Minutes
Arlington Select Board
June 1, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey (via Zoom) Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, and Glenn Sherman
Members Absent: Sebastian Massey
Also Present: Katie Dixon-Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning-Land Use, Willy Knight-Park Supervisor, Nick Zaiac-BCRC, Linda Carman-Reid, Ann Mattor, Denise and Mark Colety-Hometown Heros, Michael Lathrop and wife, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Bykowski called the meeting to order at 7:00PM.
Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski listed two agenda adjustments: Item 10 to 2A & Item 9 to 2B
Minutes of the Meeting of May 18, 2026: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of May 18, 2026, as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Map Donation: Mr. Lathrop and his wife presented the Board a framed map of Arlington from the 1800’s. His family has lengthy ties to the area. Mr. Bykowski stated it was a wonderful gift to the Town of Arlington.
Hometown Heros: Denise Colety, president of the Green Mountain Hometown Heros, spoke to the Board about having customized banners displayed on street poles in Arlington honoring veterans living or deceased. The Town has to hang the banners and email Green Mountain Power for permission to use their poles. The banners are $190 each, paid for by the veteran’s sponsor. Applications will be available in Town Hall and the American Legion. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve Hometown Heros Banners on East Arlington Rd and RT 7A. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Massey absent.
Public Comments: None
Amended Resolution for Municipal Planning Grant: The Board signed the resolution that will allow Town Administrator, Katie Dixon, to serve as the authorizing official for grant management. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve adding Katie Dixon to the Amended Resolution for Municipal Planning Grant. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent.
7A Sidewalk Project-Notice of Award: Mr. Zaiac, from BCRC, was at the meeting to present the engineer certified bid, from Waters Excavation Inc, for the 7A sidewalk project for Board approval. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Notice of Award for the 7A Sidewalk bid to Waters Excavating Inc, to sign the contract as presented, and to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the bid analysis. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Massey absent. The Town has a 20% share, with the money already allocated in the budget.
RFP for Water Meters: The Board reviewed the RFP for water meter upgrades and reading equipment, submitted by Ms. Dixon. Mr. Bykowski suggested adding a clause that the Town does not have to take the lowest bidder but will accept the bid that is in the Town’s best interest, and all bids can be rejected. It was a sense of the Board to proceed with the revised RFP.
Having a contract for shared services with the high school and Water Department Chief Operator, Josh Brace, was discussed. It will be discussed further at the July Water Board meeting.
Road Name Change Request: Linda Carman-Reid was at the meeting to request a name change for the three houses on Colbrook Drive to “Brookside Lane” to help alleviate the confusion with Cold Brook Road in Sunderland VT, which also has the same zip code. Neighbors have all signed the petition and Ms. Browning checked with the 911 Operator for approval. This meeting can qualify as the first public reading, but there will need to be two more readings at the next two Select Board meetings. The Rescue Squad and Fire Department will both be formally notified.
Highway Updates: Striping: Mr. Paustian made a motion to accept the bid for striping crosswalks and railroad crossings from Topkote for $9,742.00. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Massey absent. It was discussed that Topkote has been used very successfully by the Town for many years.
Benedict Hollow: Green Mountain National Forrest’s request to have the Town move their turnaround on Benedict Hollow was discussed again. Highway Supervisor, Mark Robinson is concerned about the drop-off and the amount of space available to turn their big trucks. Homeowner Ann Mattor said her deed and survey do not match with the GMNF survey. The ranger is expected at a meeting in July to further the discussion.
Fire Department Updates: The Knox Box renewal is in this week’s warrant and Mr. Bykowski is continuing to work on the Knox Box and commercial alarm ordinance updates. The Fire Department carnival is scheduled for July 17 & 18, 2026.
Park Updates: The Board reviewed the bids for door and window replacement at the Park from RK Miles and Home Depot. It was discussed that RK Miles stands by their work and has always treated the Town well. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the window and door quote from RK Miles for $2,146.42. Mr. Harvey seconded the motion. Mr. Sherman amended the motion to $4,102.42 for windows and doors for office and bathroom. Mr. Harvey seconded the amendment. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Massey absent.
Mr. Knight said he is still waiting for final quotes to clean the tennis courts.
Mr. Sherman said the wash pad and bathroom concrete project is completed.
Appointments to Regional Entities: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the appointment of Town Administrator, Katie Dixon, as representative to BCRC, BCSWA and SOVT CUD. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Massey absent.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Dixon said she had published the RFP’s for the Town Hall ceiling and insulation project and it had been sent to six vendors as well. Mr. Novotny checked the amperage at Town Hall in preparation for possible heat pumps and it would need to be increased from 200, to 300, which could possibly be covered by the MERP grant. Having a definite Return On Investment figure was discussed to see if the cost savings are worth the work and expense was discussed. Ms. Dixon will find the load calculation information.
Ms. Dixon has met with Mr. Brace, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Knight and is aware of their projects. She will have an RFP for website revision at the next meeting. Mr. Bykowski said Ms. Dixon has been doing an outstanding job in her new position.
Jeff Joslin is scheduled to do the windows and doors at the garage and window replacement at Town Hall in late summer.
Personnel Policy Updates: Ms. Dixon had created updates to the Personnel Policy to include two options, having PTO time that included sick days, or the current, vacation and sick time separately. It was her recommendation to stay with the current separate time policy for accurate NEMRC record keeping. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the amended Personnel Policy with separate sick and PTO version. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Massey absent.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #11, dated 5/29/26, in the amount of $3,079.00. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Massey absent. This included the payment to Otter Creek for $3,034.00. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Warrant #11, from the General Account, dated 5/29/2026, in the amount of $26,486.71. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Massey absent. The biggest items being $6,610.00 for FD physicals, health insurance premiums, and Sycamore Landscaping for cemetery maintenance.
Executive Session: Mr. Sherman made a motion 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 the discussion of personnel and legal issues and to allow Town Administrator, Katie Dixon, Mr. Knight and Ms. Browning to remain in the room. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. The Board entered Executive Session at 9:04PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:51PM. As a result of the Session, Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve TA Dixon to extend an offer of employment to Highway personnel. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Paustian made a motion to appoint Cynthia Browning in alternate positions with reginal entities, BCRC, BCSWA and SOVT CUD. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Massey absent.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:52PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry