Summary of the Minutes of Town Meeting, March 5, 2024
The Legal voters of the Town of Topsham, Vermont, met at the Town Hall on Tuesday, March 5. 2024 at 10:00 in the forenoon. The meeting was opened by Select Board Chair, James Bulger. All the veterans were asked to come forward and be recognized for their service. They were thanked and given a hearty round of applause. Boy Scout Troop 727 presented the colors and led the Pledge of Allegiance. James Bulger led the invocation..
Article 1. Nominations for Moderator for a term of one year:
Henry Buermeyer was nominated. Motion was made and seconded for nominations to cease and the Clerk cast one ballot for Henry Buermeyer.
So voted by voice vote.
Article 2. Motion made and seconded to accept and adopt the Town Report.
Tom Otterman noted that on page 3 Jane Kitchel is not our senator just Mark MacDonald.
So voted by voice vote to accept and adopt the Town Report.
Tom Otterman thanked Cynthia Flannigan for her service as Town Clerk and Treasurer for the past 24 years and presented her with a bouquet of flowers and a card. Cynthia spoke to the assembly expressing her gratitude to the community for their support over the years.
Article 3. Nominations for a Town Clerk for a term of three years..
Karen Walker
Kara Appleton.
Results of the paper ballot were:
108 votes cast. Necessary for choice 55
Karen Walker 79
Kara Appleton 29
Article 4. Nominations for a Treasurer for a term of three years.
Nominee was Karen Walker.
Motion made nominations cease and the clerk cast one ballot for Karen Walker.
So voted by voice vote.
Article 5. Nominations for a Select Board member for a term of three years.
Nominees were: Tom Otterman and Brad Calhoun. Brad Calhoun declined the nomination.
Motion made and seconded that nominations cease and the clerk to cast one ballot for Tom Otterman
Article 6. Nominations for a second Select Board member for a term of three years.
Brad Calhoun
Joe Keane
Results of the paper ballot were:
110 Ballots cast. Necessary for choice 56.
Brad Calhoun 58
Joe Keane 52
Article 7. Nominations for a Lister for a three year term..
Pam Langlitz
Heidi Wright
Results of the paper ballot were:
100 votes cast. Necessary for choice 51.
Pam Langlitz 52
Heidi Wright 47
Donald Trump 1
Article 8. Nominations for a School Director for Waits River Valley School ( Unified School District # 36) for a term of 3 years
Nominee was: Kara Appleton.
Motion was made and seconded for nominations to cease and the Clerk cast one ballot for Kara Appleton.
So voted by voice vote.
Article 9. Nominations for a Delinquent Tax Collector for a term of one year.
Nominee was Cynthia Flannigan .
Motion was made and seconded for nominations to cease and the clerk cast one ballot for Cynthia Flannigan.
So voted by voice votE
Article 10. Nominations for an Auditor for a term of three years.
Elaine Smith described what the position entailed for work. No nominations were received for Auditor.
Elaine Smith was given a round of applause and thanked for her service as an auditor.
Article 11. To elect an auditor for a term of one year was passed over as there were no nominations.
Article 12. Motion made and seconded to use the sum of $31,877.00 from FY2023 Town Operations surplus to reduce the amount to be raised by taxes for 2024. Motion made and seconded to amend the motion to have the 2023 surplus added to the General Fund Surplus. Amendment passed by a voice vote. Motion to have the sum of $31,877.00 from FY 2023 Town Operations surplus be added to the surplus account.
So voted by voice vote.
Article 13. Motion made and seconded to have the Town’s taxes collected by the treasurer with a due date of
October 1, 2024 at the close of business.
So voted by voice vote.
Article 14: Donna Otterman, Chair of the Budget Committee made the motion to accept the proposed budget in the amount of $1,418,475.00 with $987,175.00 to be raised by taxes for expenses and indebtedness for the ensuing year. The motion was seconded.
So voted by voice vote.
Article 15. Motion made and seconded to appropriate the sum of $3,597.00 to Blake Memorial Library, an increase from $2.00 per capita to $3.00 per capita. Rob Rinaldi spoke on behalf of the Library, highlighting some of their services.
So voted by voice vote.
Article 16. Motion made and seconded to appropriate $13,926.00 for the following organizations which have filed requests as set forth below.
So voted by voice vote.
Clara Martin Center 1,652.00
Central Vermont Council on Aging 500.00
Northeast Ski Slope 1,199.00
Orange County Restorative Justice Center 125.00
Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT & NH 4,000.00
Orange East Senior Center 3,500.00
Little Rivers Health Care 1,100.00
Safeline, Inc. 500.00
Tri-Valley Transit 850.00
Topsham Corinth Little League 500.00
TOTAL $13,926.00
Article 17: To fill all other Town and Waits River Valley School (Unified School District #36) offices which may be vacant.
Passed over
The Select Board was asked for an update on the status of the new town garage. Brad Calhoun gave an
update and noted that the Board is planning on going to a Bond Vote in about 30 days from their next board
meeting..
People were encouraged to attend the upcoming school meeting in May.
Kara Appleton asked if it was possible to have more recycling available in Topsham such as for tires and electronics.
Motion made and seconded to adjourn at 12:47 pm. So voted by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________ ___________________________ _______________________
Cynthia Flannigan Henry Buermeyer Donna Otterman
Town Clerk Moderator Justice of the Peace