Minutes
Arlington Select Board
October 5, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey,Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman (via Zoom)
Members Absent: Sebastian Massey
Also Present: Cynthia Browning-Interim Town Administrator, Stephen Stanwood-Stoa (via Zoom), Dominic Cloud-VLCT (via Zoom) Brian Hawley, Eric Marko, Mike Hess, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 7:03PM
Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to swap items 6 & 7 on the agenda. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Meeting of September 14, 2026: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of September 14, 2026, as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent.
Public Comments: Mike Hess was at the meeting with a copy of a survey map of the Benedict Crossing ROW issue that has been discussed at past meetings. The map will be reviewed, and Mr. Hess will be notified when the review is complete.
VLCT Recruiting: Dominic Cloud from VLCT explained the timeline and process for using VLCT’s recruiting program for the search for a new Town Administrator after Ms. Dixon’s recent resignation. The recruiters place ads locally and nationally and gather resumes to then send six to eight of the best candidates to the Board for review, conduct interviews and help decide who goes to the second round. They facilitate reference and background checks for the finalists. The whole process can take three to four months, and the fee is $9,000 plus $3,000-$4,000 for potential relocation expenses. The Board agreed to discuss details in Executive Session and inform Mr. Cloud of their decision.
Website Development and Hosting Services: Stephen Stanwood from Stoa Works, LLC, had submitted a revised contract for the Town website revision, and was at the meeting to answer any additional questions from the Board. It was discussed that photos can be easily added and it will be a site that is easy for employees to manage, with monthly support hours built into the contract. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the contract with Stoa Works, as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried with Mr. Massey absent.
Benedict Crossing Bridge Abutments: The Board and Ms. Browning reviewed the cost of the Abutment Evaluation Study proposal. It was discussed that the Bridge CRF funds are being used to repair the covered bridge and the Town would be short $47,673.74 to complete the study and after the study it would be an additional $1.5- 2.5 million dollars for a new bridge and approximately $700,000 to remove the bridge. Waiting until spring and seeking voter approval was discussed.
Fire Department Updates: Alarm Permit: Mr. Bykowski will draft a letter for commercial properties for alarm permits that will be reviewed at the next meeting.
The Board reviewed the two cleaning proposals for bi-weekly cleaning at both firehouses. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Praetorian Disaster Response, DBA ServPro, bid for two firehouses, bi-weekly cleaning for $440 a month. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried with 3 yes votes and 1 no vote, and Mr. Massey absent.
FD Term Limits: Mr. Bykowski will touch base with legal council before this can be discussed at the next meeting.
Missing road signs in Sandgate was discussed, which can cause issues for rescue personnel responding to emergencies. Having a stipulation in the fire services contract with Sandgate and Sunderland requiring all roads have proper signage was discussed.
VERB Ballot: It was agreed this was on the agenda but the Town had never voted on it in previous years and no action was needed.
Water Department Updates: It was discussed that what was expected to be a simple curb stop leak repair job near Pleasant Street turned into a bigger project with what was discovered, and took three days to repair.
Having Park Supervisor, Cooper Jennings, shovel fire hydrants instead of Mr. Brace this winter was discussed.
Highway Updates: Mr. Harvey said the Highway crew have been prepping vehicles for winter as well as doing grading and ditching.
Shared School Labor Request: It was decided the Town doesn’t have the manpower to offer snowplowing at the school this winter as was done last year.
Park Updates: It was discussed that Mr. Jennings wants to work towards getting his CDL, which would then allow him to be a back-up Highway driver. He has worked lined up for the winter months, such as painting, repairing tables and cleaning up Park signage as well as plowing sidewalks and shoveling at two firehouses and Town Hall.
Mr. Bykowski said Mr. Jennings has been doing a good job working independently.
Town Administrator Update: Ms. Browning said she had met with the surveyor who had recently surveyed Gleb Lot Road. He had trouble finding pins at the top of the road and will be double-checking the findings and have a report submitted by the next meeting.
St. James Church has requested on street handicap parking. It was discussed that it has to be a certain width and painted correctly and it is something the State will have to decide.
There is a Wastewater meeting on 10/8/2026 at 7PM, and possibly a public meeting to be held in November.
- Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve WD Warrant #20, dated 10/2/2026, in the amount of $19,520.16. Most significant items were $13,000 plus to Otter Creek for Wastewater studies, and $3,800 for electric updates at the Well House. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #20, from the General Account, dated 10/2/2026, in the adjusted amount of $58,083.48. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent. The most significant items being FD safety equipment, cemetery mowing, line striping and Town Hall partial insulation payment. A payment to GPI for 7A Sidewalk project had to removed due to the contractor not having the paperwork complete.
All Other Business: None
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of a contractual matter 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 contractual matter and to allow Interim Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning, to remain in the room. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 9:00PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:30PM. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve of going with the VLCT recruiter. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to switch Select Board assignments to have Mr. Paustian be the Park liaison and Mr. Massey be the Water Dept. liaison. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:35PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry