MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
March 11, 2019
Members Present: Keith Squires, Cynthia Browning, Daniel Harvey, Tim Williams -Via teleconference: New Board Member, Matthew Bykowski
Also Present: Jack McDonough-GNAT-TV
The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm by Chairman Keith Squires
New Board Member: To start the meeting, Mr. Squires formally welcomed Matthew Bykowski to the Board. Mr. Bykowski was out of town on a business trip, but was available for the meeting via teleconference. He had taken his Oath of Office from Town Clerk, Robin Wilcox, on March 7, 2019.
Election Chairman & Reorganization of the Board: Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Keith Squires as Chairman of the Selectboard. Seconded by Mr. Harvey. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Daniel Harvey as Vice-Chairman of the Selectboard. Seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. Mr. Harvey made a motion to elect Ms. Browning as Clerk of the Board. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Keith Squires as Highway Liaison. Seconded by Mr. Williams. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Mr. Harvey as Fire Department Liaison. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed.
Public Comments: There were no public comments.
Minutes of Meeting of February 18, 2019
Ms. Browning made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of February 18, 2019. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Bykowski abstained because he was not in attendance for the meeting.
New Business: Liquor Licenses: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve a 2nd Class Liquor License for The Dollar General Store on RT 7A. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve a 2nd Class Liquor License for the Wayside Country Store on RT 313. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Letter of Resignation: Mr. Squires informed the Board he had received a letter of resignation from Susan Jennings, who resigned, effective immediately, her position as Trustee of Public Funds. Mr. Harvey made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Susan Jennings. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried.
Tax Exempt Properties: Mr. Williams spoke to the Board about wanting to see 2nd Chance Animal Shelter possibly make donations to the Town, because they are tax exempt but receive Fire and Rescue Squad services. After a discussion, it was decided that one tax exempt business cannot be singled out, and the same policy has to be followed for all tax exempt properties. Mr. Squires asked Janet to have copies of the Grand List, with all the tax exempt businesses on it, for the next meeting for the Board to review and continue the discussion.
Highways: Revised Highway Standards: Mr. Squires gave the Board copies of the Town Road and Bridge Standards, from the State. The report is part of the State’s continuing storm water drainage guidelines. It gives the Town a set of guidelines to try to maintain in order to qualify for 5-10% more grant money. We must comply to receive the additional grant money from the State. Any new road construction must meet these standards. Existing roads do not have to meet the new standards immediately. Mr. Squires asked the Board to review the report and they will discuss it at the next meeting.
Equipment: Mr. Squires said estimates for a new excavator are going to be more than originally thought. It was originally thought it could be purchased for between $40,000-$45,000, but in order to get a machine with the desirable amount of hours on it, from 300-500, it will cost $50,000-$52,000. Mr. Squires has three different quotes with these amounts. A brand new excavator would be $80,000-$90,000. There are funds available in the budget for this purchase from the Sinking Fund-Loader, Backhoe, Excavator Line. Mr. Bykowski asked how long the excavator would be expected to last, and Mr. Squires said one with 500 hours of use on it should last 20 years with the amount the highway and water departments would use it. Mr. Harvey made a motion to allow Mr. Squires to acquire the best machine possible for a maximum of $54,000 from the Sinking Fund. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Sunrise Lane: The Board discussed a letter they received from homeowners on Sunrise Lane, asking that the Town take over ownership of the road. Mr. Squires doesn’t feel the road meets the Town standards, and any new road would have to meet the new, stricter standards as well. Residents of Sunrise Lane are scheduled to be at the April 22, 2019 meeting, and this will be discussed further at that time.
Letter of Request for Road Name: Mr. Squires showed the Board a letter he received from children who live on a small private road off RT 7A across from the Dairy Bar. They would like to name it Barred Owl Road. It was discussed that it is best for 911 purposes that the road have a name, but that the other people on the road would have to be agreeable to naming it Barred Owl Road. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to send a letter to the residents of the private road, asking if they agree to name it Barred Owl Road. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Storm Water Initiative: Mr. Squires spoke to the Board about the Storm Water Initiative being done by the State. Storm water that would eventually drain into streams and the Battenkill River is looked at. Stone Environmental has identified all the drainage areas, then will come back to do sampling in test basins this summer, to test for sewage and look for pollution.
Water Department: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve Warrant WD#5, from the Operating Account in the amount of $1356.64. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
New Truck Purchase: As was discussed at prior meetings, Mr. Snow is in need of a new truck for the Water Department. It was discussed that the Board would like to buy a new truck for warranty and longevity purposes and would like to spend around $30,000. Mr. Snow went to several dealerships and only one had one that met the requirements needed for the job, from Bennington Auto Mall, in Bennington Vermont. They gave a quote of $30,348.00. Mr. Squires informed the Board it should last 15 years, as it only will receive approximately 3000-4000 miles a year of use. Mr. Williams feel he won’t support a new truck until more delinquent water taxes are collected. Ms. Browning said she also wants to see more delinquent taxes collected but supports the purchase of this truck. Ms. Browning made a motion to proceed with purchase of a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado WT from Bennington Auto Mall, dated March 11, 2019, not to exceed $30,348.00. Mr.Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Williams voted against the purchase.
Water Department Meeting: It was decided the next Water Department meeting will be held Monday, April 15, 2019 at 7PM.
Old Business: Cowee Property Purchase: Mr. Squires had the Town’s attorney, Joe O’Dea, look at the purchase and sales agreement for the Cowee Property that is being presented by the Arlington Renewal Committee Recreation Committee. Mr. O’Dea feels it is an acceptable contract, and the Town has the right to reject it until the end of the inspection period, which is October 16, 2020, if any part of the purchase does not meet the stipulations previously discussed. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Mr. Squires to sign the Purchase and Sales Agreement of the 407 plus or minus acres of the Cowee Property in Arlington Vermont from BLY Hollow LLC, with land as described in Exhibit A of the Purchase and Sales Agreement. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve General Warrant #5, in the amount of $31,449.06. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve Payroll #11B, for Keith Squires in his duties as Interim Town Administrator, for $888.00, for the month of February, 2019. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion carried.
Other Business: Mr. Williams spoke to the Board about the Arlington Renewal Committee having made an online calendar, run by Phyllis Skidmore, that posts local events.
Mr. Harvey made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed, meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Meeting video taped
Cc: files, Town Clerk