MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
June 1, 2020
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matthew Bykowski, Cynthia Browning, Tim Williams, Todd Wilkins
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, Tony Ennis, Highway Foreman, and via telephone- Catherine Bryars, BCRC, and Janet Barry
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: None
Minutes of the Meeting of May 18, 2020: Mr. Williams made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the meeting of May 18, 2020. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed.
Highways: Sandgate Road Paving Project: Mr. Harvey presented the Board with the 3 bids for the Sandgate Road Paving Project. Pike Industries, with a bid of $205,530.95 – Wilk Paving, with a bid of $172.461.84 – Peckham Corporation, with a bid of $182,666.75. It was discussed that VTrans grant funding will cover $104,276.00 of the bill, and the remainder to be paid from the Town’s Special Highway Fund, which as of 12/31/ 19, had a balance of $326,401.07. The project will consist of reclamation, grinding up the original pavement and mix with chloride, with the grading being done by the Arlington Highway crew. Paving total will be 4 inches, 2 ½ inches of base and 1 ½ inches of top mix, that should last ten years, maintenance free. It was decided that Peckham would be the best choice, seeing they are a local company that Arlington has had a long history of using with good results, and they do all their own work and will not require subcontracting. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept Peckham Corporation’s bid, not to exceed $182,666.75, for the Sandgate Road Paving Project. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. It was briefly discussed that other area roads will be needing a review for additional paving projects.
Highway Tee Shirts: Mr. Ennis spoke to the Board about summer tee shirt prices for the Highway crew. He found that Crae printing in Bennington had the best prices, from $10-$13 each, depending on size, plus $25 set up fee. He asked that they be allowed to have ten shirts for each man, with the same Arlington logo as is on the Highway vehicles. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the purchase by Mr. Ennis of high visibility tee shirts, not to exceed $450.00. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Tree Removal on Warm Brook Road: Mr. Ennis and the Board discussed the two pine trees on Warm Brook Road that were damaged by lightning. Mr. Williams made a motion to accept a bid from Ed Pike, for removal of 2 pine trees on Warm Brook Road for a total of $800. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. It was also discussed that going forward the tree removal line in the budget should be reviewed, and that it might be a good idea to have trees looked at by the Tree Warden to be able to plan ahead for the expense of having trees removed, and that there is a tree in need of inspection on Red Mountain Road. Mr. Bykowski said it might be good to plant trees at the Park for ones that have to come down.
Purchasing a Trailer: Mr. Ennis spoke to the Board about the possibility of purchasing a trailer for the Highway department to use to move their excavator to different locations. A new trailer could be between $4000-$5000, but approximately $1000 has already been spent this year to have a private company move the excavator. Delaying a decision until next year was briefly discussed, because of the uncertainty of the upcoming tax season, due to economic conditions related to the coronavirus.
Vacation Time: It was briefly discussed that the employee handbook needs to be updated, and vacation policies studied, and that Mr. Zaiac would be asked to address the issue.
Old Business: Town Plan Adoption: Ms. Bryars, from BCRC, was on the phone to address any questions the Board may have in order to have the Town Plan, which expired at the end of January, approved by the Board. She said the Planning Commission approved it in December 2019. State Statue states the Legislative Body has 120 days to approve the plan. The State requires a public meeting to be warned 15 days prior to the meeting to complete the process. It will be warned for the June 29, 2020 Select Board meeting, with the report link to be posted on the Town Website.
Town Administrator’s Office: It was discussed that Lincoln Codere will be replacing the floor, patching and painting the new Town Administrator’s office, as well as replacing windows at the Yellow Barn.
Tech Update: Mr. Bykowski informed the Board that cabling for the new phone system will be installed on Wednesday, 6/3/20.
Speed Signs: Mr. Williams said he feels the solar speed signs should be relocated to slow drivers on other roads. It was discussed that Mr. Bykowski and Mr. Zaiac will retrieve the data from the signs, and Mr. Wilkins, who is a Vermont State Trooper, will put a State speed sign where RT 313 enters RT 7A.
Softball League: Mr. Harvey spoke to the Board about the State allowing gatherings of 25 people as of 6/1/20, so the league that Mr. Green spoke to the Board about at a previous meeting, should now be allowed to practice on the Park’s fields.
New Business: Liquor Licenses: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept for 1st, 2nd, 3rd Class Liquor License and Tobacco Application for E&E Hospitality, LTD-Arlington Inn. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve 2020 Liquor License Renewal for Chauncey’s Family Dining. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed.
Town Debit Card for Paying Bills: The Board discussed the request from the Treasurer to be able to use the Town’s existing debit Master Card to pay for the new phone system,8×8, which can only be paid with an ACH transfer or credit card. Mr. Bykowski said this could be a good short-term solution, and he will look into a corporate payment platform card for the future. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Treasurer Tiffany Mays to pay for the 8×8 Phone System with the Debit Master Card on an ongoing monthly basis. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed.
Dietrich Property: It was briefly discussed that the new Town Administrator will be given the Habitat for Humanity contact person’s number for the Dietrich Property, to be better able to work through all the legal issues with the property.
Old Business, con’t: Tree Removal at Park: The Board discussed the four bids for removal of three trees at the Park. Blake Pike, $2000 – Ed Pike, $3400 – Trees Inc., $2085 – Supreme Trees, $2750. Mr. Harvey said the Town has used Trees Inc many times before, Mr. Wilkins and Mr. Williams felt it should be kept local with Blake Pike, who was also the most inexpensive, and seeing this is a relatively easy tree removal job, without power lines or houses near, it would be a good time to give a new person an opportunity. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve tree work at the Park for Blake Pike for $2000, for removal of 3 trees and extensive pruning. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed.
Water Department: Warrants and Orders: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve Warrant #WD 11, in the amount of $1162.95. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve CRF Warrant # CRF-3, in the amount of $2185.08 for Town Administrator’s laptop and security products. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept Payroll #22B, in the amount of $1,421.40, for Mr. Harvey for duties as Interim Town Administrator, which are half of the actual hours he worked. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Harvey abstained. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve General Warrant #11, in the amount of $19425.94, which includes legal retainer fees, cemetery clean up, sheriff’s contract, cemetery flag pole and handyman payment. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Other Business: ZBA Members: The need for new ZBA members was discussed. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize any Select Board member to be an alternate for the ZBA. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. It was also discussed that new permanent members will continue to be sought, and that new Trustees of Public Funds members also are needed.
.
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. Wilkins. Ms. Browning made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue, and invite Nick Zaiac to participate, at 9:25PM. Seconded by Mr. Wilkins. No results were reached in Executive Session.
Meeting was adjourned immediately following Executive Session, at 10:05PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Meeting audio-taped
Cc: files, Town Clerk