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MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, August 28, 2023
Present: Bradford Calhoun, Thomas Otterman, Carl Hildebrandt and Jake Thompson (Select Board), Cynthia Flannigan (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: James Bulger
Visitors: Harry Falconer, Jim and Nancy Clark, Sue and CJ Altland, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian and Les Frost, and via Microsoft Teams Sarah Wraight, Alex Nuti-de Biasi and Amber Downing.
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Tom Otterman acted as Chair in Jim Bulger’s absence.
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve minutes from meetings of August 14, 2023 and August 21, 2023. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
TRORC representatives – Harry Falconer presented the Municipal Technical Assistance Program and answered questions about it and what is considered part of the program. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Brad Calhoun to engage with this program. Passed unanimously.
TRORC representatives – Sarah Wraight spoke about considerations when purchasing property and recommended getting a phase one environmental assessment prior to any purchases. She also checked in with where the town is in regards to use of ARPA funds.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
Garage Site – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on the site visit that occurred with parties interested in submitting bids for the grading work. They have all picked up the project specifications and the Board is now awaiting the bids.
Application for Highway Crew – it has been put on file.
Driveway Permit – Tom Pawley – Richie will look at it.
GENERAL
ARPA Funds – Grange Hall project – in the course of the work, the existing septic was damaged. An estimate was provided by Tom Otterman for the septic design for $1700. Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve the amount. Passed by a vote of three. Tom Otterman recused himself.
CORRESPONDENCE
Samantha Nickerson – The Board reviewed.
TRORC – Thank You note – The Board reviewed.
ACLU – Homeless individuals – The Board reviewed.
Use of Town Hall – Rummage Sale October 2-October 18 – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Brad Calhoun to approve the request. Passed unanimously.
New truck registration – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Tom Otterman, acting Chair, to sign. Passed unanimously.
Kevin Geiger – Town Plan is being updated to correct a typo.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2316 in the amount of $45,012.40 for accounts payable and $6,544.81 for payroll.
OTHER
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to go to executive session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Cindy Flannigan was invited to attend the session. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 8:04pm to 8:27pm. A special select board meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 6 at 6pm at the town hall. The agenda will be personnel – executive session.
Meeting adjourned at 8:28pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amber Downing