Minutes
Arlington Select Board
February 10, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, Jamie Paustian (at 7:33), and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Nick Zaiac – Town Administrator, Jacob Fetterman – Trout Unlimited, Steve McClafferty,( in person), Roger Hanson, Lance Lange, GNAT-TV and Janet Barry ( all via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: Mr. Bykowski made amotion to add Liquor Licenses to the agenda, under 6.5. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried.
Public Comments: Mr. McClafferty said he was dismayed at the cancellation of the Wastewater meeting for February 13, 2025. It was decided that the meeting would be still be held and would be warned for the original date.
Mr. Hanson asked for an update on the Food Shelf insurance issue. Mr. Zaiac said he would send him proof of the Town’s insurance coverage and “hold harmless” letter tomorrow.
Minutes of the Meeting of January 27, 2025: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of January 27, 2025 as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Paustian not yet present.
Highways: Murray Hollow Culver Replacement Project: Mr. Fetterman from Trout Unlimited was at the meeting to discuss Trout Unlimited’ s Murray Hollow Culvert Replacement Project, and to have the landowner and operations and maintenance agreements approved. It was discussed that the project should take approximately two weeks, with 3-5 days of road closure, possibly being done before August 1, 2025. The Board requested that all camp owners be notified when dates are set. Mr. Fetterman asked for signage from the Town, which can be supplied, and help from the Highway crew to haul out fill, which could not be agreed to without definite dates for the project. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the landowner agreement and operations and maintenance agreement as presented and to authorize Mr. Zaiac to sign both documents. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Paustian not yet present.
RT 313 Speeding Discussion: The Board reviewed the petition to reduce the speed limit on RT 313 West to 40MPH, signed by the residents. It was the sense of the Board that Mr. Zaiac be authorized to send the request, including the speed data obtained, to the State for consideration.
Road and Bridge Standards: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Certification of Compliance for Town Road and Bridge Standards and Network Inventory for 2025, dated February 10, 2025. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
White Creek Plowing Agreement: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the plow agreement with White Creek NY, for plowing of Black Hole Hollow, as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: MERP Assistance Proposal and Project Updates: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed the weatherization MERP Assistance Project that had been discussed in the summer, and is a 100% state funded program. They reviewed the project management proposal from Centerline Architects. It was discussed that the Stage 1 cost is $8,530, with BCRC contributing $1,500 to that amount. Mr. Bykowski said he would like to know what the ROI is for the project, and what savings the Town could expect from the $100,000 project. The Board prioritized improvements at the garage before Town Hall. Applying for a hardship exemption for the State to front the cash was also discussed. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Mr. Zaiac to negotiate the final contract with Centerline Architectural and Engineering Services in relation to the MERP Project and to further authorize Mr. Zaiac to negotiate a hardship waiver from the State for cash up front funding of the project. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Wastewater Priority List Reauthorization: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Wastewater Priority List reauthorization. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. This allows the Town to stay on the State list of projects.
Cambridge Fire Coverage Agreement: The Board reviewed the annual contract with the Village of Cambridge for fire protection services. Mr. Paustian said he was pleased to see language in the agreement that indicated that if there is a call for any of the covered properties they are to call their dispatcher who then calls Arlington Fire Department to let them know right away, and noted that Cambridge is not under any obligation to attend brush fires that do not threaten life or structures. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Cambridge Fire Coverage Agreement as presented and to authorize Dan Harvey to sign the agreement. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Fee Waiver for Youth Baseball and Softball: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the request to waive fees involved at the Arlington Rec Park and Field for Arlington Youth Baseball and Softball Association. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Liquor Licenses: Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the application for 3rd Class License, and Outside Consumption for Bronwyn’s (DBA 1954 Metropolitan Inc.) Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 2nd Class License, Tobacco License, and Tobacco Substitute License for Arlington Deli, Inc. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Old Business: Town Meeting: Any Business: The Board will hold a Budget Session on Wednesday February 19, 2025 in the Mack Auditorium at 5:30.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Sherman thanked Mr. Zaiac and Highway crewman, Andy Griffis for their hard work in taking care of the Park bathroom stall door delivery.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #3, dated 2/7/25, in the amount of $651.37, with highlights being supplies, and chlorine. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #3, from the General Account, dated 2/7/25, in the amount of $43,593.21, with highlights being salt, helmets for the Fire Department from ARPA funds, and Miles Fuels. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to that premature discussion of a personnel issue 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 a personnel issue 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 8:46PM. No decisions were made as the result of the session.
All Other Business: Mr. Paustian noted there is a Firehouse Study meeting on Wednesday February 12, 2025. He also said there is a firehouse design conference in Arizona in May that would cost $3,500 for three people to attend. More information will be sent to the Board and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:51PM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry