MINUTES
ARLINGTON SECECTBOARD
June 15, 2020
Members Present: Dan Harvey, Matthew Bykowski, Cynthia Browning, Tim Williams, Todd Wilkins
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Town Administrator- Nick Zaiac, Jerry Woodard, Randy Novotny, Captain Andrew Hurley, Sgt. Jesse Bravata, Lt. Lloyd Dean-Bennington County Sheriff’s Dept., Darren Marcy-Manchester Journal, and Janet Barry, both via telephone.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 by Mr. Harvey.
Public Comments: None
Minutes of the Meeting of Jun 1, 2020: Mr. Williams made a motion to accept as presented, the minutes of the meeting of June 1, 2020. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed.
New Business: Park Updates: Mr. Woodard was at the meeting to discuss issues relating to the Rec Park. He said the Boy Scouts want to do a bottle drop at the Park. They will build a small container to collect bottles. He also said that Cory Mears want to have Youth Little League teams from Manchester and Bennington play on the fields. It was agreed they would need to provide proof of insurance. Mr. Woodard said the ball field needs new netting and he does not have the money in the budget. It was mentioned that the Park Committee has donated money that could potentially be used. Mr. Wilkins said he will make some inquiries. Measurements will be taken for pricing netting and installation. It was also discussed that softball teams have been holding practices, and people were properly distanced, and that a schedule for the fields should go through the Selectboard Office, and that proof of insurance for teams that wish to play the will be obtained and kept there as well.
Sheriff’s Contract: Captain Andrew Hurley, Sgt. Jesse Bravata, and Lt. Lloyd Dean were at the meeting to answer questions regarding the Sheriff’s Contract that is up for renewal. The old contract runs out on June 30, 2020. The new contract would charge the same amount as the 2019-2020 contract, which was $45 per hour/20 hours per week. It was discussed that in the past the Board had not always been able to see the data collected from the Speed Cart, but now all data can be sent to Town Administrator, Nick Zaiac for review, and the data can be sent with each bill. It was also discussed that there were less traffic stops per the Governor’s restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, but have been getting back to normal recently. Mr. Bykowski said he’d like to see a return on investment, and that Patrol Logs would be very helpful to see to be able to make an informed decision. Mr. Wilkins said that with nine VT State Troopers living in Arlington, he’s struggling to justify the $45,000 per year that the contract costs the Town. Mr. Harvey suggested a compromise, while continuing to maintain the relationship, and Mr. Bykowski said he will review the contract, and maybe there can be an adjustment in hours, with more flexibility for different days/times in the year. The Board agreed to make a decision at the next meeting, June 29, 2020.
Trustee of Public Funds: Mr. Harvey said that William Wood submitted a letter of resignation as a Trustee of Public Funds. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to accept the resignation of William Wood, with regrets. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Zaiac said he has been trying to find persons interested in Trustee of Public Funds. Ms. Browning made a motion to reappoint Mr. Bykowski and Mr. Harvey as interim Trustees of Public Funds until the next election. New people that may be interested in becoming a Trustee will still be pursued.
Tech Update: Mr. Bykowski said the new phone system for Town Hall went live on June 10th, after all new wiring had been completed. There is security software for Mr. Zaiac’s computer that April from E-Enable will take care of. He explained that the Listers originally had three phones with the same number that they could answer at their desks, but currently have only one new phone. It was agreed that Mr. Bykowski will get two new phones two additional phone lines for the Listers office so they may each have their own phone again. Mr. Bykowski said he took care of a Town Hall alarm issue when the phone system was changed, but that in the future the Board might want to consider updating the alarm system.
At 8:30 the meeting was recessed to allow for the Special Water Department Meeting.
Water Department: Special Commissioner’s Meeting: Water Commissioners Dan Harvey, Matthew Bykowski, Cynthia Browning, Tim Williams, and Todd Wilkins were in attendance, as well as Water Department Supervisor, Burr Snow, and Jim Sears. The special meeting was called to discuss the Stormy Sweeney property. It was discussed that water to the property was shut off in November 2016, and the house had caved in. The bill had been paid in full until two years ago, but currently $900 is owed for eight quarters. Mr. Sears, Ms. Sweeney’s son, said he didn’t realize the bill had gotten to be so high because the bills are still sent to his mother in Tennessee. Mr. Sears is planning on rebuilding and having the water turned on and having the bill switched to his name. After the Board reviewed the Water Department rules, it was decided that because more than half the bill had been paid and the water had been shut off with no building on the property, the remaining $900 could be waived. Ms. Browning made a motion to waive the outstanding bill and the reconnection fee for the account under Stormy Sweeney and to have the account changed to Jim Sears. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. Warrants and Orders: Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant #WD 12, in the amount of $3,348.97, which includes quarterly insurance payments and health insurance premium. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to adjourn the special water department meeting. Mr. Bykowski seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:47PM.
Regular Meeting Resumed
New Business: Boy Scout Benches: Mr. Williams said he had been contacted by Vicky Corey and the Boy Scouts to see if the Town needed any work done for their community service project. Ms. Corey’s son had built benches for the Town last year and would like to build three more this year. Kathy Clark, pastor of the Federated Church in East Arlington was contacted to see if she might like benches. She agreed two benches would be very useful. It was discussed that the remaining bench’s location can be decided on when it’s built, with placement at the Yellow Barn, or at the Health center where people wait for the bus being two possibilities. It was also discussed that the Boy Scouts could perform community service at the Yellow Barn and help with the Community Garden if they wish. Mr. Bykowski made a motion to approve Warrant # 20-5, in the amount of $785.00 from Domain Doors for work on the Yellow Barn, repairing windows and glazing and rebuilding windows. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Community House Appropriation: Mr. Williams spoke to the Board about the Community House wishing to receive their 2020 Appropriation in the amount of $3000 early, and not wait for the November Appropriation distribution, so work could be done on the building this summer. The Board agreed to the early distribution.
Animal Control Officer Reports: Mr. Williams said he would like to receive quarterly reports from the Animal Control Officer. The Board agreed this would be good information to review and Ms. Mulligan, the Animal Control Officer, will be sent a letter requesting these reports.
Highways: Mr. Zaiac said the Ball Mountain Road work is slightly behind but needs to be completed and inspected by the end of June to fulfill requirements of the grant money for the project.
Warrants and Orders: Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve Warrant # R 20-6, Reappraisal, in the amount of $5,200.00. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve CRF Warrant # 20-4, in the amount of $3,355.57 for wiring at Town Hall from First Choice Communications. Mr. Williams seconded. Motion passed. Mr. Wilkins made a motion to approve General Warrant #12, in the amount of $53,174.63, which includes quarterly Property and Casualty Insurance premium of $12,00.25 and Bennington County tax payment of $11,613.87. Ms. Browning seconded. Motion passed.
Mr. Bykowski made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Wilkins seconded. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 9:11PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Barry, Recording Secretary
Meeting audio-taped
Cc: files, Town Clerk