MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, April 14, 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, Donna Otterman, Carol Appleton, John Hood, Roger Vance and Linda Buermeyer
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting of March 24, 2025. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
Roger Vance – Roger requested signs to be put by the recycling dumpsters to help keep traffic flowing.
John Hood - John discussed two large trees in the Town Row that need to be removed and asked if the Town would pay half the cost of removal. Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson for the Town to pay for the removal of one tree. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
New Garage – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on the building construction progress. Brad is getting prices for gates for the new garage, the sand pit on Rte 302 and the Transfer Station.
Audit Update – Karen Walker reported she has provided the Auditing Firm with all material requested.
Bond Update – Jake Thompson has started work on the application and has sent a few questions to the bond bank.
Honey Corners Culvert - Brad Calhoun reported this project is moving forward.
Grants-In-Aid – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to sign the Letter of Intent. Passed unanimously.
Overweight Permits – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve permits for W B & R L Martin Quarry, Kennedy Excavation, Amerigas, Structural Wood Corp, Superior Plus Energy, Chief Logging and Chipping, Chief Crushing & Excavation, Cornwall Excavation and Eastern Propane. Passed unanimously.
GENERAL
Open Position – NEKWMD Alternate.
Animal Control Officer - A third person has expressed an interest in this position. Jim Bulger will contact the individual for an interview.
West Topsham Community Hall – Tom Otterman and Megan Clark updated the Board on this project.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve and sign the amended grant agreement for the MERP Implementation Grant. Passed unanimously.
Cemetery Mowing – One bid was received. Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to accept the bid for a three- year contract with C & A Lawn Care. Passed unanimously.
Use of Town Hall -Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve use of the Town Hall April 28 to May 13 for the rummage sale. Passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Valley News Request for Video or Audio of March Town Meeting - Not available.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2506 in the amounts of $50,695.63 for accounts payable and $15,781.22 for payroll.
Hood Fund Reinvestment – Wells Fargo no longer handles municipal funds.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management – Karen Walker will get information from this and other investment firms to reinvest the Hood Funds. She will email the information to the Board.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant