MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, May 13, 2024
Present: James Bulger, Carl Hildebrandt, Jake Thompson, Bradford Calhoun and Thomas Otterman (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Visitors: Sarah Wraight (TRORC), Jim and Nancy Clark, John Hood, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian, Blaktop Rep, Pike Industries Rep and via Microsoft Teams Linda Buermeyer and Pat Plaisted
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve minutes from meetings of April 22, 2024 and April 29, 2024. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
Sarah Wraight (TRORC) discussed using ARPA funds to pay for line items in the budget and ways to handle the budget surplus created by using ARPA funds for these items.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
New Garage – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to adopt the Necessity Resolution and the Declaration of Official Intent, and to approve and sign the Engagement Letter for Attorney Keith Roberts and the Warning. Passed unanimously. The bond vote for the new garage will be on June 11,, 2024 and the in informational meeting will be on June 10, 2024 at 5:30 pm.
Paving Bids – Two bids were received for the project.
Blaktop $108,973.81
Pike Industries $111,687.50
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to accept the bid from Blaktop. Passed unanimously.
Certificate of Mileage – The board reviewed the confirmation from the State.
FEMA Report - The Board reviewed the report regarding Spooner Road, Ben Dexter Road and Phelps Road.
Overweight Permits - Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve a permit for Thomson Fuels. Passed unanimously.
GENERAL
Open Positions – There are three open positions, one Auditor and two NEKWMD Reps. If anyone is interested, please contact a member of the Select Board or call the Town Office.
West Topsham Community Hall – Tom Otterman updated the Board on this project including the septic and the meeting regarding the Plan and Design grant.
Town Picnic – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to rent a tent including tables and chairs from Undercover Tents for $1,245.64 for he Town Picnic on August 18, 2024 at the Grange Hall in West Topsham. Passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
US Bankruptcy Endo International – The Board reviewed.
National Opioid Payments - The Board reviewed the material.
VT Agency of Agriculture -The Board review the material regarding medium size farms.
VT Council on Rural Development – The material regarding assessment of state owned buildings was referred to the Listers.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2409 in the amount of $25,504.54 for accounts payable and $9,634.44 for payroll.
General Fund Surplus Fund CD – Decision made to renew for six months.
OTHER
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to cancel the May 27, 2024 Select Board Meeting due to the holiday. There will be a joint meeting of the Garage Committee and the Select Board on June 3, 2024.
Planning Commission – A suggestion was made to reduce the number of members from five to three. The Board is not in favor of a change.
Meeting adjourned at 7:43 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant`