MINUTES 

TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING 

Monday, January 13, 2025 

Present: James Bulger, Carl Hildebrandt, Jake Thompson, Bradford Calhoun and Tom Otterman (Select  Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative  Assistant) 

Absent: Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) 

Visitors: Jim Clark, John Hood, Susan Hood, Bill Johnson. Becky Christian, James Salina, Donna  Otterman and Peggy Welch  

Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm.  

Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meetings of  December 23, 2024 and January 6, 2025. Passed unanimously.  

VISITORS 

Donna Otterman suggested the History Books stored at the Town Hall be moved to the West Topsham  Community Hall. The Board agreed. Donna Otterman will handle.  

HIGHWAY  

Road Report – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on roadwork and equipment. 

New Garage – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on this project. Jake Thompson discussed the bond loan  and the outside professional audit needed. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl  Hildebrandt to approve and sign the engagement letter with Batchelder  

Associates. Passed unanimously. The cost of the audit will be $20,000.  

Funding Salt Shed – Passed over looking into funding suggested in Megan Clark’s email of January 8,  2025. 

Certificate of Highway Mileage – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to sign  the Certificate of Highway Mileage. Passed unanimously. 

Driveway Permit – Samantha Nickerson Downing Road/Kasson Road. Richie Sampson will handle.  

GENERAL 

Open Positions – There are three open positions, one Auditor and two NEKWMD Reps. If 8anyone is  interested, please contact a member of the Select Board or call the Town Office. 

Resignation -Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to accept the resignation of  Kaitlyn Hankins as Animal Control Officer Passed unanimously.  

Ethics Liaison - A liaison will be appointed at the next meeting.  

West Topsham Community Hall – Tom Otterman updated the Board on this project.  Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to authorize Megan Clark to proceed with the BRELLA Program. Passed unanimously. 

LEMP Plan Update Status - Carl Hildebrandt updated the Board on this project. The grant was renewed.  

Vacation Carryover – Will be discussed in Executive Session.  

CORRESPONDENCE 

Northern Upper Valley Mutual Aid Report – Will be included in the Town Report. Driveway Snow Removal Issue on Downing Road – Jim Bulger will handle.  

Request for Funds 

 Blake Memorial Library - $3 per capita  

Topsham Corinth Little League - $500 

The above will be included in the Warning for the March 2025 Town Meeting. 

Little Rivers Health Care -Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman that if a  petition for the higher amount of $1500 is received by January 16, 2025 it will be included in the Warning  for the March 2025 Town Meeting.  

Passed unanimously. 

FINANCIAL 

The Board reviewed and signed Order #2501 in the amounts of $23,527.25 for accounts payable and  $7,291.07 for payroll.  

Invoice for Well at Food Shelf – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to pay the  amount billed of $16,711.55. Passed by a vote of four. Jim Bulger abstained.  

Highway Fund – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to transfer $70,492.71  from the FEMA money received in 2024 to the Highway Fund to replace the amount used to reduce the  2023 over budget amount to zero. Passed unanimously.  

OTHER 

Purchasing Policy - Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to sign the revised  Purchasing Policy. Passed by a vote of four. Brad Calhoun voted No.  

Executive Session - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to go into executive  session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Karen Walker was invited to join the session. Meeting  adjourned to executive session from 8:40 pm to 8:56 pm.  

Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to pay Cindy Flannigan, Assistant  Treasurer, $25.00 per hour effective immediately. Passed unanimously. 

Meeting adjourned at 8:58 pm.  

Respectfully Submitted, 

Janice Emerson 

Administrative Assistant