MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
April 8, 2019
Members Present: Keith Squires, Daniel Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Tim Williams, Matthew Bykowski
Also Present: Jack McDonough-GNAT-TV, Michael Batcher-BCRC, Ann Harriet Cole, Susan Groesbeck, Dana Cole
The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm by Chairman, Keith Squires
Public Comments: Mr. Cole and Ms. Groesbeck were at the meeting to discuss a letter they received from the Town, informing them of one of their neighbors wishing to name their private road, which is currently unnamed, and wanting to know their feelings about the request. At a previous meeting, the original request and letter were discussed. The suggested name had been “Barred Owl Road”. The Board explained that it is beneficial to have their private road be named, to allow 1st responders to easily identify the road, should the need arise. The residents said they are not in favor of the suggested name and Mr. Squires suggested they meet with their neighbors to mutually agree on a name and the Town would put up the sign.
Old Business: At this point of the meeting, Mr. Squires asked that they jump ahead in the agenda to Old Business, so Michael Batcher, of BCRC, could speak of the draft of the Hazardous Mitigation Plan that was given to the Board at the last meeting. Mr. Batcher asked if the Board had any changes they wanted made in this version and spoke of how he was able to integrate parts of the Storm Water Plan, and road erosion information into this draft, and that Arlington would be one of the first towns to be able to have that included in their Hazardous Mitigation Plan. After some items in the Plan were discussed, Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the Draft of Town of Arlington Hazard Mitigation Plan, dated March 19, 2019. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Batcher said the next step is to finalize the plan and circulate it to surrounding towns, if they comment, adjustments will have to be made. Then it is sent to State Emergency Management for review. It was decided if there were no major comments about the Plan, Mr. Batcher would submit the Plan without coming back to the Board.
Minutes of Meeting of March 25, 2019
Mr. Harvey made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of March 25, 2019. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion carried.
New Business: Liquor Licenses: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve a 1st Class Liquor License for the Arlington Inn. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve a 1st Class Liquor License for the West Mountain Inn. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve a 2nd Class Liquor License to Heer Inc. , for the store on Rt7A. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Vendor Permits: Mr. Harvey made a motion to grant a vendor permit to St. James Church for their Harvest Fest, which will take place on September 28, 2019, from 9-4pm, which also includes permission to close off Church Street from 9-5pm. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed. There will also be a sheriff on duty. Mr. Harvey made a motion to grant a vendor permit to St. James Church, for their 24th Annual Norman’s Attic, to take place on August 3, 2019, from 9-4pm. This also includes permission to close Church St during the event and having a sheriff present. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Vacancies on the Boards within the Town Organization: The Board reviewed which positions were going to be vacant in 2019. Energy Coordinator is vacant, and Mr. Squires suggested Charles Moore would be a good candidate for the position and he will be contacted to confirm if he wishes to be appointed to this position. There is a vacancy on the Regional Planning Commission. Ms. Browning said she would be interested in this position, but has to find out if she has any scheduling conflicts with their meetings. ZBA has two vacancies. Any new appointment would be for one year. Ms. Browning suggested circulating the vacancies to the Arlington Renewal Committee. Mr. Harvey said he will contact Jessica Roberts, who was at the last meeting to express her interest in becoming more involved with Town committees, to let her know of vacancies. Mr. Harvey made a motion to accept the slate of appointment as presented. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Ms. Browning made a motion to allow any Board member to be an alternate to the Planning Commission and or the ZBA in order to fulfill a quorum. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion passed.
Highways: Municipal Road Permit: Mr. Squires explained the invoice for $1750 for the Municipal Road Permit. The application and review fee is $400 and the cost of the permit is $1350, which was paid in the April 9, 2019 Warrant, to the State.
Mr. Squires said he has met with BCRC to discuss drainage issues at the school, and Shelly Styles is in the process of applying for grants to address the issue.
Mr. Squires said the road crew has been busy working through filling pot holes and grading and sweeping streets. He spoke to the Board about an email and a letter the Town received about Black Hollow Road. The residents are not happy about a bigger plow being used to plow the road that spreads sand and gravel several feet into their lawns. Mr. Squires said the Town contracts with the Town of White Creek to maintain this area and they have used their full sized plows. In the past, the Town contracted with a private company to plow this area who used smaller trucks. Mr. Squires said he will contact the plow driver to discuss the possibility of not using a wing in plowing this road.
Water Department: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve Warrant WD#8, from the Operating Account in the amount of $788.96 . Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Old Business: Town Administrator Position: Mr. Squires asked the Board’s permission to start to organize a timeline for a plan to begin the process of hiring a Town Administrator. He said he’d like to contact Kevin Dailey, as an advisor, because he has been through a process like this in the past and has also been Town Agent. Mr. Bykowski said he would also be able to help with the process. It was discussed that there will be an application process as to who will be part of the search/hiring committee, which would be a cross section of the community and any interested Board members. Residents would write a letter of interest to be considered for the committee. The committee would then report their findings to the Board. Mr. Squires said he will speak with Mr. Dailey before the next meeting.
Town Agent: Mr. Squires said the State has eliminated the Town Agent positon. Town Agents originally represented the towns in any lawsuits, but now towns have a town attorney, so no longer a need for Town Agent.
Personnel Policy: Mr. Squires presented the Board with a new version of Section 17 of the Town’s policy for Eligibility for Benefits, as was discussed at the last meeting. After the Board reviewed the changes, it was decided that this version addressed all the concerns from the previous discussion and it was now easier to understand. It also discusses the need to work the day before and the day after a holiday, in order to receive holiday pay, unless it is a scheduled vacation. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve revisions to Section 17 of Eligibility for Benefits, and holiday leave as presented. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion carried. It was stated that it is policy and can be changed at any time.
Fire Department Physicals: It was discussed that in the past, fireman have gotten their own physicals from their own doctors. It was discussed at a meeting with the Fire Chief recently that the Town hire a private company to do physicals at the firehouse on one certain day for all firemen. Some firemen still wish to use their own doctors, but it was discussed that Chief Paustain told the firemen that in order to continue to be an Arlington fireman, they have to use this service. Using a company that performs these types of physicals ensures that the proper tests are done and that all the proper paperwork is immediately available to be filed with the Fire Department and the Town. Mr. Bykowski said this is not an unreasonable request, and Mr. Harvey said he does not want to undermine the Fire Chief’s authority by challenging this request. The Board feels that while they do not wish to lose any firemen over this dispute, they feel this is the best route to take to ensure equal physicals, correct tests, and proper paperwork for all the firemen.
Speeding: Mr. Williams said he has had several complaints of speeding on Arlington roads and wanted to know the status of the speed signs that were put in the budget for purchase. Mr. Squires said the Town budgeted $5000 for the purchase of these signs and the first one will be ordered shortly. He also said he will contact the Sherriff’s Department to ask them to place their speed cart around Town, to begin at Warm Brook Road, the site of many speeding complaints.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve General Warrant #8, in the amount of $22,346.14. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve payroll warrant #15B, in the amount of $815.76, for Keith Squires in his duties as Interim Administrator. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Squires abstained.
At 9:05 Mr. Harvey made a motion to enter into Executive Session for discussion of a personnel issue. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
No action was taken as a result of the Executive Session and the meeting was adorned at 9:44pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Meeting video taped
Cc: files, Town Clerk