MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
May 6, 2019
Members Present: Keith Squires, Daniel Harvey, Cynthia Browning, Tim Williams, Matthew Bykowski
Also Present: Jack McDonough-GNAT-TV, Ann Harriet Cole, Jeanne McDermott, Gary Weller
The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm by Chairman, Keith Squires
Public Comments: Jeanne McDermott, from American Legion Auxiliary, Post 69, was at the meeting to discuss the Legion’s desire to proclaim May 24, 2019 Poppy Day, and to ask the Board’s support of this proclamation. It is a way for citizens to pay tribute to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice by wearing the Memorial Poppy on this day. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve the declaration to make Poppy Day May 24, 2019. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed.
Minutes of Meeting of April22, 2019
Ms. Browning made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of April 22, 2019. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion passed.
New Business: Ice Skating Area: Mr. Squires informed the Board of a price increase for the resurfacing job at the park ice skating area that is had been discussed at past meetings. The original price had been quoted at $7919, and the price will now be $8050, of which the Town pays two thirds and the Mason Lodge pays one third. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the proposal from Vermont Recreational Surfacing to renovate the area for an amount not to exceed $8050. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed.
Vendor Permit: Happy Day Preschool submitted a form for the Board to approve their annual Duck Derby, at the Arlington Recreation Park, Lions Club pavilion and pool, scheduled for June 1, 2019, from 11am-2pm. Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the permit for use of the Arlington Rec Park and Lions Club Pavilion for the Happy Days Preschool Duck Derby on June 1, 2019, from 11am-2pm. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed.
Request to Cater Malt, Vinous and or Spirituous Liquors: Ms. Browning made a motion to approve the request to cater malt, vinous, and spirituous liquors to Vermont Farms Catering LLC, on June 29,2019, at 948 Old Depot Road, from 10am-11pm. Mr. Harvey seconded. Motion passed.
Farmer’s Market: It was discussed that the Farmer’s Market will be starting June 21, 2019, and will run Friday afternoons through September 6, 2019, with the exception of July 5, 2019. Mr. Squires said he will notify the Sherriff’s Department of the expected higher traffic amounts during these dates in hopes of more patrols in the area at those times.
Highways: Resignation: Mr. Squires informed the Board that Kyle Legacy resigned his position with the Highway Department on April 30, 2019. He asked, and was granted, permission from the Board to put an ad in the newspaper to rehire this position.
Grants: Sandgate Road Paving: Mr. Squires informed the Board that after applying for five separate requests, the Town was approved for one, for $104,276 to pave the remaining unpaved part of Sandgate Road. He said State grants now pay only 80% for each project.
New Truck: Mr. Squires informed the Board that the new dump truck is in Williston now, having the body put on and should be done in a couple of weeks. He said he went to DMV and got the new plates and title and registration completed for the new truck.
7A Sidewalk: Mr. Squires said the officials from the State were here to walk the area for the new 7A Sidewalk, looking specifically at the historical aspects of the project. They had wanted old marble reused, but it was agreed that any marble that can be saved and reused will be used at the Arlington Inn area of the sidewalk. They do not accept the pattern of marble used in front of Town Hall, they want full sized pieces, a design that is more historic, but agree it can be set in concrete and not dry set as was suggested at one point.
Chem-Clean: The Board received a letter from the owners of Chem-Clean with concerns about the part of the 7A Sidewalk project that impacts their business. At the Public Hearing on April 8, 2019, Chrissy Haskins tried to make clear how the area at Chem-Clean would be handled in the final design that is approved by the State. It will be almost the same as was done in Manchester, Rt 30 area. The maximum edge at the island by the gas pumps will be an inch or less, and will be beveled. Mr. Squires said he thought that the design was explained to the owners, but it was agreed that the Town wants the owners comfortable with the design, and will do everything they can to address the owner’s concerns, although the final design has been, or will soon be, submitted to the State. Mr. squires said he will set up a meeting with the Engineers, BCRC, and the Chem-Clean owners to review the design and their concerns.
Mr. Weller, Highway Foreman, informed the Board that they are continuing to grade and repair roads.
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Water Department: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve Warrant WD#10, from the Operating Account in the amount of $494.52. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed.
Old Business: Camping on the Battenkill: Mr. Squires told the Board that the project is now complete. He said there was an area that required more work than was anticipated, after the spring floods, where a roadway had to be built up, which increased the cost of the project, but was necessary work, and that no taxpayer dollars are involved in this project. The total ended being $14,841.50, which is a $6441.50 increase. He said he would submit the bill to the State and request upfront money from them to pay the bill.
Trustees of Public Funds: The Board discussed that the final person that oversaw the Trustees of Public Funds had resigned and that three positions now need to be filled, but the bank needs two people as temporary signors on the accounts as soon as possible. Mr. Harvey and Mr. Bykowski volunteered to be temporary signors. Ms. Browning made a motion authorizing Mr. Harvey and Mr. Bykowski as temporary signors of the Trustees of Public Funds accounts. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed.
Town Administrator: The Board looked at a beginning timeline drawn up by Mr. Squires, to fill the new Town Administrator position by January 2020. The Board would like to have a group of volunteers to make up a committee to begin the selection process. The information will be on the Town website and Facebook and will also be advertised in the newspaper, asking for a cross section of the Town’s population, who will submit letters of interest in this committee, to the Board.
Battenkill North Grant: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve an invoice from BCRC for Administrative Services for the Battenkill North Grant, for $1373.63. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion carried.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve Warrant #19-1, in the amount of $942.25, for prepaid envelopes for the Listers from the Reappraisal Fund. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve Payroll #20B, in the amount of $942.25, for Keith Squires in his duties as Interim Administrator. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Squires abstained. Mr. Harvey made a motion to approve General Warrant #10, in the amount of $13408.88 . Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Squires abstained because he had a reimbursement in the Warrant for the new truck title and plates.
At 9:15 Mr. Harvey made a motion that premature discussion of a personnel or legal issue would cause the municipality to suffer substantial disadvantage. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Harvey made a motion to enter into Executive Session for a discussion of a personnel or legal issue. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion carried.
The Board reconvened the meeting and Mr. Harvey made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Williams seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:40pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Meeting video taped
Cc: files, Town Clerk