MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2026
Present: James Bulger, Jake Thompson, Thomas Otterman and Carl Hildebrandt (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Bradford Calhoun and Richard Sampson (Road Foreman)
Visitors: Jim Clark, Nancy Clark, Megan Clark, Donna Otterman, James Salinas, David Mott, Dyani Hazlett and via Microsoft Teams Pat Plaisted, Hank Buermeyer, Marc Welch and Peggy Welch
Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm.
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to approve minutes from meeting of December 22, 2025. Passed by a vote of three. Jake Thompson abstained.
Executive Session – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to go into executive session to discuss a legal issue followed by a second executive session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Dyani Hazlett and David Mott were invited to join the session regarding a legal issue and Karen Walker was invited to join the session regarding personnel. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 7:13 pm to 8:00 pm.
Personnel - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to hire David Vance as a temporary employee to fill his brother Roger’s position until Roger is able to return to work. Passed unanimously.
Legal Issue – motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson for the animal control officer to provide a response letter, to be reviewed by the Select Board, concerning an animal control issue. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – NO REPORT.
New Garage – Jim Bulger, Chair, read an update from Brad Calhoun regarding the building construction progress.
Overweight Permits – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve permits for RL Trucking and P&L Loggers of VT. Passed unanimously.
GENERAL
Open Positions - NEKWMD Alternate
If anyone is interested, please contact the Town Office or a member of the Select Board.
West Topsham Community Hall – Megan Clark and Tom Otterman updated the Board on this project.
Megan requested a 2025 Transaction Report and an end of year balance of funds for the Community Hall.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Samantha Nickerson – The Board reviewed.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2523 in the amounts of $10,003.71 for accounts payable and $9,384.35 for payroll.
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2601 in the amounts of $85,084.45 for accounts payable and $6,110.48 for payroll.
Hood Funds – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to put the Hood Funds in a six month CD if we have not heard from Scott Rizzo (Edward Jones) by the next Select Board meeting. Passed unanimously.
Request for Funds
Blake Memorial Library
Orange East Senior Center
These will be included in the Warning for the March 2026 Town Meeting.
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to adjourn. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant