MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, March 10, 2025
Present: James Bulger, Jake Thompson, Bradford Calhoun, Tom Otterman and Carl Hildebrandt (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Visitors: Donna Otterman, Carol Appleton, John Hood, Peggy Welch, James Salina and via Microsoft Teams Pat Plaisted
Meeting called to order at 7:03 pm.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting of February 24, 2025. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Tom Otterman to elect Carl Hildebrandt as Board Chair. Carl declined. Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to elect Jim Bulger as Board Chair. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Brad Calhoun for the Board meetings to continue to be held the second and fourth Monday of the month, starting at 7:00 pm. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
Road Liaison- Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to appoint Brad Calhoun as Road Liaison. Passed unanimously.
New Garage – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on the building construction progress.
Audit Update – Karen Walker reported approximately 90% of the material requested has been provided to the auditing firm.
Bond Update – Jake Thompson reported a signed copy of the Declaration of Official Intent to Reimburse and other material from the May 13 packet has been sent to the Bond Attorney.
Highway and Bridge Weight Restrictions – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to post all of Powder Spring Road to the Groton Town Line, all of Topsham Corinth Road to the Corinth Town Line and all of Willa Hill Road with a weight limit from March 11, 2025 to May 15, 2025. Passed unanimously.
Overweight Permits – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve permits for R. K. Miles, Bethel Mills, VELCO, N. A. Manosh, Pike Industries, Connecticut Valley Trucking, Sargent Artisan Wells, S D. Ireland, Thomson Fuels and
Wind River Environmental.
Passed unanimously.
GENERA
Resignation – With regret, motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to accept Polly Stryker’s resignation as a member of the Planning Commission. Passed unanimously. The Board thanks Polly for her many years of service as a member of the Planning Commission.
John Hood advised the Board he is not interested in serving another term on the Planning Commission. The Board thanked him for service as a member of the Planning Commission.
Hank Buermeyer advised the Board he sent a letter of resignation as a member of the Planning Commission. The Board thanks him for his service as a member of the Planning Commission
Appointment of Town Officers – The Board asked Janice Emerson to contact the individuals who served last year to ask if they are willing to serve another term.
Administrative Assistant – Notion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to appoint Janice Emerson as Administrative Assistant to the Select Board. Passed unanimously.
Open Positions – The Board discussed the open positions for two NEKWMD Rep. West Topsham Community Hall – Tom Otterman update the Board on this project.
CORRESPONDENCE
VLCT – Upcoming Event on Grants – The Board reviewed.
East Topsham Cemetery - Louise Dodge notified the Board some of the fencing and some stones need work. Jim Bulger will discuss with Tom Flannigan.
F INANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2504 in the amounts of $62,917.35 for accounts payable and $11,720.90 for payroll.
Lister Hourly Rate of Pay – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to increase the rate of pay for all listers to $18.00 per hour. Passed unanimously.
Training Workshops – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to pay the cost for all Town Officials who wish to attend workshops/conferences related to their work as an Official of the Town. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to authorize the Town Treasurer to make payroll and payroll related payments, make payment to receive discounts, refund tax over payments, issue checks for tax sale redemptions, pay motor vehicle registration fees to the State and make payments for postage to the East Corinth Postmaster, as needed throughout the year. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to authorize the Town Treasurer to redeem and renew CDs as necessary in the best interests of the town throughout the year and provide notice to the Select Board prior to action. Passed unanimously.
OTHER
The Board discussed and updated Projects and Goals for 2025 and Time Line for Bids.
Meeting adjourned at 7:54 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant