The Halifax Board of Selectmen have approved a plan for deal with some of the traffic on Route 106 caused by pick up and drop off at Halifax Elementary School.
According to Selectmen Chair Kim Roy, the traffic is getting pushed down Route 106 in both directions. “It is becoming a safety issue,” Roy said.
Roy said the traffic is becoming a safety issue because oftentimes, the traffic is pushing in front of the fire station.
Selectman Troy Garron said the situation makes it difficult for ambulances to get out during emergencies at those times of day.
The approved plan involves Highway Surveyor Steven Heyward removing some dead trees. Then, he’ll take some left-over asphalt from another project to create a path that will get some of the traffic off the road.
Selectman Thomas Millias said this won’t solve the problem completely, but it will at least get some of the traffic off Route 106.
Licensing News
The Board of Selectmen approved a 10-month extension for Jan and Raymond Jacobs for a temporary trailer at 23 Annawon Drive.
The Jacobs’ house burned down, so they have been living in the trailer as a temporary home. The house is in the process of being repaired, but the demolition of the old one hasn’t yet been completed.
Jan Jacobs said they will need a 10-month permit extension for the repairs to be completed. The Board of Selectmen approved this extension unanimously.
Millias said because “insurance tends to drag these things on,” come back for another extension if necessary.
Mud Fest
Mud Fest head operator Robert Bergstrom came in and told the Board of Selectmen that, as of right now, attendance is down from previous years.
Because of the lack of attendance, Bergstrom asked if it be okay to reduce the police detail at the festival from six officers down to four. The Board of Selectmen left that decision up to Police Chief Edward Broderick.
Broderick who was in attendance for the meeting, said he was not going to commit to anything tonight. However, he said he is willing to work with Bergstrom.
As Mud Fest approaches, Bergstrom and Broderick will look at expected attendance. Broderick said he’ll then make the appropriate decision based on safety.
Mud fest is scheduled for November 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other News
• Theresa Levenson has resigned from the Halifax Fireworks Committee. The Board said Levenson did most of the work on the committee for many years without a lot of volunteer support. In Levenson’s resignation letter, she cited frustration from a lack of volunteers. The Board of Selectmen said they did’t blame her. Millias said he understands how one can get burned out when they are in a group doing the majority of the work.
Selectmen accepted Levenson’s resignation and are writing a letter to thank her for her service to the town.
• The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved appointing Judy Rakutis to the Old Colony Elder Services Board of Directors (ODEC).
Rakutis said she is excited to get involved in town. She became a Halifax resident three years ago when she moved to town the day after Thanksgiving, 2015. Rakutis also lived in Halifax as a child. She was going to move to Florida before moving back here but chose to be closer to her daughter in East Bridgewater after her husband passed away.
“I always wanted to come back,” Rakutis said. “I am by accident.”
The next meeting of the Halifax Board of Selectmen is Tuesday, August 28 at 7 p.m.
There will be a Special Town Meeting Monday, August 20, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.