudgeted wage expenses. In addition to overtime coverage, our part-time firefighters and paramedics continue to fill the shifts that our
full-time personnel are unable to staff. These members are critical component to our staffing model and will allow us to maintain emergency response capabilities. Many of our part-time employees rely on these shifts to supplement their income. Due to the recent budget reductions, there is
significant risk that these highly trained personnel will seek employment elsewhere if shifts continue to be released or eliminated. [clears throat] Replacing the experienced firefighters and paramedics in today's hiring environment would be extremely difficult. We have already begun to experience operational impacts of these
staffing shortages on multiple occasions. I have been the only member available within the town of Halifax to respond to medical emergencies while awaiting mutual aid assistance. As a result, there have been extended periods when no fire department personnel have remained available in town to respond to
additional emergencies. This leaves our community vulnerable and should another fire or medical emergency or motor vehicle crash or other critical incident occur during that time. While our mutual aid partners provide exceptional support, they cannot replace the
immediate availability of firefighters and paramedics stationed within our own community. Our department is already operating below staffing levels and recommend by the national by national standards, including the NFPA guidance. Any further reduction in staffing, particularly operating with only two
personnel on duty, would have serious consequences for both firefighter and public safety. Reduced staffing will likely result in longer response times to fires, medical emergencies, and rescues, increased reliance on mutual aid departments, delaying critical interventions, greater fire loss due to
delayed suppression efforts, increased risk of injury to firefighters and operate operating with inadequate staffing, increased risk to residents and visitors experiencing medical or fire emergencies where every minute can impact the outcome. As fire chief, I
have a responsibility to advocate for the safety of our firefighters and the residents we serve. I cannot in good conscience remain silent while I believe staffing reductions will significantly increase the risk of our to our community. Every decision made regarding staffing has a direct impact on the
level of service that we are able to provide and ultimately on the safety of those who live, work, and travel through Halifax. >> So, It's it's hard to disagree with anything that's written there, but
to Sy's point and to Lindsay's point, I I think that it's too too soon for that. I I don't think I I agree with everything that's written there, but we just voted on this a town meeting in May.
>> We just started the fiscal year. We haven't even really started to see things move. We don't know what things are going to look like. I would even say that next week is it's too soon, but I I think at this point in time, I'm curious to hear what the the police chief had to say on that. But again, I don't disagree
with anything that's there, but from a from a fiscal standpoint, I think it's too soon to make that decision. >> Sure. >> You can absolutely do that. Yeah, >> that certainly is an understandable point. Um so I would say that uh you
know unforeseen and unexpected um which seems to be the focal point of a lot of commentary is not defined under Mass General law chapter 44 section 6. It's actually up to the finance committee to make that decision as to what that actually is.
>> Um what we are what we are discussing here and what has happened in the past is not any out it is not um outside the authority of the committee. is also not unconstitutional nor is it illegal in any manner. So um that is uh you know
that's and if the committee decides to not act on this that's that's absolutely fine and that's the committee's decision. Um however what I don't I understand that the there are dollars available now that they can continue paying the shifts that they need to pay.
M um but you know it's it's a u it certainly is AAM's razor as it were. >> Yeah. And I and I wouldn't I wouldn't [clears throat] suggest for a second that we turn that we turn our eyes eyes to this particular issue. I think it's an important one that we have to stay
focused on all year. Uh but to the point you just made the the funds for what they need to operate right now exist >> and I I you know we know that they are going to need something at some point but we also don't know what everything else is going to look like right now and
you I don't know that's just that's just where my head's at. >> Sure. >> Understood. >> Mr. Andrews >> Gordon Andrews 244 Elm Street. So the reserve fund is not supposed to be used to change a decision that was made
by the accounting body. Accounting body was asked to increase these amounts of money and it declined to do so. [music] It also approved the increase through a ballot initiative and override and that
was declined by the overall voters. So they knew what was going to happen. So if you're going to add money to these lines, it should be done by town me and that's the appropriating body for the town. >> So generally that's that is true. That
is a general statement that is correct. However, the what the override was a request of the town to collect additional taxes. >> The that's please let me finish. So just to continue on the point though Tom
meeting also was asked to fund these amounts with this amount. It doesn't matter the funding source it matters the amount >> and this board said not to fund it. So then you're going to turn around and say oh we're going to use reserve funds to fund it.
>> I don't I don't think we voted to use the reserve funds. I think we're >> No. You voted you voted not to support the amendment on time. Yeah. Yeah, but on town meeting four, you voted not to support the amount that the that the departments asked for. >> Correct. And you just stated that we are
going to vote to use the reserve fund to fund it, which was voted against at town meeting. We have not taken a vote to to use the reserve fund to fund this. >> But that's what you're being asked to do today. >> That's what we're being asked to do. >> So that is a vote on it. >> That's correct. Yes.
And to be to be accurate, what the finance committee did not support on the evening of town meeting was the use of free cash because that was your funding source during your motion. >> We could please let me finish. Please let me finish. you were trying you
wanted to use free cash which you being someone who is uh from who used to be on the finance committee and then reading the um you know the the uh the hand the policies of of the the financial policies of the town of Halifax onetime
revenues should not be used to fund ongoing debts of salaries right >> because what happens the following year when those funs aren't there and those positions are still there. Are we laying those people off again next year?
>> I I understand what the policy is. I also understand what the implications of not funding departments are. And at at the meeting there it was said that there was no further raise and appropriate available. So if there was raising appropriate available
and I was told there's only free cash, it it's still the same amount of money. the the money wouldn't have gone to the reserve fund if it was known that the money was available. You wouldn't have put $300,000 of raise and appropriate into the reserve fund.
[snorts] >> Anybody else have any comments? >> Miss Sandy. >> Sandy. Okay. So, in the past, what we would do in a situation like this would be let the department spend their budget as much as they can when it
shows that we have the emergencies that have caused us to go over budget or need to go over budget. We would vote at a later date, but the department would put us on notice. They would put the finance committee on notice is what which is
what the fire chief is doing. He's putting you on notice that he doesn't have the money. He's going to need a reserve fund transfer, but to do it now is premature >> because you don't know he's going to need $100,000. >> That's just a number he came up with.
>> Correct. Mhm. >> So, it would be better to wait till later in the year and have him say, "I've projected now I'm going to need another 60,000 or another 50,000 or maybe 100,000." But the whole thing is
he when he budgets, he budgets for overtime, which is always a very questionable budget. You never know how it's going to come in. There is sometimes money left at the end of the year. So to postpone this vote, he's put you on notice that this needs to happen,
but it doesn't need to happen today. Great. >> She said I better [laughter] >> any other comments? >> Anything from the committee? >> Okay. So, we have in front of us a reserve fund transfer for the fire
department for $100,000. Is there a motion to approve or disapprove this request? >> I'll make a motion to approve this $100,000 transfer for the fire department. >> Is there a second? >> Can I make a motion to postpone it?
>> No, we got to work. >> We have to do this motion first. >> Do that one first. >> Can't have two motions going at the same time, >> right? If we do a motion to approve and it's and not everyone approves it, does it get declined?
>> Yes, >> it would get disapproved. >> Brought back. >> So, they would have to bring it back. >> They'd have to bring it back. >> Okay. >> Mhm. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> All in favor?
Frank. Cheryl. >> No. >> No. >> Okay. Frank is a yes. Charles, no. Mike Bennett, >> no. >> No. [clears throat] Where is he? Rod, >> no.
>> Okay, I would be a yes also. So, uh, that motion does not carry. So, I guess um Lindsay, do we need to sign these anyway? >> I don't think so. >> No, I wouldn't think so. I'm not asking. >> All right. >> Not approved. >> Second reserve item transfer. Reserve
fund transfers from the police department. It is requested for the following transfer from the reserve fund in accordance with chapter 40 section 6 of the Massachusetts general laws. $100,000 to police wages account 012105115.
Present balance in that account is $1,322,537. The amount requested will be used for police wages. This expenditure is extraordinary and/or unforeseen for the following reasons. With the unexpected resignation of an officer, the police
wage account will be short. That is the only explanation that is offered. Questions? >> Any comments? >> This is Rod. >> Yes, sir. >> Can you hear me clearly? >> Yep. My I guess my request for clarification
of chief is with the resignation of an officer, would that mean there'd be additional funds available uh because the wages aren't being paid to that resigned officer? Just asking for some clarification on that. >> Okay,
>> Ted is on. Chief Benner, >> how you doing? Can you guys hear me? >> Yes, sir. >> All right. So just a little bit of clarification too since that time transfer has been put in. We also had another officer actually um lead the
department. Um so basically what has to happen is to fill these shifts we actually have to fill it on overtime. So yes we are saving and obviously we don't have a salary to pay but we are paying time to have to fill those shifts.
Okay. Thank you, sir. >> Any [snorts] questions for Chief Benner or the uh the transfer itself? >> No, I just I do think that it should be submitted with more detail on it though. Um particularly if there's a second officer that's been added to the mix
here that's resigned >> um so that we have the most up-to-date information on these. So, I would recommend that we kick it back as as a as a resubmit allow meeting to happen. Okay, that certainly seems reasonable. Chief
Benner, >> go ahead. >> Can you um So, we'd like to get a little more detail on this. Uh and also um if you have an additional officer who has left uh we need to add that into your into into the cause for uh for the for
the transfer plus some detail on the overtime that you guys are going to estimate that you will need to pay over the next however long it takes you to get somebody. >> No problem. >> So we will put this we will hold this for now. >> Okay. So we don't need there will be no
vote on this. We'll put a hold on this until we get a new uh submission from the police chief. >> Thanks, Doug. >> Thanks, Chief. Everybody okay with that? >> No. >> All right. Okay. Well, that's the only other thing that that's the only thing
we had on our agenda for this evening. Um, so at this point, at this time, we will adjourn to join the select board in the great hall for their meeting.