Alan Ingram
Express correspondent
HALIFAX – The town will hold a Special Town Meeting on December 16 to address zoning changes, including a proposed MBTA Communities overlay district.
The Zoning Bylaw Review Committee has completed its work after a year-long process, presenting two main recommendations for consideration.
Board of Selectmen Chairman John Bruno explained, “We’re making two recommendations. One is a revision and updating to the current zoning bylaw. It’s very detailed.”
The proposed changes include reorganized sections, combined definitions, and updates to the site plan review process. A new section on accessory dwelling units has been added to match recent state law changes.
“And we added in a section on blighted properties, which gives the town a little bit more ability to deal with properties that have become an eyesore, become dangerous, that type of thing,” Bruno said.
The most significant proposal addresses the MBTA Communities law, which requires towns to establish a zoning overlay district allowing multifamily dwellings within a half-mile radius of train stations.
After reading a brief statement explaining his concerns with the mandate for an overlay district, Bruno described the proposed solution: “What we are proposing then is to place an overlay zone on this area, identifying Twin Lakes development property and certain abutting property to more precisely describe what is already in place.”
The proposed overlay district largely encompasses the existing Twin Lakes Condominiums development, which already supports multifamily housing.
“Since the law does not require that anything new actually be built, and since Halifax already has an area supporting a multifamily development, putting the proposed zoning change in place resolves any issue about compliance with the state decree,” Bruno explained. “I liken what we are proposing to giving a fresh coat of paint to an existing wall. Nothing of substance changes except what it is being called.”
Town Administrator Cody Haddad noted that the state has preliminarily approved the town’s plan, with only minor adjustments requested.
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to submit the proposed zoning bylaw changes and the MBTA zoning bylaw changes to the Planning Board for a public hearing.
The Special Town Meeting on Dec. 16 will provide residents the opportunity to vote on these proposed changes.
Halifax is set to lose approximately $185,000 in annual revenue due to changes in state regulations regarding marijuana dispensaries. Haddad explained that the 3% impact fee the town had been collecting from two local dispensaries will no longer be allowed under new state regulations. “Between the two dispensaries for the last fiscal year was around $185,000,” Haddad said.
The Board voted unanimously to approve a new Host Community Agreement template for one of the dispensaries, Flower & Soul, which removes the 3% impact fee but maintains other aspects of the original agreement.
Haddad noted that the town believes the new regulations do not apply retroactively to existing agreements. “We feel as though the legislation and the regulations that change that 3% are not retroactively applied to host community agreements that were signed prior to that date,” he said.
In other business, the Board interviewed three candidates for a newly formed Town Government Study Committee.
The committee will review Halifax’s current governmental structure and potentially recommend changes.
Sandy Dolan, the recently retired town accountant with 15 years of experience, expressed her willingness to serve. “I have a lot of municipal knowledge, not just of the way municipalities run, but the way the town of Halifax runs,” Dolan said.
Mary Gravinese raised concerns about the committee’s potential time commitment. “Looking at two years of this, I could never commit to that,” Gravinese stated, emphasizing the need for efficiency. She had previously petitioned Town Meeting to increase the size of the Board of Selectmen to five members.
Jim Walters highlighted the importance of public input. “We need to have public meetings, talk to the people out in the town, send out surveys through whatever fashion we want to send out surveys, look for input and feedback from them,” Walters suggested.
Board member Jonathan Selig expressed enthusiasm for the diverse perspectives represented by the candidates. “I think some of the best committees don’t always agree on everything,” Selig noted.
The Board plans to keep the application process open until Sept. 18 and make appointments at their next meeting on September 24. One candidate is already scheduled to interview on the 24th.
Chairman John Bruno stressed the significance of the committee’s task. “This is a big effort. What we’re trying to do is consider reorganizing how government works in Halifax. And it’s not something that we can make a decision on quickly.”

The Kingston Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The Kingston School Committee called a joint meeting with the Selectmen to interview candidates for a vacancy left by Timothy Lewis’ recent resignation. The seat would be filled by appointment until the May election.
Candidates Sheila Vaughn and Ronnie Litif took turns making statements. Vaughn, who has been a resident of Kingston for 20 years, said that she has three children ranging from six years old to a senior in high school. She noted that she served on the School Committee for nine years as well as having served as a Selectman for four. Additionally, she is currently active on the Affordable Housing Trust. Vaughn said that she felt her experience would come in handy, particularly as the town heads into budget season.
Litif told the Selectmen that he has four children with the youngest being just a year old and the oldest being in fifth grade. “Last year, all of the budget stuff was kind of alarming to me, and I started showing up to meetings,” Litif said. “I have probably too many ideas my wife would say.” He said that he is a baseball coach in town and his wife is on the PTO. “Whatever you guys decide is going to be best for the schools that’s what I hope,” he concluded.
The School Committee members and Selectmen then interviewed each of the candidates. Both were asked if they would run for the seat come the election. Litif said he would consider it, but not commit to it. Vaughn, on the other hand, said she probably would run for the three-year seat if she’s going to be on the Committee for the next several months. Vaughn also touted the fact that she was already accustomed to the time commitment, saying it was much more than once a month. Crone asked Litif if he has ever been involved in any kind of committee that followed parliamentary rules. He answered that he had not done anything beyond instructional baseball. Both were asked what their goals were and both answered that saving teachers’ jobs would be high on the priority list.
Selectman Kimberley Emberg said that it was a “tough” choice between new ideas versus experience. School Committee member Jeanne Coleman said that given the difficult budget season they were entering into, she felt that Vaughn’s experience would be invaluable. Both Crone and Coleman said that regardless of whether Litif was selected or not, they would hope that he would continue to be involved and share ideas.
Vaughn was voted in unanimously. Litif left everyone laughing after saying that he probably would have voted for her too. He did let everyone know that he would continue to share his myriads of ideas including potential solar on the roof of the school in exchange for a free, new roof. Many in the room echoed the sentiment that they hoped he would run for a different seat or one of the two available seats on the School Committee come election time.
Town Administrator Keith Hickey addressed some concerns about EEE. “I’ve heard a couple of comments about something the Board of Health may be doing or should be doing regarding EEE. I had a conversation with our Health Agent who has been communicating with the Board of Health. Our Health Agent is reviewing the current status of the EEE situation in Kingston as well as some of the neighboring communities. At this point, fields and outdoor town properties are still open for use. If there is a need to potentially close from dusk to dawn, like Plymouth has recently done, could be a recommendation. That will occur at a public Board of Health meeting,” Hickey said.
Hickey addressed some changes to their agreement with the business Elevated Roots due to changes in State law. State legislation has modified the three percent franchise fee that allowed three percent of the gross sales to be paid to the town. “The town would need to provide expenses that are eligible to be reimbursed by the organization to be refunded to the town… frankly, I believe there have been little to no costs associated with having Elevated Roots here in town… they’ve expanded their business from retail to now growing.” He called them a “good corporate neighbor.” He said they now get a percentage of the sales from growing as well as retail. “Our revenues have increased as a community because Elevated Roots has expanded their business as they said they would,” he explained.
There was a request for several one-day liquor licenses for Forty Second Brew Co. at the Weir Family Christmas Tree Farm for the dates of 11/29, 11/30, 12/1, 12/7, 12/8, 12/14, and 12/15 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “The application has been reviewed and signed by the Fire and Police Chiefs and all documentation has been received,” Crone said. The Selectmen voted unanimously to approve.
Hickey said that he met with the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Streets, Trees, and Parks, Superintendent, Planning Director, and school staff members to identify a school zone that they believe complies with State law. He said that it was submitted to a traffic consultant and engineer for their review and concurrence. A request to take the costs associated with the project, approximately $59k, from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be made in coming week. Hickey noted that those funds plus just over $11,000 needed for fiber optic improvements would likely be the end of available ARPA money. The Board voted unanimously to approve the $11k and move the approval of the $59k to a meeting at a later date.
The Board also discussed the possibility of establishing a “no jake brake: area on a portion of Main St. He said that despite Mass DOT and Old Colony Planning’s hesitation that such a restriction can be enforced, the Police Chief feels that they could police it through a noise ordinance. Police Chief Brian Holmes read from the law that he believed enabled the Board to make a specific section of the road a no exhaust brake zone. He did note that “jake brake” is a specific brand and not a general type of brake. Selectman Donald Alcombright said that he was against the restriction saying that he believed that driver safety should supersede a noise complaint. Alcombright said, “These are implemented for truckers for a reason and if it’s not breaking noise levels, they should be allowed to use what’s in their vehicle to stop their vehicle.”
Crone said he was in favor of it. Hickey said that the hope was that it would become a “learned behavior” that using a jake brake would not “be acceptable behavior in Kingston.” Emberg recommended holding off on the vote until they had a “full Board” as she sensed that the vote might end up 2-2. The Board agreed to table the vote.
Hickey said that Governor Healey recently passed the Heroes Act that allows local control for communities for additional tax exemptions for veterans who are property owners. He said that the Board of Assessors would be reviewing the legislation and making a recommendation. “It’s important to understand that any monies that are shifted from veterans… its not a reduction in taxes, it’s being shifted to those who aren’t veterans,” Hickey said. He called it a “bit of a balancing act” noting that they would take into account “what the community can afford.”
Hickey said that the Water Commissioners decided not to bring a warrant article forth for the funding of a new well on the Kelleher property. He expressed dismay saying that a lack of new water connections would mean continuing the water ban which would have detrimental effects on residents.
Hickey also said that he and the Conservation Agent met with Brockton’s Mayor about the amount of water that’s being withdrawn from Silver Lake for the city of Brockton. He said that the Mayor said that Brockton had additional repair work that required that they withdraw more water than normal from the lake. Hickey said that the work is now done and the water being withdrawn should be back to acceptable levels.
