Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
June 5, 2023
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Glenn Sherman, and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: Todd Wilkins and Cynthia Browning
Also Present: Nick Zaiac-Town Administrator, Jim Henderson-BCRC, Mark Robinson-Highway Foreman, Kathy Cark, Jeremy Means-Koss, Norman Cohen (via Zoom), Carmen Ligato-GNAT videographer, Janet Barry(via Zoom)
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Local reverends, Kathy Clark, and Jeremy Means-Koss, were at the meeting to ask the Board to consider adopting the Declaration of Inclusion, a statement that states everyone is welcome in Arlington. It has already been adopted in 100 Vermont towns. Mr. Harvey explained that with two Board members absent the Board could not act on it tonight, but it will be taken into consideration and can be put on the agenda at a future meeting. Norman Cohen was present via Zoom, and had been part of the team working on the Declaration.
Minutes of the Meeting of May 22, 2023: Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of May 22, 2023, as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously, with two members absent.
Highways: Supervisor Update: Mr. Robinson gave an update on Highway projects. He said a culvert had been replaced on Old West Road. He showed a map of Maple Hill Road at the Butternut Gutter corner. The road is too wide, and people are driving on the edge of the ditch and will have to be repaired. Mr. Henderson said he has an inconspicuous traffic counter he is willing to share to help with speeding in the area. Mr. Robinson said ash trees will be cut near Buck Hill intersection on Wednesday. He also said he looked at a 2011 Ford F350 pickup truck with an 8-foot plow and 130,000 miles on it for $19,995, with a standard cab that would fit all crew members at one time.
Stormwater Planning: Mr. Henderson presented the Board with copies of a 2019 Stormwater Master Plan that was created by Fitzgerald Environmental. He said there will be a variety of grants the Town can apply for by the end of 2024, and he would do the pre-application work and apply for the grant. He said the Better Roads Grant typically offers more money. Mr. Zaiac, Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Henderson will scope out which project is the best one to pursue with the grant money.
New Business: Playground Install Award: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed having the new playground installed, with pillars being installed and assisting Mr. Zaiac and Mr. Knight in assembling pieces. He said the amount is covered by funds from the Park and Rec Committee. Mr. Paustian made a motion to award the playground installation award to Hawley Grading for the sum of $2,000. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins and Ms. Browning absent.
Liquor License: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the Art Gallery Malt and Venous Permit for Arlington Commons for June 10, 2023. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion passed, with two members absent.
Delegation of Gallery Permitting: The Board discussed the request of the Town Clerk to allow her to approve routine Gallery Permits, with anything that needs more scrutiny to come back to the Board. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the request by the Arlington Town Clerk to allow her to approve routine Gallery Permits on behalf of the Select Board. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins and Ms. Browning absent.
ARPA/Lead Line Study: Mr. Zaiac explained that the Town is altering our procurement plan after too few bids made it not ARPA eligible as an expense. We will alter the plan to get another bid or allow a paper trail for a sole-source contract.
2023 IT Upgrades: Mr. Zaiac explained the IT upgrades he would like to make to Town Hall. A new copier with a better color scanner for the Town Clerk’s office, replacing three offices’ old computers to newer, but refurbished, and faster computers. And being able to offer a “no cost to the government” payment solution to allow the Town to take debit and credit card payments, in time for tax season. The Board was in favor of all the suggestions.
All Other Business: It was discussed that there will be a slate of Fire Department business at the next meeting, including information about the subcommittees being formed, which so far have five civilian people interested in the building subcommittee and one civilian on the Chief subcommittee.
Report of the Town Administrator: Mr. Zaiac gave brief updates on Town projects discussed at the last meeting. He said GMP is very delayed, so delaying the sidewalk project, and there is no update on the Benedict Crossing Bridge. Referencing S100, Mr. Zaiac said he applied to be part of a case study program on providing medium scale housing in Town, and he will report back when there is a verdict from the State. He said a zoning reform document is being worked on. Mr. Zaiac said substantial time was spent with the Energy Committee for their 2020, 2021, and 2022 carbon footprint project. He discussed the difficulties involving billing the Federal Government for reimbursement for his time for work on Chunk Brook Road in the July 2021 storm, and it would be handled differently in the future.
WD Warrants and Orders: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #11, in the amount of $4,656.97, with the biggest amounts being quarterly insurance, and unemployment payments and envelopes for Water Department billing. Mr. Paustian seconded. The motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins and Ms. Browning absent.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Warrant #11, from the General account, in the amount of $30,467.78, with the biggest amounts being quarterly insurance, and unemployment premiums, and Class 2 & Class 3 Chloride invoices.
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:19PM.