Members Present: Matt Bykowski, Jamie Paustian, Sebastian Massey
Members Absent: Dan Harvey, Glenn Sherman
Also Present: Katie Dixon-Town Administrator, Andrew Rodriguez – MSK, Brian Hawley, Eric Marko AFD, Alford Clayton, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
Mr. Bykowski called the meeting to order at 7:00PM
Additions to the Agenda: Mr. Paustian made a motion to add Fire Department discussion to the agenda. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried.
Minutes of the Meeting of August 31, 2026: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes the meeting of August 31 , 2026, as presented. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Sherman and Mr. Harvey absent.
Public Comments: Vermont House candidate, Alford Clayton, was at the meeting to say constituents can feel free to reach out to him, and he is willing to have open conversations.
Review Abutment Proposals: MSK engineer, Andrew Rodriguez, was at the meeting to discuss their proposal for the structural evaluation of the Benedict Crossing Bridge abutments. Having an article on the ballot at Town Meeting was discussed as a way to cover the expense. The discussion was tabled until the next meeting due to two members being absent from the meeting.
Website Development and Hosting Services: The Board reviewed the three responses from the website development RFP. It was determined that Stoa Works, LLC, had the best price, and six-week development timeline. The Town would also retain ownership of intellectual property and they offer more support and work well with mobile and desktop. Mr. Massey made a motion to authorize Town Administrator, Katie Dixon, to begin negotiations with Stoa Works, LLC, for creation of the Arlington Town website. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Harvey and Mr. Sherman absent. A commercial agreement could be signed at the next meeting.
Traffic Ordinance Permit: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the traffic ordinance permit for the Running of the Turkeys, Battenkill Valley Runners. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Harvey and Mr. Sherman absent.
Water Department Updates: The Board reviewed the request from Chief Operating Officer, Josh Brace, to proceed with the Peak Efficiency climate control upgrade at the Pump House and to release the final $5,271.99 of the grant funding for payment to the contractor.
The remaining balance of $649.42 to be paid from next year’s budget.
Mr. Massey made a motion to release funds of $5,271.66, and move forward with Peak Efficiency Heat Pump quote for the South Road Well House. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried, with Mr. Harvey and Mr. Sherman absent.
FD Discussion: Chief Hawley thanked the Highway crew for getting the Dietrich property prepared for training. He said they would like to use their trailer that had been acquired from a tax sale for training at the school in October. Insurance coverage will have to be obtained.
Having FD election terms be three years instead of the current one year was discussed. Ms. Dixon will research regulations governing the terms and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
Repetitive false alarms was discussed. A list of commercial properties will be obtained and alarm ordinances and permit applications will be sent in January.
Highway Updates: It was discussed that Cooper Jennings will need a Verizon Connect fob.
Granding and mowing have been done on River Road. White Creek is helping to haul stone, and Mr. Robinson is helping with their culvert job. Grading on Maple Hill will happen this week.
Park Updates: The golf course will be closed on Tuesday, September 29,2026 for a track event.
The greens mower is back. Mr. Jennings has been preparing the garage for winter, and will paint benches and tables. Walking paths have been cut. Adams Hardware will be called for locks for the new doors. Mr. Bykowski said the Park looks great and he appreciates Mr. Jennings’ hard work.
Town Administrator Update: Ms. Dixon said she is waiting on a map to send to Ken Smith regarding the test wells on his property.
She said the school has asked if the Town will offer help with winter plowing again this winter. It will be revisited at the next meeting. The Town may not have the manpower this year with the bigger sidewalk.
Ms. Dixon had two quotes for cleaning Town Hal and both firehouses. There may be one more quote to be submitted. Chief Hawley said the firehouses could go down to bi-weekly cleaning. Ms. Dixon will get a quote for the fewer cleaning days. It will be discussed at the next meeting.
- Warrants and Orders: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve WD Warrant #19, dated 9/11/2026, in the amount of $12,494.84. Most significant items were Pump House grant for $5,715.00, and Otter Creek for $4,412.00. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve Warrant #19, from the General Account, dated 9/11/2026, in the amount of $120,154.68. Mr. Massey seconded the motion. Motion carried. The most significant items being Town Hall ceiling for $8,200, $16,000 for sand, $77,383.40 to Waters Excavation for 7A Sidewalk.
All Other Business: None
Executive Session: Mr. Massey made a motion to that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Mr. Massey made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue and to allow Town Administrator, Katie Dixon, to remain in the room. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:15PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:29PM. No action was taken as a result of the session.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Massey seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:29PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry