Minutes
Arlington Select Board
May 5, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman, and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Deborah and Steve Gardner, Todd Wilkins, Stacy Stratton – USFS, Martina Barnes – USFS, Mark Robinson – Highway Supervisor, Ali Elwell-Zaiac (via Zoon), Brian Hawley – AFD Chief, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: None
Minutes of the Meeting of April 21, 2025: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 21, 2025 as presented. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments: None
New Business: Green Mountain Forest Updates: Martina Barnes and Stacy Stratton from the USFS were at the meeting to offer updates about the Taconic Gateway land parcel and Grass Mountain Timber Sale. Ms. Barnes said with recent Federal government cutbacks they have lost staff and it means a slower completion of projects, by as much as two years. Ms. Browning said she would meet with Sally Manikian from The Conservation, and Ms. Barnes, to address the access issues for the Taconic Gateway parcel owned by The Conservation. Mr. Stratton said there will be a timber sale off Shaftsbury Hollow Road that will aid wildlife, particularly migrating birds. There will be a chance for commentary in the near future.
Highway: Truck and Other Updates: Mark Robinson was at the meeting to update the Board on various highway projects. Mr. Robinson said he is getting quotes for a new truck that will replace the 2015 Viking that will be traded. He said the Viking body has held up well and he would like to stick with Viking company for the new truck. It was discussed that projects totaling over $10,000 need to be a sealed bid.
Mr. Robinson talked about replacing culverts on Warm Brook Road. It was decided he could use his best judgement, if two culverts are close together he can consolidate them if he feels it can be done without issue. He told the Board crew member Andy Griffis received his CDL license this week and will now qualify for $1 more per hour raise. Mr. Robinson said he had begun to get bids on paving, and is waiting to hear from VTRANS about paving grants. He asked if he could get his spending threshold raised to $2,500 from $1,500 without seeking permission for each purchase due to inflated prices.
Mr. Robinson said he had to pump out the culvert near the Food Shelf again, and hopes to work on it further by the end of the week. The landowner has been offered a replacement tree and planting.
Arlington Rec Park Discussion: Mr. Wilkins was at the meeting to ask about constructing a new concession stand at the park in place of the old trailer that is nearing the end of it’s life. It will be located in the southeast corner of the parking lot and also have room for storage. He showed the Board the diagram. He will get all necessary permits. Ms. Browing made a motion to approve the plan for the Park Concession Stand as presented by Todd Wilkins. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning informed the Board about a request from the Arlington Youth Baseball League requesting to waive the fee for the Duck Derby they will be running. They had already paid the fee for the field for the same day. The Board decided an additional fee would be waived.
Mr. Paustian updated the Board on issues at the Park. He said there is an issue with heating the building because the pipes run through the attic. He received a quote of $1,935.00 to move the pipes. He also had a quote from Randy Novotny to install a pole and flood light with timer of $2,980.00. The quote included ditching, but would probably cost less if the Highway crew did the ditching. He said the Park Committee is funding the golf course project so would not be contributing to the building updates. He said the current greens mower is not good for the new blue grass that will be on the course, but the mower could be traded to the correct one in an even swap. He also said there are $1,500 worth of concrete pylons that were not needed for the playground install that could possibly be returned for a refund from RK Miles.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the work at the Park for John Bushee, for moving pipes, not-to-exceed $1,935.00 and for electrical work for Randy Novotny not-to-exceed $2,980.00, subject to reduction in cost for eliminating the ditching part of the project. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning inquired about the Playground Grant that needs to be closed out before the Fire Department can receive a grant. Mr. Bykowski explained the grants are from VLCT and are a safety grant program they offer. The Playground grant can be closed out once the mulch is down.
Mr. Paustian said Mr. Knight wanted to thank James Hawley for loaning his roller for use at the Park.
Old Business: Glebe Lot Road Updates: Ms. Browning said she and Mr. Harvey had met with Keith Squires to discuss the Glebe Lot Road issues discussed at the previous meeting. She had also spoken with John Wright who did a formal survey in 2024. Land Use Administrator, Joan Nash, had also done extensive research. Based on all the information she has she doesn’t see a reason to think the Right- of -Way has changed, as the Bowman company had suggested at the last meeting, and the Town and State information matches. It was discussed that there only needs to be a hearing if the Town is altering the road. The Board agreed that they trust Ms. Nash and John Wright and there is no bias for changing the Right- Of -Way. It was agreed that it will be put on the agenda for the next meeting and relevant parties will be notified.
Liquor Licenses: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve a Tobacco License for Chem Clean on RT 313. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Hall Telephones: The Board reviewed a memo about Fidium options and pricing that would be one option to help with the continuing telephone issues at Town Hall. E-Enable has been working with Fidium and Comcast to get the best options for the Town.
At this point it was a sense of the Board to switch to Fidium, after some questions are answered, and Mr. Bykowski would help with the transition.
New Business, con’t: Cemetery Updates: There was no need for the digitization project discussion as the question of funding had been answered.
Dead Trees: Mr. Robinson said the first entrance off of RT313 has an Ash tree that hangs towards the cemetery and is completely dead, so needs to be professionally removed. Ali Elwell-Zaiac, a Cemetery Commissioner, was on Zoom and said there is money in the Perpetual Care Fund that can be used to take down hazardous trees. It was decided that Nathalie Caler, Ms. Elwell-Zaiac, and Ms. Browning will meet to get quotes for the next meeting. On June 29, 2025 headstones will be cleaned and repaired.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #9, dated 5/2/25, in the amount of $1,238.44 with internet being one of the items. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning informed the Board about the Water Department vehicle needing further repairs. WD Chief Operator, Josh Brace, had brought the truck for transmission repair and it was discovered it will be needing brakes and tie rods, with a quote of $1,200. The vehicle is a 2019 with 30,000 miles. This will overspend the vehicle maintenance line in the budget and the line overrun will be voted on when the invoice arrives. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #9, from the General Account, dated 5/2/25, in the amount of $23,356.35, with larger items being Miles Fuel for $7,600, Capital Tractor for HY truck repair for $2,400, FD training for $1,600, and HY garage door repair for $1,108. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to that premature discussion of legal and personnel issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of legal and personnel issues and to allow FD Chief Brian Hawley, and Ali Elwell-Zaiac to remain in the room. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:47PM. The Board exited the session at 9:06PM. No decisions were made as a result of the session.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:06PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry