Select Board Meeting Minutes 5.8.23

Minutes

ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD

May 8, 2023

Members Present:  Dan Harvey, Todd Wilkins, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian

Members Absent:  None

Also Present:  Nick Zaiac-Town Administrator, Steve McClafferty, 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

Minutes of the Meeting of April 24, 2023 Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the April 24, 2023 meeting.  Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Highways: Warm Brook Road Culvert Award:  The Board reviewed the bids for replacing five culverts, and installing one new one, on Warm Brook Road. Mr. Zaiac explained it was good to complete this project before paving in a future year. The bid from Hawley Grading is $6,150, and the bid from Woodard Construction is $10,000, plus O’Brien Paving for $4,116, for a total of $14,116. Hawley Grading bid includes the paving costs because they are combining it with another job. Mr. Paustian made a motion to award Hawley Grading the culvert project on the south end of Warm Brook Road for $6,150. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

New Business:  Appointments: Mr. Zaiac explained John Williams resigned from the Planning Commission, where he had been Chairman for many years. It was discussed that the three-year seat Mr. Williams held is now available, and Sunjit Chawla, who had been the alternate, will now have a two-year position. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept with regrets, the resignation of John Williams and thank him for his years of service. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to accept the move from alternate to the existing vacancy for the two-year term for Sunjit Chawla. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Delinquent Tax Collector Update:  Mr. Zaiac said that under the renewed efforts of the newly elected Delinquent Tax Collector, one quarter of the property tax delinquencies are being paid.

Old Business:  Battenkill Letter: The Board reviewed the letter Mr. Zaiac crafted from the letter Ms. Browning had written concerning safety, public health and conservation on the Battenkill, that was written after the meeting with Jim Henderson and Bill Bullock in April. It was discussed that the town can draft a river user advisory sheet that references the Battenkill stream monitor at the Arlington Recreation Park and would have a link and QR code that users can scan to view the stream gauge for the safest river experience. Ms. Browning said she would like to also see color coded marks on the abutment at the bridge to indicate water levels. Mr. McClafferty asked if this notification system is needed, and Mr. Paustian said there were two kayaks that recently wrapped around trees in the river. The Board requested that the letter state there are bathroom facilities already available at the Park. It was the sense of the Board that Mr. Zaiac move forward with the letter, with the revisions discussed, and send it to Mr. Henderson and Mr. Bullock, who had been invited to attend the meeting.

Park Bagger: Mr. Paustian updated the Board on the bagger that was not functioning well at the Park, that was discussed at the last meeting.  He had been in touch with Salem Farm supply to receive a refund, and they agreed to refund the cost and pick up the bagger. Mr. Zaiac suggested using the refund to buy a sprinkler system for the golf course. He said that Saratoga Sod had recently looked at the golf course and said only water was needed for the course. He also said staff from Ekwanok Golf had recently volunteered their help and machinery to help maintain and improve the golf course.

Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant A23-1, the Audit Fund, dated 5/4/23, in the amount of $5,200.00, to RHR Smith for 2021-2022 audit work. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant # G23-2, the Grants Fund, dated 5/4/23, in the amount of $1,500.00, to BCRC for Grants in Aid. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #9, dated 5/4/23, in the amount of $62,933.51, with key elements being Fire Department extrication equipment with ARPA Funds, BCRC for recycling, and Sycamore Landscaping for cemetery clean up. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Water Department Warrants and Orders:  Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#9, dated 5/4/2023, in the amount of $11,680.00, with key elements being Otter Creek Engineering, Woodard Construction for topsoil, and a hydrant job.  Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.

Town Administrator Report:  Mr. Zaiac said he had many regional and State meetings in the past two weeks. He also said that the new hazardous waste facility will be opening in Bennington in June at the transfer station.

Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of personnel, property and contract issues 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 personnel, property and contract issues and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, to remain in the room.  Seconded by Mr. Wilkins. The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:40PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:37PM.  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 8:38PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Barry, Recording Secretary Cc Town Clerk Files