Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
June 19, 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, Carmen Ligato-GNAT videographer, Janet Barry (via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Agenda Additions: Mr. Sherman made a motion to add Fire Department Dispatch and a contract item to the Executive Session. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments: None
Minutes of the Meeting of June 5, 2023: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 5, 2023, as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
New Business: Shires Letter of Support: Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Mr. Harvey to sign the Shires Housing Letter of Support, for their rehab project. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Award Copier: Mr. Zaiac had two quotes for a new copier for the Town Clerk’s office. CDW HP for $4,423.44 and Repeat Business Ricoh for $5,685.00. The Repeat Business comes with set up of the new machine, and moving of the old machine to the Select Board office upstairs, and was the option preferred by the Town Clerk and Mr. Zaiac. Repeat Business also offers competent customer support. Leasing as opposed to buying was discussed, but the old Town Clerk Office machine is always recycled to the upstairs office, so purchasing is the better option. It was discussed that this will be paid for from the $17,401.00 in the Computer budget line. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept the Repeat Business option for $5,685.00. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
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Award VSP Contract/Public Safety: Mr. Zaiac said the new contract is a slight increase in cost and hours of patrol from last year, at $18,316.48. Ms. Browning made a motion to award the VSP contract for the July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024 contract year, not to exceed $18,316.48, as a sole source contract basis. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion passed, with Mr. Wilkins abstaining.
Park Line Overrun: Mr. Zaiac and the Board discussed the need to offer health insurance to a Park employee, due to a change in their previous coverage. It will overrun the budget line by $21,000 for the remainder of the year, which will come from excess from other budget lines, that the Board reviewed. It was discussed that there is less money being spent on Highway insurance at this time. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the $21,000 overrun of the Park Health Insurance budget line. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Library Trustees: Public Notice: It was announced that any residents that may want to be on the Library Board can contact the Select Board for information.
Fire Department Policies: Copies of policies drafted by Chief King were available for Board review for a preliminary discussion. Mr. Paustian will give Mr. Zaiac a copy of the current FD Policies. It was discussed that all departments in the government should be handled the same way, and are addressed in the Personnel Policies. The Board will review, and it will be discussed at the next meeting.
Highways: Roads and Bridge Standards: The Board reviewed and signed the annual Town Road and Bridge Standards and Network Inventory paperwork for the State. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Town Road and Bridge Standards for the Town of Arlington, dated 6/5/2023, and Certification of Compliance for Road and Bridge Standards. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Highway Foreman, Mark Robinson was at the meeting to discuss various items. He asked for, and received, permission to test drive, and possibly purchase, a used pickup truck at a Troy dealership, that was discussed at the previous meeting. It was discussed that if purchased, it would most likely need new tires by the winter. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the purchase of the 2011 Super Duty F350XL from Upstate Auto Sales, Inc., not to exceed $20,000. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Mr. Wilkins amended his motion to include “contingent upon a test drive, and approval by Highway Foreman Robinson. Ms. Browning seconded the amendment. Motion passed unanimously.
Flail Mower Discussion: Mr. Robinson said he had a quote from Capital Tractor for a 55’’ cut flail mower for $6,565. He said the purchase may not be necessary if surrounding towns had a mutual agreement to help with labor and equipment. He said he has been helping Sandgate this week, completing a project they had thought they had until October to complete, or risk losing their grant money. He said this same type of help and cooperation could also be done with Sunderland and Shaftsbury. This type of cooperation could save money by not having to purchase equipment other towns already own. He said White Creek, Salem and Jackson NY already use this assistance system. Mr. Zaiac said the State is pushing towns to offer this type of aid. It was discussed that insurance issues will have to be clarified. The sense of the Board was to support the vision with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that Mr. Zaiac will draft.
It was discussed that the homeowner agreed to allowing their tree to be cut, that was mentioned at the last meeting, and Mr. Zaiac will get prices from local tree companies.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said he has been busy with many issues. He met with Battenkill Watershed Alliance about river erosion at access points and the issue will continue to be addressed. The wastewater mailing will be going out this week. The hazardous waste facility at the Bennington Transfer Station will be open in two weeks. He said the Planning Commission bylaws revision is almost complete and will go before the Select Board for final approval this summer. He said the Conservation District will be at a meeting in July.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of contract, personnel and legal 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 contract, personnel and legal issues and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Wilkins. The Board entered into Executive Session at 8:00PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:51PM. As a result of the Session, Mr. Wilkins made a motion to authorize Mr. Zaiac to obtain a dispatch contract for Arlington Fire Department from the Town of Manchester for FD 911 Dispatch Services, for $8,250 per year, or $55.00 per call. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Appointments: Fire Chief Committee: Vince Thompson, Randy Novotny from the Fire Department, Ali Zaiac from the public, and Mr. Harvey and Mr. Wilkins from the Select Board.
Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the slate of Fire Chief Committee members as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Fire Department Building Committee: Fire Department members, Josh McKenzie and Brian Hawley, Matt Bykowski, Joe O’Dea, and Olavi Wirkki from the public, and Mr. Paustian and Mr. Sherman from the Select Board. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the slate of FD Building Committee members as stated. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilkins accepted the resignation of Garret Siegel from the Arlington Energy Committee. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to appoint Mary Anne Holmes and Garret Siegel as alternates to the Energy Committee. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
The Board acknowledged the passing of ZBA member, Michaelanne Sylvester. Mr. Harvey asked that Mr. Zaiac make a note to create a Resolution for Ms. Sylvester for Town Meeting.
All Other Business: None
WD Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #12, dated 6/16/23, in the amount of $2,315.95, with the key elements being health insurance, and GMP payments. Mr. Wilkins seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant C23-5, from the CRF Fund, dated 6/15/23, in the amount of $4,044.87, to MSK for bridge study. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #12, from the General account, dated 6/16/23, in the amount of $37,695.53, with key elements being health insurance, county taxes, Highway truck maintenance, and Miles Fuel. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Wilkins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:00PM.