Halifax Appoints New Finance Committee Member in Unanimous Vote
Rodney Hemingway appointed to fill vacancy left by now Selectman Bill Smith
HALIFAX - September 2 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee unanimously appointed Rodney Hemingway to fill a vacant position on the Finance Committee during a joint virtual meeting Tuesday evening, with all nine voting members supporting his candidacy.
The Full Story
The joint meeting between the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee was called specifically to fill the vacancy left by Bill Smith, who resigned from the Finance Committee after being elected to the Board of Selectmen. Under Halifax Town Code Section 13-10-2, a majority vote from both boards is required to appoint new Finance Committee members to vacant positions.
Hemingway, who had previously interviewed with the Finance Committee in August, presented his qualifications during a brief opening statement. He highlighted his experience as an occupational therapist with V&A Care of Boston, where he has worked on budgets and served on a labor board to ensure adequate staffing while meeting financial targets. "I'm excited about the potential to be part of this team and this committee to help serve our town that we all care so much about," Hemingway told the boards.
The appointment comes at what Finance Committee Chairman Jim Walters described as "a pretty tough year for the town, especially when it comes to planning for next year and the revenues that we anticipate getting." Board of Selectmen member Thomas Pratt emphasized the high-stakes nature of the position, noting that the appointee would be joining "something that's pretty public, pretty high profile, and in this year, pretty high stakes."
When questioned about handling public pressure and criticism, Hemingway demonstrated a measured approach. "You're not going to be able to please everybody, and that's an important thing to appreciate," he said. "As long as you're sticking to what we are meant to do as a board and we make the recommendations as a committee, then chips fall where they may as far as people's opinions or comments."
The questioning process revealed Hemingway's collaborative experience from his work in school special education departments, where he participated in budgeting for supplies and hiring decisions. He also mentioned his role as a track and field coach, managing team travel budgets and supporting athletes in various competitions.
Finance Committee member Frank Johnston, amid technical difficulties, asked about maintaining respectful interactions with the public during potentially contentious budget discussions. Hemingway responded by referencing the Finance Committee's professional conduct during recent town meetings and expressing his commitment to maintaining similar standards.
Following the appointment, Finance Committee Chairman Walters assigned Hemingway to serve as liaison for Veterans Services, Historic Commission, Historic District Parks, and Board of Health - departments previously overseen by Bill Smith. Walter explained that liaison duties involve meeting with department representatives during budget season to review proposed expenditures before bringing them to the full Finance Committee for consideration.
The Finance Committee also conducted routine business, approving meeting minutes from July 21st and August 11th, and discussing upcoming events including the Association of Town Finance Committees annual meeting scheduled for October 18th in Sharon. Committee members expressed interest in attending, particularly to hear sessions on budget overrides - a topic relevant to Halifax's financial planning.
Why It Matters
This appointment restores the Finance Committee to full strength as Halifax prepares for what officials describe as a challenging budget year ahead. The Finance Committee plays a crucial role in reviewing all town department budgets and making recommendations to voters at Town Meeting, directly affecting property taxes and municipal services that residents receive.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Appoint Rodney Hemingway to fill vacant Halifax Finance Committee position. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 9-0 Unanimous. (Timestamp: 22:00:00)
Motion: Approve Finance Committee minutes from July 21, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 6-0 Unanimous. (Timestamp: 26:12:00)
Motion: Approve Finance Committee minutes from August 11, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 6-0 Unanimous. (Timestamp: 26:40:00)
What's Next
The Finance Committee will meet next on September 15th at 6:00 PM in-person at Town Hall. The committee will begin preparing for budget season, which typically starts between November and December, with intensive weekly meetings beginning in January through February. Plans are underway to register committee members for the Association of Town Finance Committees annual meeting on October 18th.