MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
January 24, 2022
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matthew Bykowski, Cynthia Browning, Todd Wilkin, and Glenn Sherman
Members Absent: None
Also Present: (In person, or via Zoom or phone) Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Steve McClafferty, Brian Suslak, and Janet Barry
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM, by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: Mr. Harvey opened the meeting asking for any public comments. Mr. McClafferty asked if other organizations will be offered the same panel time as the Arlington Climate Mitigation Fund may be offered for their Article on the Warning, at Town Meeting. He was told this is not an ordinary situation, and is a different level than Appropriations that are on the Warning, and that it had not been definitively decided there would be a panel. That decision does not need to be made at this time.
Minutes of the Meeting of January 3, 2022 Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the previous meeting of January 3, 2022. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
New Business: Shires Housing: There was an unavoidable, last-minute cancellation from the Shires Housing representative that had been scheduled for the meeting, and she will be at the next Select Board meeting, February 7, 2022.
Old Business: Final Budget Approval: The Board reviewed the final 2022 budget that Mr. Zaiac had prepared. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the 2022 Budget for $1,818,288.00 as presented. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Final Approval of Warning: The Board reviewed the Articles in the Warning for Town Meeting. Ms. Browning suggested the order of the Articles should be changed, so the Arlington Climate Mitigation Articles not come before the Capital Reserve Articles, to not be misleading, and appear that the Select Board is presenting those Articles. Mr. Zaiac rearranged the Articles.
Select Board Town Report Submission: The Board reviewed the revised Select Board Report for the Town Report. Ms. Browning said Mr. Zaiac had done a good job incorporating the additions she requested at the last meeting. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Arlington Select Board Report, as prepared by Mr. Zaiac. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Arlington Select Board Warning for Town Meeting, as presented, dated January 24, 2022. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously, and the Board signed the Warning.
Town Administrator’s Report: The Board reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report. Ms. Browning said it was impressive, with a lot of things having been done in the past few weeks. Mr. Harvey thanked Mr. Zaiac for including all the details that he said were very helpful. Mr. Zaiac said the new grader will arrive this week.
Capital Plan: Mr. Zaiac shared his screen with the Capital Plan figures for the Board to review, with plan dates reaching to 2038, and planned savings for future purchases, including saving for the next grader that would need to be purchased in approximately 26 years, and planned savings for the next excavator, so that when that purchase is needed, the Town will be within $10,000-$20,000 of being able to pay cash. He said the Fire Department is keen on buying electric machines, that require less maintenance. Mr. McClafferty asked if Mr. Zaiac had planned for future inflation, and Mr. Zaiac said regular inflation is built into the projected purchases, using a baseline for the trend before this year, and he will have better data by next year and the Plan can be adjusted. Mr. Zaiac said the Plan does show proposed bonds for replacement of the Benedict Crossing and East Arlington Road bridges. Ms. Browning said that shows intent to move forward with the bridge replacements.
Other Business: Ms. Browning said the sidewalks on Rt 313 are icy and challenging, and asked that when there are appropriate climate conditions, the Highway crew check on them. Mr. Zaiac will speak to Mr. Towslee about the request.
Water Department Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant WD#2 dated 1/21/22, in the amount of $4,898.90, for regular costs and maintenance. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve Warrant #2, dated 1/21/22, in the amount of $46,236.24, with the biggest items being BCRC payments, GMP and insurance payments, and salt and sand purchases. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Executive Session: Mr. Bykowski made a motion that premature discussion of a contractual issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Seconded by Ms. Browning. Motion carried. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a contractual issue, and to allow Mr. Zaiac to remain in the room. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. The Board entered into Executive Session at 7:30PM. The Board exited Executive Session at 7:48PM. No action was taken as a result of the Executive Session, it was informational only.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:49 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Cc: files, Town Clerk