Longtime Streets, Trees, and Parks Superintendent Paul Basler is retiring. Hickey said they are considering changes to the position, but said if there are no changes, they will post the position as-is soon.
During their meeting, the Selectmen also voted unanimously to declare September as Suicide Prevention Month.

Alan Ingram
Express correspondent
Halifax will hold a special town meeting on Dec. 16 to address MBTA Communities zoning requirements and other zoning changes. The Select Board set the date during its Aug. 27 meeting, citing the need to comply with state regulations by year’s end.
Town Administrator Cody Haddad outlined a timeline leading up to the December meeting. The planning board is expected to hold a public hearing on proposed zoning changes around Oct. 18, with the special town meeting warrant closing on Nov. 4.
“We would have liked to have had this done earlier…we were able to send it back to the state for kind of a preliminary approval,” said Select Board Chair John Bruno. “We sent it to them and said, well, do you see any problems?”
Haddad noted the state took 97 days to respond with only minor changes required.
“It’s unfortunate we have to wait until practically the 11th hour to hold the special town meeting, but it was beyond our control to do that,” Bruno added. “It also has to be done. We do have to make a vote.”
The town must comply with MBTA Communities zoning regulations by Dec. 31 to remain compliant with the law and remain eligible for many state grants.
Board member Jonathan Selig stated, “Am I psyched that it’s in December? No. But I feel better that we didn’t try to push this through any faster than we can because you really can’t. You have to follow what we need to follow.”
The board plans to review all zoning articles and make recommendations to the planning board at its Sept. 10 meeting. They will also vote to open the special town meeting warrant, set to close on Nov. 4.
A public workshop on MBTA zoning with the Old Colony Planning Council and state delegates is planned for the week of Oct. 8.
The board agreed to mail out the warrant to all residents to ensure widespread awareness of the proposed changes.
“Where you say this is a lot of moving parts, I’m a fan of actually sending it out to folks in advance,” Selig said.
The special town meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 16, with Dec. 17 set as a backup date in case of inclement weather or lack of quorum.
Haddad also presented a comprehensive update on the town’s goals, highlighting numerous accomplishments.
“I think what you see is we have done a lot in the town in the past year,” Haddad said. “This is a testament to you guys on the board, but really the staff here. You don’t accomplish these things without a really good team in place.”
Key achievements included securing a $75,000 grant for online permitting services, combining part-time positions to create more efficient full-time roles, and adopting a code of conduct for elected and appointed officials.
Selig reacted, “I am floored at how much we’ve done in a year, and kudos to you, Cody, and kudos to the board, and kudos to people here at town hall.”
The board will now focus on developing new goals for the upcoming year. Haddad emphasized the importance of aligning future objectives with the board’s vision for the town.
“This is a good opportunity for us to reflect and pivot,” Haddad said. “As the chief policy makers of the town, the direction that you want to see go in the next year, several years, right? Because this isn’t a yearly document.”
The board approved an agreement with National Grid to install four level 3 electric vehicle charging stations near HOPS Playground. The $296,000 project will be fully funded by National Grid and its partners, with no cost to the town.
Level 3 chargers are “fast chargers”, with charging time measured in minutes instead of hours. The board praised Energy Manager Kathy Stanley for her work on a number of energy initiatives, including these chargers.
The board also addressed the recent elevation of Halifax to high risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Aerial spraying is set to begin in the town, with residents advised to check the Board of Health website for precautions.
“Bob Valery, our health agent, does an excellent job of keeping that updated,” Haddad said.
The Board also met the night before, Aug. 26, with a single focus, interviewing representatives from two law firms as potential new town counsel, exploring options to enhance legal services for the municipality.
They met with attorneys from Clifford & Kenny and Mead, Talerman & Costa to discuss their approaches to municipal law, experience, and fee structures.
Both firms emphasized their expertise in land use and zoning issues, which Select Board Chair John Bruno identified as a primary concern for Halifax.
“Our bigger issue is probably zoning and land use, some general government stuff, making sure that our town meeting runs efficiently,” Bruno said.
The board expressed interest in training programs for volunteer board members, particularly in technical areas like conservation and zoning.
Jay Talerman of Mead, Talerman & Costa highlighted their firm’s commitment to education, stating, “We do all of that. Now, sometimes it doesn’t require curriculum as much as it does like a let’s get around the table and talk about it kind of thing.”
John Clifford of Clifford & Kenny emphasized their firm’s responsiveness and accessibility, noting, “If there’s something serious going on, and it doesn’t happen that often, but when there’s a crisis going on, it’s mainly Jamie and I, we’ll get calls from all the board members on a regular basis, and that includes nights and weekends.”
Both firms discussed their approaches to town meeting preparation and attendance, with representatives from each firm assuring the board they would prioritize Halifax’s annual meeting.
The Select Board is expected to make a decision on new town counsel soon, with board members indicating they would check references before finalizing their choice. Town counsel contract was one of the stated reasons for an executive session at the start of the August 27 meeting.