Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
March 25, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: Todd Wilkins
Also Present: Mark Robinson-Highway Foreman, Louis Douglas, and Roger Hanson, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry- via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:24 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Roger Hanson was on Zoom to talk to the Board about the gardens at the Yellow Barn. He asked if the highway crew could do digging at the gardens and haul compost from the Bennington Transfer Station in mid-April. Mr. Robinson was at the meeting and said it could be done after April 15, 2024. Beekeepers from Bennington came to the gardens and suggested having hives set in the middle of the field. Shade can be put up if needed. Ms. Browning has beekeeping equipment to donate. Mr. Hanson also said they would like to plant wildflowers in the field, and asked that mowing be delayed until after the first frost. Mr. Zaiac will let Mr. Knight know of the request.
Minutes of the Meetings of March 11, 2024, and Special Meeting of March 18, 2024: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 11, 2024 as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of March 18, 2024. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
New Business: Liquor Licenses: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 2nd Class Liquor Licensed for Bonnie and Clyde Corner Market. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Tobacco License for ChemClean Center LLC. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Appointments and Reappointments: Ms. Browning made a motion to reappoint Nick Zaiac as Deputy Health Officer until April 2027. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. Ms. Browning amended her motion to “recommending” Mr. Zaiac. Mr. Sherman seconded the amendment. Mr. Sherman made a motion to appoint Cynthia Browning as representative to the So VT Communications District, with Jamie Paustian as 1st Alternate and Nick Zaiac as 2nd Alternate. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the slate of appointments and reappointments as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded, motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. Reappointments and Appointments as presented:
Tree Warden: Willy Knight, 2 year-4/2026
Land Use Administrator: Joan Nash, 1 year-4/2025
Planning Commission: Jonathan Murray, 2 year-4/2026
Planning Commission: Michael Murno, 2 year-4/2026
Planning Commission: Garrett Siegel, 3 year-4/2027
Planning Commission, alternate: Charles Moore, 1 year-4/2025
ZBA, alternate: Ron Weber, 2 year-4/2026
ZBA Caitlyn Hawley, 3 year- 4/2027
ZBA Andrew Rodriguez, 3 year-4/2027
ZBA Christopher Wehrman, 3 year-4/2027
Emg Mgmt Coordinator: Vince Thompson, indefinite
Egm Mgmt Coordinator: Jamie Paustian, indefinite
Town Energy Coordinator: Nick Zaiac, 1 year, 4/2025
Regional Emg Mgmt Committee Rep: Nick Zaiac, 1 year, 4/2025
Local Emergency Management Plan Readoption: The Board reviewed the Local Emergency Management Plan, which is renewed annually in May. Ms. Browning made a motion to adopt the Local Emergency Management Plan as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Mr. Paustian noted the high school principal’s last name needs to be changed, and to add principal names in the school area of the form. Ms. Browning amended her motion to read “as revised”. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Cambridge Fire Coverage Contract: The Board reviewed the Cambridge Fire Coverage Contract. It was discussed that there are some revisions the Board would like to see going forward, such as not paying if they respond without notification. Mr. Zaiac will draft revisions and it will be discussed at the next meeting, when the Fire Department will be present. It was decided that the contract would be signed as is for this year. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the agreement between the Town of Arlington and Cambridge to provide Black Hold Hollow fire protection dated 12/1/2023, with a per year fee of $1,545.56, and $1,002.31 for each non mutual aid call. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Paustian abstaining and Mr. Wilkins absent.
Arlington Commons Grant Letter of Support: T-Mobile is writing a broadly scoped grant for up to $50,000, which the Arlington Commons wishes to use for facilities upgrades at the historic church hall. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the letter of support for the T-Mobile Hometown Grant for Arlington Commons. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Highways: TA 60 Form: The Board reviewed the TA 60 Form that is signed annually that certifies the funds raised by municipal taxes are equivalent or greater than the sum of at least $300 per mile of Town roads. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the TA 60 Form for the Town of Arlington for 2024 as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Town Road and Bridge Standards 2024: Ms. Browning made a motion to adopt the Town Road and Bridge Standards 2024 for the municipality of Arlington VT, dated 3/25/2024. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Motion to Initiate Proceedings Pursuant to 19 V.S.A. Chapter 7: Mr. Sherman read the following:
The Select Board moves to initiate proceedings pursuant to 19 V.S.A. Chapter 7 to alter VT RT 7A at 4009 VT RT 7A (VTRANS project STP BP17 (2) Arlington Sidewalk) and to hold a site inspection and public hearing pursuant to 19 V.S.A. 709, at 6:30PM on Monday, May 6, 2024 and to issue the public notice of the same.
Ms. Browning made a motion to move to initiate proceedings. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Mark Robinson was at the meeting. Mr. Zaiac and Mr. Sherman said they had calls to thank the crew for their handling of the recent major storm. Mr. Robinson said the crew had spent seven hours just on sidewalk clearing. Mr. Harvey thanked him for all his efforts.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said he had been working on the local emergency plan update, and had seen and been impressed with the Community House recent renovations. He said he and Mr. Robinson had a long, successful meeting with VTRANS.
Other Business: None
WD Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #6, dated March 21, 2024, in the amount of $15,382.02, with key components being MSK last lead line payment for $13,428.00, of which 90-100% will be reimbursed by the State. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #6, from the General account, dated March 20, 2024, in the amount of $28,055.88, with key components being BCRC Solid Waste payments, GMP payments, MSK Bridge Study payment, and gravel from Peckham. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of personnel and legal issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. Ms. Browning made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel and legal issues, and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac and Highway Foreman, Mark Robinson, to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:05PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:16PM. No decisions were made as part of the Session.
All Other Business: none
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:16PM.