Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
April 10, 2023
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Todd Wilkins, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Nick Zaiac-Town Administrator, Mark Robinson-Highway Foreman, GNAT videographer, “Daisy “and Janet Barry, via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Agenda Addition: Ms. Browning made a motion to “Authorize borrowing form Tax Anticipation Note” and “Fixed Asset Accounting” be added to the agenda. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments: None
Minutes of the Meeting of March 27, 2023: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the March 27, 2023 meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
All Other Business: Storage Tank and HY Truck Purchase: Highway Foreman, Mark Robinson was at the meeting to speak to the Board about getting another tank to store Pro Guard for road dust stabilization. He spoke to the representative who said the tank cost can be added to the per gallon price, and they would be able to offer it for the same $1.09 per gallon cost as was already quoted, without the tank cost. He also discussed selling the 2006 International truck, and the small excavator at auction, and possibly being able to obtain $10,000-$12,000 from the sales, and putting it towards the purchase of a used pickup truck, which would be between $18,000-$22,000. The usefulness of the Highway Department having a pickup truck with a plow was discussed. It could be used by Mr. Knight to help with plowing, could be used for brush work, and three men could fit in the cab. A new pickup truck purchase is being considered for 2026. Mr. Robinson said he spoke to the Delurey salesman who said the extra emissions requirements for 2026 models may make it considerably more expensive and it may be best to consider getting the truck in 2025. This will be revisited in the future. Mr. Robinson said he reviewed the areas at the park to have cement slabs poured. Mr. Zaiac said there will be many permits needed before the project can begin. Mr. Zaiac will have figures for the project at the next meeting. Mr. Paustian said there is an area at the top of Crow Hill Road that has a lot of ledge showing, and it could be knocked down and filled in with dirt. Mr. Robinson will look at the area this week.
New Business: Change Order: Club Car: The original golf cart that was approved at a previous meeting, from CCE Gold Cars, for $10,795 is no longer available. There is a model available, which is a better product, with an aluminum body instead of plastic, for $12,635. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the increased cost of the club car for the Park, dated 3/20/22, with purchase price not to exceed $12,635. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Liquor Licenses: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 2nd Class Liquor License and Tobacco License for Dollar General. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 1st Class Hotel, and 3rd Class Hotel Liquor Licenses, and Outside Consumption Permit, for the Arlington Inn. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Tobacco License for Chem Clean. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Festival Outside Consumption One Time Permit for the Commons. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 1st Class Restaurant Bar Liquor License, 3rd Class Restaurant Bar Liquor License, and Outside Consumption License for Bronwyn’s Restaurant. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
All require only verbal authorization.
Engineering Services Agreement: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed the agreement that was tabled at the last meeting to allow more time for review. Mr. Zaiac said the services from Otter Creek will be paid for by ARPA funds, via the Water Department, such that reimbursement from the State will go to the Water Department. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Mr. Zaiac to sign the agreement between the Town of Arlington and Otter Creek Engineering for professional services for the wastewater study. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Solid Waste Implementation Plan Amendment: The Board reviewed the amendment that changes the hazardous waste event on designated days at different locations to a facility in Bennington, which should be up and running by the end of May 2023. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the amendment to the Solid Waste Implementation Plan that was first approved by BCSWA, to include hazardous household waste. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Cemetery Policy Update: Mr. Zaiac explained the updated pricing of burial plots will simplify the pricing structure and keep up with costs. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the updated pricing policy for the Evergreen and W. Arlington Cemeteries, dated 4/10/2023, as presented. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
GMP Anchor Easement: It was agreed that more details were needed before approval can be given. Ms. Browning made a motion to table the GMP Anchor Easement Authorization until more details are available. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Municipal Energy Resilience Program Authorization: Mr. Zaiac explained this is an item from the Energy Committee to obtain a mini grant from the State to offer a public relations, informational event at the Commons, to let the public hear about the energy upgrades to Town Hall that will be funded by the State. It is a $4000 maximum grant, with zero match. The sense of the Board was they are in favor of applying for the grant, and Mr. Zaiac will have the grant written for review at the next meeting.
Fire Department Structure of Sub Committees: Members of the Fire Department were unable to attend the meeting. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to table the Sub Committee discussion until the next meeting when the Fire Department members can be present. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Tax Anticipation Note Borrowing Authorization: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s request to withdraw $250,000 from the Tax Anticipation Note to cover operating expenses. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Fixed Assets Accounting: Mr. Zaiac explained the need to have support from an accounting firm to support himself and Town Auditor, Jenna Peeler, as they rebuild the Town’s Fixed Assets reports for the audit, and for the future, because there has been a long lag between audits. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve hiring RHR Smith at $125 per hour, up to 60 hours, not to exceed $7,500, to assist Mr. Zaiac and others in the Fixed Asset Accounting. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #C23-2, dated 4/7/2023, in the amount of $14,755.52 from the CRF account, for a Cascade System on the firetruck. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed, with Mr. Paustian abstaining.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #7, dated 4/7/23, in the amount of $23,642.84, with notable items being salt, FD radios, Miles Fuel and gravel. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilkins said he reached other Little League members to see if they would agree to split the cost of the dirt for rebuilding the Little League field, that was on this Warrant, so the Town could be reimbursed for half of the invoice amount. He said all services for the project were donated.
Water Department Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#7, dated 4/7/2023, in the amount of $435.64, Comcast, Miles, and PO Box rental being the main elements. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of a legal issue 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 a legal issue and to allow Mr. Zaiac to remain in the room Seconded by Mr. Wilkins. The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:01PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:19PM. As a result of the Executive Session, the Board approved sending an information letter to a resident who made comments at a previous meeting.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said the audit work has consumed the past two weeks and continues this week. There were no questions about the report.
All Other Business: None
Ms. Browning made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:19PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary Cc Town Clerk Files