The Ragnar race, scheduled for May 17-18, is a substantial event for Halifax, involving 100 to 120 teams navigating a 200-mile course through the town. The board’s approval underscored the importance of such events in promoting community engagement and economic activity. The race’s impact on local services and infrastructure was discussed, with course changes and logistics receiving a positive response from the board.

Another focal point was the board’s discussion on the intermunicipal agreement with Duxbury for dispatch services, which has been a longstanding arrangement. Halifax will continue to pay $200,000 for these services, maintaining the status quo for emergency response coordination.

Addressing a pressing environmental concern, the board supported a proposal to raise boards at the Furnace Street culvert. The objective is to aid in the restoration of the herring population, crucial for the local ecosystem. The urgency of this measure was emphasized, given the approaching herring migration season. A grant application for a study on the culvert conditions is planned to better understand the necessary interventions.

Financial discussions were also prominent during the meeting. The board grappled with the town’s budget deficit and approved a placeholder article for the special town meeting warrant, which anticipates a shortfall in the school’s special education line item. Concerns about the state’s lack of support for rising special education costs led to a proposal to send letters to state house leadership. The letters drafted by a member of the board highlighted the town’s struggles with these expenses and called for an update to the state’s funding formula.

The board debated the percentage set for the community preservation act, with some members advocating for a 1.5% charge in lieu of the initially proposed 1%. The board settled on the 1.5% charge after considering the financial implications. Other warrant articles addressed included funding for a part-time school resource officer and an additional $25,000 for an HVAC unit at the high school.

Town employees will see a new benefit as the board approved the adoption of iMed vision benefits, which will be administered through the Mayflower Municipal group. Additionally, live entertainment for the Connecting Rods Auto Club was authorized, and the reappointment of Jacqueline Canapino to the Halifax Cultural Council was confirmed.

Updates on the MBTA action plan and the completion of work under the Morse Brothers’ existing Earth removal permit were provided. The board also announced the launch of Halifax Tomorrow on the town’s website, a platform for community engagement and information dissemination.

A point of contention arose from a resident’s concerns about the impact of zoning changes on the aquifer protection zone. While the comments were acknowledged, the Attorney General’s office was granted an extension to review the complaints, extending the decision on zoning changes until June.