MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, July 22, 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 phone Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Visitors: Leslie Frost, Fred Smith, Jim and Nancy Clark, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian, Nick Milburn and John Hood
Meeting called to order at 7:04 pm.
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting of July 8, 2024. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
Nick Milburn discussed his interest in the Energy Coordinator position. Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to appoint Nick Milburn as Energy Coordinator. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report -Richie Sampson updated the Board on road work and equipment.
Bids - Bids were opened for three jobs. Two bids were received for each job.
Honey Corners Road
Sidney Smith Trucking $42,000
Fulford Excavation, LLC $36,040
Swamp Road
Sidney Smith Trucking $ 9,000
Fulford Excavation, LLC $10,640
New Garage Site Work
Sidney Smith Trucking $ 95,000
Fulford Excavation, LLC $135,000
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to award
Honey Corners to Fulford Excavation, LLC
Swamp Road to Fulford Excavation. LLC
New Garage Site Work to Sidney Smith Trucking
Passed unanimously.
FEMA Funds Update – Will be getting money for 2023 projects soon.
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 well drilling at the food shelf/Grange building. Sargent Artisan Wells $13,590.00
N A Manosh $17,913.20
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to award the job to Sargent Artisan Wells. Passed by a vote of four. Jim Bulger abstained.
West Topsham Community Hall – Tom Otterman updated the Board on this project. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Jim Bulger. Chair, to sign the Proposal from Otterman Surveying and Septic Design in the amount of $1800 for septic design and permits. Passed by a vote of four. Tom Otterman abstained.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to proceed with Phase II of the Environmental Assessment. Passed unanimously.
Municipal Energy Resiliency Program ((MERP) Grant Application – Referred to Energy Coordinator.
CORRESPONDENCE
Otterman and Allen – The January 2025 annual distribution from the Macdonald FamilyFunds will be $9,938 each for the Town and the East Topsham Cemetery.
Norumbega Trail Ride - The annual trail ride for charity is on September 7 in Vermont.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2414 in the amount of $53,903.56 for accounts payable and $ 6,433.21 for payroll.
Tax Rate – Motion made by Brad Calhoun an and seconded by Jake Thompson to set the Municipal Tax Rate at $0.89. Passed unanimously. The Homestead Educational Tax rate is $1.3794. The Non-Homestead Educational Tax Rate is $ 1.8136.
OTHER
Honey Corner Roads - A landowner is building a bridge across the river. Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson for Tom Otterman to contact the state and to write a letter for Jim Bulger's signature to send to Northeast Pass RV Park. Passed unanimously.
Executive Session – Motion made by Tom Otterman seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Karen Walker was invited to attend the session. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 8:02 pm to 8:10 pm. No action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant