Minutes
Arlington Select Board
November 3, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, and Karen Krulikowski
Members Absent: Glenn Sherman
Also Present: Cynthia Browning- Town Administrator, Brian Hawley-AFD Chief, Joan Nash, Karen Lee, Shephanie Moffit-Hynds, Mary Ann Carlson, Jenny Murtaugh, Jamie Davis, Willy Knight-Park Supervisor, GNAT-TV and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:01PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to add the approval of the Fuel Card Policy, and a Fire Department purchase to the agenda, 5.1. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion, motion carried, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Minutes of the Meeting of October 20, 2025: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes of October 20, 2025, with one correction: Mr. Bykowski read the motion that had been accidentally omitted: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to appoint Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning, as Deputy Health Officer. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, and to approve the minutes of the special meeting of October 27, 2025, as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried.
Public Comments: Mr. Davis asked if an engineer had been picked for the Glebe Lot Road project. Ms. Browning said the engineer has done research and has a report that the Board and the Town attorney needs to review before it can be spoken about publicly
Highways: Updates: Warm Brook Paving: The Warm Brook paving project has been completed.
Ms. Browning said she and the Town Clerk, and assistant, had done research about the right-of-way issues at the Benedict Crossing Bridge and it all mentions the highway ROW. She will measure at the location on Friday. Mr. Pickering has been sent the materials. Having the Town take some responsibility for trash at the area was discussed.
White Creek Plowing Agreement: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the agreement between the Town of Arlington and Cambridge NY for plowing in Black Hole Hollow, and to allow Mr. Harvey to sign the contract. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Fuel Card Policy: Mr. Bykowski supplied the Board with the new Fuel Card Policy he drafted for the newly obtained WEX cards for the Town’s vehicles. Mr. Bykowski read several different sections of the policy. The cards will be used for authorized fueling of Town vehicles and equipment used in the performance of official duties. Misuse will result in disciplinary measures. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Fuel Card Policy as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Park and Rec: Updates: Mr. Knight said the restrooms are still open but will be shut down for winter. The VLCT rep will come in the morning to inspect the swing set clearance.
The softball field is almost done. More red clay will be added and included in the original quote. Ms. Browning said she had submitted all the invoices from the Greens project to the Park and Rec Committee for reimbursement and thanked them for their support.
Arlington Fire Department: Mr. Bykowski said he and Mr. Marko had an RFP for records management systems and it was determined that Alpine Software, Inc. will be the best option. It will play into the 3rd party billing, and will replace all three apps, with more functionality than the system that has been used and will save $850. There is a 5-year agreement, with 3% annual uplift and an effective date of 1/1/2026. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Alpine Record Management System, with the one-time, non-binding, $1000 onboarding fee, out of the Tech Sinking Fund, and balance out of the FD Operating budget line and separate lines in the new budget, and $6,495 on 1/1/26 and 3% annual uplift over 5 year contract. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Sherman absent.
Fire Service Agreement: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Fire Service agreement with Cambridge NY for Black Hole Hollow fire coverage with the completed corrections and date changes. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Sherman absent.
Old Business: Energy Committee Appointments: Members of the Energy Committee were at the meeting for their appointments. The best ways to communicate with the Select Board was discussed, such as regular reports with overviews and bullet points.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Energy Committee Appointments of two-year terms for Stephanie Moffett Hynds, Mary Ann Holmes and Bill Laberge, with Garret Siegel as Alternate. For one-year terms are Joan Nash, Alex Ernst, Mardi Crane and Jenny Murtaugh with Mary Ann Carlson as alternate. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Sherman absent.
Preliminary 2026 Budget Discussion: Having a week of budget meetings in December was discussed. The possibility of having the Sheriff do patrols again was discussed. Vt. State Police did not have the manpower to do patrols. Mr. Bykowski will work on verbiage for a possible contract with the new Sheriff that would be of the most benefit to the Town.
Town Hall Repairs: Ms. Browning said Adams Hardware has ordered parts to repair the door lock and Miles will be working on the boiler updates.
New Business: Lister Office Status: The passing of long time Lister, Earl Labatt was discussed. Lister Joe Garger has submitted his letter of resignation for December 31, 2025. Lister Lee Cross goes to Florida in the winter and returns in April. Ms. Browning will research options for the possibly of having an appointed assessor.
Energy Report on Town Hall and the Garage: The Board and Ms. Browning discussed the energy report from Centerline Architects, that was thorough with thoughtful recommendations. Replacing stairwell windows was suggested. The report stated having a heat pump system at the garage would not be practical with the doors being open so much of the time. The original grant will be reviewed with these recommendations.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning had submitted a written report to the Boad with items already having been discussed in the meeting.
All Other Business: None
- Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to that premature discussion of personnel and legal issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel and legal issues and to allow Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning and Park Supervisor, Willy Knight, to remain in the room. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. The Board entered into the Session at 8:33PM.
- The Board exited the Session at 9:25PM. No decision was made as a result of the Session.
- Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #22, dated 10/30/25, in the amount of $2,362.31. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #21, from the General Account, dated 10/30/2025, in the amount of $17,910.55. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr.
Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:30PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry