Minutes
Arlington Select Board
August 3, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matt Bykowski (via Zoom), Jamie Paustian, and Sebastian Massey
Members Absent: Glenn Sherman
Also Present: Katie Dixon-Town Administrator, Mardi Crane-Godreau, Elizabeth and Ralph Rossi, Garret Siegel, Alex Ernst, Douglas Tait, Jenna Tait, Mike Hess, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to remove item #5, “Tax Rate for Fiscal 2027” from the agenda. Mr. Massy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Meeting of July 20, 2026: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of July 20 , 2026, as presented. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Harvey abstaining.
Public Comments: None
Benedict Crossing Town Right of Way: Ms. Dixon provided the Board with the deed from 2008, the most current information for the Benedict Crossing property and had heard from the Town attorney, and both clarified the public access area and Town Right of Way. It was discussed that only the Town employees or the property owner are legally entitled to clear the property.
RFP Benedict Crossing Abutment Evaluation: The Board reviewed the RFP Ms. Dixon drafted for abutment and structural evaluation of the Benedict Crossing Bridge. It was the sense of the Board to proceed with the RFP, and to send it to MSK, and post on the VLCT website.
Board Discussion of School Meger Groups: Garret Siegel, Elizabeth and Ralph Rossi, and Jenna Tait discussed the school merger groups that the Arlington School Board is in the process of deciding to join either Group 4, which would be Bennington schools, or Group 3 which includes schools in Manchester. Ms. Rossi had proposed a task force be created at Town Meeting, to include members of the Select Board, Planning Commission members, as well as School Board members and community members in order to have conversations and community input in the process. She has been collecting signatures for a petition requesting Arlington be part of Group 3. It was discussed that the Select Board’s voice is influential, as the decision can affect property values and future of the Town. It was decided the Select Board can draft a letter to the School Board urging them to have input from community, parents and students when making their decision, to be sent before the next School Board meeting. Ms. Dixon and members of the Select Board will compose the letter and the Board will warn a special meeting to sign the letter next week.
Benedict Hollow Road Walk with GMNF: As was discussed at a past meeting, members of the Board will walk the area to better understand the issues with the area. It will be warned for a special meeting for August 25, 2026.
Water Department Updates: Mr. Brace has been busy fixing leaks on various roads and will be replacing service lines. The new generator has been delivered. It was discussed that the work being done at the Pump House is to address the VOSHA violations that had been discovered from an inspection and has a deadline for completion. Using propane to heat the area was discussed as being most effective with the lack of insulation.
Highway Updates: It was discussed that two culverts on Chunks Brook Road are done, and six trees cut down. Grading on the north end of Chunks Brook will be done, as well as culverts on River Road. The highway crew has done ditching for the Water Department. It was discussed that the Town grader is two large for Spring Brook Lane, which is a private road but needs to be maintained because of the Spring House being on the road, and some washout has come onto RT313. Connecting with someone with a smaller grader will be considered.
The Board reviewed the two chassis quotes. It was discussed that it will save $50,000 to order the truck in 2026 to avoid the expensive emissions requirements coming in 2027. It was discussed that the plow package can be purchased next year. Mr. Paustian said he believes the old dump truck is over ten years old. The Western Star quote is $198,037.00 and the International for $179,008.00. The International has a new motor that has not been proven and it was mentioned the Town had not had good luck with a previous International truck, and it wouldn’t be worth the gamble to pay $18,000.00 less and have possible engine issues. It was discussed the old truck can be put up for auction and could be sold for $20,000-$25,000.00. The truck would be built next year, and there is currently over $305,000.00 in the HY Truck Sinking Fund. The Western Star truck has a seven-year warranty.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to accept the quote for the Western Star chassis from ATG Patriot LLC for $198,037.00. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Fire Department Updates: Mardi Crane-Godreau inquired about the fire burning permit process due to having issues in her neighborhood with burning and air quality. It was discussed that the State has made the Fire Chief the Warden, but he can appoint Deputy Wardens, which are Mr. Paustian and Mike Wood. Mr. Paustian said he can be reached on his cell phone for burning issues.
Mr. Bykowski said the 3rd party billing is successful in recouping money used at accident scenes to replace consumables and any remaining money is put towards the Fire Truck Sinking Fund.
Park Updates: Ms. Dixon said two mowers had been down at the Park, with one now working but the greens mower possibly having transmission issues and Grasslands came to pick it up for repair in Albany NY. Mr. Jennings has been doing some painting. Mr. Bykowski said the Park looks good, and thanked Mr. Jennings, and said he has been doing an excellent job in his new Park Supervisor position.
Jeff Joslin will begin his MERP2 work at the Park, Highway and Town Hall the 2nd week of August.
Award Contract for Town Hall Attic Insulation: It was discussed that the MERP 2 grant was for $115,000.00, and the windows and insulation will be $80,000.00. ServPro will clean the attic in August. The Board reviewed the Vermont Comfort contract for insulation but was concerned the proposal options included removal of the old insulation and rodent droppings, but ServPro will be performing these tasks. They asked Ms. Dixon to contact them to have this removed from the contract and a price adjustment. It will be completed at the next meeting. It was discussed that Town Hall will have to be closed during the week of insulation installation, as no one is allowed in the building while this work is being done, the week of October 19th, and employees can work from home and receive emails at home.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Dixon said that part of the Hazard Mitigation Plan requires the Town to have communication signage to communicate hazards to the residents and to purchase these signs will cause the Emergency Management Line to be overrun by $822.75. It was discussed that $3,000.00 had been in that line but the school generator maintenance had used that money. It was discussed that the Town is responsible for the generator maintenance as it is the designated emergency shelter. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to overspend the budget line item, 11-7-70-610.00, in the amount of $822.75. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Ms. Dixon said she had received a letter from the State that the Town is in solid waste management violation. It appears that almost every town received the same letter and it could be an issue with the State. She has reached out to a State representative for guidance.
Ms. Dixon said she had received many proposals from the website RFP and will be going through them to find the best candidates to present to the Board.
Ms. Dixon said that both of the companies that responded to the heat pump RFP’s, Bennington Cooling and Heating, and Premier Heating and AC, would exceed the amount of money in the grant. Electrical work to support the heat pumps would also have to be paid for from the grant money. It was discussed that maybe the Energy Committee could provide a ROI for the pumps.
- Warrants and Orders: Mr. Massey made a motion to approve WD Warrant #16, dated 7/31/2026, in the amount of $2,715.00. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Massey made a motion to approve Warrant #16, from the General Account, dated 7/31/2026, in the amount of $43,043.67. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried. The most significant items being Park power washing, Innovative for calcium chloride, health insurance, sand and stone.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:25PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry