Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
May22, 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-Carmen Ligato, and Janet Barry, via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: None
New Business: Liquor Licenses: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the Outside Consumption Permit for Arlington Ramumtos. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried with Ms. Browning not yet in attendance. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the One Time Occasion Permit for Art Gallery Malt Vinous Serving at Arlington Commons. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried with Ms. Browning not yet in attendance.
Minutes of the Meeting of May 8, 2023: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the May 8, 2023 meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed with Ms. Browning not yet in attendance, and Mr. Sherman abstaining due to his absence at that meeting.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the CRF Warrant #23-3, in the amount of $2,000, to MSK Engineering for Benedict Crossing Study. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve Audit Warrant #23-2, in the amount of $9,000, to RHR Smith for auditing. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve Warrant #WD10, the Water Department, for $143,775.13, with the biggest invoice being the annual water revolving loan payment to Wilmington Trust. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve Warrant #10, from the General Operating Account, for $22,685.71. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business continued: Wastewater Loan Approval Vote: The Board signed the Wasterwater Study loan documentation for the reimbursable loan discussed at previous meetings. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve signing the loan agreement with the Vermont State Revolving Fund, RF13271.0, in the amount of $103,465.00. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Check-In on Town Major Projects: Mr. Zaiac updated the Board on Town projects. The sidewalk to the Rec Park is pending the last easement, and still on track for 2024 construction. There will be upcoming grant money available for bike and pedestrian safety projects. Having an engineer look at a sidewalk on RT 313 was discussed. It would have to meet State requirements. The Benedict Crossing engineering study on the wetlands is done, the bulk of the work, including historic review and structural work, is pending, still on track for this summer. Bidders will be sought to install the new playground equipment at the Park soon. The Wastewater Study is on track and ongoing this summer. Zoning reform Municipal Planning Grant is winding down with a public meeting later in the summer. The lead and copper compliance work will be awarded at an upcoming meeting, with work to be done this summer to next spring. There are no major paving projects planned this summer because grant money was not available. Mr. Wilkins asked if our zoning work is going to accommodate the new State zoning reform law, S100, and Mr. Zaiac stated the bylaws have been designed to comply with the rules of that law.
Personnel Policy Discussion: Mr. Zaiac said he wanted to put an annual review of personnel policies on the Board’s radar for the next meeting, and to discuss the possibility of offering vision and dental benefits to employees. Ms. Browning said she feels that the Town already covers the full premium costs for the employees and with the uncertainty of rising costs in the future she cannot see adding the benefit at this time. Mr. Wilkins asked if it could be offered at the employee’s expense. Mr. Zaiac said the premium would be covered for the employee, but not their dependents.
Highways: Highway Foreman, Mark Robinson, was at the meeting to discuss several items. A landowner raised issues with their septic system on Blair Court, after a past culvert job done by the Highway Department. The Board, Mr. Zaiac, and Mr. Robinson discussed the issue and reviewed maps. The Board agreed there are too many unknowns, and unless the landowner can prove otherwise, it will be considered coincidental to the culvert work. Mr. Robinson said grading is being done, and the projects at the Yellow Barn that were discussed at a past meeting had been completed. The crew will put up the flags tomorrow and will start ditching on River Road, and also will be getting quotes on ditching on Black Hole Hollow Road. He said the loader had been repaired. He said there is a house on Sandgate Road with hazardous tree branches blocking the view of the road and Mr. Zaiac will send a letter to the homeowner, asking permission for the Highway crew to trim the trees. Mr. Robinson showed the Board a sketch of the garage and asked if the covered outdoor area can be walled-in, and turned into indoor space to allow for more workspace in the garage, and if a pump toilet could be added to the garage. Mr. Zaiac will call the Fire Marshall to clarify what would have to be done to allow this project.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said the update on Town projects, and the items Mr. Robinson covered, summed up the work that had been done in the past two weeks.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue 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 Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, and Highway Foreman, Mark Robinson, to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Paustian. The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:00PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:25PM. No decisions were reached as a result of the Executive Session.
All Other Business: None
Mr. Wilkins made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:26PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary Cc Town Clerk Files