Minutes
Arlington Select Board
December 8, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matt Bykowski (partial, Zoom), Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman, and Karen Krulikowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Nick Zaiac-BCRC, Jen Hyatt(Zoom), Rowan Weber-GNAT-TV, Brian Hawley, Erik Marko, Vince Thompson-AFD, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey
Public Comments: None
Minutes of the Meeting of November 17, 2025: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes of November 17, 2025 as presented. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried with Mr. Bykowski not yet in attendance.
Highways: Updates: The increase in the Peckham bill, from the original quote, for paving Warm Brook Road was discussed. The Board understands overages but felt this was a large one. It was agreed the newly paved road looks good.
Arlington Rec Park: It was discussed the restrooms are closed and Mr. Knight was able to secure the doors. Mr. Paustian said Mr. Knight has been plowing at the school and will help the Water Department with shoveling fire hydrants as needed. He said the sidewalk tractor is in need of small repairs.
Arlington Fire Department: Amendment to the Alarm Ordinance: It was discussed that the first formal hearing was at the last meeting and it will be adopted at the next meeting.
Billing Service Provider: Mr. Bykowski made an RFP for a third-party company to do billing for accident scenes that was discussed at a previous meeting. He recommended Fire Recovery USA. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve Fire Recovery USA for Fire Department insurance billing services to work with the new RMS Platform. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Bykowski not yet in attendance. Mr. Paustian made amotion to allow Chairman, Dan Harvey, to sign the contract with Fire Recovery USA. Ms. Krulikowski seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Bykowski not yet in attendance.
Truck Update: Mr. Hawley said other vendors had been contacted for preliminary pricing options and they have to figure out what direction to go for the next thirty years.
New Business: Mr. Zaiac from BCRC was at the meeting to ask the Board to sign the Municipal Resolution to request Tier 1B status for Act 250 jurisdiction. He presented the Board with slides, which had a map of where this would apply. Act 250 slows down permitting and this resolution would have it removed from areas on the map. Surroudng towns have signed the same resolution, and the Arlington Planning Commission has approved of the resolution. Mr. Paustian made a motion to authorize Mr. Harvey to sign the resolution. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried with Mr. Bykowski not yet in attendance.
Highways, con’t: ROW Issue: Ms. Browning said she measured the area near the fencing that has been discussed at previous meetings at the Benedict Crossing bridge area. She marked the 25 feet from the center of the road. She would like to draft a letter to have Mr. Pickering remove the barbed wire fencing. Mr. Sherman said he would like to look at the area before deciding as it has been there for many years. Ms. Browning said much research had been done and the deeds clearly state the Highway ROW on the deed. The need to be consistent with all ROW’s was discussed.
Glebe Lot Update: Ms. Browning said the report from MSK on Glebe Lot Road had just arrived and the Board had not yet seen the information. The researcher suggests surveying the whole road for a definitive decision. Ms. Browing will find out how much that would cost and when it could be done. Ms. Hyatt said she’d be happy to have the Board come to her house to see the area in person. Mr. Bykowski said he would accompany Mr. Sherman.
Old Business: Health Insurance: Ms. Browning said two employees have signed up for the insurance, and a meeting was held with a MVP representative to discuss the administrative part of the new insurance.
WEX Cards: The Highway and Fire Department have been issued their new WEX fuel cards but have not yet used them. Mr. Bykowski said they can use them for all their fuel purchases.
MERP Planning: Mr. Zaiac suggested the Board review the information for the MERP Energy Grant and take action at the next meeting.
Budget Discussions: It was decided to meet every night next week with different departments for budget discussions. The meetings will be warned.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning said the Wastewater meeting was held last week with approximately 16 people in attendance through in person or Zoom. She said the slideshow is available for viewing. It will also be discussed at Town Meeting as well as another formal meeting being held. She said she had also had to spend a significant amount of time working on a State audit for the 2018 grant for Camping on the Battenkill and had a meeting with the State representative on Friday. She said Robin Wilcox and Christian Dickinson were extremely helpful with all the research.
All Other Business: None
- Warrants and Orders: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #24, dated 12/5/25, in the amount of $1,787.51. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously. The most significant items were sample tests and system repair supplies. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Warrant #25, from the General Account, dated 12/4/2025, in the amount of $58,253.24. Ms. Krulikowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Most significant items being Adam’s Lock, BCRC, MES FD equipment, Sycamore Landscaping for cemetery clean up, and gravel. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Warrant #22, for annual, voter approved, 2025 Appropriations in the amount of $109,754.00. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
- Executive Session: Mr. Sherman 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. Sherman made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel and legal issues, and to allow Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning, to remain in the room. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. The Board entered into the Session at 8:25PM.
- The Board exited the Session at 8:47PM. No decision was made as a result of the Session.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr.
Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:48PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry