The Halifax Board of Selectmen met on Tuesday, Nov. 19. Town Administrator Cody Haddad spoke on the two articles that will be on the warrant during the Special Town Meeting on Monday, Dec. 16, the first of which is the MBTA multi-family overlay district. Haddad said that the map will be available at the Town Clerk’s office; it will also be available in the warrant. “We’ve heard the feedback from the community that they like as much information as possible in the warrant,” Haddad said.
Selectmen Chair John Bruno spoke on the first article saying, “I do not agree with the MBTA housing law. In my view, the MBTA housing law is an example of what is wrong with Massachusetts State government.” He continued, “this law is a heavy-handed, uninspired, ill considered, one-size-fits-all supposed solution to what has become a cause célèbre among state politicians.” He noted that he and the other Halifax Selectmen oppose the law and even reached out to Halifax’s representatives at the State House.
“I’ve come to understand recently though that there does not appear to be any interest in overturning the MBTA housing law and that, in fact, it is part of a progressive agenda to further causes that I simply do not believe are good for Massachusetts and certainly not good for Halifax,” Bruno said. “It appears to me that if Halifax makes the proposed zoning change this will be nothing more than a win for ever-increasing government mandates and bullying by those currently in power,” he added. He called out the Attorney General specifically for targeting communities that don’t come into compliance. Towns not in compliance are at risk of a loss of state grants. He said that he originally thought that the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee had done a wonderful job coming up with a solution that would be a compromise that would not put the town in jeopardy.
Selig said that he has been up nights debating what the right course of action is on this law. “It’s a no for me right now; I just hope that the folks can understand in this community that there could, and very well will be some consequences and we have to be okay with what those are,” Selig said. He thanked the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee for their work to come up with a plan. Selectman Thomas Pratt said, “I think this is just another example of a 40,000 ft. view that not every town fits into their box and is not created the same; I remain a no vote.”
Haddad told the Selectmen during his update that the Planning Board held their hearing regarding the MBTA zoning bylaw the previous week where they voted unanimously not to recommend the zoning bylaw.
The second article is a petition article from Steve Goodman and 115 other residents to ban the use of personal watercraft on East and West Monponsett Ponds without a resident personal watercraft permit displayed prominently on said vehicle. They are asking for a fine of “not less than $300” for any violations. “A lot of this is really not enforceable,” Haddad said. Selig clarified that according to the petition article, the watercraft would have to be launched from one of two boat ramps in town. He said that he would feel badly if a law abiding resident would suddenly be unable to launch their vehicle from their own property.
The Selectmen held a hearing, in Bruno’s words, “to determine whether a member of the Conservation Commission, Kimberley King, should be removed as a member of the Conservation Commission for the repeated failure to attend meetings of the Conservation Commission.” King was not in attendance. Bruno explained that repeated attempts to reach her went unacknowledged by King. King missed seven of the last ten meetings. “I know her heart is in the right place, but just based on attendance I think it’s in the best interest to remove Ms. King,” Selig said. The Selectmen voted to remove King.
The Selectmen approved an application to use the Town Green for Holidays in Halifax on December 14. There will be ice sculptures, food trucks at the Elementary School, music, and more.
Haddad spoke to the Selectmen about the appointment of an interim Town Accountant. The position has been posted since February of this year and the original intent was to get someone on board prior to Sandy Nolan leaving this past June. “Unfortunately, we have not been able to identify any viable candidates for the town,” Haddad said. Lindsay Martinelli, who is Halifax’s Assistant Town Accountant, has been doing the work to run the department. Haddad said she has been doing a wonderful job and noted that the intention would be to name her as an interim for one year and at the one-year mark, promote her to the permanent position. “It’s nice to promote from within,” Selig noted. The Selectmen agreed to the appointment and voted to approve the one-year contract with Martinelli.
The Plymouth County Commissioner Jared Valanzola presented the town with an oversized check for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Valanzola commended the town for their work on being in compliance in order to be eligible for the funds. He also said that the town had done a good job coming up with uses for the one-time funds. A representative from Senator Michael Brady’s office was also present. Valanzola explained, “Just for the edification of those at home, this program is sunsetting December 31 of this year so the County of Plymouth as well as your own funds that you receive directly from the Federal government need to be committed by Dec. 31 of this year then we have until December 31 of 2026 to get those funds out the door.” He said that to date over $70 million of the $100,000 awarded to Plymouth County has been delivered. “We’re not going to send a dime back to Washington D.C. either,” he said.