Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
March 13, 2023
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Todd Wilkins, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Nick Zaiac-Town Administrator, Sheriff James Gulley, Dr. Stephannie Peters-BCSD, Madison Kramer-Shires Housing, Curan VanDerWielan,-Shires Housing, via Zoom and Janet Barry, via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Reconstruction of the Board: Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Dan Harvey as Select Board Chair. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Mr. Wilkins as Vice Chair. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to nominate Ms. Browning as Clerk of the Board. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed.
Liaisons: Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Sherman as Highway Liaisons. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion passed. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Mr. Harvey and Mr. Wilkins as Fire Department Liaisons. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Mr. Paustian as Park Liaison. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to nominate Ms. Browning and Mr. Sherman as Water Department Liaisons. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed.
Newspaper of Record: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to have the Bennington Banner be the newspaper of record. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Payroll Outside of Meetings: Ms. Browning made a motion to have the Board be able to sign payroll as needed, outside of regular meetings. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Posting Locations: Ms. Browning made a motion to have Town of Arlington official posting locations be Town Hall, Arlington Deli, and Wayside Store. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Town Attorney: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to have Woolmington, Campbell, Bent & Stasny as Town Attorney. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Memorial Resolution: Mr. Harvey read the Memorial Resolution for Kenneth Nicholson:
Whereas, Kenneth Nicholson, a long-time resident of Arlington died on March 21, 2022, after serving his community for many years. Whereas Kenneth was also dedicated to helping the Town as one of the original members of the Arlington Planning Commission. Now therefore, be it resolved, that the community of Arlington take public note of its loss in the passing of this valuable and esteemed citizen, and be it further resolved, that this expression of sympathy be extended to the family of Kenneth Nicholson and that this Resolution be made a permanent part of the record of this meeting on this date of March 13, 2023. Ms.Browning made a motion to approve the resolution as read into the meeting minutes. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes of the Meeting of March 2, 2023: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the March 2, 2023 meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments: Sheriff Gulley and Dr. Stephannie Peters were at the meeting to talk about changes being made to the Sheriff’s Department, and if they can fill a void for Arlington in the future, if there is no longer a contract with VT State Police.
New Business: Shires Housing Letter of Support: Madison Kramer was at the meeting, and Curan Van DerWielen, via Zoom, to ask the Board to sign a letter of support for State funding to rehab and refurbish, the 31 units at Arlington Village Center. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to authorize the Chair, Dan Harvey, to sign the letter of support for the Shires Housing Project. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Appointments and Reappointments. Mr. Paustian made a motion to table the reappointments until a future meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Appointments and reappointments are not due until April.
Fireworks Permit: the Arlington Fire Department will have fireworks at the Rec Par on July 15, 2023, with rain date of July 16, 2023, from Northstar Fireworks. Ms. Browning said in the past animals and people have been affected by the very loud bangs. Mr. Paustian said it can be requested to have less boom, and more color fireworks. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the fireworks permit for the Arlington Fire Department. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Liquor License: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the 2nd Class Liquor License for Bonnie and Clyde Corner Market. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with only a verbal approve being needed.
Cemetery Maintenance Award: The Board reviewed the bids for cemetery maintenance. Ransom Goodell, for $20,290 for one year, and a sealed bid from Sycamore Landscaping for $18,000 per year, or 3 years for $48,000. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the contract with Sycamore Landscaping for $48,000 for 3 years It was noted that the Commissioners and the Board have been pleased with Mr. Goodell’s work in the past and this was just a cost saving decision.
Gravel Award: The Board and Mr. Zaiac reviewed adding a product to the list of gravel to be purchased. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the change order to add Econo Gravel from the Peckham Industries Hoosick facility to the gravel menu, subject to the same budget total as previously awarded. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Robinson called into the meeting to let the Board know of the bids he obtained for gravel trucking. Woodard for $100 per hour, 17 tons, Dailey $113 per hour, 22 tons, and John Ceretta for $115 triaxle or $140, 32 tons on a tractor trailer, which comes to $4.30 per ton, which is the cheapest option. It was the sense of the Board to let Mr. Zaiac pursue the tractor trailer hauling with John Cerretta.
Park Awards: Greens mower: The Board reviewed quotes for a greens mower for the Park. A new Grassland Toro mower for $18,149.91 and a 2018 demo mower that is like new with 0.50 hours of use for $8,500, from MTE, which Mr. Knight is in favor of purchasing. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the purchase of the 2018 MTE Jacobsen demo model with 0.50 hours on it, for $8,500. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Club Car- Golf Cart: The Board and Mr. Zaiac reviewed quotes for golf carts. One from CCE Golf Cars for $10,935, which Mr. Knight prefers, or a 2017 model for $7,135, or a Five Star Cushman new for $12,800 or a 2015 for $7,900. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the purchase of the new Club Car from CCE for $10,935. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Homestead Tax Mailer: The Board discussed the Homestead Tax mailer revisions that had been discussed at the last meeting. It was the sense of the Board to have Mr. Zaiac make the revisions and reprint the mailer.
Town Meeting Recap: Ms. Browning noted there was no summary table in the Town Report this year. Mr. Zaiac said there had been issues with the accuracy of the figures in the past, but it is now automated so can be implemented going forward. It was discussed that while the ballots are long with the nonprofit Appropriations, the majority of people still want to be able to vote for each organization separately. It was discussed that some people in the back of gym could not hear well, and perhaps the table and speakers could be moved to the middle of the floor next year. The possibility of using the Performing Arts Center next year was also discussed, because it offers better acoustics.
Snow Damage: Mr. Paustian said Mr. Croft had asked the Town for $100 to repair his truck that had been damaged with heavy snow while it was parked on the edge of the right of way. It was decided to offer $50 because it was parked close to the road. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve $50 to Mr. Croft for damage to his truck. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Water Department Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#5, dated 3/10/2023, in the amount of $470.50, with GMP payment being the biggest element. . Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #5, dated 3/10/2023, in the amount of $22,664.42, with key elements being salt, diesel, fuel oil and stone hauling. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wilkins questioned the high electric bill for the Park, being over $1,200. Having to maintain a minimum temperature was discussed, as was having had the pipes drained in past years. Mr. Zaiac will check into the situation.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Mr. Wilkins. 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 8:46PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 9:24PM. As a result of the Executive Session, Mr. Wilkins made a motion to promote Mark Robinson to Highway Foreman. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed, with Mr. Paustian abstaining.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Wilkins made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:25PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary Cc Town Clerk Files