Minutes
Arlington Select Board
April 20, 2026
Members Present: Dan Harvey(via Zoom), Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman (via Zoom) and Sebastian Massey
Members Absent: None
Also Present: GNAT-TV(via Zoom), Mark Robinson-Highway Supervisor, Nick Zaiac-BCRC, Stephanie Moffett Hynds, Mardi Crane – Arlington Energy Committee, Katie Dixon, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 7:37PM.
Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the hiring of a new Town Administrator to 9B and Liquor Licenses to 9C. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Meeting of April 6, 2026: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of April 6, 2026, as presented. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Public Comments: None
Highway Updates: Ms. Browning said the VTRANS paperwork for road standards and paving application are done and thanked Pat Wilson, Nick Zaiac, Mark Robinson and Jim Henderson for all their help.
Construction Inspection Award: Mr. Zaiac presented the Board with the paperwork for the 7A Sidewalk construction inspection award that had already been reviewed by VTRANS, Mr. Harvey, Ms. Browning and Nick Zaiac, for an independent consulting engineer. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Park/Pedestrian Construction Award #STPBP17 (2) in the amount of $76,340.00 to GPI. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Road and Bridge Standards Approval: The Board reviewed the Road and Bridge Standards that is done every year in order to qualify for State funding. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Road and Bridge Standards for 2026 as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Benedict Crossing Updates: Ms. Browning said the abutment assessment had not been part of the preliminary engineering MSK study and still needs to go out to bid.
Covered Bridge: Ms. Browning said she is exploring possibilities of the covered bridge repairs, and if the grant awarded last year is still available. She said it could also be paid for out of the bridge and culvert lines in the budget. It was discussed that the repairs are important especially with the Benedict Crossing Bridge not in use. It was discussed it would be quicker to do the repairs without waiting for State money. It will be discussed further at the next meeting.
Mr. Robinson said he had applied for a paving grant for Warm Brook Road North. He said spring maintenance is being done, with three culverts replaced and one pending for next week and that there are 4-5 catch basins that are failing. He said the White Creek road crew had asked for assistance with their culvert replacement job for approximately two days, because Arlington has a bigger excavator. White Creek will then help Arlington with transporting sand.
Fire Department Updates: Mr. Paustian said some ARPA money had been set aside last year for wildfire pants, but they were in short supply and couldn’t be ordered at that time. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the transfer of $4,500.00 reallocation from Admin funds to Fire Department funds for the purchase of Wildland Fire Fighter clothing. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Park and Rec Updates: Ms. Browning said Mr. Knight is working full time at the Park again. He will see about how best to power wash the courts that was attempted last year, with the possibility of hiring a professional, or renting a machine. Mr. Knight had a quote for replacing two windows in the Park office from Home Depot for $568.00. It was discussed that the men’s room door also needs replacing and that a quote from RK Miles should be obtained because they are a local business and have treated the Town well in the past.
Energy Committee: The Energy Committee submitted bylaw changes for approval. It will now state members can live part or full time in Arlington, and to have a Vice Chair be able to run meetings in the Chair’s absence. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the amendments to the Energy Committee Bylaws as present. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
MERP Updates: Ms. Browning said she had informed the winning bid of his approval and will be starting the next RFP for Town Hall insulation and heat pumps. She also had sent a letter to Randy Novotny for him to check the wiring at Town Hall in preparation for heat pumps.
Yellow Barn Gardeners: Ms. Browning had the new agreement with the Yellow Barn Gardeners with the only change from the agreement signed five years ago was that the water line has been moved. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the updated contract with the Yellow Barn Farm as presented. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
ARPA Funds; Ms. Browning said Mr. Zaiac helped her with the ARPA fund reporting and thanked Mr. Zaiac and Treasurer, Christian Dickinson for all their help with the report.
Town Administrator Hire: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve hiring Katie Dixon as Town Administrator pursuant to the terms of the job offer letter, to begin work on or around May 11, 2026. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Harvey thanked Mr. Bykowski for all his work in the hiring process.
Liquor Licenses: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the tobacco license for Chem Clean. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Outside Consumption, and 1st and 3rd Hotel Licenses for Battenkill Resorts, LLC, aka Arlington Inn. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the Tobacco and 2nd Class Licenses for West Arlington Wayside LLC. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Administrator Report: Ms. Browning said everything had already been discussed in the meeting.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #8, dated 4/16/26, in the amount of $5,681.26. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #8, from the General Account, dated 4/16/2026, in the amount of $24,387.44. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Most significant items being computer purchase, GMP, and BCRC payment. Mr. Harvey said he had approved the computers being purchased from E-Enable because the employees had requested purchasing it through them to have installation and service available to them.
All Other Business: None
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski 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. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel and legal issues, and to invite Interim Town Administrator, Cynthia Browning, and Highway Supervisor, Mark Robinson, to remain in the room for a portion of the Session. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. The Board entered into the Session at 8:30PM.
The Board exited the Session at 9:01PM. No decision was made as a result of the Session.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:02PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry