ARLINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES OF MEETING of July 28, 2025
Commissioners in Attendance: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian, and Matt Bykowski
Commissioners Absent: Glenn Sherman, Chief Operating Officer, Josh Brace
Also in Attendance: Janet Barry, via Zoom.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Harvey at 7:03PM
Agenda Additions or Deletions: None
Public Comments: None
Minutes of Recent Meetings: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2025 Water Board meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Report of the Chief Operator: Mr. Brace was unable to attend but sent a memo the Water Commissioners reviewed. The major and long outstanding South Road job is completed. The State has 30 days to inspect. The next two big projects will be Battenkill Lane to replace leaking service and on East Arlington Road to repair leaks associated with the water connection after a culver replacement project accidently caused damage.
Project Worksafe inspected the pump house and they noted the need to create a guard for the generator belt and plug an electrical panel hole. The Commissioners discussed that replacing the generator with a propane one, and moving it outside would free up space inside the building.
Ms. Browning said she will have updates on the hyrdro geology study at a future meeting.
It was discussed that the hydrants in Town painted black, with yellow reflecting tape, are the ones that don’t have sufficient power for fighting fires.
Mr. Bykowski said Mr. Brace had told him the Water Department truck was having the same transmission issues as before it had been repaired. He suggested the possibility of trading it in while there is still value in the truck. Mr. Brace will be consulted about the truck issues.
Aged Receivables: The Board reviewed the Aged Receivables amounts. It was discussed that the outstanding balances are getting way too high, and what has been done in the past to collect payments are not working. Mr. Bykowski said that almost 45% of the accounts are passed due over $100/over 120 days. He said he knows of three collection services that work with municipalities that could be hired to get back on track. He said they would also be aware of State and Federal laws governing shut off notices and would have the ability to track payments. Ms. Browning said she would like to consult Mr. Brace and the Treasurer for their thoughts on this process. It was agreed that the Commissioners would be under no obligation to accept any proposals from these organizations and Mr. Bykowski will prepare an RFP and have information at the next special Water Department meeting, which will be 6:30, August 4th, with the regular Select Board meeting to follow at 7PM.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:56PM
Minutes taken by Janet Barry