ARLINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONERS
MINUTES OF MEETING of April 28, 2025
Commissioners in Attendance: Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, Jamie Paustian, and Matt Bykowski
Commissioners Absent: Dan Harvey
Also in Attendance: AWD Chief Operator- Josh Brace, and Janet Barry, via Zoom.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Browning at 7:00PM
Agenda Additions or Deletions: None
Public Comments: None
Minutes of Recent Meetings: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 13, 2025. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Bykowski abstaining and Mr. Harvey absent.
Report of the Chief Operator: Chief Operator Josh Brace discussed the VOSHA report after the recent inspection of the Pump House and other Town properties. One of the biggest issues would be the need to put the generator outside the Pump House and reconfigure the pipes, which Mr. Brace had received a quote for $27,000. Electrical panels have to be moved to be code, as well as an eye wash station installed, and better PPE. He estimated it could be $50,000 to complete all the improvements and avoid violations. He will have a meeting with a VOSHA supervisor via Zoom in the next few weeks. No timeframe has been mentioned for projects to be completed. Mr. Brace said there will be a new round of grants in the near future he intends to apply for.
Policy Discussion: Mr. Brace created Special Water Rates he shared and discussed with the Board.
Disconnection Fee would be $155, Reconnection Fee $155, Deactivation Fee $310, Reactivation Fee $310. A Quarterly Maintenance Fee of $52, which would be charged automatically during the billing period for inactive accounts. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Special Water Rates as presented, for Disconnection, Reconnection, Deactivation, Reactivation and Quarterly Maintenance. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Aged Receivables: The Board reviewed the Aged Receivables amounts. Mr. Brace said he would like to start reinstating payment plans and would start sending disconnect notices for amounts over $500/120 days. Mr. Brace will look into the NEMRC system being able to generate shut-off notices. Having title liens on estate properties with high water balances, and the possibility of referring high balance bills to a collection agency was mentioned.
Mr. Brace will have a plan with payment agreements ready for the next meeting.
All Other Business: None
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of personnel and legal issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel and legal issues and to allow Josh Brace to remain in the room. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried.
The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:40PM. The Board exited the Executive Session at 8:20PM. No decisions were made as a result of the Executive Session.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20PM. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:20PM
Minutes taken by Janet Barry