Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
January 23, 2023
Members Present: Todd Wilkins, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian.
Members Absent: Dan Harvey
Also Present: Nick Zaiac-Town Administrator, Steve McClafferty, Carol Fay, Jessica Roberts, and Janet Barry, via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM, by Mr. Wilkins.
Agenda Addition: Ms. Browning made a motion to add the 2023 Mileage Certificate to the agenda. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Public Comments: Carol Fay was at the meeting via Zoom to meet the Select Board, and say she looks forward to being of service to the Town as a recently appointed Trustee of Public Funds. Ms. Browning said the Board appreciates her stepping up to serve the Town.
Jessica Roberts asked about future meeting dates.
Minutes of the Meeting of Jan. 3, 2023: Mr. Sherman made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the Jan. 3, 2023 meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Highways: 2023 Gravel Award: Mr. Towslee was scheduled to appear at the meeting, but due to the snowstorm, he was unable to attend. Mr. Zaiac had three businesses for the gravel award. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve of purchasing gravel for 2023 from Peckham, Pike Industries, and Wallingford Crushed Stone, as presented, not to exceed $96,000 in the budget year. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Certificate of Highway Mileage for 2023: Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the Certificate of Highway Mileage for 2023, with total of 48.727 miles. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
New Business: MP-1 Unified Policies: The Board passed a suite of federally required policies tied to Housing Department money, and the VCDP Grant. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the MP-1 Policies and Codes for the purposes of the VCDP Grant. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Liquor License: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the renewal for a Second Class Liquor License for Stewart’s Shops. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent. A verbal approval was all that was required.
Town Meeting Warning: Mr. Zaiac reviewed the Town Meeting Warning with the Board. It was discussed that a credit card policy needs to be passed by the Board at the next meeting for Article 17, to allow for a Town credit card. Article 18 states that the $1,250 Appropriation for Burdett Commons, which has closed, will be moved to the Park Equipment/Maintenance Capital Reserve Fund. Article 19 states to vote by ballot to establish a Fire Building Sinking Fund to be used for maintenance and construction of firehouses. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve as presented, the Town Meeting Warning. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Budget 2023: The Board and Mr. Zaiac reviewed the proposed 2023 budget. It was discussed that the Yellow Barn Fund has sufficient funds remaining to do needed roof work and carpentry and possibly painting, and that the grounds will now be treated as a full blown Park facility.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Mr. Paustian. Ms. Browning made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue and to allow Mr. Zaiac to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:34PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:57PM. No decisions were made as a result of the Executive Session.
All Other Business: Mr. Paustian questioned having $8000 in the Fire Department New Equipment budget line, after having received ARPA money this year. He feels more money is needed for training. It was decided that $5000 would be moved from the FD New Equipment line to FD Training line in the 2023 budget.
Culvert issues were discussed. Mr. Zaiac said he and Mr. Towslee had done training last week, and that the Town’s culvert inventories need updating.
There will be a special Select Board meeting on January 30, 2023 at 7:00PM, to pass the new budget, and the Water Department meeting from January 23rd, was rescheduled to January 30, 2023 at 7:30PM.
Report of the Town Administrator: There were no questions for the Town Administrator.
Water Department Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#2, dated 1/19/2023, in the amount of $4,164.64. Mr. Sherman seconded. GMP being the biggest invoice. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #2, dated 1/19/2023, in the amount of $35,763.49, with key components being health care premiums, GMP, and Park equipment. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Harvey absent.
Other Business: Mr. Paustian said Mr. Towslee had called to say Brian and James Hawley had volunteered to help clear Town sidewalks after the big storm, while the Town’s sidewalk equipment is in need of repair.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:20PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Cc: files, Town Clerk