Halifax selectmen met Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Halifax Town Hall. They first awarded an energy management proposal for the coming year. Out of the three bidders, Energy Advocates, LLC., of North Easton was $2,000 per month; Amado Energy Solutions from Attleboro at $4,000 per month, and Wesson and Sampson, with a number of offices throughout the East Coast was highest at $7500 per month.
Kathy Stanley’s company, Energy Advocates, LLC, was lowest by far, Town Administrator Cody Haddad said, and she has worked with several other area towns. Haddad has worked with her in the past, saying her credentials are outstanding. The funding for the first year will be paid for with $24,000 ARPA funds and year two costs will become part of the operating budget for Halifax. The town may also apply to Green Communities to fund part of that cost. Selectmen awarded the contract to Energy Advocates, LLC.
Jonathan Saphire, representing Monponsett Events LLC d/b/a The Lake House, met with selectmen in a scheduled hearing to see if the board will approve a change to their all alcohol and common victualer’s license to include a secured lawn space and courtyard area at their 550 Monponsett St. location. Saphire told the board that they would have security through the Halifax Police for each event. Selectman Jonathan Selig asked how close the area is to Monponsett Pond; saying he didn’t want patrons to end up in the water. Saphire responded that they don’t want that either and they have plantings that help delineate the water’s edge.
One of the Monponsett Street neighbors voiced her concern that event guests outside with their drinks and cigarettes would put their litter into the pond: flip a spent cigarette or toss an unwanted drink. Saphire responded that they generally have a designated smoking area, and the area would be supervised. Selectman John Bruno pointed out that the pond is a treasured resource in town and echoed the concern that the integrity of the pond be foremost. Saphire agreed.
Jeremy Gillespie of Richview Avenue told selectmen that he is concerned that outside music would disrupt nearby family life. Saphire assured him that any complaints would be handled appropriately. Selectmen voted to extend the area covered by the All Alcoholic and Common Victualer’s license as requested.
Selectmen approved the requests from Steven King to use the Town Green for live entertainment and a Farmers’ Market for multiple dates during the upcoming warmer months.
Bruno asked his board to approve the new contract negotiated with Chief of Police Joao Chaves. “Glad to have you on board for three more years, Chief,” Bruno said.
Bruno asked his board to acknowledge a $20,000 check from MacDonald Industries for landfill repairs. The board accepted the check with their thanks.
Chief Joao Chaves asked selectmen to approve the appointment of Stephen Raddatz as a Police Patrolman. Chaves praised Raddatz as a good applicant who will become a valued member of the department. Raddatz came to Halifax from Whitman, where he has worked as a special police officer and also from the Weymouth School Dept. where he has worked as a security paraprofessional. Raddatz told selectmen his approach to conflict resolution is “Cool, calm, and collected.” He grew up in Whitman and is a graduate of Whitman-Hanson Regional High School and lives in Hanson with his wife.
Jeremy Gillespie told selectmen that he would like to reactivate the waterways for the river herring to make it back to spawning areas that have been previously blocked. Gillespie said that everything is looking pretty good and now is the time to get the Alewife Restoration Committee active again. Bruno asked Gillespie what his goals are for the committee. Gillespie said that there is grant money available to help defray any restoration costs. “I think it’s important we do this now.” Selig told Gillespie, “If we can get the herring running back, it would be fantastic,” but expressed concerns as to how the committee would work and who would have ultimate authority to co-ordinate the work needed. Gillespie said that the ultimate authority for the work done would lie with the Conservation Commission. Town Administrator Cody Haddad will research the committee and bring his findings back to the board at the next meeting.
Bob Valery, Halifax Health Agent, spoke to the board regarding landfill repair and engineering at the capped MacDonald Landfill. The TRC Environmental Corp. will provide engineering work to solve the perennial problem. Haddad said he is looking for a long-term fix and wants to be able to show the plans to a contractor and say this is what Halifax wants done. The expected cost for the engineering is $17,400, less than the gifted $20,000 from MacDonald Landfill.
Haddad complimented the consultant who is helping Halifax develop an MBTA Action Plan, saying the consultant from the public planning partnership did a really nice job with his presentation last week, listening to the concerns of what Halifax wants in that while Halifax wants to be compliant, it also doesn’t want the by-law change to have a major impact on the community… the culture of the town.