MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, September 23, 2024
Present: 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)
Absent: James Bulger
Visitors: Jim Clark, Megan Clark, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian, John Hood, Tony Davidson and Jayna Hutchinson
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Tom Otterman acted as Chair in Jim Bulger’s absence.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Brad Calhoun to approve minutes from meeting of September 9, 2024. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
John Hood and Jim Clark reported the Village Designations were accepted.
HIGHWAY
Road Report -Richie Sampson updated the Board on road work and equipment. New Garage – Brad updated the Board on this project. Three bids were received for plumbing Osgood Mountain Plumbing $11,400
Tri-State Plumbing $26.700
Charlie French Plumbing $ 9,200
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to accept the bid from Charlie French Plumbing. Passed unanimously.
Road Reclassification – Will be discussed at at future meeting.
Crosby Road – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to authorize Richie to put minimum material on Crosby Road and to confirm current policy states that it will not be plowed. Passed unanimously.
WEC Permit – John White Road Kevin Booth and Ralph Sargent. 76 Zion Hill Road near Eddie and Theresa Cyr. Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to sign the permits. 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.
Resolution for ARPA Allocation – Karen Walker update the Board on the Resolution. It will be read for review and signatures in about one month.
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to spend the ARPA Funds on the projects as recommended in the ARPA (Committee Report (New Garage - $105,000, Town Hall - $1000,000 Food Shelf - $65,000 and Community Center - $90,000) but not based on the itemization as shown in the Report. Passed unanimously.
West Topsham Community Hall – Tom Otterman updated the Board on the
cleaning project. Megan Clark updated the Board on the funding.
CORRESPONDENCE
Entrance Signs for East Topsham Cemetery -
This will be discussed at the next Boar d meeting.
Invoice for Culvert Work - Reviewed and filed.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2418 in the amount of $47,786.69 for accounts payable and $4,313.91 for payroll.
OTHER
Budget C0ommittee – The individuals who served last year will be asked if they are will to serve another year.
Executive Session - Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Richie Sampson, Tony Davidson and Jayna Hutchinson were invited to join the session. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 7:45 0pm to 8:03pm.
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to give Tony Davidson a pay increase of $2.00 per hour effective immediately. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant