Halifax finance committee approves $2,200 transfer to cover selectmen clerical wages

The Halifax Finance Committee unanimously approved a $2,200 line-item transfer on June 15 to move funds from the town administrator salary line to the selectmen clerical wages line to cover two months of pay for a part-time worker who was retained past the budgeted termination.

The committee discussed why the transfer was being requested nearly 10 months after the wages were paid. Staff explained the employee, identified in the meeting as Irma, was not budgeted for in FY26 but was retained after a staff transition to maintain essential duties in the selectmen’s office. Those extra months were paid out of the selectmen clerical wage line and the transfer is intended to make that line whole.

Committee members debated whether larger midyear expenditures should come from the reserve fund or line-item transfers and agreed that for a relatively small amount, a line-item transfer is appropriate. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with Cheryl Burke, Mike Bennett, Frank Johnston, Mike Reignetta, Rod Hemingway and Chair Jim Walters voting yes.

Procedural note: the committee approved corrected minutes from March 16 earlier in the meeting and the chair said he would circulate the signed transfer document electronically for members to sign and return.

Next step: the chair will circulate the transfer paperwork for signatures and staff will post the approved transfer in the town financial records.