The Halifax Board of Selectmen used the platform Zoom to host their Tuesday, March 24, meeting in accordance with the Attorney General’s open meeting law revisions due to COVID-19. Members of the public had the option to call-in as well using Zoom from their home devices.
Town administrator Charlie Seelig said that the town was still trying to sort out the essential and non-essential employees based on Governor Baker’s directive. Seelig said that everyone was being paid regardless of whether they were working on site, from home, or not working at all. He also said that they would notify everyone should that policy change, but the intention right now is to pay everyone.
Seelig, town health agent Cathleen Drinan, Fire Chief Jason Viveiros, and Police Chief Joao Chaves are having daily calls regarding COVID-19 and the myriad of issues the pandemic has caused. Seelig said that Sysco had offered to donate surplus food to help Halifax families in need. The free and reduced lunch program through the school is also up and running and anyone finding themselves in need of these services as a result of COVID-19 should contact the Silver Lake food services director.
As a result of the pandemic, the Annual Town Meeting will be rescheduled from May 11 to Monday, June 15. The Annual town meeting will be held at the Halifax Elementary School with a special town meeting to follow at 8 p.m. on the same day and at the same location. Seelig said that the June 15 date will give them a little bit of breathing room prior to the close of the fiscal year on June 30. Additionally, the Annual Town Election has been rescheduled from May 16 to Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. also at the Halifax Elementary School. If needed, the dates will be rescheduled again depending on the Governor’s orders. Currently, Halifax does not have any provisions for remote voting.
Regarding the town’s budget, Seelig said that he was hopeful that the State House would still present a budget by the end of April so that Halifax can create one based on the new financial realities. Seelig said that it remains to be seen how far the economy will fall and how long it will take to get it back up. “Things are uncertain, and we can’t make commitments right now that we won’t be able to honor later on,” Seelig said.
Seelig informed the Board that he had received a letter from friends and family members of a resident thanking Halifax police officers Michael Schleiff, Michael Boncariewski, and Herbert Wiltshire for going above and beyond during what was described as one of the worst moments of their lives. Seelig asked the selectmen to vote in favor of a commendation for the officers. Selectmen Tom Millias said, “Absolutely, I’m proud of all of them.”
The selectmen and Seelig also discussed the possibility of filing legislation to allow mobile homes to count toward Chapter 40B, the state’s affordable housing law. The Board discussed presenting an article at town meeting asking for permission to file such legislation. Seelig said that it would probably be unlikely that the legislative delegation would act during this legislative session. Seelig said he would first have town counsel Lawrence Mayo draft applicable legislation before sending it to Senator Michael Brady and Representative Kathleen LaNatra. Selectman Gordon Andrews asked that the legislation be drawn up with both a statewide option as well as one specific to Halifax. Millias was in favor of the state-wide approach as he felt it would have the best chance of passing if there was a concerted effort by enough communities. Seelig said he would talk to colleagues in communities with mobile parks in order to garner support.
Andrews, who was recently named Chairman of the Committee, said that the Building and Facilities Needs Committee has had to postpone their planned site visits to the various department buildings. The Committee, that is responsible for assessing and prioritizing the needs and potential renovations to various municipal buildings, had planned to review paperwork submitted by department heads and do on-site visits to assess for themselves. Chief Joao Chaves is having daily calls regarding COVID-19 and the myriad of issues the pandemic has caused. Seelig said that Sysco had offered to donate surplus food to help Halifax families in need. The free and reduced lunch program through the school is also up and running and anyone finding themselves in need of these services as a result of COVID-19 should contact the Silver Lake food services director.
As a result of the pandemic, the Annual Town Meeting will be rescheduled from May 11 to Monday, June 15. The Annual town meeting will be held at the Halifax Elementary School with a special town meeting to follow at 8 p.m. on the same day and at the same location. Seelig said that the June 15 date will give them a little bit of breathing room prior to the close of the fiscal year on June 30. Additionally, the Annual Town Election has been rescheduled from May 16 to Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. also at the Halifax Elementary School. If needed, the dates will be rescheduled again depending on the Governor’s orders. Currently, Halifax does not have any provisions for remote voting.
Regarding the town’s budget, Seelig said that he was hopeful that the State House would still present a budget by the end of April so that Halifax can create one based on the new financial realities. Seelig said that it remains to be seen how far the economy will fall and how long it will take to get it back up. “Things are uncertain, and we can’t make commitments right now that we won’t be able to honor later on,” Seelig said.
Seelig informed the Board that he had received a letter from friends and family members of a resident thanking Halifax police officers Michael Schleiff, Michael Boncariewski, and Herbert Wiltshire for going above and beyond during what was described as one of the worst moments of their lives. Seelig asked the selectmen to vote in favor of a commendation for the officers. Selectmen Tom Millias said, “Absolutely, I’m proud of all of them.”
The selectmen and Seelig also discussed the possibility of filing legislation to allow mobile homes to count toward Chapter 40B, the state’s affordable housing law. The Board discussed presenting an article at town meeting asking for permission to file such legislation. Seelig said that it would probably be unlikely that the legislative delegation would act during this legislative session. Seelig said he would first have town counsel Lawrence Mayo draft applicable legislation before sending it to Senator Michael Brady and Representative Kathleen LaNatra. Selectman Gordon Andrews asked that the legislation be drawn up with both a statewide option as well as one specific to Halifax. Millias was in favor of the state-wide approach as he felt it would have the best chance of passing if there was a concerted effort by enough communities. Seelig said he would talk to colleagues in communities with mobile parks in order to garner support.
Andrews, who was recently named Chairman of the Committee, said that the Building and Facilities Needs Committee has had to postpone their planned site visits to the various department buildings. The Committee, who is responsible for assessing and prioritizing the needs and potential renovations to various municipal buildings, had planned to review paperwork submitted by department heads and do on-site visits to assess for themselves.