Minutes
Arlington Select Board
June 2, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman, and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Scott Grimm-Lyon – BCSWA, Deborah and Steve Gardner, Brian Hawley – AFD Chief, Erik Marko – AFD, Steven McClafferty, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:13PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: None.
Minutes of the Meeting of May 19, 2025: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 19, 2025 as presented. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments: Mr. McClafferty asked about Benedict Crossing, 2024 Audit, and Town Administrator decision updates. Ms. Browning said she would address Benedict Crossing later in the meeting, and will check into when the 2024 Audit will be sent. Mr. Bykowski said there are several interviews being done, and a decision of who will be Town Administrator will happen soon.
Highways: Project Updates: Ms. Browning said the Town has the final Benedict Crossing study and the issue is money for the needed work, which could take several years to save for in a sinking fund. Whoever is hired as the new Town Administrator will be asked to look into any other available funding.
Ms. Browning thanked the Highway Department for putting out the benches and hanging flags. The crew has been busy with spring grading. Culvert work can’t begin until July. The Town did not qualify for State paving money, but the south end of Warm Brook Road could be paved with money already in the budget. It was mentioned that VTRANS said engineering on the roundabout at the Warm Brook Road intersection will not begin until 2027-2028.
Ms. Browning explained that there will need to be a line overrun voted on, for major repairs on the Highway equipment line for the Doosan repairs.
Ms. Browning informed the Board she met with Nick Zaiac to review the 7A Sidewalk Project. It was determined a better line of sight is needed, and the bank will have to be shaved, and brush cleared out. Permits have already been issued. The work doesn’t have to be done right away, and there are hopes the next round of State funding will apply.
State Salt Bids: The Board discussed the question of being part of the State bidding for salt. Mr. Harvey said we have been having multiple sources on our own to ensure availability. More information will be needed to see what the State bids were in comparison to what the Town has been paying from their vendors.
Mr. Paustian said last summer he pulled the Hale Bridge gate out of the water, and it needs to be replaced. He explained it would be better to have two smaller gates than one large, heavy one. The weight contributed to the issues with the previous gate. He will get a quote from someone that just did fencing at the school.
Issues with the crosswalk on E. Arlington Road was discussed. Mr. Paustian has reset it several times but it is not blinking. It was decided it is worth having an electrician look into the ongoing problem.
New Business: Approval of BCSWA Agreement: Scott Grimm-Lyon was at the meeting to discuss the BCSWA Agreement and have it signed by the Board, as is done annually by Arlington and twelve towns in Bennington County area since 2014, to share waste costs. He said they do outreach programs and visit many schools and businesses to inform them about recycling and hazardous waste. Mr. Paustian said he would like them to come to the school in the fall.
Glebe Lot Road Renaming Hearing: As was discussed at the previous meeting, the Gardners have requested renaming Glebe Lot Road to Kelly Lane, and it had been agreed to by residents on the road. This Select Board meeting serves as a public hearing. Letters will be sent to the residents when it is done and the Town will notify 911 dispatchers, the State and the post office. Chief Hawley expressed concern that the sign would be put up in time for any potential mutual aid responders to know of the change. Ms. Browning will have Highway Supervisor, Mr. Robinson, order the sign as soon as possible.
Ms. Browning made a motion to change Glebe Lot Road to “Kelly Lane (Private)”. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Business: Fire Truck Discussion: Chief Hawley spoke to the Board after getting different diagnoses on the truck that was discussed at the last meeting. Allegiance said it was acceptable to go back into service, with a few bolts being broken and needing repair. They also recommend quarterly monitoring of the frame, and Chief Hawley said they can go under the truck and take pictures to compare each quarter. Minor repairs are needed on #77 as well. Truck #76 will be needing new tires.
Chief Hawley said a small, new truck committee will be formed. It was discussed that the best way to keep down costs of a new truck is to look at stock options, which currently are $750,000, with hopes to stay on the schedule of a new truck in 2027.
Dry Hydrants: Chief Hawley said Troy from the State Dry Hydrant Program was recently in Town. Possibly having a drop-down swing hydrant installed near the skating rink was discussed. It was a sense of the Board to talk to the State about anything near the riverbank and pursue the project.
Arlington Rec Park Project Updates: Ms. Browning said she put in the Dig Safe order at the Park. Mr. Paustian said the Arlington Rec Park Committee upped their donation to $15,00 for the golf course. The pole and concrete walkway will be done at one time. The border is currently 90 feet short to mulch the area. Once the mulching is done and the decals are placed on the equipment by the company that installed the playground, VLCT will come to inspect it and the grant will be complete.
Town Hall Telephone/Internet Update: Fidium will be installing their fiber optics at the five locations discussed at the last meeting. Comcast will only be kept at Town Hall as a backup, utilizing the free municipal service that Comcast continues to offer.
Health Insurance Discussion: Ms. Browning supplied figures to the Board of different options of health care coverages, in an effort to start the conversation of how to reduce the skyrocketing health insurance costs. To go to an 80/20% split with employees and go to the next level down plan could save as much as $60,000. Doing gradual changes to not put too heavy a burden on the employees was discussed, as was the possibilities of offering HSA or FSA accounts. Mr. Bykowski suggested checking into a VLCT insurance consultant to offer guidance for the process.
Reappraisal: It was discussed that the Listers received the 2025 Reappraisal Order from the State. It was discussed that the Town is already aware of the need for reappraisal, but there is a waiting list for an appraiser, and it can’t be done until 2027.
Interim Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning said she has gone over the items in her report in the meeting.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #11, dated 5/30/25, in the amount of $628.21. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve a line overrun of $1,132.57 from the Highway Truck/Equipment Maintenance line 12-7-60-432.01 for Doosan repairs. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #11, from the General Account, dated 5/30/25, in the amount of $23,095.44, with larger items being a culvert project, and Capital Tractor for Doosan repairs for $14,187.33. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of legal and personnel issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of legal and personnel issues, and to allow Chief Hawley to remain in the room. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion.
The Board entered Executive Session at 8:43PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:34PM. As a result of the Session, Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve of the contract with BCRC for Nick Zaiac’s consulting services, at $100 per hour, billed in fifteen-minute increments or actual time. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr.
Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:35PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry