Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
October 7, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, Jamie Paustian and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Don Kealon, Steven McClafferty, John Toth, Tim Williams, Ron Weber, Anne Weber, Christopher Hawley, Chris Barlow, Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Park Supervisor-Willy Knight, and Janet Barry- via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Don Kealon said he and Steve McClafferty would like to do a fifteen-minute presentation to the Board about what reports they feel the Board should be reviewing, and a check list Mr. Kealon developed with the State Auditors for internal controls. It was agreed this would be done at the November 18, 2024 meeting. Mr. McClafferty apologized for comments about comments he made about the budget at a previous meeting and asked about the Yellow Barn not being OSHA compliant. Mr. Zaiac said there may be leftover grant money available to hire a consultant for ADA compliance for the Yellow Barn, he will research and report back to the Board.
Minutes of the Meetings of September 23 & 30, 2024: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 23, and Special Meeting of September 30, 2024. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: Budget by Australian Ballot: Mr. Williams spoke at the meeting about the growing interest in having the Town’s budget voted on by Australian Ballot instead of live at Town Meeting. He feels that this would allow more residents to be able to vote on the budget. He would like to see the Board create an Article to be voted on at Town Meeting and implemented in 2026. He said if the Board did not agree to this, he would work to have a petition signed by registered voters. Mr. Zaiac said it will be revisited and decided at the November 4th meeting. It was discussed that during the pandemic voting was done by Australian Ballot and Town Meeting done by Zoom.
Park Update with Rec Park Committee: Ron Weber and other Rec Park Committee members were at the meeting to discuss several park related issues. Mr. Weber discussed the delays in having the new playground installed, that he is afraid will impact the donors that had promised money for the project. Park Liaison, Mr. Paustian, said he had been in contact with Pettinelli and Associates last week and the company has been backlogged with playground installations. Mr. Zaiac said he had just received a quote from that company before the meeting and it is better than anticipated. He will present the quote to the Committee at their next meeting on October 16, 2024. Mr. Paustian said he wants to have the equipment installed in the safest location at the park, where it is visible for parents at soccer games and away from dangerous trees. Mr. Zaiac said he had a quote of approximately $15,000, not including heat, to repair the bathhouses, and make them ADA compliant. It was a sense of the Board that Mr. Zaiac should apply for funds for trail repairs as well as the bathhouse repairs. Mr. Knight said there are cameras for outside by the bathroom doors that are just waiting to have the electrical work done to install them. Mr. Paustian said there are between 12-18 trees that are dead and hazardous that need to be removed. Mr. Zaiac will get quotes for the project and said there are funds on the CRF Hazardous Tree line.
Fireworks Permit: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the firework permit for Mack Molding for December 13, 2024. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Liaisons: Mr. Paustian made a motion to appoint Matt Bykowski as Park and Fire Department Liaisons. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Assistant: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Town Treasurer, Christian Dickinson, to proceed with hiring an assistant for her office as supported by the Town budget. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Highways: Road Salt Award: The Board reviewed quotes for road salt. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize spending $91.50 per ton, not to exceed $18,300, for Cargill, and $89.00 per ton, not to exceed $53,400, from Apalachee Salt. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Road Erosion Inventory Application: It was discussed that it will be time to have the Town’s road inventory completed to check for erosion and be in compliance with the State. Jim Henderson from BCRC did the last inventory. The Better Roads Grant would cover $6,640 of the cost with the Town responsible for 20%, or $1,660. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the letter of intent for fiscal year 2025 and have Town Administrator Nick Zaiac apply for the Beter Roads Grant Road Erosion Inventory Grant. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Administrator Report: There were no questions of the report, which is posted on the Town’s website.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #19, dated 10/4/24, in the amount of $4,055.86, with key elements being BC/BS payments for $1,132, and Hawley for water line project for $1,750. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #19, from the General account, dated 10/4/24, in the amount of $38,588.18, with key elements being CVC for FD radios for $2,641.50, BC/BS payments for $7,712, Peckham for asphalt for $12,958. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: None
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of personnel, property and legal issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel, property and legal issues, and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:17PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:07PM.
As a result of the Session Mr. Bykowski made a motion to amend the firehouse agreement with DeWolfe Engineering to include an on-time delivery bonus of 5% off the lump sum. Funds will come from ARPA. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac to sign the sidewalk easement on the Board’s behalf. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: There will be a Special Select Board meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:09PM.