MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, January 26, 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: Donna Otterman, Dyani Hazlett, John Hood and via Microsoft Teams Pat Plaisted Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve minutes from meeting of January 12, 2026. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
Dyani Hazlett (Animal Control Officer) - The Board reviewed and gave comments regarding the response letter provided by Dyani concerning an animal control issue. Dyani will make revisions and send the letter.
John Hood (Lister) – John updated the Board on the upcoming town wide reappraisal. It will start in March and taxpayers will be given two weeks advance notice of when the appraisers will visit their property.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – NO REPORT.
New Garage – A concerned resident questioned why the outside lights remained on during the day and the cost involved. The Board will look into it.
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 – Tom Otterman updated the Board on this project. He has discussed construction management with several firms and will draft an RFP to be reviewed by the Board.
Trespass – One of the highway employees was served with a trespass notice in connection with the plow truck turnaround on Downing Road. Jim Bulger will handle.
LEMP – Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign the Resolution to Adopt the Local Emergency Management Plan. Passed unanimously.
New Dump Permits – The Board reviewed sample of new permits and gave input. Karen Walker will work with the printer.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2602 in the amounts of $365,143.95 for accounts payable and $8,947.86 for payroll.
Otterman and Allen (Macdonald Family Funds) - The Board reviewed the Annual Account. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign the Consent to Allowance of Account for the Town of Topsham and East Topsham Cemetery. Passed unanimously.
Otterman & Allen – The Town and the East Topsham Cemetery each received a distribution of $10,395.00 from the Macdonald Family Funds. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to put the Town’s distribution in the Highway Equipment Fund. Passed unanimously.
Hood Funds – Karen Walker has been in contact with Scott Rizzo and the funds will be invested through Edward Jones.
2025 Surplus and Carry Forward – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to carry forward $275,765 to reduce expenses. Passed unanimously. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to put the surplus of $60,015 in the Equipment Fund. Passed unanimously.
Cemetery Fence Fund - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to put cemetery surplus of $1,295 in the Fence Fund. Passed unanimously.
Request for Funds
Topsham/Corinth Little League - $500
The Mentoring Project of the Upper Valley - $500
These will be included in the Warning for the March 2026 Town Meeting.
OTHER
Status of Town Report – This was discussed. James Salinas is working on this project, but was not present to give a progress report.
Town Meeting Warning – The Warning was reviewed and finalized. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve and sign the Warning for the March 2026 Town Meeting. Passed unanimously.
Executive Session – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to go into executive session to discuss personnel. Passed unanimously. Karen Walker was invited to join the session. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 7:56 pm to 8:10 pm.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman for Karen Walker to hire an Assistant Town Clerk/Treasurer at $19.00 per hour. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to adjourn. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:12 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant