Commissioned by the Halifax Board of Selectmen in 2024, the Halifax Government Study Committee has recently completed the first phase of their work and has presented five articles to the Board of Selectmen for their consideration. The Committee is made up of five volunteers who have dedicated time over the last eighteen months meeting with town officials, boards, chiefs, department heads and committees over dozens of meetings.
At their March 24 meeting, the Board of Selectmen placed all five articles on the warrant for Town Meeting on May 11, 2026.
The articles include:
• Changing the position of Town Clerk from elected to appointed
• Changing the position of Treasurer/Collector from elected to appointed
• Changing the position of Highway Department Superintendent from elected to appointed
• Changing the name of the Board of Selectmen to Select Board
• Changing elected Water Commissioners to appointed Water Commissioners
The potential changes reflect the committee’s findings that changes can be made to improve the reporting structure, increase candidate pools and streamline the efficiency of town departments.
The Committee is pleased to put forward these articles presenting its residents with clear choices and paths forward.
Residents are encouraged to submit questions and comments by completing the committee’s comments and feedback form on the town’s website or by emailing the Government Study Committee (govstudy@halifaxma.gov) directly.
The Committee invites all to participate in the annual town meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026. The meeting will be held at the Halifax Elementary School and will start at 6:30 p.m.