Minutes
Arlington Select Board
April 21, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman, and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Kendall Jennings, Steve McClafferty, Brian Hawley – AFD Chief, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:09PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: Ms. Browning made a motion to add Executive Session to the agenda. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Meeting of April 7, 2025: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 7, 2025 as presented. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments: Mr. McClafferty inquired if the amount of grant money the Town had received in 2024 had been determined, after he had spoken of the four million dollars in grant money Chester VT had received in 2024. Ms. Browning said Mr. Zaiac had said the Town received $200,000, but she has not verified it at this time. She said Chester could have received so much money because of the flood damage they had in the summer. Mr. McClafferty said he’d like to see the next Town Administrator pursue more grant money.
New Business: Delinquent Tax Collection Policy: The Board reviewed the new Town Delinquent Tax Collection Policy that Mr. Zaiac, the Treasurer, and Ms. Browning drafted. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Delinquent Tax Collection Policy. Ms. Browning seconded. Mr. McClafferty had some suggestions of changes in the policy. To change reference to “the NEMRC system” to “Town financial system”, and to change the additional tax penalty from “on or around January 1st” to the first business day after January 1st. The Board agreed with the suggestions. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to amend his initial motion to accept the Delinquent Tax Collection Policy with the following revisions:
Change line 6A from NEMRC to Town Financial System, change line 6E from NEMRC to Town Financial System, change 6F from NEMRC to Town Financial System, change 6K from on or around January 1st to the first business day after January 1st, and change 6L from NEMRC to Town Financial System. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Current Delinquent Tax Collector, Kendall Jennings, inquired why she isn’t allowed to post to NEMRC. Mr. Bykowski said it makes sense that the Treasurer, the hired position, would be accountable for continuity. It was discussed that Ms. Jennings could receive a copy of the paperwork that her paychecks are based on and the amounts posted to NEMRC.
Arlington Fire Department Syracuse Trip: Fire Chief, Brian Hawley, said the trip is currently on hold, but requested to be allowed into Executive Session for a personnel issue.
Liquor Licenses: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 1st and 3rd Class Hotel Liquor License and the Outside Consumption License to Battenkill Resorts (Arlington Inn). Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 2nd Class Liquor License, and Tobacco License to W. Arlington Wayside Store. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 1st and 3rd Class Liquor License and Outside Consumption License to American Legion Post 69. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Highway Grant in Aid Letter of Intent 2026: Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Chairman Dan Harvey to sign the letter of intent for the Municipal Roads Grants-In-Aid Program for 2026. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Chloride Award: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the quote from Innovative Solutions for chloride for dust mitigation for $1.11 per gallon for 5000 gallons. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Mortgage Discharge: The Board reviewed the mortgage discharge request for Arlington Area Childcare. They are re-mortgaging and the Town had been listed on an old mortgage from a pass-through grant that is now paid in full and John Thrasher asked to have it discharged. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to authorize Cynthia Browning to sign the mortgage discharge in relation to Arlington Area Childcare property pass -through grant from May 22, 2002 for $591,000. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #8, dated 4/18/25, in the amount of $11,998.74, with key components being BC/BS health premium for $3,757, and back-up operator fees to Burr Snow. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #8, from the General Account, dated 4/18/25, in the amount of $48,157.26, with larger items being BC/BS health premiums for $16,600, Hazard Mitigation payment to BCRC for $5,000, FD physicals for $8,700, GMP, and FD accident insurance for 2025 for $3,350. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: Mr. Bykowski said the Town Administrator Search Committee was formed at the last meeting and he would like to have the first meeting date set. He will assist with reviewing the applications with Nicol Whalen. Mr. Paustian said he had heard from several employees in the building of the chronic phone system issues. Ms. Browning said the issue is being investigated with Granite who feels it is an IT issue within the building, and with E Enable. The Listers had requested a cell phone for their office for times when the landline is malfunctioning, but no phone will be purchased. Chief Hawley asked if there was information about a grant for FD cameras. Mr. Bykowski said he knew the playground grant had to close out first, but he would check into it. Ms. Browning said there had been a request from Arlington Area Youth Baseball to use the park, but did not know who is in charge of the schedule and Mr. Paustian said Park Supervisor, Willy Knight, holds the schedule. Mr. Paustian said he had a letter from Ron Webber from the Park Committee who are offering $9,000 for the golf course reconstruction, and possibly more money for helping with replacing urinals and sinks, and quotes and permitting are being assembled. Mr. Paustian said future groups renting the softball field have to be instructed to not move the bases and change the configuration. He worked hours last year to undo the damage done by a group who rented the field. Mr. Harvey said he has been in contact with Mr. Squires regarding the Glebe Lot area discussed at the last meeting, and the Town needs to decide where the right of way is.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to that premature discussion of legal and personnel issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of legal and personnel issues and to allow FD Chief Brian Hawley to remain in the room for his portion of the Session. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:09PM. The Board exited the session at 8:39PM. No decisions were made as a result of the session.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:40PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry