Minutes
December 2, 2024
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman, and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Steve McClafferty, Brian Hawley-AFD, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry (via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Ms. Browning.
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: None
Public Comments: Ms. Browning asked for a moment of silence to acknowledge the passing of Al Godreau, who had served the Town for many years as Land Use Administrator and on the Planning Commission. Mr. Zaiac will send a card to the family.
Mr. McClafferty asked if he could get a copy of Water Department bylaws. Mr. Zaiac said he will send the link for the Water Department ordinances. He also asked if the remainder of ARPA money not spent could be transferred to the Water Department to offset the increased expenses that would require a rate increase to cover. It was decided this question would be addressed later in the meeting when ARPA Awards are discussed.
Minutes of the Meetings of November 18, 2024: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 18, 2024. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Harvey abstaining because he had been absent from the meeting.
Old Business: Benedict Crossing Decision: The Board reviewed their reasons for the decision they made to go with Option #3 from the MSK study of Benedict Crossing Bridge that was detailed at the last meeting. This option would be building a new bridge on the existing abutments, for approximately 1.2 million dollars. It was discussed that informing MSK of their decision in no way obligates the Town to proceed with the project but allows for the completion of the study. More investigations of the integrity of the abutments would also have to be completed. It was agreed that if the Town were to decide to bond to pay for this, no other projects would be able to be completed, and this bridge does not serve as many residents as the Wastewater or Firehouse projects would impact. It was discussed that there is currently $240,000 in the Bridge Fund, and the State could potentially offer an additional $200,000. Ms. Browning made a motion to confirm with MSK Engineering the Arlington Select Board’s decision to concentrate on Option #3 for the Benedict Crossing structure. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
ARPA Updates and Awards: The Board decided on ARPA spending. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve expenditure of $894.44 to Amazon for organizational materials and shelving for the Water Department with ARPA funds. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Browning amended her motion to correct the amount to $895.24. Mr. Bykowski amended his second, and motion carried unanimously.
Large Format Printer and Scanner from CDW-G: The need for a large format printer and scanner was discussed. It would enable the scanning of blueprints and zoning documents, as well as allowing for the digitation of cemetery records for safekeeping, to be kept in the Town Clerk’s office. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the purchase of a large document scanner/printer for $2,588.40 from CDW-G with ARPA funds. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. This is the State contract reduced rate.
Air Packs for Fire Department: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve purchase of three SCBA air packs for $9,526.88 each totaling $28,580.64 from ARPA funds. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department Thermal Camera: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the purchase of a thermal imaging camera, plus calibrator and truck charger from MES for $4,92.99 from ARPA funds. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Remaining ARPA Funds: Spending the remaining ARPA funds was discussed. Funds cannot be put into Sinking Funds. One option was to have a check warrant for the Fire Company as a nonprofit donation. Mr. McClafferty had suggested putting remaining funds into the Water Department. Mr. Bykowski suggested more fire helmets be purchased so every member would have the same new helmet and then have the remainder put into the Water Department. Mr. Zaiac said it is a bigger administrative issue to split the funds with the Water Department, but he will check with what Bennington did at their meeting when they also had a variant use of their funds.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to purchase an additional fifteen fire helmets with ARPA funds, not to exceed $6,397.50. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Purchasing a man-basket for the Highway Department was tabled until next week. Ms. Browning said she is not convinced it is the best use of ARPA funds, and OSHA compliance has yet to be determined.
Health Care Plan Discussion: The Board reviewed the current health insurance options. The Town currently offers the Platinum plan for zero cost to qualified employees. It was discussed that 2025 rates are a 20% increase, and that insurance premiums have been rising rapidly each year. It was discussed that the school system had changed to a Gold Plan with an 80/20 cost share with employees, which is considered an industry standard cost share amount. It was the sense of the Board that it is late to change the plan this year and require a cost share for employees, especially when two new employees have just started with the Town. It will be discussed earlier next year, with different options laid out in a spreadsheet for comparison. Ms. Browning said she would like employees to be made aware of the amount this total insurance coverage adds to their overall compensation package.
New Business: Road Erosion Inventory Agreement: The Board reviewed the Road Erosion Inventory Memo of Agreement from Jim Henderson. He will be conducting the inventory again, for 2025, that keeps the Town compliant with the VT Municipal Road General Permit (MRGP). Inventory to be completed by December 30, 2025. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Arlington Road Erosion Inventory 2025 with Jim Henderson from BCRC in a not to exceed amount of $8,300, and $1,660 as the Town’s share. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said a Water Department grant application had just been completed and he is working on a Fire Department grant.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #23, dated 12/2/24, in the amount of $1,288.59, with key element being Blue Cross insurance. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #24, from the General Account, dated 12/2/24, in the amount of $85,107.90, with key elements being
BCRC annual fee, gravel, FD maintenance, and to Hawley for sidewalk project. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to that premature discussion of personnel, property, 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, property and legal issues and to allow Town Administrator Nick Zaiac to remain in the room. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:17PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:59PM. No decisions were made as a result of the Session.
Any Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:00PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry