Select Board Meeting Minutes 7.25.22

MINUTES

ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD

July 25, 2022

Members Present:  Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman and Jamie Paustian (via Zoom)

Members Absent:  Todd Wilkins

Also Present:  (In person, or via Zoom) Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Jessica Roberts-Land Use Administrator, Don Keelan, Art O’Dea, Greg Sukiennik-Manchester Journal, Susan Wirkki, 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. Mr. Keelan spoke to the Board about several suggestions he has for them to consider. He suggested producing a brochure, or posting on the Town’s website, information of the people involved in operating the Town, to personalize them for new residents’ information. He also requested the Board provide more information of replacement value of Town assets. Mr. Keelan said the Town is conducting  many projects, in various stages of development, and it might be useful to list a timeline of the projects so residents can have that information.  It was discussed that the Town Report has information from each department each year, and that the suggestions are worth considering.

Minutes of the Meeting of July 11, 2022: Ms. Browning made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the July 11, 2022 meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent from the meeting.

New Business:  Acknowledgement of the Passing of Larry Molloy:    Mr. Harvey asked for a moment of silence to acknowledge the passing of Larry Molloy, who served on the Select Board for 31 years.

Audit RFP Approval:  Mr. Zaiac presented the Board with a Request for Proposals (RFP) for auditing services, to be submitted to Mr. Zaiac by August 19, 2022. Ms. Browning made a motion to accept the RFP language for auditing purposes. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.

Sole Source Award- Cascade System Refit for Fire Truck: The Board reviewed a quote from MES to refit the Cascade System to the newer truck. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the sole source purchase from MES of the Cascade System for $14,144.93. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed, with Mr. Paustian abstaining and Mr. Wilkins absent.

Sense of the Board-ARPA Money for Extraction Tools:  Mr. Zaiac asked for a sense of the Board about using $25,000 of ARPA money to purchase new extraction tools, along with the $10,000 that has already been saved for this purchase. Using ARPA money would speed up the purchase by approximately two years, thereby saving money. The current tools are near the end of their life.  Ms. Browning said she would like to hear from the ARPA Committee before agreeing to using the funds. The decision was delayed until the next meeting.

Sense of the Board- Begin Planning Replacement of FD SUV:  Mr. Zaiac said t was time to start thinking about replacing the 2003 FD SUV. Mr. Paustian said the old one has between 180,000-190,000 miles on it and has been used extensively to take firemen to accidents, and carbon monoxide incidents, and frees up space in firetrucks for equipment. It has also cut down on personal use of vehicles, thereby cutting down on liability. He said there needs to be a defined list of steps and protocols for purchasing Fire Department vehicles. Ms. Browning said she would like to see data from the chiefs as to how much the old SUV has been used.

Highways:  E. Arlington Tree Work Award: The Board reviewed bids to remove a hazardous tree across from the E. Arlington Fire Station, that is a threat to the public facility. Blake Pike bid $4,000, and Greater Heights bid $3,990. Mr. Sherman made a motion to accept the bid from Blake Pike for removal of one tree for $4,000 as presented. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.

Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue, and to allow Town Administrator, Mr. Zaiac and Land Use Administrator, Ms. Roberts, to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. Motion carried. The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:32PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:26PM. There were no decisions made as a result of the session.

Town Administrator’s Report: Mr. Zaiac presented the Board with his report. He said the Governor recently announced that Arlington Commons received $250,000 in CDBG funds, and that he deemed the new health center that will be built an important project. Mr. Zaiac said the Treasurer will set the new tax rate soon and have the information at the next meeting.

Water Department Warrants and Orders:  Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#14, dated July 22, 2022, in the amount of $1,978.7. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. Expenses included over $1,000 to Green Mountain Power, sample tests, and health insurance premium.

Warrants and Orders:     Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Grant Warrant # 22-4, in the amount of $3,350.79, to BCRC for a planning grant, Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent. This is the second of three payments for the planning grant. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #14, dated July 22, 2022, in the amount of $23,903.10. Mr. Sherman seconded.  Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins absent.  Highlights include over $5,000 for Blue Cross/Blue Shield Highway Health premiums, $4,500 for chloride for the roads, and asphalt from Peckham.

Other Business: Mr. Harvey asked that the vegetation growing in the sidewalk cracks and curb on the E. Arlington sidewalk, east of the school, be trimmed. Mr. Zaiac will inform the Highway crew.
 

Mr. Sherman made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM. The Water Department meeting that was postponed on July 18, 2022 has been rescheduled for Monday, August 1, 2022 at 7PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Barry, Recording Secretary

Cc: files, Town Clerk

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