MINUTES 

TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING 

Monday, June 24, 2024 

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

Visitors: Leslie Frost, Jim and Nancy Clark, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian, John Hood, Roxanna  Tillotson, Robert Arnold, Tina Ordway, Wendell Downing and Dustin Downing 

Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm.  

Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting  of June 10, 2024. Passed by a vote of four. Tom Otterman abstained.  

Additions to Agenda – Animal Issue and Village Designations 

HIGHWAY 

Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on road work and equipment. 

New Garage - Bidding procedures were discussed. Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by  Jake Thompson to advertise bids for the steel building in the Journal Opinion and seek bids from  individual firms with deadline of July 1. Passed unanimously. There will be a Select Board Special  Meeting on July 1 to consider the bids.  

Roadside Mowing & Brush Cutting Bids – Moved to next meeting.  

Driveway Permit for Harold Santore on Willey Hill Road – Richie Sampson will handle.  

Overweight Permit – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve a  permit for Cadwell Logging & Firewood. 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.  

ARPA Funds -- Two bids were received for the Food Shelf handicap accessibility project. The bids do not include the cost for three doors. 

Carl Sweet $4,800 

Dean Smith $11,000 

Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to award the job to Carl Sweet.  Passed unanimously.  

West Topsham Community Hall – Nothing new to report at this time. 

Personnel Policy Update Health Insurance for Employees 65 or Older – Moved to next meeting.  Delinquent Dog List – The Board reviewed. It will be given to the ACO for action.  

Village Designations – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Jim  Bulger, Chair, to sign the two letters regarding Village Designations. Passed unanimously.  

Animal Issue – A complaint was discussed regarding stray animals on Downing Road including cows,  goats, lambs, pigs and dogs. Jim Bulger will contact Carol Appleton, Health Officer and Kaitlyn  Hankins, Animal Control Officer.  

CORRESPONDENCE 

Open Meeting Law Amendment Effective July 1 – The Board discussed compliance concerns. Animal Control Officer Number & Ticket Book – Jim Bulger will handle.  

FINANCIAL 

The Board reviewed and signed Order #2412 in the amount of $66,042.09 for accounts payable and  $7,585.67 for payroll.  

OTHER  

Highway Building Fund CD –Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun not to  renew the CD. Passed unanimously. 

Executive Session – Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to go into  executive session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned to executive session  from 8:31 pm to 8:34 pm. No action taken.  

Meeting adjourned at 8:34 pm.  

Respectfully Submitted, 

Janice Emerson 

Administrative Assistant`