MINUTES
ARLINGTON SELECTBOARD
JULY 31, 2017
Members Present: Keith Squires, Daniel Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Reggie Jennings, Jr.
Timothy Williams
Also Present: Jack McDonough-GNAT-TV
The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Chairman Keith Squires.
Minutes Meeting of July 17, 2017: Mr. Williams made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 17, 2017 as presented. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried.
Highways: Update-Grants: Mr. Squires reported that he and Gary met with BCRC’s Jim Henderson and VT AOT’s Chris Taft – regarding the ‘grants-in-aid pilot project’. Mr. Squires reviewed the purpose of this program – noting that it will get the Towns thinking about how they will deal with drainage onto town roads in the future. It is to be an 80% grant with 20% from the Town. Mr. Squires reported that they looked at several possible sites for this grant- and settled on 2967 River Road – noting that this is an ideal spot as there is a steep driveway and drainage runs down and onto River Road. Jim Henderson will prepare the paperwork on this project. Mr. Squires reported that they are thinking about having the Town do some work on the private driveway – outside the Town’s right of way – with the stipulation that once the work is done – the property owner will maintain the driveway. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Keith Squires to proceed – along with BCRC- with the culvert and drainage project at 2967 River Road. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried.
Mower Rental: Ms. Browning made a motion to contract with HP Fairfield for a one week mower rental at the cost of $2950.00. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried.
Crack Sealing: Ms. Browning made a motion to contract with NICOM of Bare Vt. to do the crack sealing for the 2017 season for roads in the Town of Arlington at a cost of $4100.00/day – based on an eight (8) hour workday per NICOM’s bid ID # 1215. Seconded by Mr. Jennings. Motion carried.
Painting & Striping: Mr. Harvey made a motion to contract with Topkote Applicators for painting & striping the crosswalks, RR crossings, etc. in Town at $5,180.00. Seconded by Mr. Jennings. Motion carried.
Resignation/Retirement Highway Department: Mr. Squires announced that Eugene Stone has now formally retired from the Highway Retirement. The Board will write a letter to Eugene. Kevin Murphy has resigned as of August 11, 2017- from the Highway Department. There was discussion on this issue. Mary will put an ad back in the paper for the positions stating that the positions will remain open until filled. The Board will start interviewing for the positon on Tuesday August 8, 2017 at 6:00pm in half hour intervals. To date there are four (4) applicants for the first position advertised.
Paving: Board members reviewed the bids for paving as follows (the numbers are attached to these minutes on file in the Selectboard Office & Town Clerk’s Office): Carbonti Circle = Peckham $22,780.00, Beaudoin $22,726.30; Munn Terrace= Peckam $7,055.00, Beaudoin $15,657.80; Ice Pond = Peckham $9,860.00,Beaudoin $12,353.33; Maple Hill- Old Area = Peckham $14,195.00, Beaudoin $21,700.00; Maple Hill-New Area = Peckham $6,460.00, Beaudoin $10,354.40. Peckham = 710 ton $60,350.00 average $85.00/ton; and Beaudoin = 842 ton $82,791.20 average $98.00 per ton. There was discussion on this issue. Mr. Squires stated that his recommendation is to go with Beaudoin. Ms. Browning made a motion to contract with Beaudoin to do the 2017 paving per estimate #1274 for a total of $82,791.20 including the ‘alternate #5’ as listed on the bid #1274 for paving on the above stated areas. Seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.
Water Department: Mr. Squires reported that the Town has the final bill from Zaluzny. Board members reviewed the paperwork on this issue. Mr. Squires noted that there are several signature pages that the Town has to sign off on. The paper work then goes through several other stages before the check is written. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize/approve the final report of the Water Project as complete. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the change order #4 dated 07/05/2017 for the amount (a deduction) of $68,636.28. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize payment of ‘partial payment estimate #9’ for $23,000.00 as the final payment of the Arlington Water Department Project. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried.
Warrants & Orders: Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of $6,985.85 from the Water Department Operating Account for Warrant Order # WD Warrant Order #15 dated July 28, 2917. Seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried.
Old Business: Walkway in Front of Town Hall: Mr. Squires reported that he was to meet a contractor to look at the walkway in front of Town Hall today – but the contractor cancelled. Mr. Squires has the sidewalk area marked out for when a contractor can meet with him.
Animal Control: Board members reviewed an email from Animal Control Officer Traci Mulligan regarding her confusion about her pay. There was discussion on this issue. Mr. Squires will contact Traci on this issue. Mary will see that Traci is put back on a ‘Stipend’ at least for the time being until this issue is cleared up. The next payment she will receive will include the monies taken out of the checks that went through regular ‘Payroll’.
Dollar General: Mr. Williams noted that one of the conditions of the Dollar General Store being built was that there would be no items displayed outside the store. There have been complaints that there are currently items being put outside. Land Use Administrator Al Godreau has asked that we keep an eye on this area to see if this is a problem. Mr. Squires noted that he went by one day and there was nothing outside – but now there are again items outside the store. Mary will contact the person who had filed a complaint and notify that the Town needs a written letter on this issue.
Town Owned Tax Sale Properties: There was discussion regarding some of the properties/parcels that the Town owns as a result of past tax sales. It was felt that perhaps the Town should consider selling some or all of these properties. Mr. Squires will look into the paperwork the Town has on these properties.
Dog Park: Mr. Squires reported that he does have some quotes on permanent fencing for the Dog Park. The gate area has now been secured with fencing running all the way to the gate.
Smoking in the Rec Park: Ms. Browning stated that she would have the paperwork on smoking in the park areas ready for the next Board meeting. She noted that the Town is not required to ban smoking. Ms. Browning will write Mr. Illinski a note on this issue – noting that this is difficult to enforce at best.
New Business: Set Tax Rate: The Board reviewed and discussed copies of the 2015 tax figures as presented by the Town Treasurer (copy attached to printed minutes on file in Selectboard Office and Town Clerk’s Office). Mr. Harvey made a motion to set the Municipal Tax Rate at $00.3100, and the Local Agreement Tax Rate at $0.0050 for a Total Municipal Tax Rate of $00.3150 and to set the Homestead Education Tax Rate at $1.8392, and to set the Non-Residential Tax Rate at $1.7452. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. Property tax bills will be available by September 4, 2017 and payment is due by November 4, 2017.
Warrants & Orders: General Warrant: Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of $17,174.18 for Warrant Order # 15 dated July 31, 2017. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried.
Executive Session: Mr. Harvey made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. Mr. Harvey made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue. Seconded by Motion carried. The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:48pm. The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:14pm. There were no motions or actions taken as a result of the Executive Session.
Mr. Harvey made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 9:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary M. Henning, Recording Secretary
meeting video taped
cc: files, Town Clerk