Minutes
Arlington Select Board
August 4, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, Jamie Paustian, and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Jim Davis, GNAT-TV, Chris Roy – Downs, Rachlin and Martin, Doug Goulette – Bowman, Karen Holtzman – Red Mountain LLC, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:02PM, by Ms. Browning
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to add Setting the 2025 Tax Rate to 6.3 in New Business. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motin carried unanimously with Mr. Harvey not yet at the meeting.
Minutes of the Meeting of July 21, 2025: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 21, 2025, as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Harvey not yet at the meeting.
Public Comments: None
Highways: Updates: Mr. Paustian said the John Deere was repaired. He also said Mr. Novotny thinks the issues with the blinking light at the school may be the timers. Mr. Bykowski said the telematics are working in three trucks, with an August 11, 2025 installation scheduled for the F350, and he will be there for the installation. The crew has signed and returned the policy.
Ms. Browning said the Warm Brook Road paving project pre-bid was last Thursday. Peckham and Springfield Paving were at the pre-bid. It was decided to have a quick Special Select Board meeting on 8/11/25 to open the bids.
New Business: Red Mountain LLC Discussion: Civil engineer Doug Goulette from the Bowman Company read past meeting minutes and summarized the project the Red Mountain LLC group is trying to do that was discussed at past meetings. It is still their desire to build a road on the right of way on a section of Glebe Lot Road to access a 4-lot subdivision they wish to build. Chris Roy from Downs, Rachlin and Martin is assisting Red Mountain with the matter. The Board agreed they will have Town attorney, Merrill Bent, look into the matter, and hope to have more information at the August 18, 2025 meeting. Mr. Roy will also reach out to Ms. Bent.
Winter Fuel Oil Purchase: The Board reviewed two options from Miles Fuels for the upcoming heating season, with the Fire Department typically purchasing 2,800 gallons and Town Hall 3,500 gallons. It was decided that variable carried more risks and the fixed price offered of $3.09 was a fair price. Ms. Browning made a motion to accept the fixed price option for Fire Department and Town Hall fuel oil at $3.09 per gallon for 6,300 gallons. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Setting the Property Tax Rate: The Board reviewed the 2025 Municipal Tax Rate set by the Town and the Education Tax Rate set by the State. The Municipal Tax Rate will be $00.4606, a slight increase from last years $00.4369. The 2025 Education Tax Rate for Homestead will be $1.6221 and Non-Homestead will be $1.7697. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the 2025 Tax Rate of Homestead $2.0827 and Non-Homestead $2.2303 as presented. Mr. Bykowski amended his motion to include that the 2025 Municipal Tax Rate is $00.4606. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Due date for property taxes will be November 5, 2025.
Old Business: FD Updates: Mr. Paustian said the first new truck committee meeting was held and went very well, with good decisions being made on the truck style and another meeting is scheduled for decisions on equipment for the truck, then they will reach out to vendors. It will be a 2000–3000-gallon tanker with six-man cab.
He said there is a Mass Casualty Incident drill in Sandgate on Sunday 7AM-noon. There was a car fire on Equinox and a FD truck broke down going up the mountain and lost 12 gallons of specialized antifreeze which will have to be replaced.
Rec Park Updates: Mr. Paustian said he marked the field for soccer season. He said there is an issue with a “bear crossing” sing by Chem Clean being taken down every time it is repaired. Mr. Sherman offered his game cam so there will be evidence of any future incidents.
Interim Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning said she completed paving procurement procedures and posted an RFP for covered bridge repair and is waiting to hear from the State about grant money. She also sent photos from the covered bridge issue where a landowner is trying to block river access that was discussed at the last meeting, and our lawyer is conferring with a colleague with more expertise in this area. She said there is a Wastewater meeting on Thursday August 14, 2025.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #16, dated 8/1/25, in the amount of $6,334.41 with biggest item being Otter Creek for the water improvement study. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #16, from the General Account, dated 8/1/2025, in the amount of $15,293.03, with key elements being BCRC for Grants in Aid payment for $1,500, chloride for roads, and Peckham for culver related expenses. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer a substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:18PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:19PM. No decisions as a result of the Executive Session.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr.
Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:20PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry