HALIFAX - September 23 - The Halifax Board of Selectmen expressed unanimous support Tuesday for a Veterans Memorial Garden project that would create a six to seven-foot buffer zone around the town hall patio, funded entirely by the Halifax VFW with no cost to taxpayers.
The Full Story
David Walsh, representing the Halifax Veterans of Foreign Wars, presented the proposal for what he called “step one of four steps” in creating a comprehensive Veterans Memorial at town hall. The initial phase would involve installing a landscaped buffer zone surrounding the main patio, complete with two small trees and mulching, at an estimated cost to be covered entirely by the VFW.
“I think we’re one of the few towns that doesn’t have a Veterans Memorial of some sort, and I think that would be a very apt name for it,” Walsh told the board. “It’d be funded by the Halifax VFW in total, completely. And for the upkeep in the future, it would be also provided by the Halifax Veterans of Foreign Wars.”
Walsh outlined an ambitious multi-phase vision for the memorial space. Step two would involve lining walkways with perennials, step three would add granite memorials for each military service branch facing Hemlock Street, and step four would incorporate memorial bricks honoring deceased veterans, purchased by their families.
The board expressed enthusiasm for the concept but requested to review detailed plans before giving final approval. Board Chair Jonathan Selig emphasized the need to see architectural drawings, while Selectman Thomas Pratt raised important questions about insurance coverage for the proposed contractor.
The VFW has selected Najah Nessralla to head the project. Walsh noted that multiple VFW members, including Kathy Garland and her husband, have volunteered for ongoing maintenance duties.
With Veterans Day approaching on November 11th, Walsh initially hoped to complete the project by then for dedication. However, given the need for plan review and insurance verification, the board suggested conducting a ceremonial groundbreaking on Veterans Day instead, with actual construction potentially occurring in spring 2026.
In other business, the board honored Town Clerk Sue Lawless for achieving the prestigious Certified Massachusetts Municipal Clerk designation from the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association. Board Chair Selig praised Lawless’s long-standing dedication to Halifax, noting her work on various town projects including fundraising for the Friends of HOPS playground.
The Halifax Historic Commission received approval for their annual mum sale, scheduled for Saturday, September 27th, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the town green. Commission Chairman Kevin Shea described the event as an opportunity to raise awareness for the historical commission and society, which he said had been “a little bit dormant” since COVID-19.
Interim Town Administrator Robert Fennessy was officially appointed as the town’s ADA coordinator, a required position for municipal compliance with federal accessibility standards. The appointment runs concurrent with Fennessy’s interim administrator role.
Fennessy also announced that State Representative Kathleen LaNatra had secured a $50,000 earmark in the state FY2026 budget for updating Halifax’s master plan. However, he noted that all earmarks are currently on hold due to federal and state budget uncertainties, unrelated to MBTA compliance issues.
Why It Matters
The Veterans Memorial Garden project represents Halifax’s first dedicated memorial space for military veterans, addressing what Walsh identified as a gap compared to neighboring communities. The VFW’s commitment to funding and maintaining the project removes any financial burden from taxpayers while creating a lasting tribute to local veterans. The phased approach allows the town to evaluate each stage before proceeding, ensuring the project meets community expectations and municipal standards.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Affirm approval of vendor warrants, payroll warrants, and ambulance commitments totaling over $847,000. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:02:18)
Motion: Approve Halifax Historic Commission use of town green for mum sale on September 27, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:18:15)
Motion: Approve Boy Scouts can and bottle drive for November 1st on town green. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:20:33)
Motion: Appoint Robert Fennessy as acting ADA coordinator designee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:21:57)
Motion: Approve meeting minutes for August 25th and September 2nd, 2025. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 0:20:05)
Public Comment
No formal public comment period was held. The meeting focused on presentations from David Walsh regarding the Veterans Memorial Garden and Kevin Shea from the Historic Commission regarding the mum sale.
What’s Next
David Walsh will return to a future board meeting with detailed plans and insurance documentation for the Veterans Memorial Garden project. A ceremonial groundbreaking may be incorporated into Veterans Day ceremonies on November 11th. The water department will begin hydrant flushing on or about October 14th. Several community events are scheduled, including a Fire Department open house on October 4th and a community vaccine clinic on October 6th.
Full meeting available via Area 58 Community Access Channel.