Minutes
Water Board Special Meeting
December 16, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: Glenn Sherman
Also Present: Nick Zaiac-Town Administrator, Steve McClafferty, Brian Hawley, and Janet Barry, via Zoom
Mr. Harvey called the meeting to order at 6:30PM
Agenda Additions or Deletions: None
Public Comments: Mr. McClafferty inquired as to how the structure of the Water Department could be changed to allow for citizen participation and ability to vote on the budget. Mr. Bykowski suggested exploring what other municipalities are doing. Mr. Zaiac will look into the issue and have information later in 2025.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of a legal issue 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 a legal issue and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, to remain in the room. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. The Board entered Executive Session at 6:42PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 6:54PM. As a result of the Session, Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Back-Up Water Operator contract as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
New Business: Budget 2025; Review and Rate Increase: Mr. Zaiac shared his screen with Water Department budget figures. It was discussed that reimbursement for the lead line study will go into reserve, and that increased budget and need for the rate increase is the result of the transition of personnel. Ms. Browning made a motion to set the base billing rate to $155.00 per quarter, effective with the next billing cycle, and to authorize WD Chief Operating Officer, Josh Brace, to draft a letter explaining the increase to be included in the January 2025 bills. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent. Mr. Zaiac will rework the budget to make it clearer for the January Water Department meeting.
Adjournment: Ms. Browning made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:13PM.
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Minutes
Arlington Select Board
December 16, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian, and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: Glenn Sherman
Also Present: Steve McClafferty, Don Keelan, Willy Knight – Park Supervisor, Brian Hawley-AFD, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry (via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:14PM, by Ms. Browning.
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: Ms. Browning made a motion to add a resignation and delete the reappraisal item from the agenda. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion, carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Public Comments: Mr. Keelan asked if the Board is moving aggressively in the Wastewater Project. Mr. Harvey said the Town is waiting for the State review at this time. Mr. Keelan discussed the unsightly railcars that have been parked near Miles Lumber for several years. Mr. Harvey said he had been told it is temporary. Mr. Keelan has sent letters to the railway company and the Governor as well as the Board. It was discussed that it could be dangerous for children if they climb on them, but that the State owns many right-of-ways in Town, and any letter of complaint would have to be carefully drafted.
Resignation: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to accept the resignation of Charles Moore from the Planning Commission, and to authorize Mr. Zaiac to send a letter of thanks and gratitude. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Minutes of the Meetings of December 2, 2024: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of December 2, 2024 as presented. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Old Business: ARPA Final Obligations: Mr. Zaiac shared his screen with the final ARPA purchases. He said the invoice for the fire pants for $4,500 had not come in so could not be paid.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to authorize the change order from MES for the fire helmets, from $6,397.50 to $6,435.00. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Ms. Browning made a motion to expend the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund funds in an amount up to $4,500 for the purpose of municipal workforce retention to pay for Administration Department payroll expenses for the period 01/01/2023 through 10/31/2023. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Ms. Browning made a motion to expend the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund funds in an amount up to $40,427.27, for the purpose of municipal workforce retention to pay for Water Department payroll expenses for the period of 01/01/2023 through 10/31/2023. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
New Business: Budget 2025 Initial Overview: Mr. Zaiac shared his screen with the first draft of the 2025 Budget. He had met with all major departments to discuss the 2025 budget prior to the meeting. Some items discussed were the possibility of zeroing out the $15,000 from the Public Safety line without having to fund a Sheriff contract, an increase in the tax mapping line, and an increase in the County Tax line due to increased taxes. Having all of Mr. Knight’s compensation come from the Park line year round, and opposed to having it currently in the Highway Department for the winter months was discussed. Mr. Hawley asked to have the Fire Department stipends increased, as they have been the same amount for many years. Ms. Browning said she feels it’s important to increase the employee compensation this year because it was not done last year. The need to have current cash on hand and budget status reports available before the next budget discussion was requested.
Covered Bridge Repairs: Mr. Paustian made a motion to authorize Mr. Zaiac to begin the RFP process for the covered bridge repairs of deck, leveling, rafter repairs and paint. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Salt Award: Mr. Zaiac said he had received a new salt bid from Eastern Salt Company for $79.69 per ton delivered, which is $10 less per ton than other companies. Sunderland has used this company and is happy with the product and service. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the purchase of Not-to-Exceed 400 tons of salt from Eastern Salt Company for $79.69 per ton delivered from Coeymens NY and to authorize Select Board Chair, Dan Harvey, so sign the contract. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Benedict Crossing Reimbursement Sign Off: The study is now complete. Ms. Browning made a motion to request reimbursement of $79,991.46 for the Benedict Crossing Study. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said he had nothing to offer other than what is written in his report, and there had been much grant work being done this period.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #24, dated 12/13/24, in the amount of $4,680.22, with key elements being FW Webb for approximately $2,000, and GMP for $1,100. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously with Mr. Sherman absent.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #25, from the General Account, dated 12/13/24, in the amount of $107,170.59 with key elements being BCRC fees of $5,600, park bathroom partitions for $4,300 from ARPA, Capital Tractor for $7,455 from ARPA, VLCT quarterly insurance premiums for $12,600, Peckham for winter sand for $5,900, final bridge study payment to MSK for $26,882 from ARPA, tailgate spreader from Earle’s for $4,525 from ARPA, and Highway ARPA funds to Salem Farm Supply for $5,300. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman absent.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to that premature discussion of personnel, and legal issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel, and property issues and to allow Town Administrator Nick Zaiac to remain in the room. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Bykowski rescinded his second motion to enter into Executive Session. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session and to allow Mr. Zaiac, Fire Chief, Brian Hawley, and Willy Knight to remain in the room. Ms. Browning seconded the new motion. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:53PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:39PM. No decisions were made as a result of the Session.
Any Other Business: None
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:40PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry