HALIFAX - October 21 and November 4 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen is establishing an Override Study Committee to prepare the groundwork for a possible tax increase, and may expand the five-member panel to seven members to broaden public representation on the politically charged issue. Applications for at-large committee positions are due November 25th.
The Full Story
During their November 4th meeting, the Halifax Board of Selectmen moved forward with plans for an Override Study Committee, a clear signal that town leaders are preparing residents for a possible property tax increase. Chair Jonathan Selig explained that the committee will gather budget data and analyze revenue options before any override question reaches voters. “If this board decides to go down the route of an override, we will already have collected some of the data, already have hit the ground running,” Selig said.
The committee structure currently calls for five members: one representative each from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, Halifax Elementary School Committee, and Silver Lake Regional School Committee, plus one member at large from the public. However, Selig raised the possibility of expanding the committee to seven members, adding two more at-large public seats to address the “hot button topic” nature of potential tax increases.
“It’s not on the agenda tonight, so we really can’t discuss whether that’s something we want to do,” Selig said. “But it’s just something I wanted to plant in the board’s head for maybe our next meeting to decide if that’s a change we want to make to the charge and looking at making the number bigger.” The board accepted talent bank forms for the member-at-large position, with a deadline of November 25th for applications.
Selig emphasized the strategic importance of early preparation, noting that research shows “the earlier you get that information out to the public, the more chance that override has of being successful.” The committee aims to have comprehensive data ready should the board decide to pursue an override.
The board’s efforts to engage residents in governance extend beyond the override committee. The Bylaw Review Committee is also recruiting new members after losing two participants during nearly a year of work. Committee representative Tom Pratt told selectmen the group has “several documents in the hands of legal counsel for review” and lost member Josh Curtis to an untimely death, plus another member who could not dedicate sufficient time. Pratt emphasized that “a lot of the hard work starts now” and encouraged residents to apply by the November 25th deadline, calling committee service “a great way to actually learn all about town government.”
The two meetings, held on October 21st and November 4th, were marked by somber moments as the town mourned two community losses. At the October meeting, the board observed a moment of silence for Bob Valery, the town’s Board of Health agent who passed away unexpectedly. Selig remembered Valery as more than just an effective health agent: “He was a good guy. He was the kind of guy that when you walked in a room, you knew it and you felt glad to see him.”
Stepping in to fill Valery’s role is Bob Buker, who introduced himself to the board as the interim Board of Health agent. Buker serves as the shared services coordinator for the Public Health Excellence Group, a grant-funded six-town collaborative that includes the Three Bridgewaters, Halifax, Middleborough, and Raynham. Notably, Buker’s interim service will be covered through grant funding at no cost to Halifax through fiscal year 2026. “Bob was a close friend of mine, as well as a colleague,” Bucher said. “So I definitely, I felt a sense of duty to step in.”
The November 4th meeting opened with news of another tragedy. Norman Coombes, a Halifax resident, perished in a house fire over the weekend along with two of his dogs. Selig extended condolences to Coombes’ friends and family and also acknowledged the toll on first responders: “In addition to the victims, it’s also tough for our first responders to encounter stuff like that, and I know it was a tough situation there.” The chair used the tragedy as an opportunity to remind residents about fire safety as the heating season begins, urging everyone to ensure they have working smoke detectors.
The October 21st meeting featured a ceremonial recognition of Halifax Police and Fire Department personnel for their heroic water rescue on September 11, 2025 at East Monponsett Lake. Deputy Police Chief Benner presented awards to responders who saved a woman in distress. Officer Boncariewski acquired a kayak and navigated into the dark lake despite limited visibility to reach the victim. Off-duty firefighter Jennifer Stratton also paddled out to assist. Officers Raddatz and Chahine, Captain Couzzo, and firefighters Root and Robinson provided crucial support, along with mutual aid from Pembroke and Hanson Fire departments. The victim was airlifted by Boston Med Flight to a Boston hospital and made a full recovery. “This operation was a textbook example of interagency cooperation,” Benner said.
Both meetings included routine business matters, including warrant approvals totaling over $1.1 million across various vendor, payroll, and withholding warrants. The November meeting also approved ambulance abatements for September 2025 totaling $84,912.60. A road opening permit for 63 Paradise Lane was approved contingent upon Conservation Commission approval, which was meeting concurrently in the Great Hall.
Infrastructure concerns surfaced during the November meeting when Interim Town Administrator Robert Fennessy addressed repeated delays in the water department’s hydrant flushing program. Originally scheduled to begin on October 14th, the flushing had been delayed multiple times. Fennessy encouraged residents with questions to contact the water commissioners directly and attend their biweekly Tuesday afternoon meetings. “Hydrant flushing was supposed to begin on October 14th. That was delayed several times to get to October 14th, and we’re delayed again,” Fennessy said. “Those who have questions should reach out to the water department, the water commissioners specifically. I would encourage all to be vocal on that.”
The board also addressed an open meeting law complaint filed by Patrick Higgins regarding the October 21st meeting. The selectmen voted unanimously to have town counsel review the complaint and prepare a response on behalf of the town.
In October, discussion arose regarding the Municipal School Building Maintenance Committee’s authority to approve contracts without selectmen input. Vice Chair Tom Pratt raised concerns about the committee’s process of presenting only one contractor recommendation rather than multiple options. “The committee members on this, the committee members on the Municipal School Building Maintenance Committee are appointed to a three-year term, and there are five of them,” Pratt noted. “Can we check on who’s approving that contract?” After discussion, the board agreed to ask the committee to present multiple contractor options for selectmen consideration rather than a single recommendation.
The November meeting concluded with a brief exchange about the town’s ongoing MBTA compliance lawsuit. A resident asked whether the matter would need to return to town meeting if Halifax loses the case. Selig indicated uncertainty about the next steps, saying the board would consult with legal counsel once a court decision is rendered. “We’ll see what the judge, what the courts decide. And we’ll get with our legal counsel and see what our options are,” he said.
Selig also used the October meeting to recognize the Halifax Beautification Committee for their fall cleanup efforts and encouraged residents to take pride in maintaining their neighborhoods. “You got five minutes, 10 minutes to spare. Try and hit your neighborhood, clean it up a little bit. So many hands make light work,” he said.
Why It Matters
The Override Study Committee signals that Halifax residents may face a vote on a tax increase in the coming year. With schools consuming 54% of the town budget and infrastructure needs mounting, town leaders are preparing the groundwork for what could be a contentious override vote. The decision to potentially expand public seats on the committee from one to three members recognizes that any tax increase will require significant community support to pass. Residents who want input on their future tax burden have until November 25th to apply for committee positions. The concurrent recruitment for the Bylaw Review Committee offers another opportunity for residents to shape town policy at a foundational level.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
October 21, 2025:
Motion: Enter executive session to discuss interim town administrator and approve executive minutes from June 17 and August 26, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 3-0 (unanimous). (Timestamp: 00:01:43)
Motion: Reopen Board of Selectmen meeting after executive session. Outcome: Approved. (Timestamp: 00:03:19)
November 4, 2025:
Motion: Enter executive session regarding Morse Brothers Incorporated v. Town of Halifax litigation and approve executive minutes from October 21, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: 3-0 (unanimous). (Timestamp: 00:00:15)
Motion: Approve road opening for 63 Paradise Lane contingent on Conservation Commission approval. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:05:02)
Motion: Affirm approval of Vendor Warrant #39 for $435,333.96 and Ambulance Commitments #1013.25-1019.25 for $45,986.90 and #1020.25-1026.25 for $47,251.60. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:05:46)
Motion: Approve Payroll Warrant #40 for $457,550.82, Vendor Warrant #41 for $93,192.33, Withholding Warrant #42 for $161,494.53, and Mobile Park Fee #11 for $5,160.06. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:06:54)
Motion: Approve ambulance abatements for September 2025 totaling $84,912.60. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:07:32)
Motion: Accept talent bank forms for Override Study Committee member at large with deadline of November 25th. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:10:27)
Motion: Have town counsel respond to open meeting law complaint from Patrick Higgins regarding October 21, 2025 meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:28:29)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 00:31:37)
Public Comment
October 21, 2025: No formal public comment period was held during this meeting. The meeting primarily consisted of ceremonial recognitions and board business.
November 4, 2025: One resident inquired about the MBTA compliance lawsuit and whether the matter would need to return to town meeting if Halifax loses the case. Chair Selig indicated the board would consult with legal counsel to determine next steps once a court decision is rendered.
What’s Next
Upcoming deadlines and events:
November 25, 2025: Deadline for applications to Override Study Committee (member at large) and Bylaw Review Committee
Board to consider expanding Override Study Committee from 5 to 7 members at upcoming meeting
Town counsel to prepare response to open meeting law complaint
Board awaiting court decision on MBTA compliance lawsuit
Water department to provide updates on delayed hydrant flushing program
VFW Veterans Memorial garden project behind Town Hall (renderings expected)
Full meetings available via Area 58 Community Access Channel, November 4 and October 21.