Halifax home page > Not-So-Frequently Asked Questions
This section provides questions and answers to a hodgepodge of topics. Questions such as "What is the current tax rate?" are included in the soon-to-be-coming Frequently Asked Questions section or the sections for a particular department, but sometimes there are questions that are not frequently asked, but should be posted on the Town's web site if, for no other reason, someone will not have to research the question again later on. Please send questions not included in this or other sections to cseelig@town.halifax.ma.us.
Who do I contact to hold a fishing tournament, a boat contest or a similar event on Monponsett Pond?
Contact the Police Chief at 781-293-5761. (January 6, 2010)
When are the food pantries in Halifax open?Halifax Food Pantry open?
The Halifax Food Pantry, located in the Congregational Church at 503 Plymouth Street, is open on Tuesdays from 2:30pm to 4:00pm. Call the Church at 781-293-6393 if you need to visit during other hours.
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, 577 Monponsett Street in Halifax, is open 9:00am to 11:00am on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The pantry serves those in need in the Hanson, Halifax and Plympton areas. Call 781-293-7971. (originally: October 14, 2005; added St. Vincent: December 15, 2009)
What are the local rules, by-laws or regulations concerning having chickens and roosters on residential property?
Agriculture, including the raising of chickens, is allowed, by right in any land zoned agricultural-residential in Halifax. There may be some restrictions if it involves structures over a certain size (a building permit may be required and set-backs may be involved). If there are noise problems, complainants should contact the Police Department. Halifax does not have a noise ordinance and therefore noise falls under State statutes dealing with "disturbing the peace" or "nuisances". If there are problems with chicken poop, that would be an issue with the Board of Health. If there are concerns about animal welfare, those matters should be brought to the Animal Inspector. In addition, you may file a complaint with the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer stating that the use is preventing you from the normal use and peaceful enjoyment of your property. The Building Inspector can then follow-up on the complaint and determine whether it is a prohibited use or if is a permitted use, but one that must follow certain guidelines or restrictions in order to be allowed. For more information consult the Poultryman's Handbook or the MA Dept of Agricultural Resources regulations concerning poultry. (December 1, 2009; added information on Building Inspector: March 22, 2010)
Are there any farmers' markets or farmstands in Halifax?
The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership has a list of nearby farmstands. Check with the individual stands for days and hours they are open. The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture has a list of farmers' markets including ones that may be open in the late fall and winter. (November 10, 2009)
What is happening with Wal-Mart and Stop and Shop?
The Wal-Mart in Halifax closed in March 2009 for renovations. Stop & Shop, which is an abutter, requested a determination from the Building Inspector as to whether a new site plan and/or various permits, besides a building permit, were needed for the renovations to take place. The Building Inspector said that Wal-Mart did not need the additional permits. Stop & Shop filed an appeal of that decision with the Zoning Board of Appeals. In August 2009, the ZBA ruled in favor of Wal-Mart. In September 2009, Stop & Shop appealed that decision in Superior Court. If Stop & Shop prevails it may be able to require Wal-Mart and others to take certain actions, up to and including the closing of Wal-Mart, until certain permits and approvals are obtained. Wal-Mart re-opened on September 30. The court case continues. (November 10, 2009)
Where can I apply for a passport?
The best place to start is the U.S. Department of State's office which has instructions and forms. You can find also find places to bring the application. I strongly recommend that you call ahead to confirm that a specific location does handle applications and what days and times applications are accepted. (September 8, 2009)
How do I become a public notary?
Notary publics are appointed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Visit the State's Public Notary web site for application forms and questions and answers. (October 25, 2006)
Can I remove boundary markers and survey stakes?
Removing boundary markers can be prosecuted as a criminal offense under Chapter 266, Section 94 of the Massachusetts General Laws. Therefore, you must be very sure that the stakes are entirely on your property. If you are having a dispute with an abutter as to where a property line is located, both parties should have the boundary line or lines surveyed and have the survey companies work out any discrepancies. If this cannot be accomplished, then you will need to go Land Court to determine the boundary line. Since that working out process includes having the survey companies view the stakes, removal of them will not be helpful. If the stakes are used to show a boundary line, but you want them removed because you find them visually offensive, you will have to file a civil suit to have them removed.
If the stakes are your own stakes for measuring out where, for instance, a septic system will be located, you are within your rights to remove them. However, if you or anyone working with you will need the stakes to find this location, it would be inadvisable to remove them.
Chapter 266, Section 120C of the General Laws allows surveyors who are surveying an abutting property the right to, after reasonable notice, enter upon the land within a reasonable distance from the property line of the land being surveyed, and such entry shall not be deemed a trespass. (May 2, 2006)
Can I cut branches from a tree on someone else's property which hangs over my property?
The short answer is yes (see Macero v. Busconi (12 Mass L. Rep 521 (2000)) and Michalson v. Nutting (275 Mass 233-34 (1931)). It is strongly recommended that you work with your neighbor in order to resolve this issue. If you cannot resolve the matter, consult with your attorney to determine your full rights and responsibilities in the matter before taking any action. (April 27, 2005)
What are the rules for use of the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area (the 1,600 acre purchased by the State from Northland Cranberries in the summer of 2002)?
Please contact Tom O'Shea of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at 508-759-3406. A map is available. (originally: November 13, 2002; added map: October 14, 2005)
When is Wal-Mart allowed to be open?
According to the site plan approved by the Halifax Planning Board on February 17, 1994, Wal-Mart is allowed to have retail operations from 7:00am to 9:30pm. Additional hours are allowed by the Police Chief. In the past, the Police Chief has allowed Wal-Mart to be open after 9:30pm during between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Daily common carrier and Wal-Mart truck deliveries are permitted only between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm. This stipulation cannot be amended by the Police Chief, only by the Planning Board. (October 29, 2002)