Have a question or concern you would like to bring before the Select Board? Email us here!
JOIN REMOTELY HERE:
Present: Larry Hart, Carl Hildebrandt, James Bulger, Bradford Calhoun and Thomas Otterman (Select Board), Cynthia Flannigan (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via Microsoft Teams
Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Guy Welch (Road Foreman)
Chris Lamonda (Ambulance Service) was unable to attend. He will attend the next meeting.
Visitors: CJ and Sue Altland, Jim and Nancy Clark and via Microsoft Teams Pat Plaisted and
Linda Buermeyer
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting of February 28, 2022. Passed unanimously.
Meeting called to order at 7:04 pm.
CORONA VIRUS No new information.
VISITORS
Nancy Clark requested permission to post notices throughout the town encouraging people to attend Town Meeting. The Board approved. Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 10:00 am in the Waits River Valley School gym.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Brad Calhoun and Larry Hart updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
New Grader – Brad Calhoun will get prices for a new grader.
Garage Site – The closing took place on March 1, 2022 and the deed has been recorded.
Larry Hart will continue to work with C. M. Witcher to get an estimate of the cost of demolition of the structures on the property including removal of the contaminated floor tiles.
Ben Dexter Road Property – The Board asked Janice Emerson to contact VLCT to get information on the steps/requirements for a town to sell land.
Honey Corners Grant – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to sign the document stating the work was not done and no reimbursement requested. Passed unanimously.
MRGP (Municipal Roads Grant Program) Annual Report - Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Tom Otterrman for Larry Hart, Chair, to sign. Passed unanimously.
Garage Door - Someone backed into the garage door causing approximately $2,500 in damage. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to file an insurance claim and get the door fixed. Passed unanimously.
Overweight Permits – Motion made by Jim Bulger and seconded by Brad Calhoun to approve permits for Cardinal Logistics, Connecticut Valley Trucking, G. Stone Commercial Division, N. A. Manosh, Structural Wood Corp, R K Miles, Dead River Company, Pike Industries, Sargent Artesian Wells, VELCO and Structural R B R. Passed unanimously.
GENERAL
NEKWMD Rep – Larry Hart read an email from Megan Clark saying she is unable continue as the NEKWMD Representative. The board thanked her for her work as the town NEKWMD Representative.
Liquor License – Motion made by Jim Bulger andseconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve and sign liquor licenses for Waits River Country Store and Gramp's Country Store. Passed unanimously.
Memorial Day Ceremony - A Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Waits River Cemetery on May 30, 2022. More details will be available later.
ARPA Funds - Jim Bulger reported the committee has met and needs input from the community. They would like to have an informational table at Town Meeting. The Board approved. Nancy Clark is the Committee Chair. Nancy Frost is Secretary and Point of Contact for Reporting. Cindy Flannigan is the Authorized representative.
Village Designation – Jim Bulger reported the Planning Commission voted to pursue getting Waits River and West Topsham designated as villages. The Board agreed we now need to start the process. Jim will handle and will work with TRORC.
CORRESPONDENCE
Otterman and Allen (Macdonald Family Funds) - The Board reviewed the Annual Account. Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Larry Hart, Chair, to sign the Consent to Allowance of Account for the Town of Topsham and East Topsham Cemetery. Passed unanimously.
VLCT – The Board reviewed the material regarding Select Board Training.
TRORC ERAF Report – The Town received the Emergency Relief and Assistance Fund report.
Due to the steps Topsham has taken to reduce flood risk, Topsham is eligible to receive a match of
12.5% from the State to any repair costs paid by FEMA. The minimum match is 7.5%, so due to
the work the Town has done, we have reached the maximum match available to us.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2205 in the amount of $ 31,240.56 for accounts payable
and $6,909.92 for payroll.
OTHER
Executive Session – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jim Bulger to go into
executive session to discuss a legal issue. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned to executive
session from 8:03 pm to 8:09 pm. Information only. No action.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.