MINUTES 

TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING 

Monday, April 24, 2025 

Present: James Bulger, Jake Thompson, Bradford Calhoun, Tom Otterman and Carl Hildebrandt (Select  Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative  Assistant)  

Absent: Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) 

Visitors: Jim Clark, Nancy Clark, Megan Clark, Carol Appleton, John Hood, James Salina, Pastor Jesse Beebe  and via Microsoft Teams Smith 

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm. 

Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve minutes from meeting of April 14,  2025. Passed unanimously. 

VISITORS 

Pastor Jesse Beebe discussed the lack of housing in the Topsham area. Building a housing unit behind the West  Topsham Church is being considered and he had questions regarding water and septic. This is no longer handled by the Towns. He was given a name and phone number of a contact person at the Agency of Natural Resources.  

HIGHWAY  

Road Report – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on roadwork and equipment. 

New Garage – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on the building construction progress.  The prices for gates are:  

New Garage - $2,391  

Sand Pit - $3,829 

Transfer Station - $2,781  

Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to purchase gates for the new garage and the sand pit. Passed unanimously.  

Audit Update – Karen Walker has provided the Auditing Firm with all information requested.  

Bond Update – Jake Thompson is working on the application. It is due May 19. He will contact the banks with  a few more questions.  

Overweight Permits – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve a permit for  Limlaw Chipping & Land Clearing. Passed unanimously.  

GENERAL 

Open Position - NEKWMD Alternate and two Planning Commission members

Animal Control Officer - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to appoint Dyani  Hazlett as Animal Control Officer. Passed unanimously. She will be given a copy of the state Animal Control  Handbook and a copy of the town Animal Control Ordinance.  

West Topsham Community Hall –Megan Clark updated the Board on this project.  

Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to transfer the $86,400 voted at Town Meeting  to the Community Hall Reserve Fund. Passed unanimously.  

Cemetery Mowing Contract -Jim Bulger, Chair signed the three-year contract with C & A Lawn Care as voted at  the April 14 Board meeting. 

Waits River Cemetery Work – Three bids were received 

Ricker’s Excavation - $13,225 

Fulford Excavation - $12,262 

DPM 4 Season Care - $ 8,920 

Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to award the job to DPM 4 Season Care. Passed  unanimously.  

Use of Town Hall -Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve use of the Town  Hall on May 30 for a Celebration of Life for Winnie Walker. Passed unanimously.  

CORRESPONDENCE 

Animal Issue – A complaint was received regarding cattle roaming freely off the owner’s property. Jim Bulger  will handle.  

 Act 250 – The Board reviewed an application for a campsite on Powder Spring/Clark’s Crossroad.  

FINANCIAL 

The Board reviewed and signed Order #2508 in the amounts of $10,352.12 for accounts payable and $8,808.50  for payroll. 

Hood Fund Reinvestment – An investment representative will be invited to attend a Board meeting and VLCT  will be contacted for information regarding investment of municipal funds.  

OTHER 

Cindy Flannigan requested to continue work on the Memorial Day Celebration and on the Town Picnic. The  Board approved.  

Meeting adjourned at 8:11 pm.  

Respectfully Submitted, 

Janice Emerson 

Administrative Assistant