Minutes
Arlington Select Board
March 10, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian (7:03PM) and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: Glenn Sherman
Also Present: Nick Zaiac – Town Administrator, Brian Hawley – AFD Chief, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: None
Mr. Harvey congratulated all who had been re-elected.
Public Comments: None
Minutes of the Meeting of February 24, 2025: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 24, 2025 as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Paustian not yet present, and Mr. Sherman absent.
New Business: Reconstitution of the Board:
Chair: Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Dan Harvey as Chair. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried with Mr. Paustian not yet present, and Mr. Sherman absent.
Vice Chair: Mr. Bykowski nominated Cynthia Browning for Vice Chair. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Paustian not yet present, and Mr. Sherman absent.
Board Secretary: Ms. Browning nominated Matt Bykowski as Board Secretary. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Paustian not yet present, and Mr. Sherman absent.
Liaisons:
Highway: Mr. Harvey and Mr. Sherman
Admin: Ms. Browning and Mr. Harvey
Fire Department: Mr. Paustian and Mr. Bykowski
Water Department: Mr. Bykowski and Ms. Browning
Park: Mr. Sherman and Mr. Paustian
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the slate of Liaisons as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Town Attorney: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Merrill Bent from Woolmington, Campbell, Bent & Stasny to continue as Town Attorney. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Posting Places: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Town Hall, Town Website, Arlington Deli and Wayside Country Store as agenda posting locations. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Newspaper of Record: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Bennington Banner as Newspaper of Record. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Rules of Procedure: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Rules of Procedure as presented, dated March 10, 2025. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Liquor Licenses: None
Sale of Salt to Sandgate: Mr. Zaiac explained the Town of Sandgate is in need of salt for the remainer of the winter and Arlington has a contract that has supplied the Town with enough that we can share with our neighbor. The Board agreed the act increases ties to surrounding towns and is a good neighbor gesture. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the sale of salt to the Town of Sandgate at cost, as needed. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Report of the Town Administrator: Mr. Zaiac sited the biggest items in his report were Town Meeting Day, as well as Murray Hollow culvert and Wastewater meetings.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #5, dated 3/7/25, in the amount of $386.92. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #5, from the General Account, dated 3/7/25, in the amount of $29,201.36, with key components being sand, salt and fuel, and
White Creek for plowing Black Hole Hollow. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
All Other Business: Mr. Harvey said he would like to have a discussion of Town Meeting Day added to the next agenda, to discuss what worked and what was not as successful. He said he would also like to revisit the Town website update.
Mr. Bykowski said the Fire Department received all their helmets and he has a picture of the firefighters in the new helmets he will bring to the next meeting.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion to that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Ms. Browning made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue and to allow Town Administrator Nick Zaiac, and FD Chief Brian Hawley to remain in the room. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 7:22PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:32.PM.
As a result of the Session, Ms. Browning made a motion to accept, with regret, the resignation of Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, effective April 18, 2025, as well as his resignation from all other positions he currently holds effective the same date, except for Emergency Management Director and representative to the Regional Emergency Management Committee, and to have him prepare a job posting for the position. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Mr. Harvey said he wished to personally thank Mr. Zaiac on behalf of the Board, and they could not have accomplished all they had done without him. Filling the position will be discussed at the next meeting.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:36PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry