Minutes
Arlington Select Board
December 22, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman, and Karen Krulikowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Kyrra Howard, Mark Robinson-Highway Supervisor GNAT-TV and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 6:59PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to add Martha Canfield Director, Kyrra Howard, to the agenda. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes of the Meeting of December 8 2025, and Special Meetings from Dec.15-Dec. 18, 2025. : Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes of special meetings of Dec. 15-Dec. 18, 2025, and regular meeting of December 8, 2025 as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments: Martha Canfield Director was at the meeting to ask the Board for a letter of support for a grant to have work done on the library. Ms. Browning asked Ms. Howard to supply her with details so she may draft the letter. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to supply a letter of support for the Martha Canfield Library and to have Kyrra Howard connect with Ms. Browning for details. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Highways: Updates: John Deere Tractor Repair: Mr. Robinson had tractor repair quotes, with replacing the ECU being $1,320.95 plus labor. There is a possibility this will not solve the problem and it could cost $10,906.94 for more extensive repairs if the problem is not solved with the ECU replacement. Mr. Robinson suggests doing the ECU replacement and see if that solves the issue. Mr. Paustian made a motion to replace the ECU, with a not-to-exceed amount of $3,000. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Robinson said he is having trouble getting parts for the plow but they can plow with the white truck if needed.
Benedict Crossing: Ms. Browning said she sent a letter to Mr. Pickering regarding his fence that has been discussed at past meetings. She got information from Land Use Administrator, Joan Nash, for flood plane rules which is addressed in the letter.
Arlington Fire Department: Amendment to the Alarm Ordinance; Final Hearing: The Board reviewed the revised Alarm Ordinance, modernized from the 1981 version, that has been reviewed at past meetings. Small corrections were needed in Section 13, for post office box and phone number corrections. No public comments were submitted. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adopt the proposed Alarm Ordinance, dated 12/22/2025, with an effective date of 2/19/2026, with the minor corrections. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Bykowski said he has been working on onboarding the new insurance billing company.
GNAT TV Funding: The Board discussed the presentation they received from GNAT last week regarding having the organization no longer being funded by voted Appropriations but to be a vendor line in the budget. They had received $2,000 from the voters, but wish an increase to $4,173 in the new budget. It was discussed that five surrounding towns have converted to this type of budget payment. It was discussed that a contract would need to be drawn up to have them know which meetings they would be required to cover. It was discussed that having a contract might allow for first priority of coverage going forward. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the budget request from GNAT TV for $4,173, with a contract to be created. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Bykowski abstaining from the discussion and the vote because he is also on the board of GNAT TV.
Tobacco License: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the tobacco license for DG Retail, LLC, aka Dollar General. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried. Verbal approval is all that is needed. It was discussed that going forward the Board would like to make sure the company has no State violations before approvals are granted.
Dog License Fees: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve increasing the dog license fees to $15 for altered animals, and $19 for unaltered animals. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously. It was discussed there have been nuisance dog issues on Maple Hill and Cedar Rock Road. There are also a lot of unlicensed dogs that need to be followed up on by the Animal Control Officer. Having the ACO, Mr. Perry, come to a meeting in January, with a summary of what he has done in 2025, was requested.
Preliminary Draft Budget 2026: Ms. Browning gave the Board preliminary budget packets. It was discussed that the budget meetings the Board attended last week were very beneficial.
MERP Project: The discussion was tabled until a future meeting.
Personnel Policy Review: Reviewing and revamping the personnel policy for 2026, to update policies such as full- time new hires will not be eligible for health insurance until the first of the month after being hired.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning did not have a written report, but said she has been working on the 2026 budget.
All Other Business: None
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #25, dated 12/18/25, in the amount of $4,876.56. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The most significant items are GMP and back-up operator salary. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #26, from the General Account, dated 12/17/2025, in the amount of $416,430.09. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Most significant items being BCRC fees for $6,000, salt from Eastern for $4,400, GMP for $3,178, MES for FD turnout gear for $18,696, and Warm Brook paving for $368,943.26 to Peckham.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Sherman 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 Highway Supervisor, Mark Robinson, to remain in the room. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. The Board entered into the Session at 8:05PM.
The Board exited the Session at 8:59PM. No decision was made as a result of the Session.
Mr. Sherman made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:59PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry