Minutes
Arlington Select Board
September 8, 2025
Members Present: Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, and Glenn Sherman (via Zoom)
Members Absent: Dan Harvey
Also Present: Brian Hawley-AFD, Dara Zink-BCRC, Joan Nash, Garrett Siegel, Jenny Murtaugh, Karen Lee, Steve Gilmore, Alex Ernst, Eleanor and Michael Murno, Stephanie Moffett-Hynds, Mary Anne Holmes, Willy Knight-Park Supervisor, and GNAT-TV and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:25PM, by Mr. Bykowski
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: Mr. Paustian made a motion to add Fire Department Discussion to 5.5 in the agenda. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motin carried unanimously with Mr. Harvey absent.
Minutes of the Meeting of August 18th, 2025: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes of August 18, 2025, as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Public Comments: Steve Gilmore asked about updates of making RT 313 40MPH, and making the 25 MPH signs more visible on E. Arlington Road. Mr. Paustian said the State is reviewing the RT 313 issue, and speed limit signs have State standards that have to be adhered to. It was decided to ask Mark Robinson, Highway Supervisor, to review the sign locations and the State standards.
Highways: Ms. Browning informed the Board that the Sunderland highway crew is down to one member after a recent retirement. It was the sense of the Board to allow Arlington highway crew to offer help to Sunderland to help them complete their culvert job before their grant deadline, and that it is important for neighbors to help each other.
Winter Sand Purchase: Mr. Robinson obtained two quotes for the 50/50 winter sand mix he prefers to use. Wallingford Crushed Stone, with sand $13.90/ton and 3/8 stone for $16.90/ton, 1,500 tons each, for $45,000. Peckham, with sand $12.50/ton and 3/8 stone for $17.50/ton, 1,500 tons each for $45,000. It was decided Peckham was more economical, with lessor cost to transport. Mr. Paustian made a motion to accept the 50/50 Winter Sand purchase from Peckham for a total of $45,000. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Ms. Browning said the 7A Sidewalk Project bank adjustment was competed.
Ms. Browning said the contractor for the covered bridge repairs cannot put it on his schedule yet, but he was the only one to bid the project so there is no other option.
It was discussed that the Trout Unlimited culvert project on Murray Hollow Road has not been completed due to a camp owner objecting to the closing of the road for the project and it may have to wait until next year.
Fire Department Discussion: Mr. Hawley asked the Town to look into getting purchasing cards for the FD to be able to use to order needed items as quickly as possible. Mr. Bykowski said he will investigate the options.
Having insurance companies reimburse the FD for supplies used at accident scenes was discussed. Mr. Bykowski said he would like to have the Town’s policy on this matter reviewed and put on the agenda for the next meeting.
Mr. Hawley said it will be three weeks to three months before the Motorola repeaters arrive.
Park and Rec: Project Updates: Mr. Knight said the sod will be installed on Tuesday. He discussed recent septic issues that happened at the park. It was pumped by All-Out Waste and there were things in there that do not go in septic systems. Having the line scoped was discussed. And Mr. Knight will order two porta-potties to help with the upcoming busy field season. Mr. Bykowski will help with security cameras this week.
Mr. Paustian had a quote from Pete Geannelis to repair the softball field that is out of dimension by over ten feet. The infield also needs more red clay that the school purchased. The quote was for $16,500 , which could be reduced to $12,500 if the school purchases the red clay. Mr. Paustian will discuss it with the Park and Rec Committee informally to see if they might help with this project. Mr. Bykowski would like to have a written project plan and to know what the school will provide.
New Business: Hazard Mitigation Plan BCRC Report: Dara Zink was at the meeting to present the BCRC report and presentation. Ms. Zink acknowledged and thanked all who had worked on the plan, starting in August 2024. It is now open for public comments, which will close September 22, 2025. The plan can be viewed on the BCRC website. It will be submitted to VEM on October 3, 2025, and reviewed for FEMA requirements. The process can take from three weeks to six months, and then the Board can adopt it.
Arlington Planning Commission: Members of the Planning Commission were at the meeting to offer their support of the acquisition of the Red Mountain/Bly Hollow Parcel by the Town as a Town Forest.
Having the forest helping the Town towards its carbon neutral goals was discussed. The previous issues of parking and public access as a deterrent to the acquisition were also discussed. The Board and Ms. Browning agreed there would need to be a written proposal submitted to show where the funding is coming from and the access and parking issues resolved before the Board can make a motion of support.
Enforcement: Mr. Siegel gave the Board a list of various properties with violations and photos of the areas. Ms. Browning will review the junk ordinance and past cases and have a status report for the next meeting.
ZBA Quorum Issue: The potential for lack of quorum at ZBA and Planning Commission meetings, and having Ms. Browning be appointed an alternate, was discussed. It will be warned on the agenda for the next meeting.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning had a list of CD options from the Treasurer for the Town to consider. It will be discussed at the next meeting. She said the partitions have been installed at the Park and the new window installed at Town Hall. The contractor has looked at the two threshold issues in Town Hall. The alarm company could not finish the new updated alarm panel because of software issues.
All Other Business: Ms. Browning said she has been working with a lawyer about the Glebe Lot Road issues and there is a question from a potential buyer about a Tory Lane South property and having a Class 4 road be a private road.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #18, dated 9/5/25, in the amount of $24,189.89. with biggest items being the hydrology study for $18,111.20, BC/BS premium and curb stop repair for $1,870. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve Warrant #17, from the General Account, dated 9/5/2025, in the amount of $41,707.75, with biggest items being BC/BS premiums, calcium chloride purchases, diesel fuel and electrical work at the Park. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr.
Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:33PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry