MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
March 8, 2021
VIRTUAL MEETING
Members Present: ( Via phone or Zoom) Dan Harvey, Matthew Bykowski, Cynthia Browning, and Glenn Sherman
Members Absent: Todd Wilkins
Also Present: (Via phone or Zoom) Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Mark Towslee-Highway Department Foreman, Denise Monte, Bebe and Bill Bullock, Olavvi and Sue Wirkki, Pat Cross, Jessica Roberts, and Janet Barry
The meeting was called to order at 7:02PM, by Mr. Harvey
Public Comments: Denise Monte said she has been attending many Select Board meetings to have an understanding of what goes on in the Town, and said it is nice to see more people virtually attending meetings, and she thanked the Board for all they do for the Town.
Minutes of the Meeting of Feb. 22, 2021. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the previous meeting, Feb.22, 2021. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Reconstitution of the Board: Chairperson: Mr. Harvey said he is willing to continue on as Chairperson of the Board. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Dan Harvey to continue as Chair. Mr. Sherman seconded. Mr. Harvey asked if there were any other nominations, and there were none. Motion passed unanimously. Vice-Chair: Mr. Bykowski said he would be happy to continue as Vice Chair. Ms. Browning made a motion to nominate Mr. Bykowski to continue as Vice Chair. Mr. Harvey seconded. Mr. Harvey asked if there were any other nominations, and there were none. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Wilkins was not able to attend the meeting. Fire Department and Highway Department Liaisons: Mr. Harvey and Mr. Bykowski said they felt Mr. Wilkins would be willing to continue as Fire Department Liaison. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to reappoint Dan Harvey as Highway Department Liaison and Todd Wilkins as Fire Department Liaison. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Water Department Liaison: Mr. Bykowski said he would be happy to continue as Water Department Liaison. Ms. Browning made a motion to reappoint Mr. Bykowski as Arlington Water Department Liaison. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Clerk of the Board: Mr. Harvey said there is a statutory appointment, Clerk of the Board, that needed to be filled, that had previously been held by Tim Williams, who did not seek reelection for his seat on the Board. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to nominate Ms. Browning as Clerk of the Board. Mr. Sherman seconded. Ms. Browning said she’d be happy to do so. Motion passed unanimously.
Designate Newspaper of Warning: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to have the Bennington Banner be designated “Newspaper of Warning”. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Designation of Posting of Warnings: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to designate these locations for posting of Warnings: Town website – arlingtonvermont.org, social media, Town Hall, Heer Store and Wayside Store. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Memorials: Mr. Harvey read two memorial resolutions to be put into the record, that were presented at the virtual Town Meeting. “Whereas Alan W. Hess, a lifelong resident of Arlington died on July 13, 2020 after serving his community for many years. Whereas, Alan was a member of the Arlington Town Select Board and was also dedicated to many Town organizations in Arlington. Now therefore, be it resolved that the community of Arlington take public note of its loss in the passing of this valuable and esteemed citizen, and be it further resolved, that this expression of sympathy be extended to the family of Alan Hess and this resolution be made a permanent part of the record of this meeting on March 1, 2021”. “Whereas, David L. Thomas, a resident of Arlington, died on March 2, 2020, after serving as curator and advisor of the Russell Vermontiana Collection beginning in 1978; and whereas, David served the Arlington Townscape Association from 1985-2019; and whereas, David served on the Board of Directors of the Martha Canfield Memorial Free Library from 1987 through 2019. Now therefore be it resolved, that the community of Arlington take public note of its loss in the passing of this valuable and esteemed citizen; and be it further resolved, that this expression of sympathy be extended to the family of David L. Thomas, and that this resolution be made a permanent part of the record of this meeting on this date of March 1, 2021”. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve the two resolutions as presented. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Town Health Officer and Deputy Health Officer: Mr. Harvey said he has served as a Health Officer for approximately three years and is willing to continue in the role. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to reappoint Dan Harvey as Town Health Officer. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. It is a three-year term and will expire in 2024. The Deputy Health Officer role was filled by Mr. Zaiac, by appointment, in 2020. Mr. Zaiac said he would be willing to continue in that capacity. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to reappoint Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac, as Deputy Health Officer for the Town of Arlington. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. This is also a three-year term.
Appointment of new Land Use/Sign Administrator: Mr. Harvey explained newly appointed Land Use/Sign Administrator, Olavvi Wirkki, has decided to leave the positions because it was more than he expected them to be. It was discussed that Jessica Roberts has been volunteering in the Land Use office, and worked with the previous Land Use Administrator, Bill Henry, so is familiar with the office. Ms. Browning made a motion to appoint Jessica Roberts as Land Use Administrator. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to appoint Jessica Roberts as Sign Administrator. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
ZBA Appointments: Mr. Zaiac said Caitlyn Hawley had reached out to him about possibly filling the Land Use Administrator position, and also said she’d be interested in filling other positions, and he feels she would be a good addition to the ZBA. Ms. Browning made a motion to appoint Caitlyn Hawley to the ZBA. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Browning made a motion to reappoint Ron Weber to the ZBA. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to reappoint Ms. Browning to the ZBA. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Planning Commission Appointment: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to reappoint Charles Moore to the Planning Commission. Mr. Sherman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Board Changes: Mr. Harvey took a moment to publicly thank Tim Williams for his years of service on the Select Board, and to welcome the new Select Board member, Glenn Sherman. He said the Board is excited to have him as their new member.
Highways: New Truck: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed that the death of the 550 truck put them in a position that they could not take the time needed to purchase a replacement truck that had to be built from the ground up. Mr. Zaiac had sent five bids to the Board to review. He recommended the second highest, from Clark’s Truck Center, because it gives the most value, and has features that are most demanded by municipalities, and is less likely to need modifications and can be delivered before the end of spring. Highway Foreman Mark Towslee, said he had spoken to the Bennington and Sunderland highway departments that own this International truck, and they are happy with its performance, and have had very few issues. He said this truck is a step up from the 550 and will handle heavy loads of salt better. Ms. Browning asked about the ability of this truck to fit on smaller roads, and Mr. Towslee said there would be plenty of room for a car to get by this truck. He said the truck is half built right now and he will go over it with a fine-tooth comb before it’s completed, which should be the beginning of May. The Trius truck would be a 10-12 week delay on the body. Mr. Zaiac reported there was $146,000 in the Truck Sinking Fund as of printing of the Town Report. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve purchase of 2021 International CV515SFA, from Clarks Truck Center in Jericho VT, for $120,522.00, from the Highway Truck Sinking Fund. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Towslee said he would keep the Board updated on the truck’s progress. Mr. Bykowski asked Mr. Zaiac to contact Verizon Connect to have their service installed on the new truck while it’s still at Clark’s.
Affirmation of Sandgate Road Reimbursement: The Board and Mr. Zaiac discussed that the total cost for the Sandgate Road Project was $180,772.75, with the Town’s portion being $76,476.75, and the State’s Request for Reimbursement form needs to be Docu-Signed by the Board, and submitted to the Agency of Transportation, to receive the $104,276.00 reimbursement. Mr. Byskowski made a motion to submit the Request for Reimbursement form for the Sandgate Road Project as presented. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Highway Foreman Update: Ms. Browning asked Mr. Towslee to meet with Water Department Chief, Burr Snow, to discuss how Highway and Water Departments can work together. Mr. Towslee said he had met with Mr. Snow that day, to discuss a significant leak on Warm Brook Road that would be repaired the next day. He said the Highway Department would be going to four, ten-hour days, and not working Fridays unless presented with an emergency. He said he is in the process of cleaning and organizing the garage, and the changes would all be good.
Old Business: Yellow Barn Garden Agreement: Mr. Zaiac recommended tabling the Yellow Barn Garden Agreement until the next meeting after Ms. Browning emailed comments and ideas on how to improve the agreement. Ms. Browning made a motion to table the Yellow Barn Garden Agreement until the next meeting, March 22, 2021. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Red Mountain Meeting: It was discussed that there will be another discussion of the Red Mountain Trail Project at the next meeting. Mr. Zaiac said he is creating a summary and timeline of what has been heard so far, and it was discussed that time limits and rules of engagement can be set, that limits the amount of time people have to voice opinions to keep the meeting moving in a timely manner.
New Business: Peddlers License Application: Mr. Zaiac received an inquiry from Jessica Bachiochi for an ice cream truck. He said he is in the process of rewriting the Peddlers Ordinance, and Permits, that haven’t been updated since the 1970’s. The Board will still vote on each permit and there will still need to be separate Rec Park Permits that will be done by Mr. Zaiac, so that all vendors that use the park will be known to the Town. Ms. Browning said she wants to be cautious of too many vendors selling things that local, tax paying stores, already sell. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve a Peddler License Application for Jessica Bachiochi for an ice cream truck. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Auditor Search: Mr. Zaiac said he is drafting a request for proposal (RFP) that he will model on other town’s RFP’s, that will be sent to accounting firms across the State. Past Town Auditor, Jenna Peeler, will review the RFP, on a volunteer basis, and Mr. Bykowski said he would review the proposals.
WD Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve WD#5 in the amount of $210.75. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant # 5, General Fund, in the amount of $19,264.30. Highlights include $7349.76 from Apalache Salt, $2250 for an outside audit, and various vendors. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Reappraisal Warrant # R21-3, in the amount of $5,200 for NEMRC for assessment fees. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator Report: Mr. Zaiac entered into record his Town Administrator Report. Some highlights include job ads to hire park staff for the season, working with the school athletic director on modifications to the softball field and working on a grant with the Rescue Squad that would offer broader security for the Town, and the work that was done to make the Town Meeting successful. He said upcoming projects will include working on highway grants.
Other Business: Town Informational Meeting Success: Mr. Harvey said he would like to acknowledge all the work that Ali Elwell-Zaiac did to make the virtual Town Meeting a success and thank her for her service. He said there were 93 questions, which is about the same amount that would have been asked at a Floor Meeting, and it all went smoothly. He also thanked Mr. Bykowski for selecting the platform and appreciated all his efforts that made it a success.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:24PM
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Cc: files, Town Clerk