MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
May 16, 2022
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Todd Wilkins, Glenn Sherman (via Zoom), and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: None
Also Present: (In person, or via Zoom) Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Highway Foreman-Mark Towslee, and Janet Barry
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Mr. Harvey asked for public comments unrelated to agenda items. There were none.
Minutes of the Meeting of May 2, 2022: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the May 2, 2022 meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session: Mr. Wilkins made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel, and legal issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel, and legal issue, and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, and Highway Foreman, Mark Towslee, to remain in the room. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:02PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 7:47PM. As a result of the Executive Session, Ms. Browning made a motion to hire Shane Brownell as a junior member of the highway crew at the advertised wage rate. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: Remember Baker Historic Marker Location: The Board reviewed the request to approve a Remember Baker historic marker across from the East Arlington post office, on public property. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the location of the Remember Baker Monument sign. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Yellow Barn Drip Edge Award: The Board reviewed two bids for drip edge work at the Yellow Barn that was previously discussed, from Hawley’s Grading and Land Clearing and Catamount Excavating & Grading. It was discussed that Hawley’s estimate offered two feet deep excavation as opposed to Catamount at six inches deep. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Yellow Barn drip edge splash back solution from Hawley’s Grading and Land Clearing, in the amount of $2,500. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. This will be paid for out of the Yellow Barn funds. It was discussed that there are some loose slates on the Yellow Barn roof, and the Board agreed it needs to be repaired, and Mr. Zaiac said it will be the next project scheduled for the Yellow Barn.
Highways: Fuel Tank Removal Award: The Board was presented with two bids for removing the underground fuel tank at the garage. One bid from US Ecology for $10,936 and one from Harper Environmental, for $5600. Mr. Zaiac said both companies are recommended by the State, but US Ecology has a higher price due to them placing a bigger premium on labor and transport of equipment. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept Harper’s bid of $5,600 for fuel tank removal. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Chloride Award, Sole-Source Vote for Salt Additive: The Board reviewed two quotes for chloride, one from Innovative Municipal Products for .89 per gallon, and one from Peckham for .97 per gallon. Mr. Towslee said the Innovative price had not increased from last year. Ms. Browning made a motion to accept the bid of .89 per gallon for chloride for the roads from Innovative Municipal Products. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Innovative Municipal Products as the sole-source for salt additive for next winter at $1.40 per gallon. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Old Business: Water Department Grandfathered Meter Policy: Mr. Zaiac presented the Board with a Rental Unit Water Service Change Clarifying Policy for the Water Department. He said it’s a three-part policy to clarify the Water Service Ordinance of March 27, 2017, stating that meter changes must be made in writing to be valid. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept the Rental Unit Water Service Change Clarifying Policy. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report: The Board received a copy of the Town Administrator’s report. Mr. Zaiac said the highlights are grant work, and highway and park work. He said Mr. Knight is settling in really well at the park, and he has received a lot of positive comments. He said the Town had just been awarded the Better Roads Grant from the State, which will be used for major culvert replacements on River Road, east of Benedict Crossing. Mr. Paustian asked for details on the Green River. Mr. Zaiac said he met with an adjacent landowner, and that it needs to be watched, and will probably always be an issue with the bridge being undersized, unless a case can be made to the State to replace it, which would be an expensive project.
Water Department Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#10 dated 5/13/22, in the amount of $140,071.34, which includes the annual bank payment of $135,933. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #10, dated 5/13/22, in the amount of $52,621.54, with the biggest amounts being the brush wolf attachment and health premiums for highway, and disk golf equipment. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
All Other Business: Park Leak: Mr. Wilkins said there had been a leak in the wall between the office and men’s bathroom at the park, that had been leaking for along time. Mr. Snow fixed the leak and Mr. Wilkins will be making all necessary repairs, after it dries out.
Mr. Wilkins made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Cc: files, Town Clerk