Minutes
Arlington Select Board
June 15, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey (via Zoom) Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman and Sebastian Massey
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Katie Dixon-Town Administrator, Linda Carman-Reid, Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, Grace Katrick, Chris DeMarco (via Zoom), Kendell and Cooper Jennins, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 6:59PM.
Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Massey made a motion to add school merger groups discussion to the agenda. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Meeting of June 1, 2026: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of June 1 , 2026, as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Public Comments: Mr. DeMarco, a land owner on Red Mountain, was at the meeting to ask the status of the Right of Way (ROW) issues off Raven Rock Road that cuts through his property. He would like to see the issue added to a future agenda. The discrepancies with different surveys from the area have been an ongoing issue. Mr. Bykowski said it is currently being reviewed by legal counsel, and the cost to have a new survey will have to be reviewed. Ms. Dixon will contact Mr. DeMarco when there is new information at a future meeting.
Ms. Carmen-Reed inquired about how the Park will be maintained now that the supervisor had resigned. Mr. Bykowski said it will be discussed later in the meeting.
Road Name Change; Second Reading: Mr. Bykowski read the road name change memo:
Public Hearing; Street Name Change. The Town of Arlington Select Board will hold a public hearing at their regular meeting on Monday, July 6, 2026 at 7PM EST at Town Hall to hear all parties with respect to the proposed name change of Colbrook Drive to Brookside Lane. All interested persons, including all abutting property owners or their representatives, are welcome to attend and will be given an opportunity to be heard.
The July 6, 2026 reading will be the final meeting before the Board votes to accept the change.
Insulation and Ceiling replacement/Light Upgrade RFP’s: Ms. Dixon said she received one proposal from Vermont Comfort LLC, with three different options provided, after the RFP had been in the newspaper and submitted to companies. The proposal states the company will not clean out the area, which will have to be done ahead of time, and a contractor will be needed to remove floorboards. Mr. Paustian will contact the company that did similar cleaning at the school. It was discussed that Randy Novotny should do the electrical work, but there needs to be quotes for the clearing and floor board removal to know exactly how much the project will cost before proceeding.
Energy Committee Updates: Appointment: Grace Katrick was at the meeting as a candidate to replace Jenny Murtaugh on the Energy Committee. She is from Arlington and a graduate of UVM in environmental studies. Mr. Massey made a motion to approve Grace Katrick to the Energy Committee. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Harvey asked that Ms. Murtaugh be thanked for her service.
Water Department: The future water meter replacement project was discussed. Vendors can come to Town Hall to explain different options. Information about having Mr. Brace manage the school’s wastewater collection system, and how the finances would be split between the school and Town will be emailed to the Board for review and discussion at the next Water Board meeting on July20, 2026.
Highway Updates: Ms. Dixon said Highway grants are being distributed. Having “swim at your own risk” safety signs posted at the covered bridge was discussed. She will notify the Farmers Market that the sidewalk project at Town Hall will be happening until 5PM, and coincide with the time the Market is running. Having them relocate to the Park while the project is in the Town Hall/Church Street area was discussed. Mowing and grading is being done and the new Highway hire started on June 15, 2026.
Ms. Dixon said she drove the roads the GMNF has been trying to purchase and it appears the agreed maintenance of these roads promised by GMNF has not been done and the Board could choose to not move forward with the sale if these provisions are not met.
Covered Bridge Repair Proposal: The Board reviewed the RFP response from Wright Construction for the bridge repairs and the amount in the sinking fund for bridge repairs. Mr. Paustian made a motion to accept the proposal from Wright Construction for $249,215.00, for covered bridge repair. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department Updates: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve $800 expenditure for SCBA grant, to come from the FD New Equipment line. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Park Updates: Park Supervisor, Willy Knight, has left his position at the Park Ms. Dixon is currently cleaning the bathrooms and emptying the trash until someone is hired. It was discussed that the border and additional mulch at the swingset still needs to be done to close out the PACIF grant. Hiring one person, full- time seasonal, or having contractors for the cleaning was also discussed. Interviews for interested individuals will happen later this week.
Replacement windows and doors have been ordered from RK Miles, and Jeff Joslin will install.
Upcoming RFP’s: It was decided that Ms. Dixon will issue an RFP for heat pumps at Town Hall. The amperage also needs to be upgraded to 300, and Mr. Novotny estimates that cost to be $7,500-$8,000. It was agreed that the total expense was needed in order to see if there would be enough return on investment to warrant the costs.
Reappointments: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the slate of appointments/reappointments as listed:
Tree Warden: Janie Paustian- 2 year term
Inspector of Lumber: Matt Bykowski-3 year term
Fence Viewers: Jamie Paustian, Dan Harvey, Glenn Sherman – 3 year term
Planning Commission: Jonathan Murray – 2 year term
Planning Commission: Michael Murano – 2 year term
Zoning Board of Adjustment: Anthony Smith – 2 year term
Zoning Board of Adjustment: Travis Evans – 3 year term
Town Energy Coordinator: Nick Zaiac – 1 year term
Energy Committee: Mardi Crane – 2 year term
Energy Committee: Grace Katrick – 2 year term
Energy Committee: Stephanie Moffett-Hynds – 3 year term
Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Dixon said the new time clock is in at the garage and will start being used on Monday with the new pay period. The Municipal Town Planning Grant was approved and funds will be in the bank account soon. Mr. Bykowski and the Board thanked Ms. Dixon, and said how much she has accomplished in only one month.
School Merger Group Discussion: Mr. Massey said it has come to his attention that the State is moving ahead with merger groups and Arlington is assigned with Bennington, and wondered what is appropriate for the Select Board to be involved in with this issue. Mr. Bykowski said it warrants more research. Ms. Dixon will consult with VLCT and the school board in her town.
- Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #12, in the amount of $135,933.22, for the bond payment. Mr.Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Bykowksi made a motion to approve WD Warrant #13, dated 6/12/2026, in the amount of $2,786.94. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #12, from the General Account, dated 6/12/2026, in the amount of $61,532.66. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The most significant items being the 1st of two tax payments to Bennington County, and VLCT quarterly insurance payments.
- All Other Business: None
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:45PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry