During their Tuesday, Oct. 13 meeting, the Halifax Board of Selectmen met with candidates to fill two vacant seats on the Finance Committee. The first was Lauren Carmichael who said she moved to Halifax nearly two years ago and has children in the Elementary School. While Carmichael said she doesn’t have any finance experience, she has an interest in it and enjoys listening to money podcasts. Selectman Troy Garron asked if she would be able to attend meetings to which Carmichael said she has childcare and would have the necessary availability. Selectman Gordon Andrews asked her if she attended town meeting and she said she has not yet. Andrews also confirmed that she is a registered voter.
Regarding her lack of experience, Selectman Tom Millias said, “It’s kind of like jumping into the deep end but it’s a heck of a way to get experience in town government.” Garron thanked her for stepping forward and said, “Believe me, having experience with something sort of jades you a little bit. If you’re a good listener and you can understand things… you’ll see things sometimes that a person with experience might not see.” Carmichael was unanimously appointed through a joint vote of the selectmen and Finance Committee.
Thomas Connolly also came before the selectmen in the hopes of being appointed to the Finance Committee. Connolly said that he has been a resident of Halifax for 9 years and is a father to a 10-year-old daughter. Connolly said he owns a consulting firm out of Quincy but will soon become just a shareholder thus freeing up some availability. “I have a lot of interest in municipal government but haven’t had the opportunity to do it.” Like Carmichael, Connolly was unanimously appointed. Both terms will run through June of 2023.
Robert Maker of Green Earth Cannabis had an appointment with the Board to discuss his proposal for a retail marijuana establishment. Maker said that he was interested in the property at 657 Monponsett St. Maker described the location as “the least impactful place we could find in town that would work for our needs and your needs.” He went on to say that his company planned to work with the community to get rid of what he described as an “eyesore.”
Maker said that he already has a host community agreement that he would like to present to the town.
Town Administrator Charlie Seelig said that residents would want to see the draft before attending a hearing. Maker agreed to make a copy available.
Seelig told the Board that 49 laptops were requested for staff at Halifax Elementary School.
He said the estimate was $47,764 and that he was looking into whether Plymouth County would consider this expenditure eligible for CARES Act funds.
Andrews, who also serves as the Chair of the Halifax School Committee, asked the other selectmen if they could be available for a joint meeting on Monday, October 26 to interview candidates for a vacancy on the school committee. There are 6 candidates who will appear before the selectmen and school committee for 10 minutes each prior to a decision being made.
The selectmen approved a bottle and can/food drive to be hosted by the Boy Scouts on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon.
They also gave the green light for the library to proceed with a story walk on Saturday, October 31.