MINUTES
ARLINGTON SELECTBOARD
JANUARY 22, 2018
Members Present: Keith Squires, Daniel Harvey, Cynthia Browning
Members Absent: Timothy Williams, Reggie Jennings Jr.
Also Present: Jack McDonough – GNAT-TV, Maureen Harvey-Trustee of Public Funds,
Darrin Jennings
The meeting was called to order at 7:10pm by Chairman Keith Squires.
Minutes Meeting January 8, 2018 & Special Meetings of January 10, & January 17, 2018: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the minutes of January 8, 2018 and the special meetings of January 10, and January 17, 2018 as presented. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried.
Highways: Mr. Squires reported that we have been able to keep up with the storms as we have had some part-time help on the road crew.
Water Department: Bond Account: Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of a total amount of $1724.43 from the Water Department Bond Account – with $1724.43 to Aldrich & Elliott for their invoice #77404. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried.
Operating Account: Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of Water Department Order # WD Warrant #1 dated January 22, 2018 for the amount of $5,268.90 from the Water Department Operating Account. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried.
Old Business: Camping on the Battenkill: Mr. Squires reviewed that the Board has already approved a proposal for electrical work ($46,000.00), and for work on the water service (for $20,000.00). The town now has a proposal to do work on the bath house building. Mr. Squires stated that he is still waiting for a final answer from the State on this issue. There was discussion on this issue. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the bid from Keith Miller – conditional on State approval – for work on the flooded bathhouse rehab plumbing for the amount of $16,578 per estimate ‘E391’ dated 12-5-17 for the Camping on the Battenkill grant. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried.
Dog Park: Mary reported that at the Town ‘Renewal’ meeting last week the Park Committee met and discussed helping with the installation of the ‘permanent’ Dog Park fencing when it is done in the Spring. She stated that it would be a good time to get some ‘PR’ out about the Dog Park and might help with fund raising.
Communication Around Town: Darrin Jennings asked if the Board would consider putting up a digital ‘information’ board up in the center of Town. He thought that perhaps this might help get information out so that people would know what was happening around Town- events, meetings, etc. There was discussion on this issue, and where the best place to set one up might be. Darrin said he could look into this issue. Mr. Harvey will bring this up at the Planning Commission meeting this Thursday.
New Business: Trustees of Public Funds: Maureen Harvey – Trustee of Public Funds was present and noted that the Trustees will be meeting with their financial advisor and they would like to get a ‘list’ from the Cemetery Commissioners as to a rough number of stones that need repair – in all three cemeteries – so
that the Trustees can ‘budget’ for this. Maureen stated that the monies would be for markers and stones, and the Trustees would like to ‘plan’ for this.
Liquor Licenses: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the renewal of a second class liquor license for Stewart’s Shop #193 Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. Mr. Harvey made motion to approve the renewal of a first class liquor license for Jonathan’s Table. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the renewal of a first class liquor license for American Legion Post #69, Inc;, and a renewal of an outside consumption permit for American Legion Post#69, Inc. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried.
Park & Rec Committee: Board members reviewed an email from Dave Naaktgeboren asking for a letter of support for a grant to refurbish the walking trails at the Park. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Keith Squires to write a letter of support for the application for a grant from the State of Vermont to refurbish the walking trail at the Arlington Rec Park. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried.
Fireman’s Carnival-Fireworks: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the permit to allow a fireworks display at the Fireman’s Annual Carnival – Saturday July 21, 2018. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried.
Warrants & Orders: General Warrant: Mr. Harvey made a motion to authorize payment of Warrant Order #1 dated January 23, 2018 for the total amount of $68,808.33. Seconded by Ms. Browning. In discussion – Mr. Harvey noted that the order was so large as it was the first warrant of the year and includes health insurance premiums, and the Pacif/Work Comp/Liability insurances, as well as salt, and Fire Department turnout gear. Motion carried.
Budget 2018: Yellow Barn Farm: Ms. Browning reported that she would like to draw up a Request for Proposal for repair/replacement of windows at the Yellow Barn. Mr. Squires noted that there is enough money in the Yellow Barn fund to cover this work. Ms. Browning will measure the windows and put a RFP together. Vacant Positions: There was discussion about the Land Use Administrator’s position and the Administrative Assistant’s position as far as budgeting figures for these positions. The Board considered two part-time positions versus combining both jobs. Combining the jobs would make it a 30 hour/week job and would possibly include health insurance. Currently the Board has budgeted $18,100.00 to cover health insurance for the combined jobs – which has increased the budget by a large amount.
There will be a special budget meeting warned for Wednesday January 24, 2018 at 7pm.
Ms. Browning made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.
Respectfully submitted, Mary M. Henning, Recording Secretary meeting video taped cc: files, Town Clerk