Minutes
Arlington Select Board
January 5, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, and Karen Krulikowski (via Zoom)
Members Absent: Glenn Sherman
Also Present: Willy Knight-Park Supervisor, GNAT-TV and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:02PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions to the Agenda: None
Minutes of the Meeting of December 22, 2025: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of December 22, 2025 as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments: None
Highways: Updates: Ms. Browning said she and Highway Supervisor, Mark Robinson, had looked at a downed tree on Ice Pond Road at Peters Brook. The landowner wants to leave the roots in the bank, when the tree can be cut down.
The Town plowing the sidewalk past the East Arlington Post Office was discussed. Willy Knight will plow the area.
Town Sand Pile Policy: The policy regarding the Town gravel pile was discussed after a resident sent a letter requesting to possibly use a bucket loader and take sand for eight homes. It was discussed that the sand pile has always been a courtesy, and is primarily for the Highway Department’s use. Mr. Bykowski said he can make a sandwich board stating no more than two buckets per day can be taken by residents and no vehicles beyond a certain point. The sign could be moved for deliveries. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to set a policy that residents are allowed two buckets of sand per day, no vehicles past a designated point, and Arlington residents only. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski amend his motion to read “two buckets per storm”. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Mr. Paustian said with all the small storms recently, the Highway crew are using a tremendous amount of salt. He also thanked Mr. Knight and the Highway crew for keeping the school open.
Arlington Fire Department: Confirmation of Officers: Mr. Bykowski said he attended both the Fire Department and Fire Protection annual meetings. The firemen voted to have Brian Hawley continue as Chief, Eric Marko as 1st Assistant, and Vince Thompson as 2nd Assistant. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the slate of officers as presented, dated 12/23/25. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Ms. Browning said the ballpark figures from Kendall Jennings for running the firehouses are estimated to be $2,000 or less per month, and she has it included in the draft budget for 2026.
Town Service Contracts: Mr. Bykowski has been working on new figures for providing fire services to Sunderland and Sandgate and prepared municipal contracts after looking at similar situations of other areas and with a common formula of base fee and call volume adjustment, and percentages of grand lists of each town, in relation to the Fire Department budget, that is a standard formula and widely accepted by the State. Sunderland would now be $84,096.50, up from $74,366.00 from last year and Sandgate at $34,892.85, up from $27,543.00 from last year. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adopt the cost share calculations for the Arlington Fire Department to charge Sandgate and Sunderland for fire protection with the hybrid based/call volume formula as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Mr. Bykowski said the Town currently does not have a formalized agreement with the Rescue Squad. He prepared a service agreement for Emergency Medical Services and will send it to the Rescue squad for their review for a final contract.
BCRC Agreement Renewal: The Board agreed to extend the BCRC Agreement with Nick Zaiac for another year.
It was agreed that the Lister Contract would be discussed in Executive Session.
Budget Planning: It was discussed that $125,000 is needed for the 7A Sidewalk Project. It was decided that there would be a special budget meeting on 1/21/26 at 6:30PM to do a line-by-line analysis and possibly finalize the 2026 budget.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning said she has been doing time sensitive grant reporting for MERP and Water Department. She will be writing a RFP for windows and doors for Town Hall.
All Other Business: None
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #1, dated 1/2/26, in the amount of $7,707.52. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The most significant items are Otter Creek payments. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #1, from the General Account, dated 1/2/2026, in the amount of $37,079.82. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Most significant items being 2026 grader lease payment for $16,802, $5000+ for salt, heating oil and first MVP Health Insurance payment for $2,100.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue 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 a personnel issue, and to allow Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning, and Willy Knight, Park Supervisor, to remain in the room. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. The Board entered into the Session at 8:14PM.
The Board exited the Session at 8:45PM. No decision was made as a result of the Session.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:45PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry