Minutes
Arlington Select Board
March 23, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman and Sebastian Massey
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Dara Zink – BCRC, Kendell Jennings, Tim Williams, Steve McClafferty, Willy Knight – Park Supervisor, GNAT-TV, Mary Anne Holmes, Joan Nash – Arlington Energy Committee, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Harvey called the Select Board meeting to order at 7:03PM.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Minutes of the Meeting of March 9, 2026: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of March 9, 2026, as presented. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments: Mr. Williams asked if the Water Department collection agency was worth the expense. Mr. Bykowski said it has just started, but the company will take people to court that do not pay their water bills. It was discussed that liens have been put on properties with large delinquent balances, and that there are specific rules in water statues that dictate when water at a delinquent residence can be turned off and Mr. Brace follows these criteria. It was noted there will be a Water Department meeting in April. Mr. Williams said Mr. Brace was a good choice for the Water Department position.
Ms. Nash asked for a copy of the original MERP application.
Hazard Mitigation Plan Approval: Dara Zink was at the meeting for the final signing and adoption of the new hazard mitigation plan. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Town of Arlington Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
FEMA will send back the official letter, and the plan will be posted on the BCRC and Town websites.
Highway Updates: It was discussed that Highway Supervisor, Mark Robinson, had repaired the truck discussed at the last meeting with the parts he had ordered. A new plastic culvert will replace the old broken metal one on Old Mill Road. Some roads are still bumpy but the roads are still too wet to repair and will be done as soon as it is possible. It was discussed that the kiosk by the driveway at Town Hall had fallen over. Mr. Robinson will take it to the Yellow Barn if it is still salvageable or dispose of it if it is too damaged. It has not been determined who maintains the sign at this time.
Fire Department Updates: Ms. Browning said Eric Marko had sent a form to be filled out for the grant writer. It requires income and expenses for four years and will take some time to complete.
Mr. Harvey signed the new contract with Sunderland.
Mr. Bykowski said the insurance money collected from a recent car fire from the new third-party billing system should cover a pallet of foam. He said there is still close to $12,000 in outstanding accident money that will go to collections next month if not paid. Any money collected that does not go towards relacing the consumables will go into the FD truck sinking fund.
Mr. Bykowski had a quote from electrician Randy Novotny for $3,100 to re-lamp East and West fire houses with new LED lamps. The old T8 fluorescent bulbs are no longer manufactured. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the re-lamping of East and West fire houses with 8-foot LED lamps for $3,100 to Randy Novotny Electrical Services. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Paustian, who is the Town’s Fire Warden, said brush season is coming and reports from the State put the area in a slight to moderate drought.
Personnel Policy Revision: The Board and Ms. Browning discussed the personnel policy revisions that Mr. Bykowski had drafted. Changing to a PTO system of days off, as opposed to vacation and sick days, solidifying overtime compensation, and having holiday hours worked counting towards the 40-hour threshold for hours worked is in the new policy. Having the raises that occurred with the passing of the 2026 Budget be retroactive to January 1, 2026, for all employees, was also discussed. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Personnel Policy Version II, and to allow negative PTO hours to be kept to 40 hours. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
MERP; Project Progress: Ms. Browning said that the grant agency has changed what was initially allowed in the grant, and they are now not allowing the overhead doors at the garage to be part of the project. She said only one bid from the project RFP was received, from Jeff Joslin, who has also done work at Town Hall and the Park. It was noted that no interior trim was included in the bid price. Mr. Bykowski and Mr. Sherman were hesitant to proceed after only receiving one bid. It was decided that the RFP will be reposted, with a 10% overage contingency option for unknown factors in the revised RFP, and it will be revisited at the next Select Board meeting.
Liquor Licenses: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the 1st and 3rd Class restaurant and bar liquor license. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Wasterwater Planning: Ms. Browning said she has a memorandum with the landowner where the test pits will be done, but it is too wet now and will probably have to wait until June to conduct the tests. Having a Wastewater subcommittee meeting was discussed.
Staff Vacancies and Management Issues: It was discussed that a posting for the Land Use position will be created and approved at the next Select Board meeting.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning said the landowner with the ROW issue discussed at past meetings at Benedict Crossing didn’t remove the barbed wire fence as he was instructed to do, so she removed it herself.
After much discussion about Mr. Muscato wanting to move the foul line posts on the baseball field, it was decided that it will be operated on the existing configuration for this year and have a professional plan for next year.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #6, dated 3/20/26, in the amount of $4,714.68. Mr. Sheran seconded. Motion carried. Significant items being GMP, and back-up operator salary, Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #6, from the General Account, dated 3/19/2026, in the amount of $30,250.82. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Most significant items being GMP, Lexipro for Fire Department grant writing, health insurance premiums, and stone.
All Other Business: None
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a
personnel issue, and to allow Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning to remain in the room. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. The Board entered into the Session at 8:44PM.
The Board exited the Session at 9:29PM. No decision was made as a result of the Session.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:29PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry