The meeting began with an emotional farewell to Haddad, whose tenure was marked by adept leadership through challenging times. The chairperson praised Haddad as a “shining star” and emphasized the positive impact of his leadership on the town. Members of the board collectively expressed gratitude for his contributions. The board took a brief recess to honor Haddad with refreshments, after which they resumed addressing the meeting agenda.

Energy management was a primary focus of the meeting, with Kathy Stanley, the town’s energy manager, presenting her progress since assuming the role in January 2024. Stanley outlined the successful negotiation of electric supply contracts, including a three-year contract at 10.935 cents per kilowatt-hour for most accounts and a separate 33-month contract at 12.19 cents for certain buildings due to previous exclusions. She explained that these negotiations were driven by fluctuating market rates and aimed to secure cost-effective solutions for the town.

The meeting also touched on natural gas accounts mistakenly associated with the regional school system. Stanley and Haddad opted to return these accounts to the utility to secure better pricing, potentially saving the town money. The board acknowledged that future renegotiations would occur under new town leadership.

Stanley discussed net metering, a key topic for Massachusetts municipalities. She explained the challenges of oversubscription in net metering agreements, which resulted in unusable excess credits. However, a new arrangement with the city of Brockton was considered advantageous, potentially allowing Halifax to offset its electricity costs entirely. Questions about the availability of credits from Abington were addressed, with Stanley clarifying that such information was obtained through professional contacts and not publicly available.

Further discussions included the concept of financing energy efficiency projects through National Grid’s on-bill repayment program. This method could fund improvements like replacing failing rooftop heat pump units at the library, with project costs incorporated into monthly electric bills. The integration of net metering credits into this financing structure was highlighted, promising additional savings.

The board also explored grant funding opportunities. Halifax applied for $243,000 in green community grants to fund upgrades, including library controls and weatherization efforts at the elementary school. The board expressed optimism about securing the funds, alleviating concerns over previously frozen Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds.

In addition to energy management, the meeting addressed the formation of a search committee for a new town administrator. The board discussed the importance of a diverse committee and agreed to appoint seven members to ensure an odd number for voting purposes. The appointment process involved reviewing talent bank forms from the public, emphasizing inclusivity and diverse backgrounds. The board prioritized confidentiality during the search process, with a consultant providing guidance.

Financial management was another significant topic, with the board approving various line item transfers to address budgetary discrepancies. Transfers included reallocations from police wages to cover group health insurance and data processing costs. The board emphasized the importance of department accountability in managing budgets effectively, citing the need for improved oversight.

The meeting also reviewed several contracts, including the renewal of the GATRA transportation services contract and extensions for interim roles, such as the building commissioner and town administrator. Additionally, the board approved an animal control services contract with Precision Wildlife and discussed potential regional collaborations.

The meeting concluded with updates from the interim town administrator on staffing and departmental operations. Efforts to fill vacancies, including the library director and assistant town clerk, were noted, along with community-building initiatives like an employee cookout. The interim administrator highlighted progress in closing out fiscal year accounts, aimed at improving the town’s free cash position.