The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, Oct. 8. They had a discussion regarding budget season. Town Administrator Cody Haddad said that he would be looking for a level services budget from each of the departments. Additionally, he said he would be asking for a version in which they cut 10 percent should it end up being needed. He said that based on projections, he doesn’t see the town being able to provide a balanced budget at Town Meeting without an override or significant cuts. “The schools used one-time funds last year to supplement their budget which helped them get through last year, but that creates a fiscal cliff this year on top of whatever increase they’re going to see,” Haddad said. He added that he wouldn’t see the schools’ budgets until January.
Selectman John Bruno said that he doesn’t see an operational override passing nor does he believe he would support one. Haddad said that in the history of Halifax there have been three operational overrides that passed including 1992 to fund the elementary school budget, 2003 to fund Silver Lake, and in 2006 to pay for four firefighters. He did note that operational overrides had failed to pass during many other years.
Haddad told the Selectmen that they received a $221,000 Green Communities Grant which will take care of some heating and A/C concerns at Town Hall, HVAC concerns at the police station, and weatherization of several buildings. He said that a lot of the work would have been capital items had they not received the grant. Haddad also said that they are working to submit a grant to investigate potential regionalization of the elementary schools.
The Selectmen met with new Conservation Agent Katelyn Putt. The position is being shared with the town of Bridgewater. Putt said that while she was new to conservation she has a background in environmental consulting. She will be working in Halifax on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Selectmen discussed adding their support for the Community Preservation Act (CPA). The CPA is meant to assist towns in preserving open space and historical sites, create affordable housing, and develop outdoor recreational spaces. Chairman of the Ballot Committee to support the Community Preservation Act Candace Kniffen had appeared before the Selectmen during a previous meeting asking for their support and advocating for the potential funding sources for many types of community projects.
Selectmen Thomas Pratt said, “I will be a no vote on this, not because I don’t agree with the merit of the operation, but because I believe I’m being charged with representing the town and the average taxpayer.” He expressed concern over the average household being able to afford an increase in taxes. Selectman Jonathan Selig said he was abstaining due to his involvement with the Committee. He did, however, say that there were income exemptions so that people that couldn’t afford it, wouldn’t be required to pay for it. He said that preserving open space was his biggest priority. Bruno said that he felt that it was a good thing to do and said that people should vote for or against it based on their own ability to pay. The payments will equal two payments of $44 per family annually. The Selectmen elected not to take a vote to support it or not since they were split in their opinions.
Haddad told the Selectmen that they have procured a project manager for the new Council on Aging project at a maximum cost of $220,000. Colliers Engineering & Design will be the project manager. They presented before the Municipal School Building Committee who will be overseeing the project. The Selectmen reviewed the draft contract with Collier. Haddad laid out the timeline saying that the actual construction would begin in early 2026 with the goal of being in the new Council on Aging by late 2026 or early 2027. The Selectmen approved the contract.
The Selectmen discussed the MBTA Action Plan public forum that was taking place later that week. They mentioned that it would be attended by Senators Michael Brady and Kathy LaNatra. They also made it clear that the public forum was meant to be informational and not an endorsement of any kind. “The goal of the meeting is to provide information and not to debate whether we should adopt it or not,” Haddad said. Bruno added, “there’s a disconnect between what will be on the warrant and what people are mad about… what is not going to be on the warrant and will never be on the warrant is ‘do we approve of 3A’… what will be on the warrant is a zoning change… driven by the requirements of 3A but we can make the zoning change even without 3A if we wanted to.”
Before adjourning, a resident in attendance said that he was upset that the town boards and committees met, finished their agenda, and never gave the public in attendance a chance to speak.
Bruno said that he doesn’t agree with a public session portion of a meeting as it opens the meeting to anyone being able to come in and speak to anything.
He further said that there have been court rulings regarding open session as it can result in slander, etc. Bruno did note that the public is welcome to come and speak to items listed in the meeting agenda.