MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, April 22, 2024
Present: James Bulger, Carl Hildebrandt, Jake Thompson, Bradford Calhoun and Thomas Otterman (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Richard Sampson (Road Foreman)
Visitors: Jim and Nancy Clark, Bill Johnson and Becky Christian
Meeting called to order at 7:09pm.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve minutes from meeting of April 8, 2024. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
New Garage – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on the New Garage Project. A Special Board Meeting for this project will be scheduled for next Monday, April 29.
VT Route 25 Bridge ROW – The Board discussed. They are waiting for a response from the State.
Letter of Intent for Municipal Road Grants – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to sign the Letter of Intent. Passed unanimously.
FEMA - Mitigation for Spooner Road, Ben Dexter Road and Phelps Road. The Board discussed. Decision is no.
Ben Dexter Road Property – The land sold for $82,000. After commissions and attorney fees, the Town received $74,490. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to put the money in the Highway Building Fund. Passed unanimously.
Overweight Permits - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve a permit for Cardinal Logistics. 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.
Highway Personnel Policy – The Board reviewed and discussed the paragraphs Jake revised regarding sick leave, vacation and bereavement. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to approve and sign. Passed unanimously.
ARPA Funds – Jim Bulger will invite Sarah Wraight from TRORC to attend the next regular Board meeting.
West Topsham Community Hall – The Board reviewed the Energy Audit. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Tom Otterman to contact a tree service to trim or cut the tree near the Hall and get a dumpster to clean the Hall. Passed unanimously.
Metal Dumpster – Jim Bulger will handle.
Town Picnic – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to hold the Town Picnic on August 18, 2024 at the Grange Hall in West Topsham. Passed unanimously. Cindy Flannigan will handle with assistance from the Grange.
CORRESPONDENCE
Health Office Certification – The Board reviewed.
TRORC – The Board reviewed the material from the March 27 meeting regarding Town planning efforts.
Coin Drop at Transfer Station May 4 and 11 for 8th Grade – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve for May 11, but not May 4 due to Green-Up Day. Passed unanimously.
Animal Control Officer – The Animal Control Officer asked a question regarding what to do if a stray animal needs medical care. Jim will call her to discuss.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2408 in the amount of $19,096.84 for accounts payable and $7,016.56 for payroll.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve a request for $1000.00 to update computers and network for Town Office and Listers. Passed unanimously.
OTHER
Executive Session - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 8:13pm to 8:16pm. No action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 8:17pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant