Minutes
Arlington Select Board
April 6, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey(via Zoom), Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, and Glenn Sherman
Members Absent: Sebastian Massey
Also Present: Willy Knight – Park Supervisor, GNAT-T(via Zoom), Stephanie Moffett Hynds, Joan Nash – Arlington Energy Committee, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 7:01PM.
Additions to the Agenda: None
Minutes of the Meeting of March 23, 2026: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of March 23, 2026, as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special Select Board meeting of March 30, 2026 as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Public Comments: None
Highway Updates: Ms. Browning said she and Highway Supervisor Mark Robinson and a State representative will meet this week to begin work on the spring transportation grants.
She also said the road conditions continue to improve, and old metal culverts on Old West, and Buck Hill Roads are being replaced. It was discussed that there have been questions from residents on the Benedict Crossing Bridge status. Different kinds of fundraising were discussed. Mr. Harvey suggested having a non-binding referendum on the ballot to see if voters are willing to bond the cost of the project. The Town’s ability to bond was questioned, and that projects like the bridge, and a new firehouse, and wastewater project need to be prioritized. Ms. Browning said the wastewater project should be funded by State funding and ratepayers. It was discussed that when a new full-time Town Administrator is hired, they can sort through these issues. Ms. Browning will check on the status of an abutment study.
Park Updates: Mr. Knight said the bathrooms are open. He said the window in his office almost fell out and needs replacement. Having insulation in the attic to save heat was also mentioned. Ms. Browning asked him to get a price for a new window in writing. Mr. Sherman will pour concrete for the sidewalk and wash area soon.
Fire Department Updates: Ms. Browning said she finished the labor-intensive project to supply four years’ worth of information that was requested by the FD grant writers. It took a significant amount of time, but the information can also be used for all other grants
Mr. Paustian said Mr. Novotny had changed all the lights at the stations that was discussed at the last meeting. The furnace at East Station had blown black smoke but Miles repaired it. He also said there was a large trash pile fire on Saturday night on Butternut Gutter that took several hours to contain. He will be contacting the EPA about the fire.
MERP Award: Ms. Browning said that the grant agency has now approved the overhead doors at the garage. She presented the Board with an additional bid for the MERP project. It was discussed that accepting the first bid was in the best interest of the Town because there was not a large price difference and that company had a relationship with the Town after having done the window replacement in the Treasurer’s office and stalls at the Park bathrooms last summer. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to award the MERP Project to Joslin Construction, LLC, of Bennington, for $29,301.42. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Massey absent. Mr. Bykowski amended his motion to state that $14,170.37 is for window replacement at Town Hall, and $29,301.42 is for the doors and windows at the garage. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Massey absent.
Personnel Policy Revision: It was decided that the overtime calculation issue has been fixed in the policy and corrections already made to the employees pay, and any further changes to the policy will wait until a new, full-time Town Administrator is hired.
Energy Committee: Ms. Moffett-Hynds had submitted an amendment to the Energy Committee bylaws for Board approval. It was also discussed that one of their members will now have his primary residence in New York City, while having his Arlington residence as his second home. It was noted that the Planning Commission has allowed a member to have their primary residence in New York City. It was decided that the AEC bylaws can be rewritten to allow the change of residence, and a clean copy can be signed by the Board at the next meeting. She also said Ms. Nash had compiled a list of certified heat pump and insulation installers and will make the list available. Having an Energy Co-Ordinator from the Town appointed was also discussed,
following Mr. Zaiac’s departure. It was decided that this appointment will also wait for the new Town Administrator.
Liquor Licenses: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the 1st and 3rd Class restaurant and bar liquor license, and Outside Consumption license, for 1954 Metropolitan Inc, aka Bronwyn’s. Mr. Bykowski questioned whether there were violations against this business. Ms. Browning said the State checks for violations before the applications are presented. Mr. Bykowski said he had witnessed someone being overserved liquor at this establishment. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried with three yes votes, one no vote from Mr. Bykowski, and Mr. Massey absent.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Arlington Commons limited event, a one-time occasion license for the Fly-Fishing event from May 1, 2026-May 3, 2026. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the 1st and 3rd Class Club License to American Legion Post #69, Inc. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Massey absent.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the 1st, & 3rd Class Hotel License and Outside Consumption license to Arlington’s West Mountain Inn, Inc. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Massy absent.
Staff Vacancies: There were two applicants for the Cemetery Commission vacancy. It will be discussed in Executive Session.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning said everything had already been discussed in the meeting.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #7, dated 4/2/26, in the amount of $39,779.26. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent. It was noted that $38,483.00 was related to the generator replacement project at the Pump House and will be reimbursed from a grant. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #7, from the General Account, dated 4/2/2026, in the amount of $16,166.65. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Massey absent. Most significant items being fuel, FD cleaner purchase, and White Creek Plowing.
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. Paustian seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue, and to invite Interim Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning, and Park Supervisor, Willy Knight, to remain in the room for a portion of the Session. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. The Board entered into the Session at 8:07PM.
The Board exited the Session at 9:06PM. No decision was made as a result of the Session.
Mr. Sherman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:06PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry