MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, July 13, 2026
Present: James Bulger, Bradford Calhoun, Tom Otterman and Jake Thompson, (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Carl Hildebrandt
Visitors: Megan Clark, Donna Otterman, David Vance, Rebekah Osborn, Roger Vance, and via Microsoft Teams Michael Miller, Marc Welch and Peggy Welch
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to approve minutes from meeting of June 22, 2026. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
Grader – The Board gave approval for Richie Sampson to look at and get cost figures for a used grader located near Concord, NH.
Backhoe – Will be discussed at the next meeting.
Currier Hill Road – Brad Calhoun reported this road needs attention. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson for Brad Calhoun to contact the ATV Club regarding contributing towards the road repairs.
New Garage – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on this project. The town auditors are working on confirmation/correction of garage expense reports.
Richie Sampson discussed the need for a storage building/pole barn.
OSHA conducted an inspection of the new garage. The inspector found a few items that needed attention including a guard on the grinder. Richie Sampson has completed all items and ordered a guard for the grinder. No fines were issued.
Roadside Mowing and Brush Cutting – Two bids were received.
Rainbow Ridge Farm - $75.00 per hour
Limlaw Chipping & Land Clearing - $95.00 per hour
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to provisionally accept the bid of $75 per hour from Rainbow Ridge Farm pending confirmation in writing. Passed unanimously.
Paving Grant – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign. Passed unanimously.
Grants-In-Aid – Will be discussed at the next meeting.
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 updated the Board on this project. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to authorize Megan Clark to have the electricity re connected. Passed unanimously.
Megan discussed the expense/income sheets and putting money in the reserve fund.
TRORC Draft Proposal on Land Use – Jim Bulger will attend an informational meeting this week and a public hearing later this month regarding this issue.
Fire Warden – Currently George Appleton is the Fire Warden and Richie Sampson is the Key Man. The State now requires the Town Fire Chief to be the Fire Warden with a Deputy. Richie will now be the Fire Warden and George will be the Deputy.
Election Grant – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve Karen Walker’s request to apply for an Election Grant. Passed unanimously. There is no match and the amount will be between $6,000 and $13,000.
Ambulance Contract – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Brad Calhoun for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign the contract with Barre Town. Passed unanimously. The contract is effective July 1, 2026 with a fee of $65.00 per capita, the same as last year.
Town Picnic – The town picnic will be on Sunday August 16 at the Grange Hall in West Topsham. Karen Walker will be the Chair of the event with help from the Grange. Brad Calhoun suggest holding the picnic at the new garage site in future years.
Use of Town Hall – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to approve Dylan Magwire’s request for use of the Town hall on July 18, 2026 for the Republican Caucus. Passed unanimously.
Town Finances – No discussion.
Dog Issue – A complaint was received regarding dogs going onto a neighbor’s property. Jim Bulger will handle.
F INANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2612 in the amounts of $31,947.35 for accounts payable and $14,021.83 for payroll.
Estimated 2027 Payments – The Board reviewed.
Hold Harmless (Current Use) $94,311
Pilot Payment $582
Notary Fee - Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to pay the fee for Assistant Town Clerk, Pam Langlitz, to become a Notary Public. Passed unanimously.
Tax Rate – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Jake Thompson to set the Municipal Tax Rate at $0.9097. Passed unanimously. The Homestead Educational Tax rate is $1.4995. The Non Homestead Educational Tax Rate is $1.8565.
OTHER
The Town Office will be closed on Friday, July 17. Karen will be out of the office from July 15 through July 22.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Brad Calhoun to adjourn. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant
Topsham Select Board