TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Monday, September 9, 2024

Present:  James Bulger, Jake Thompson, Bradford Calhoun, Tom Otterman (Select Board), Karen Walker (Clerk/Treasurer) and Donna Otterman.

Absent:  Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant), Carl Hildebrandt (Select Board) & Richard Sampson (Road Forman)

Visitors:  Jim Clark, Megan Clark, Leslie Frost, Becky Christianson, Bill Johnson, Nick Milburn, Ron Danforth, Matt Wadsworth and Harry Falconer (TRORC)

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.

Motion was made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve from meeting of August 26. 2024. Passed unanimously.

VISITORS

Megan Clark – Presented a written request for the Select Board to create a Topsham Community Hall Restoration Committee and grant the committee the authority to pursue information and guidance from TRORC, grant opportunities, the necessary regulatory permits, releases and approvals on behalf the Town of Topsham and appoint Megan Clark to the committee.  Motion to approve was made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson. Passed unanimously. Written request was signed by the members of the Select Board.

HIGHWAY

Road Report – Bradford Calhoun reported on behalf of Richard Sampson that the roads were in good condition.

Honey Corner Road Culvert – Bradford Calhoun will ask for an extension to complete the project.

Route 25 Bridge near Cross Road in West Topsham – Tom Otterman volunteered to represent the Town concerning any correspondence with Barb Dimmick Rowell from VTRANS for the bridge project.

New Garage – The two bids received for concrete work were opened. Crete Pavers bid - $123,435.96 and Hutch Concrete bid - $124,800.00. After comparing the scope of the services being provided by both companies, a motion was made by Jake Thompson to accept the Hutch Concrete bid and seconded by Bradford Calhoun. Passed unanimously. 

Bradford Calhoun reported that the steel for the Town garage building should be arriving in October and the Town is still waiting for more electrical and plumbing bids to come in.

Bradford Calhoun made a request that the Board hire Ron Danforth as the Site Manager for the Town Garage project.  After a discussion about the position, a motion was made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to hire Ron Danforth @ $35.00 an hour as a subcontractor for the position.

Jake Thompson updated the Board on the progress for the bond. There is a possibility that a professional audit will be required to secure the bond. He will continue to work on the bond process.

GENERAL

Open positions – The positions for one Auditor and two NEKWMD representatives remain open. If anyone is interested, please contact a member of the Select Board or call the Town Office.

ARPA funds deadlines – The Town is obligated to allocate the remaining funds to accounts by December 31, 2024. 

West Topsham Community Hall – Megan Clark is continuing to get more information the Phase 2 Environmental Testing.

Megan Clark reported that the energy audits for the Town Office and the West Topsham Community Hall were complete. Grants are available through the Municipal Energy Resilience Program.

Harry Falconer from TRORC presented a summary of the proposed scope of work/costs for the Topsham Town Office and the West Topsham Community Hall to apply for the MERP implementation grant. There are no matching funds requirements for the grant. Harry asked for authorization to submit the application for the grant before the September 20, 2024 deadline.  Motion was made by Tom Otterman to authorize Harry Falconer to do so and was seconded by Jake Thompson. Passed unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE

State of VT Act 250 – Copy of Response letter sent to Kurt Crowe-Northwest RV Park on Barberry Road concerning his application for an Act 250 permit to build an ATV bridge to cross stream to access the park.

Downing Road – Culvert and road erosion concerns

FINANCIAL

The Board reviewed and signed Order #2417 in the amount of $21,305.77 for Accounts Payable and $6,838.31 for Payroll.

OTHER

Fire Department water test – Anne Dolan will perform the tests.

Tax abatement – Passed over

Motion was made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to go into executive session to discuss personnel.  Passed unanimously. Karen Walker joined the session. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 8:06 pm to 8:20 pm. Motion was made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Bradford Calhoun to give Tony Davidson a pay increase of $2.00 per hour.  Passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:22 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Otterman