Minutes
Arlington Select Board
March 24, 2025
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Jamie Paustian, Glenn Sherman, and Matt Bykowski
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Nick Zaiac – Town Administrator, Steve McClafferty, Don Keelan, Deborah Gardner, Kendell Jennings, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry ( via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey
Additions or Deletions from the Agenda: Ms. Browning made a motion to add Discussion of W. Arlington Cemetery Repairs and Moving Information Kiosk to the Commons to the agenda. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comments: Mr. McClafferty said he had read an article in VT Digger, and had a copy of Chester Vt’s Town Report and they had 4.7 million dollars in grants from a variety of places and they had an income statement and balance sheet in the Town Report that he has been asking for from the Treasurer. He would like to see the Town have these same type of financial reports on a monthly basis. The Board agreed it would be good to have the monthly reports and budget check-ins.
Minutes of the Meeting of March 10, 2025: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 10, 2025 as presented. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried, with Mr. Sherman abstaining because he had not attended the meeting.
New Business: Post Town Meeting Discussion: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed various aspects of Town Meeting. Having figures be clearer for voting was discussed. There was a suggestion to have a slide up to help attendees see the figures before voting. The bad acoustics at the gym was discussed. Mr. Harvey reported that Mr. Wilkins said there was a broken hub in the system that will be repaired before next year. Moving the meeting to have better acoustics was discussed. The school’s performing arts center would not hold enough people if there were a big turnout, and parking could be an issue at the Commons. Some of the suggestions from Mr. Keelan were to have a video screen set up for better visibility, inviting leaders of industries in Town to speak at the meeting, and moving the meeting to a Saturday and offering refreshments so families could attend. Making the Town Report more personable and introducing Town employees in the Report was also discussed.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion to that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Ms. Browning 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. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered Executive Session at 7:43PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:27PM.
As a result of the Session, Mr. Bykowski made a motion to appoint Ms. Browning as interim Town Administrator once Mr. Zaiac departs, with an hourly rate to be discussed. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried with Ms. Browning abstaining.
Ms. Browning said she would still perform her regular Select Board duties in addition to being Interim Town Administrator. Mr. Squires past salary from his Interim Town Administrator position will be researched.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to post the Town Administrator position using the profile from the last time the job was posted, and to add an “on call” aspect to the description, and to post the position on the VLCT website, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Town website. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Liquor Licenses: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Limited Event Liquor License to the Arlington Arts and Enrichment Program known as the Arlington Commons. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the 1stand 3rd Class Liquor License, and the Outside Consumption Liquor License to Arlington’s West Mountain Inn. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Highway Department Budget Certification: The Board reviewed the State’s Annual Financial Plan for Town Highways that states the Town must spend a minimum of $300 per mile for municipal roads. The estimated total for 2026 is $929,897.00. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Annual Certification of Town Highway Budget, form TA60, for fiscal 2026. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Appointments and Reappointments: Mr. Harvey read the list of Appointments and Reappointments.
Jenna Tait and MaryAnn Holmes to 3 year terms on the Planning Commission.
Joan Nash to the Bennington County Regional Commission
Karen Lee to a 3 year term on the Energy Committee, Joan Nash and Alexandra Ernst to 2 year terms on the Energy Committee
Louis Parrot to a 2 year term on the Zoning Board of Adjustment
Amy Borman to a 2 year term on the Zoning Board of Adjustment (new appointee)
Nick Zaiac to a 2 year term as the Emergency Management Director
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the slate of appointees as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried.
Communications Union District: Mr. Paustian will step down from his CUD appointment and Ms. Browning is willing to continue with her CUD appointment. Mr. Sherman made a motion to reappoint Ms. Browning to the Communications Union District, and to appoint Ms. Browning to the BCSWA ISWAP. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Firehouse Committee Reconfiguration: Mr. Sherman made a motion to reconfigure the Firehouse Committee to include two additional members from the Rescue Squad, and to appoint Sunny Tier and Marty Irion to the Committee. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried. Currently there were six members with three Select Board members, two firefighters, and one member from the public.
Withdrawal from the Ash Borer Grant: Mr. Zaiac explained the funding didn’t line up with the final figures, and the ash borer is moving slower than originally anticipated. Ms. Browning made a motion to withdrawal from the Ash Borer Grant. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Moving the Information Kiosk: The Arlington Commons requested moving the informational kiosk from in front of Town Hall to the Commons to be used in their tourism efforts. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the Arlington Commons to take ownership of the informational kiosk. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Cemetery Repair: Mr. Harvey said there are volunteers willing to repair the West Arlington Cemetery and are asking for the Highway Department to provide their small pickup truck. They would also like to use sure pack from the Town. Highway Supervisor has agreed to the use of the truck. Ms. Browning made a motion to allocate a pickup truck and sure pack for repairs and refurbishment in the West Arlington Cemetery. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: Mr. Paustian said Highway Supervisor, Mr. Robinson, said Capitol Tractor informed him the replacement parts for the loader had been delivered to wrong locations. They could loan the Town a truck after April 1st if needed.
Mr. Bykowski asked if the Christmas wreath could be taken off the front of Town Hall.
Mr. McClafferty asked if there was an update on Benedict Crossing Bridge. Mr. Paustian said the engineers had not yet been back.
Mr. Paustian said a culvert near RT 313 was too high and had been pulled to be reset. He thanked the crew that had spread the mulch under the playground equipment.
The Board decided it would not be a good idea to have the Highway crew sweep the parking lot at the Commons, as they had requested, because it is private property, and boundaries must be set.
Report of the Town Administrator: Mr. Zaiac said there was nothing additional to report.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #6, dated 3/21/25, in the amount of $6,878.44, with key components being GMP payments for $1,300, hydro study to Otter Creek for $2,775, and new meter equipment for $1,345. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #6, from the General Account, dated 3/21/25, in the amount of $64,04.54, with key components being BC/BS for $16,000, Town insurance for $12,673, Peckham for gravel for $5,179, and BCRC 4th Qtr SWIP for $6,174. Mr. Bykowski seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:01PM
Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Barry