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MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, October 25, 2021
Present: Larry Hart, Carl Hildebrandt via Microsoft Teams, 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)
Meeting called to order at 7:03pm.
CORONA VIRUS
The cases continue to increase.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Brad Calhoun and Larry Hart updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
Garage Site – Larry will send the revised map to the Board when he receives it from Rob Townsend. Vance's attorney will prepare the Purchase and Sales Agreement. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jim Bulger to contact a professional contractor specializing in demolition to get an estimate for the removal of the structures on the site consistent with state guidelines. Passed unanimously. Larry Hart and Brad Calhoun will will contact C. M. Witcher of Warren, NH.
Municipal Road Grants in Aid - Equipment Grant - Grant approved and hay mulcher purchased.
Salt – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Tom Otterman to purchase 350 tons of salt from Cargill at a price of $79.00 per ton and for Larry Hart, Chair, to sign the contract. Passed unanimously.
VT Council on Road Development - The Board reviewed. VLCT Garage Inspection- Need to post PTE – Guy will handle.
Tree - Jim Bulger will follow-up with the State regarding the removal of a dead tree at the junction of Kimball Hill Road and Route 25.
GENERAL
Budget Committee – The Board appointed Janice Emerson, Donna Otterman and YvetteTomlinson to serve on the 2022 Budget Committee.
Visitors: Nancy and Jim Clark, Sue and CJ Altland, Joe Parsons, and via Microsoft Teams Pat Plaisted
and Linda Buermeyer
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jim Bulger to approve minutes from meeting of
September 27, 2021. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Tom Otterman to approve minutes from meeting of
October 19, 2021. Passed unanimously.
ARPA Funds – Motion made by Jim Bulger and seconded by Tom Otterman to form a committee of volunteers to research ways to use the ARPA funds to benefit the Town of Topsham. Jim Bulger will handle getting this information on the Website.
Use of Town Hall – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jim Bulger to approve use of the Town Hall for a gathering following Glenn Dow's services on October 30, 2021. Passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Blake Memorial Library – Talk on Natural Burial Sites
Fiber Security – Carl Hildebrandt will handle.
National Opioid Solution – The Board reviewed.
Animal Issue – Cindy Flannigan will contact the Animal Control Officer.
Safeline – The Board reviewed a thank you for funds received from the town.
MVP Health Insurance Renewal – Motion made by Jim Bulger and seconded by Tom Otterman to renew the Gold 1 Standard Plan with a cost of $666.54 per individual. Passed unanimously.
Vermont Efficiency Lighting – Will be discussed at next Board meeting.
Request for Funds
Orange County Restorative Justice Center – Will be included in Warning for Town Meeting
Orange County Parent Child Center - Will be included in Warning for Town Meeting
Topsham Little League – Will be included in Warning for Town Meeting
FINANCIAL
The Board members came to the Town Office individually to review and sign Order #2119 in the
amount of $1,297,128.56 for accounts payable and $6,627.68 for payroll.
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2120 in the amount of $23,147.37 for accounts payable and
$7,458.09 for payroll.
OTHER
Executive Session – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to go into
executive session to discuss a legal issue and personnel. Passed unanmously. Meeting adjourned to
executive session from 8:30 pm to 8:42 pm.
Legal issue – No action
Personnel -All highway employees were given an increase of $1.00 per hour effective October 17,
2021.
Meeting adjourned at 8:43 pm.