Minutes
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
July 8, 2024
Members Present: Dan Harvey,Todd Wilkins, Cynthia Browning, Glenn Sherman
Members Absent: Jamie Paustian
Also Present: Lee Cross, Brian Hawley, Mike King, Matt Bykowski, Josh Williams, Paul Woodard Eric Marko, GNAT videographer, Mark Robinson-Highway Foreman, June and Tony Onorato, Mike Wood, Darrin and Kendell Jennings, and Janet Barry- via Zoom
The meeting was called to order at 7:00PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Paul Woodard raised objections about his inability to talk at the ZBA meeting he attended concerning burn permit issues with his neighbor, prior to filing an appeal of the Land Use Administrator’s decision. Mr. Zaiac explained the issue could legally not be addressed because it had not been warned, per State law, and his neighbor would have to be given the right to also speak at the meeting. Mr. Harvey said the Select Board does not deal with zoning issues so as not to have an overreach of authority.
Lister, Lee Cross, was at the meeting representing herself and the other two Listers to ask for a forty-eight-cent per hour raise. She said the State recently did a forty-nine cent raise across the board and the Listers already make less than other towns who are paid between $17 – $25 per hour. She spoke of the upcoming State’s requirement of another reappraisal as increasing the current workload. Mr. Harvey said the Board would be in touch with them with their decision.
Minutes of the Meetings of June 17, 2024: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 17, 2024 as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of personnel, legal and property 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 personnel, legal and property issues, and to allow Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, and the three fire chiefs to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Sherman. The Board entered Executive Session at 7:20PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 8:21PM. Ms. Browning made a motion to reject the slate of officers from the fire department as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to appoint Brian Hawley as interim fire chief and Eric Marko as assistant interim chief. Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business: Fire Department Discussions: The Board reviewed the RFP for a firehouse engineering site plan for the Dietrich property. The Select Board set up a subcommittee, the Firehouse Committee, that has been working on the proposed replacement of the East Arlington firehouse. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the RFP as presented. Ms. Browning seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Wilkins publicly thanked the members for their work, and Mr. Harvey asked that thank you letters be sent to the members.
Payroll Tax: The Board reviewed the memorandum for the State payroll tax increase that is set for forty-four cents. Twenty-five percent of that can be passed along to employees. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the memorandum dated 7/3/24, with the Town picking up the maximum increase amount. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Ms. Browning said she believes this is right to do at this time, but perhaps it can be revisited in the future.
Highway Equipment Purchases: Mr. Robinson was at the meeting to discuss the purchase of new equipment for the highway department that had been discussed at a past meeting. He and Mr. Paustian had gone to a dealership to look at the equipment and were able to find an excavator that still has one month of warranty left, and that is the same model as Sandgate has, and will be easy to get parts for, if needed in the future. They also looked at a rubber tire backhoe that had been well cared for. The three bids for the excavator were Bobcat for $89,000, Pittsfield Lawn and Tractor for $124,900, and Brookside Equipment for $83,000. There were also three bids for the backhoe, with the preferred one being from Brookside Equipment for $38,000. The excavator to be paid for from ARPA funds and the backhoe from the CRF funds. Getting a man-bucket and forks in the future was discussed. Purchasing a trailer in the future to move the excavator with the remaining ARPA funds was also discussed, with $100,000 ARPA funds being approved and using $83,000. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the purchase of the 2021 Doosan excavator from Brookside Equipment Sales for $83,000 from ARPA funds. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. Wilkins asked what the proposed backhoe would be used for. Mr. Robinson said it would be helpful to have a second machine and it would be good for downed trees and pushing snowbanks back. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the purchase of the 2015 John Deere backhoe from Brookside Equipment Sales for $38,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Award Hazard Mitigation Plan RFP: Mr. Zaiac said he had one proposal to update the Town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, from BCRC for $9,833.00, and that the vast majority of the expense will be covered by a grant. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve awarding the Hazard Mitigation Plan project to BCRC, not to exceed $9,833.00. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed a tree that had fallen into the river approximately two miles west of the RT313 and 7A intersection. It was discussed that it is not a problem for river users and that maybe only the top branches will need to be cut, and that the expected rainfall may move the tree. Mr. Zaiac said he had posted signs.
Ms. Browning said that it is probably too late to have painting and repair work done at the Yellow Barn, but she would like it to be in the plan for next year. Mr. Harvey said the south end gable should be re-nailed before any painting is done.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac said there had been a lot of IT work needing to be done, with a modem meltdown and switch replacement being among the issues.
WD Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Water Department Warrant #13, dated 7/5/24, in the amount of $2,254.40, with the key items being BC/BS for over $1,000, and water quality report mailings for almost $700 from Inkspot Press. Mr. Sherman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #13, from the General account, dated 7/152, in the amount of $37,720.22 , with key components being health insurance premiums being $7,700.00+, VLCT dues for $4,400.00, diesel for $1,953.00, cemetery maintenance for $2,285.00 and FD insurance for $3,526.00 . Mr. Wilkins seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
All Other Business: Mr. Wilkins said he would like to see an RFP for the FD side-by-side that was approved to be purchased with ARPA funds. Mr. Zaiac will meet with the chiefs this week.
Mr. Robinson talked about some repairs and painting needed at the covered bridge. He said the RT313 side guardrails are outside the bridge entrance and can be hit by drivers. He feels they may be able to pull in posts to protect it from strikes. Mr. Zaiac will check with VTRANS for historical restrictions.
Mr. Wilkins made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:03PM.