MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
November 23, 2020
VIRTUAL MEETING
Members Present: ( Via phone or 8×8) Dan Harvey, Matthew Bykowski, Cynthia Browning, and Todd Wilkins
Members Absent: Tim Williams
Also Present: (Via phone or 8×8) Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Darren Macy – Manchester Journal, Karen Lee – LederLee, LLC, Denise Monte, and Janet Barry
The meeting was called to order at 7:03, by Mr. Harvey
Public Comments: None
Minutes of the Meeting of Nov. 9, 2020, and Special Meeting of Nov. 19, 2020: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the Nov. 9, 2020 meeting. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the Special Meeting of Nov. 19, 2020. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously with one Board member absent.
New Business: Solar Power Presentation: Karen Lee of LederLee, LLC spoke at the meeting to discuss the possibility of sharing credits from the solar power system that is being built on Ed Pike’s barn roof with the Town. She said this is the start of the process and the Town is under no obligation and would incur no risks. The Town would designate the account with the highest monthly payment, the streetlight account, to receive the 5% discount, which would be “found money” for the Town. The school already has a similar arraignment that is successful. Ms. Lee said she could send a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) template to Mr. Zaiac for the Board to review. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to proceed with moving forward with the solar plan. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried.
Solid Waste Alliance Resolution: Mr. Zaiac and the Board briefly discussed the new Solid Waste Alliance Resolution, reauthorizing BCSWA and SWIP, moving forward into the future. It was discussed that the changes from last year were negligible. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve BCWSA and SEIP as presented. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed.
Overrun Fire Department Maintenance Line: Mr. Zaiac said a W. Arlington fire truck had to be rewired and that caused the Maintenance line to be overspent. The Fire Department had recently warned that their equipment was in need of repairs. One line in the budget will be over, but they still have room in their budget over all for the repairs. Ms. Browning made a motion to allow overspending the Fire Department Maintenance Line by $6000 for W. Arlington truck rewiring. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion carried.
Arlington- Sunderland Mutual Aid Agreement: Mr. Zaiac spoke to the Board about the first draft of an Arlington-Sunderland Mutual Aid Agreement, using a VLCT template. He said the agreement had been suggested by a Sunderland Road Crew member, but also would help with COVID mutual aid. He said the Sunderland Select Board was also discussing the proposal tonight. It would allow the towns to pay less for use of borrowed equipment and assist the neighboring towns when needed. After both towns sign the paperwork, the State Attorney General reviews the agreement which could take 30 days, then goes back to the Boards for a final vote. It was discussed that this would be a good idea and could one day expand to other neighboring towns. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Arlington-Sunderland Mutual Aid agreement. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed.
Overspending for Land Records Module: Mr. Zaiac explained to the Board that the Town Clerk/Microfiche/Restoration line in the budget needed to be overspent by $2000 to cover the invoice for NEMRC Land Records Module, but would be reimbursed 100% by grant money coming in the next few weeks for the Land Records project. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve overspending of the Town Clerk/Microfiche/Restoration line by the amount of the invoice, $2000. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business: Zoning Administrator: Mr. Harvey spoke to the Board about having received Mr. Henry’s letters of resignation as Zoning Administrator and Sign Administrator, that was discussed at the last meeting, and to thank him for his service. He also spoke of having Mr. Zaiac be the interim Zoning Administrator and Sign Administrator until a permanent replacement can be hired. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept, with regrets, the letter of resignation of Mr. Bill Henry as Zoning Administrator. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to appoint Mr. Zaiac as interim Zoning Administrator. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to accept Mr. Bill Henry’s letter of resignation as Sign Administrator. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to appoint Mr. Zaiac as interim Sign Administrator until such time as a replacement can be found. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed.
Highways: Benedict Crossing Bridge: Mr. Zaiac spoke to the Board about the Benedict Crossing Bridge closing. He explained the 100-year-old bridge failed the State’s biannual inspection. He said the Town has been saving $5000 a year for bridge work, but this bridge issue happened unexpectedly soon. The bridge is closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic and will continue to be closed for an indeterminate amount of time. Contractor estimates Mr. Zaiac obtained put the replacement of the bridge at over $300,000, and a temporary, short term fix would be $100,00-$150,000. The contractor said there could be more problems uncovered when work does begin. Replacement of the bridge could take 5 – 10 years. The other two bridges, and the covered bridge are in good shape, which Mr. Zaiac said is a testament to the past Select Boards. A highway bond that requires voter approval was discussed as a possible option to fund the replacement. It was also discussed that if the bridge is on the Historical Register, it may offer other sources of funding. Ms. Browning made a motion to authorize Mr. Zaiac to sign and send a document to the State to decline to repair and to close the bridge until there is a solid plan for replacement. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. It was discussed that River Road will have to have extra attention from the Highway Department due to the increased traffic the bridge closing will cause, and Mr. Zaiac said it will be part of the 2021 Highway work plan.
Authorize Overrun of Town Garage Rubbish Line: Mr. Zaiac explained there was a backlog of old tires that were stored in the Yellow Barn that had to be disposed of. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to overspend the Highway Rubbish line, not to exceed $1,500. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Town Administrator’s Report: Mr. Zaiac gave highlights from his Town Administrator Report. He said the new blower arrived, and the park has wound down for winter. He said he will be doing grant writing over the next two weeks. He said he has overseen the implementation or the Governor’s latest COVID guidelines at Town Hall. It was discussed that the snow roof at Town Hall has been built, and the finishing touches will be completed soon.
Water Department: Warrants and Orders: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve WD Warrant #23, in the amount of $14,405.41. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Majority of the amount went to reimbursement for Highway Department labor and Herrmann Construction for work on the E. Arlington Fire Hydrant project.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve General Warrant #25, in the amount of $20,742.09. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Highlights include Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance premiums, NEMRC for Land Use Module, and $5,300 for the leaf blower purchase, that was voted on at a past meeting.
Other Business: The Board briefly discussed a letter from the Treasurer they received, that shows tax receipts are in line with past years.
Executive Session: None
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Cc: files, Town Clerk