MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
August 8, 2022
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Todd Wilkins, Glenn Sherman and Jamie Paustian
Members Absent: None
Also Present: (In person, or via Zoom) Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Jessica Roberts-Land Use Administrator, Garrett Siegel, Olavi Wirkki, and Janet Barry
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Agenda Addition: Ms. Browning made a motion to add a pre-buy fuel oil discussion to the agenda. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Comments: Mr. Harvey asked for public comments unrelated to agenda items. There were none.
Minutes of the Meeting of July 25, 2022: Ms. Browning made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the July 25, 2022 meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Mr. Wilkins abstaining, as he was not at the meeting.
New Business: Letters of Resignation: Ms. Browning made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Charles Moore, from the Planning Commission. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Zaiac will send a letter or appreciation for his service.
Ms. Browning made a motion to accept the letter of resignation from Land Use Administrator, Jessica Roberts, with regret. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. This will be Ms. Robert’s last week as Land Use Administrator.
Set Tax Rate: Mr. Harvey read the letter from the Treasurer setting the 2022 Tax Rate for the Town. He said the voted Municipal Budget is $1,537,209.00, less cash on hand oF $19,221.96, and less anticipated income, including highway revenue, of $289,579.00, the total to be raised by taxes is $1,228,408.04, with a Municipal Grand List of $3,196,128.00. The Education Tax Rate is set by the VT Tax Department and is: Homestead Rate $1.4051, and Non-Homestead Rate $1.4701.
Ms. Browning made a motion to set the 2022 Total Municipal Tax Rate at $00.4000. The Total Homestead Tax Rate at $1.8051, and the Total Non-Homestead Tax Rate at $1.8701. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning noted that while the tax rate increased from last year, when the Town received covid relief funds, the overall rate is down because the education tax rate went down.
Liquor Licenses: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the Outside Consumption Permit for Arlington Ramuntos. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept the revised and amended Outdoor Consumption Permit for The Arlington Inn, which allows for more seating on the side of the building and around the barn. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Unlicensed Dogs: Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize the Arlington Animal Control Officer to pursue having unlicensed animals properly licensed. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Highways: Delay Benedict Crossing RFP Decision: Mr. Zaiac had informed the Board that the Benedict Crossing Bridge RFP needs to be delayed because the grant documents have not arrived from the State. He said it would not delay the spring start date for the project. Mr. Zaiac made some clarifying changes to the RFP. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the revised Benedict Crossing Reconstruction RFP, as presented. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously. The Board thanked Mr. Zaiac for all his hard work on the project.
Executive Session: Ms. Browning made a motion that premature discussion of personnel and contract issues would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried. Ms. Browning made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of personnel and contract issues, and to allow Town Administrator, Mr. Zaiac to remain in the room. Seconded by Mr. Wilkins. Motion carried. The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:20PM. The Board came out of Executive Session at 8:04PM. As a result of the Executive Session, Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Mr. Zaiac to post the Land Use Administrator job. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Mr. Zaiac to fill in as interim Land Use Administrator for the next month. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report: Mr. Zaiac submitted his Town Administrator Report to the Board.
All Other Business: The Board reviewed two fuel oil quotes for the 2022-2023 season. One quote from Greene’s Oil for a fixed rate $4.39 per gallon, and two proposals from Mile’s Fuel, one, a reduced rate downside protection program for a cap of $4.14 per gallon, and the ability to have the price per gallon lowered if the price decreases during the year, and one to lock in at a fixed rate of $4.09 per gallon, that would not go down if oil prices decrease. The cost for the downside coverage is $.50 per gallon, due when the contract is signed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the Miles Fuel $4.14 per gallon, downside benefit option. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Water Department Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#15, dated August 5, 2022, in the amount of $846.03. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Grant Warrant # 22-5, dated August 5, 2022, in the amount of $417.97, to BCRC for 7A Sidewalk Project. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #15, dated August 4,2022, in the amount of $19,792.83. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Biggest components were over $3000 to Miles Fuel, and $5,900 to Access for Fire Department annual physicals.
Ms. Browning made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:15.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Cc: files, Town Clerk