Minutes
Arlington Select Board
August 17, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey (via Zoom), Matt Bykowski (@7:14, via Zoom), Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman (@7:35) and Sebastian Massey
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Katie Dixon-Town Administrator, Brian Loving-USGS, Brian Hawley, Vince Thompson, Eric Marko, Eugene Saunders, Grace Katrick, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
Additions to the Agenda: None
Minutes of the Meeting of August 10, 2026: Mr. Massey made a motion to approve the minutes the special meeting of August 10 , 2026, as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Bykowski and Mr. Sherman not yet present.
Public Comments: Ms. Katrick inquired about sewage lines and Mr. Paustian said there had been a recent Wastewater meeting and it will be on the August 31, 2026 agenda.
Town Administrator Update: 7A Sidewalk Project: Ms. Dixon said the Town share for the 7A Sidewalk Project will be $112,135.64. It was discussed that there is $109,000 in the 7A Sidewalk Project line in the budget and the difference is $3,135.64. Mr. Paustian made a motion to pull the difference from the 7A Sidewalk CRF Sinking Fund line, of $3,135.64, for the sidewalk project from Town Hall to the Rec Park. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried with Mr. Sherman not yet present.
Ms. Dixon said ServPro has started work on cleaning out the attic, and the ceiling tiles have been replaced. Jeff Joslin will start the MERP window replacement at the park, garage and Town Hall soon. The tennis courts will be cleaned later this week.
Tuesday, 8/25/ 26, at 10:30AM will be a warned special meeting for Board members and Ms. Dixon to do the Benedict Hollow walk that was discussed at a previous meeting.
Park Updates: Ms. Dixon said the greens mower is at Grassland for diagnosis. The irrigation had been installed on the golf course. Park Supervisor, Mr. Jennings, had met with the school athletic director as part of preparation for the upcoming sports season.
Mr. Massey said the Arlington Park and Rec Committee would like their information removed from park signs.
Highway Updates: Ms. Dixon said the Highway crew had observed the Battle Day holiday today.
Mowing will be completed on River Road and the crew has helped at the Rec Park.
Mr. Harvey spoke of the small excavator being in need of repair, and of possibly having the man who has fixed the big excavator in the past, and had guaranteed his work, and charged only $2,800 on a $3,500 estimate, do the repairs. That excavator is still running with no issues. Mr. Paustian made a motion to hire the same gentleman to repair the small excavator. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried.
Water Department Updates: Ms. Dixon said Mr. Brace had been doing carpentry work at the Well House after the generator installation. Sharing the maintenance of Spring Brook Drive between the Water Department and Highway budget was discussed. As discussed at a previous meeting, it is a private road but maintained by the Town because of the spring house being located on the road. VTRANS said the road is washing out onto RT 313 and needs maintenance. The Town’s equipment is too large for the road and Woodard will have to be hired for the work. Mr. Paustian made a motion to split the maintenance of Spring Brook Road 50/50 with Highway and Water Department. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Setting the Tax Rate: The Board and Ms. Dixon reviewed the tax rate information from the Treasurer. The Treasurer has requested a buffer of $100,000 be included in the budget, and any surplus goes back into cash on hand and could lower the tax rate next year. Mr. Paustian made a motion to set the 2026 Municipal Tax Rate at $0.4729, the Total Homestead Tax Rate at $2.2947, and the Non-homestead Tax Rate at$ 2.3330. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Audit Updates: Ms. Dixon said RHR Smith submitted their retainer letter and invoice for fiscal year 2026 audit. It was decided that it is too late to switch to a different firm, but an RFP will be created for next year. Mr. Massey made a motion to approve the 75% retainer invoice of $16,087.50 to be paid on the next warrant. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
USGS Streamgage on Battenkill River: Mr. Loving of the US Geological Survey asked permission to establish a streamgage on the Battenkill River that would provide continuous streamflow and water level date to support flood monitoring and water resource management. There had previously been a streamgage from 1928 to 1984. It is a small aluminum box affixed to the bridge rail and helps with emergency management with cell phone alerts being available for flooding. It was the sense of the Board to allow the streamgage.
Award and Sign Amended Town Hall Insulation Contract: As was discussed at the previous meeting, Ms. Dixon had the new contract from VT Comfort with the amount adjusted from $27,460 to $24,110 because ServPro had done the prep work for the attic. Mr. Paustian made a motion to move forward with the insulation project with VT Comfort LLC, for $24,110, with $12,055 due up front. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. It was discussed that the money is coming from MERP funds and Mr. Paustian can sign the contract.
Fire Department Updates: Chief Hawley said the turnout gear had been ordered and most had arrived. He said the Fire Department received a generous donation. He asked to donate the old gear washer to another fire company. It was discussed that the old one is 10-12 years old.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve WD Warrant #17, dated 8/13/2026, in the amount of $4,140.22. Bigger items being GMP payments and supplies. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Warrant #17, from the General Account, dated 8/13/2026, in the amount of $43,675.33. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried. The most significant items being Highway supplies, FD new equipment, diesel fuel and golf course greens irrigation.
All Other Business: None
Executive Session: Mr. Sherman made a motion to that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Mr. Sherman made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue and to allow Town Administrator Katie Dixon and the fire chiefs to remain in the room. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 7:54PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:53PM. No action was taken as a result of the session.
Mr. Sherman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:55PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry