Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
July 22, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey,Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Brian Hawley, Nick Nahodil, Steve McClafferty, Vinnie Thompson, Eric Marko, Don Keelan, Matt Bykowski, Lewis Douglas, Darrin Jennings, and Janet Barry- via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Agenda Addition: Mr. Sherman a motion to add Resignations of Olavi Wirrki and Todd Wilkins to the agenda. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion carried.
Public Comments: Mr. McClafferty asked if the Board had received any financial statements and if they could be shared. Mr. Harvey said they are public record and could be shared, and Mr. Zaiac said he would find out what reports he is looking for and supply them. Mr. McClafferty also inquired about having townspeople vote on the budget at Town Meeting or on ballot, that had been discussed at a previous meeting. Mr. Zaiac said that will be open for discussion in the fall.
New Business: Resignations: Ms. Browning made a motion to accept with regret, the resignations of Todd Wilkins from the Select Board and Olavi Wirrki from the Fire Department subcommittee, and to follow up with thank you letters. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department Slate of Officers Vote: Fire Department interim chiefs supplied the Board with a new slate of officers.
Chief – Brian Hawley
1st Assistant Chief – Eric Marko
2nd Assistant Chief – Vince Thompson
Captains – Josh McKenzie and Nick Nahodil
Lieutenants – Ryker Kozal, Keegan Hawley and Austin Weller
Ms. Browning made a motion to accept the slate of firefighter officers as presented by Interim Chief Hawley, dated 7/22/2024. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Fire Department; All Other Business:
Brian Hawley told the Board that Sandgate requested AFD test their dry hydrants, and that the fire department will be starting a committee for the purchase of a side by side that had been discussed at previous meetings. Mr. Zaiac will assist with the research and purchase. Mr. Hawley said on 7/30/2024 dispatch will be down.
Mr. Paustian said there may be extra ARPA money available that would allow for 2-3 air packs and replacement hoses to be purchased. He also said there was a theft of a leaf blower from a truck while parked at a funeral in Rutland, and that SUV #710 has a dead short that puts it in lockout mode and mechanics have not yet been able to fix the issue.
Mr. Keelan asked if the Board was actively looking at new firehouse locations. Mr. Paustian said a subcommittee has been working on the project and a site plan RFP is being sought from engineering firms. He also said he would be going to the New England Fire Conference in Connecticut soon, where he hopes to obtain information from architects that specialize in firehouses.
Mr. McClafferty asked if Wastewater or the new firehouse has top priority. Mr. Paustian said it is of equal importance and Mr. Zaiac said they are interrelated but require different bonds. Ms. Browning said the Select Board and the subcommittees have to do their due diligence, and the only debt the town currently has is from the Water Department which is repaid by Water Department ratepayers, and the Town only borrows for major investments.
Lewis Douglas inquired about the status of Mike King’s suspension. Mr. Zaiac said he could return as a firefighter, but not as an officer, but is currently suspended from the Fire Department until the end of the year. No other personnel details can be discussed in Open Meeting. Mr. Douglas asked what criteria the Board uses when looking for officers and chiefs. Mr. Harvey said the Board is going to work on policies and procedures with the newly appointed slate of officers.
Minutes of the Meetings of July 8, 2024: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of July 8, 2024 as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Paustian abstained, as he was absent from the meeting.
New Business con’t:
Tax Rate: Mr. Zaiac presented the Board with the 2024 Tax Rate, which he said had been vetted by the Treasurer, Town Clerk, and himself, and is exactly where he expected it to be, and the lowest tax rate in the county because of cash on hand.
Ms. Browning made a motion to set the total municipal tax rate at $00.4369, with the total homestead tax rate at $2.0015 and total non-homestead at $2.1722. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Liquor License: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Special Events Permit for Watson Wheeler Cider LLC. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Highways: Street Renaming: Mr. Zaiac had a request from a homeowner to rename Doberman Drive to Salamander Drive, to be less associated with the previous owner. The short private road has one home on it. First responders, 911 Board, the State Police and VTRANS will be notified of the change. Ms. Browning made a motion to rename Doberman Drive to Salamander Drive. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Winter Sand: The Board reviewed two quotes for winter sand. It was discussed that there is 1,000 pounds of sand stockpiled due to last winter being mild. Wallingford Crushed Stone quote is $12.90 per ton nondelivered for winter sand and $15.90 per ton for 3/8 inch stone. Peckham Industries quote is $12.75 per ton for winter sand, nondelivered, and $17.50 per ton for 3/8 inch stone. Highway Foreman, Mark Robinson, recommended Peckham for closer proximity for hauling. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve purchasing stone and sand from Peckham Industries, not to exceed $30,250. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Browning asked for any updates on Benedict Crossing Bridge. Mr. Zaiac said MSK is following up with the subcontractor, and he has also been in touch with VTRANS, who will be sending a letter voicing their displeasure if it takes a month longer.
Mr. Paustian said a camper struck the covered bridge again and broke rafters. He said rafters need to be repaired and painting both ends needs to be done.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said he had been working on grants and setting the tax rate. He said the second meeting in August would have Hazard Mitigation planning.
WD Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #14, dated 7/19/24, in the amount of $2,358.62, with the key elements being BC/BS and GMP. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #14, from the General account, dated 7/19/24, in the amount of $149,102.80, being a larger warrant because of the backhoe purchase with CRF funds for $38,000, and $83,000 excavator purchase with ARPA funds. Plus health insurance premiums being $7,700.00+, and $5,700 for culvert work. Mr. Paustian seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue 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 a personnel issue, and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, and the two fire chiefs to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Paustian. The Board entered Executive Session at 8:00PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:25PM. As a result of the Session, the Board and Mr. Zaiac will be accepting letters of interest to appoint someone to fill the Select Board seat vacated by Mr. Wilkins, which would run until March. Letters will be accepted until August 15, 2024, and will be discussed at the second Select Board meeting in August. Information is available on the Town’s website.
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All Other Business: None
Mr. Paustian made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:27PM.