Select Board Meeting Minutes 9.26.22

MINUTES

ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD

September 26, 2022

Members Present:  Dan Harvey, Todd Wilkins, Glenn Sherman and Jamie Paustian

Members Absent:  Cynthia Browning

Also Present:  (In person, or via Zoom) Ali Elwell Zaiac, Steve McClafferty, Troy Rich, 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. McClafferty questioned the Benedict Crossing Bridge repair delay discussed at the last meeting. Mr. Harvey explained that since the State determined the bridge to be culturally significant, the Board agreed to spend the money that would have been for the design and repair, for the engineering study the State suggested, to determine if it’s best to repair or replace the bridge.

Minutes of the Meeting of Sept. 12, 2022: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the Sept. 12, 2022 meeting. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Agenda Additions:  Mr. Wilkins made a motion to add the discussion of adding a fire truck into service and Liquor License for Arlington Commons to the agenda. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Highways: Road Standards Reapproval: The Board signed the Town Road and Bridge Standards paperwork, which asks the Town to certify they will comply with all applicable state and federal approvals, permits and standards when undertaking road and bridge maintenance. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the Town Roads and Bridge Standards for 2022. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Warm Brook Road (South) Repairs: Mr. Harvey said the Warm Brook Road repairs part of agenda would be tabled until the next meeting.

Mr. Paustian said he had received numerous complaints from residents about roadside mowing, grading, and dirt being pushed in piles to the side of the road.  Mr. Wilkins said he meets with the crew every week, and they have been extremely busy with other work, and do grading as much as they can. He said it has been explained that grading is a priority to the taxpayers. He said the crew does not have a ton of grading experience, and it is a learning curve, but they are excellent machine operators, and have just done a project for twelve culverts in four days. Mr. Harvey said Mr. Zaiac has put in a request for a state grader trainer to come to Arlington to train the crew.  

New Business:  Planning Commission Appointments:  Mr. Wilkins made a motion to appoint Jane Jenkins to the Planning Commission to complete the term previously held by Charles Moore, and to appoint Chris Taft as an alternate on the Planning Commission. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Land Use Administrator Hiring Decision:  Mr. Harvey explained that Mr. Zaiac had several applicants for the Land Use position, but recommends Joan Nash be hired. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to hire Joan Nash as Land Use Administrator, with the same salary as the previous Land Use Administrator was paid. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Confirm Wastewater Study Award: Mr. Harvey explained that after all the interviews and questioning of the firms interested in conducting the wastewater study by the Wastewater Committee, the clear choice was Otter Creek. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve hiring Otter Creek, and authorizing Mr. Zaiac to enter into contract negotiations with them. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Line Overrun Vote, FD Fuel:  Mr. Harvey said many years ago, in the interest of transparency, the Board decided to have a vote for lines that needed to be overrun in the budget. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the overrun lines for Fire Department Diesel, and Oil, Gas, Lubes lines. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Accounting RFP:  The Board agreed to accept the RFP for Town accounting services from Jenna Peeler, who had been an elected auditor for the Town in the past. Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve hiring Jenna Peeler, as an employee, for the Town accounting services. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Fire Truck 711: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to put Truck 711, the utility truck, into service for the Arlington Fire Department. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed, with Mr. Paustian voting against the motion, and Ms. Browning being absent.

Liquor License: The Board reviewed the Liquor License request from Arlington Commons. Mr. Harvey explained this is the first license with the new State digital system, and only requires a verbal approval by the Board. The license for Arlington Commons would be for all their events for the season. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve the 2nd Class Liquor License Application for Arlington Commons, and extend as a blanket approval for the year. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.  Mr. Wilkins made an amendment to his initial motion, to 1st Class Club License. Mr. Paustian seconded. Amended motion passed.

Town Administrator’s Report: The Board received the Town Administrator’s Report for them to review and call Mr. Zaiac with any questions.

All Other Business:  Mr. Wilkins said the park is looking good and the bottle filling station has been installed. Mr. Paustian will be meeting with the Energy Committee to discuss park fuel consumption.

Mr. Harvey said he gave Keith and Donna Squires the first Community Service Award at Norman’s Attic, and has put into motion that this award will have future recipients in the years to come. More details and photos are on the Town’s Facebook page.

Warrants and Orders:  Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve CRF Warrant #C 20-4, in the amount of $86,519.95, for sand and gravel on the Crow Hill and Red Mountain Road project. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Water Department Warrants and Orders:  Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve Warrant WD#18, in the amount of $6,495.60.  This includes $3,050 to Otter Creek for the water study, and $1,362 to VLCT for insurance premiums.  Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Warrants and Orders:     Mr. Paustian made a motion to approve Warrant #18 in the amount of $31,286.86. This includes Blue Cross premium of $4,410, Hathaway Electric for $3,750 for Town Hall lighting replacements, and VLCT for quarterly insurance premiums.  Mr. Wilkins seconded.  Motion passed unanimously, with Ms. Browning absent.

Mr. Wilkins made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Paustian seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:35PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Barry, Recording Secretary

Cc: files, Town Clerk

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