Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
March 11, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Todd Wilkins, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Bill Budde, and Janet Barry- via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: None.
Minutes of the Meetings of February 26, 2024: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of February 26, 2024 as presented. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Paustian abstaining due to being absent from the meeting.
New Business: VT 250th Anniversary: Bill Budde was at the meeting to discuss the upcoming Vermont 250th Anniversary and to ask that the Board sign a resolution that other surrounding towns have also signed, to offer help and Town participation in the celebration. Ms. Browning made a motion to adopt the Resolution of the 250th VT Anniversary as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Reconstitution of the Board: Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Dan Harvey as Chair of the Select Board. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Harvey abstaining. Mr. Paustian made a motion to nominate Todd Wilkins as Vice Chair. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins abstaining. Mr. Paustian made a motion to nominate Glenn Sherman as Clerk of the Board. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Sherman abstaining.
Liaisons: Highway: Dan Harvey/Glenn Sherman
Administrative: Todd Wilkins/Jamie Paustian
Park: Todd Wilkins/Jamie Paustian
Water Dept. Cynthia Browning/Glenn Sherman
Fire Dept. Jamie Paustian/Todd Wilkins
Ms. Browning made a motion to elect liaisons as presented. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Newspaper of Record: Ms. Browning made a motion that the Bennington Banner shall be the Newspaper of Record. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Payroll Outside of Meetings: Ms. Browning made a motion to appoint the whole Select Board to sign payroll orders outside of meetings for the year. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Attorney: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to have Merrill Bent, of Woolmington, Campbell, Bent and Stasny as Town Attorney. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Rule of Procedures: Mr. Zaiac presented the Board with Rules of Procedures for Select Board meetings, to adopt into policy, which he created with guidance from VLCT. The document was reviewed and discussed. Some alterations were made. It was decided these rules may be amended by the majority vote of the body and must be readopted annually. It was decided that anyone wanting to be added to the agendas must contact the Chair and Town Administrator to request inclusion. Changing the order on the agenda, or tabling actions may be made by the majority vote of the body. There will now be 15 minutes afforded for anyone wishing to speak in the “public comments” portion of the meeting, which can be increased by the majority vote. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Rules of Procedures as presented and revised 3/11/2024. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Wilkins made a motion to appoint Cynitha Brownell as liaison to the SWVT Communications District. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously with Ms. Browning abstaining.
Liquor Licenses: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 2nd Class Tobacco License to West Arlington Wayside LLC. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 1st Class and 3rd Class Restaurant/Bar License, and Outside Consumption Permit to the Arlington Inn. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 1st Class and 3rd Class Restaurant/Bar License and Outside Consumption Permit to 1954 Metropolitan Inc, doing business as Bronwyn’s Restaurant. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 1st and 3rd Class Restaurant/Bar License and Outside Consumption Permit to Arlington Ramuntos. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Meeting Follow Up: The Board discussed the question that was asked about having the budget voted Australian Ballot in the future. It was discussed that the budget has always been voted from the floor, and that cautious exploration and discussions would need to be done before any changes could be made. Mr. Zaiac said he is looking at how other nearby towns format the Town Report for future reports.
Highways: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve gravel purchases from Peckham Industries and WCS not to exceed $80,000. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said he has done work on various grant projects. There was flagger training at Town Hall. He said there needs to be a special Water Board meeting soon. It was decided it would be 3/18/2024 at 7:00PM.
Mr. Paustian inquired about the phone issues that have been happening at Town Hall since the company was switched. Mr. Zaiac said he had sent a stern email and voiced his disappointment in how the company has not been addressing the issues, and he will follow up with the new company, and the bill will not be paid until the problems are resolved. Mr. Harvey said Tiffany Mays had turned over the Delinquent Tax Collector responsibilities for newly elect Kendell Jennings, with $156,826.34 to be collected.
Other Business: None
WD Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #5, dated March 8, 2024, in the amount of $3,847.54, with key components being BC/BS payment for $1,132, VLCT insurance payments for $1,309, and Hawley Grading for $850 for E. Arlington curb stop project. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #5, from the General account, dated March 8, 2024, in the amount of $39,473.00, with key items being BC/BS payments for $7,712, Chem Clean for $1,233, Miles Fuel for $5,978, VLCT insurance payments for $11,194, and Peckham Industries for stone purchase. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of personnel and legal issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. Ms. Browning made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel and legal issues, and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:18PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 9:20PM. No decisions were made as part of the Session.
All Other Business: none
Ms. Browning made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:21PM.