Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
May 6, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Todd Wilkins, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Cat Bryars – Shires Housing, Paul Woodard, GNAT-TV, and Janet Barry- via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Paul Woodard was at the meeting to discuss his continued problems with his neighbor doing burns on his property, as he has discussed at many meetings. He had been referred to the Land Use Administrator and ZBA at past meetings. Ms. Browning said she would like to have a letter from the Land Use Administrator with her findings. Mr. Paustian, the Fire Warden, said he has been in contact with the State regarding this matter and is waiting to hear from them.
Minutes of the Meetings of April 22, 2024: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of April 22, 2024 as presented. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the Special SB Meeting of April 29, 2024. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried, unanimously.
New Business: Shires Housing: Cat Bryars was at the meeting to ask the Board to grant forgiveness for a 2002 development loan for Shires Housing that was originally for the acquisition of the site, and was a pass through loan for $750,000. It was never the Town’s money. It was discussed that the Board would like to have paperwork about the transaction, and Ms. Bryars said she would forward pertinent information emails. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize forgiveness for the $750,000 pass-through loan for Squires Housing, subject to clarification and documentation of loan numbers. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Bryars said the Housing project receives funding from different sources and hopes to break ground for the rehab of the units for seniors and persons with disabilities in 2025. She will provide updates to the Board as the project goes on.
Fire Department: Mr. Harvey read a letter signed by eleven members of the Fire Department, with between 17-52 years of service between them.
“We the undesigned wish to express our concern with the direction of the Fire Officers in regards to the towns fire trucks. It is our recommendation that we keep the 2005 rescue pumper 74 and outfit it for service. We also don’t feel that this $350,000 truck should have been out of service for the last 2 years wasting taxpayer dollars. We also feel that the department keep not less than four pumper apparatus due to our coverage area and the time it takes Mutual Aid to arrive.”
Mr. Paustian said the tie rod on Truck #710 needs to be replaced, but the underbelly is not rusted and it could be used for the Emergency Management vehicle and Fire Warden use. He talked to the person who did the inspection of the truck and there is one rust hole in one door jam, and the tie rod repair should cost $200-$300. Mr. Zaiac was in agreement it can be repaired and used for Emergency Management and Fire Warden use. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve putting Truck #74 back into service. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to transfer control of Vehicle #710 to joint jurisdiction of Emergency Management and Fire Warden. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Ms. Browning said there had been some concern that people were parking in front of the dry hydrants at the park. Mr. Paustian said they are not operational at this time. It was discussed that the “no parking” signs can be covered for now.
Appointments: Mr. Sherman made a motion to reappoint Dan Harvey as Town Health Officer. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion for a ZBA appointment. Mr. Paustian said he would like to meet the person before approving the appointment, and the candidate was unable to attend the meeting. Ms. Browning withdrew the motion.
Liquor Licenses: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve two, one-time permits to Haystack Catering LLC. One-time occasion permits to serve liquor on May 25, 2024, at Battenkill Grange and June 22, 2024, at Rockwell’s Retreat. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Mobile Vendor Permit: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the Mobile Vendor Permit for Tammy’s Ice Cream and Desserts. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: Mr. Zaiac said the loader is in need of repairs, and the Highway Foreman would like to rent a loader to have in case it is needed while repairs are being made. The rental offer is from Capital Tractor for $2,200 per week. Capital Tractor will pick up the loader and repair it, and also deliver the rental this week. It was the sense of the Board to have the rental available while the Town’s is being repaired. It was discussed that the rental budget may need to be increased next year, or continue to look for a backup loader. The Town used to have a loader and a backhoe. It was mentioned that the money from the sale of the old mini excavator is in the sinking fund and can be used to buy a backup loader.
Mr. Zaiac said the next agenda would have creation of a new budget line for PFAS foam disposal at the hazardous waste facility.
Mr. Zaiac informed the Board that the Vermont State Police will not be able to continue doing patrols for Arlington due to lack of manpower. Mr. Wilkins said there are nine State Troupers that reside in Arlington, so it is already one of the safest towns in Vermont. Having coverage from the Sheriff’s Department was discussed. Mr. Zaiac said he can contact the Sheriff’s Department for an estimate of how much a contract would cost the Town, or for the potential of a one-off contract for a certain event.
It was discussed that Mr. Zaiac had been called to the Park over the weekend for parking issues. He spoke to the coordinator of the benefit softball game about the issues. It was mentioned that next year it would be better not to have the Little League tournament, the softball game and the Fly-Fishing Festival all on one weekend. It was mentioned that the Commons thanked the Town for all their help with the Festival.
Mr. Knight and Mr. Wilkins had discussed signage for parking at the Park, so cars would not be allowed to park at the entrance and by his office. Mr. Wilkins spoke of the possibility of having a fee schedule for Park use, if the event is not a benefit, to help offset the cost of electricity and maintenance.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac supplied the Board with his Town Administrator Report. Ms. Browning said she would like to be included in a walk on the mountain property off Benedict Hollow Road with Mr. Zaiac and the Forest Service.
WD Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #9, dated 5/3/2024, in the amount of $136,096.07, which includes the annual Water Department loan payment of $135,933.22. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #9, from the General account, dated 5/3/2024, in the amount of $87,406.46, with significant items being salt, CVC for pagers, Miles Fuels for diesel, Shelden Repair for Fire Department truck maintenance, and the new Fire Department pickup truck for $50,868.00. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of personnel, and legal issues 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 personnel, and legal issues, and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Paustian. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:15PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:46PM. Ms. Browning made a motion to reverse the termination decision with Granite phone system. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: none
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:47PM.