MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
July 11, 2022
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning-via Zoom, Glenn Sherman and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: Todd Wilkins
Also Present: (In person, or via Zoom) Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, and Janet Barry
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Mr. Harvey asked for public comments unrelated to agenda items. There were none. Mr. Harvey said GNAT had a request of the Board, but it was not made in time to be on the agenda. Mr. Sherman made a motion to put the GNAT request on the agenda. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins not present at the meeting
Minutes of the Meeting of June 27, 2022: Mr. Paustian made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the June 27, 2022 meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent from the meeting.
New Business: Liquor License: The Board reviewed a liquor license and outdoor consumption request from Battenkill Resorts, LLC, DBA, The Arlington Inn. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the 1st & 3rd Class Liquor License for Battenkill Resorts, LLC, DBA The Arlington Inn. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously with Mr. Wilkins absent. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the Outside Consumption Permit for Battenkill Resorts LLC, DBA The Arlington Inn, as stated. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. The Outdoor Consumption Permit only required a verbal approval by the Board.
Fireworks Permit: Fireman’s Carnival: The Board reviewed the request for a fireworks permit for the Arlington Fire Company’s carnival for July 16, 2022, rain date July 17, 2022. Ms. Browning said last year the houses in the nearby neighborhood shook and animals were upset because of the extremely loud fireworks display. Mr. Paustian said the display is typically fifteen minutes, and the fireman have no control over what fireworks come with the package that is purchased. Ms. Browning said she will see how it goes this year, but would like more information for next year on the magnitude of the display being purchased by the firemen. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the fireworks permit for the Arlington Carnival at the Arlington Rec Park on July 16, 2022, with rain date July 17, 2022, as stated. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Arlington Commons Grant Letter of Support: The Board discussed the Letter of Support for the Arlington Commons Historic Preservation Grant application to the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the support letter for the Arlington Commons Grant application. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Trout Unlimited/Murray Hollow Grant Letter of Support: The Board reviewed the Letter of Support for Trout Unlimited’ s grant application to the New England Forests and Rivers Fund for a culvert replacement on Murray Hollow Road. The current culvert is too shallow at times for fish to ably pass through to reach the uppermost headwaters of the stream. The Board thoroughly considered the merits of the project, with the costs to the Town. Mr. Zaiac said this culvert would need replacing in the near future, and this may offer the opportunity to receive a discount on the structure. Ms. Browning pointed out that the past State biologist had differing opinions on this issue, and she would be interested in what the current biologist thinks of this project. It was discussed that this is a very competitive grant request, but if Trout Unlimited does receive the grant, the Board would still have control over the project. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the support letter for Trout Unlimited/Murray Hollow Road culvert project. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Town Hall Electric Work Award: The Board reviewed the three quotes for Town Hall rewiring, emergency exit signs and light replacement and LED bulb replacement. All three quotes were for the same amount of work. Randy Novotny had a quote of $5,150, Hathaway Electric had a quote of $3,750, and Monument Electric had a quote of $3,200. Mr. Zaiac recommended accepting the Hathaway quote, after discussing the project with each of the contractors. He felt Hathaway expressed confidence in working with the new U-shaped LED bulbs, which are a first for this area, and can do the desired timeline. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve the quote from Hathaway’s Electric for $3,750. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Line Striping: The Board reviewed two quotes for annual line striping. Topkote Applicators for $6,586.80, and Freshcoat Asphalt for $5,760.00. It was discussed that there had been an issue with Freshcoat in the past. Mr. Paustian made a motion to award the 2022 line striping project to Topkote Applicators for $6,585.80. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Personnel Policy Update: The Board reviewed the updated Personnel Policy. The updated version clarifies sick leave, and paying for holidays that fall on a weekend to be observed the Monday after, or Friday before the holiday. The bereavement section was edited to allow bereavement pay for the loss of any close relative, regardless of living situation. The two holidays recently observed by the state, Battle Day, and Juneteenth, were not added to the list of paid holidays. Mr. Harvey asked that “Indigenous People’s Day” be reverted back to the original “Columbus Day” wording of the holiday. It was noted that by January 1, 2023, it will be policy that all employees are paid bi-weekly. Currently all but the Highway Department has been converted to a bi-weekly pay schedule. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve the Personnel Policy, with updates as discussed. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Old Business: None
All Other Business: GNAT Discussion: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed GNAT’s request to air the Select Board meetings live on television. Prior to Covid they had video taped meetings that aired on a later date. It was agreed that anything that allows for more community awareness and involvement was a good thing. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve live broadcasting of meetings. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Town Administrator’s Report: Mr. Zaiac said he had been up in the attic of Town Hall, and he will be cleaning it out before the new insulation is added. He said the grader is back and the Highway crew will be playing catch-up with the grading jobs needing to be done in Town this week.
Water Department Warrants and Orders: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Warrant WD#13 in the amount of $2,602.72, which includes supplies, and Inkspot Press payment for Water Quality Report. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Warrant #13, in the amount of $24,939.62, which includes $3000+ for Highway truck maintenance, $2,900+ to Amazon for Town Hall LED lightbulbs and supplies, $1005 for Emergency Generator maintenance, Miles Fuels, and the man-lift rental. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr.
Wilkins absent. Mr. Sherman made a motion to approve Grant Warrant # 22-3, in the amount of $4,718.16, to BCRC for a planning grant. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.
Mr. Sherman made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Cc: files, Town Clerk