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MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, February 28, 2022
Present: Larry Hart, Carl Hildebrandt, James Bulger, Bradford Calhoun and Thomas Otterman (Select
Board), Cynthia Flannigan (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via phone Janice Emerson (Administrative
Assistant)
Absent: Guy Welch (Road Foreman)
Visitors: CJ and Sue Altland, Jim and Nancy Clark and via Microsoft Teams Pat Plaisted
Meeting called to order at 7:02 pm.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jim Bulger to approve minutes from meeting of
February 14, 2022. Passed unanimously.
CORONA VIRUS No new information.
VISITORS
Nancy Clark expressed concern that not all items brought up for discussion are included in the Board meeting minutes.
There was a question regarding why discussions in Executive Sessions were not made public. Under Vermont Statute, Executive Session is only to be used for certain issues, such as personnel, legal issues and land purchase. Discussions are not required to be made public, only resulting decisions. It was also questioned why Executive Session is done at the end of meetings. This is done as a courtesy to those not participating so that they may leave and not have to wait outside for the session to finish and then come back inside for the rest of the open meeting.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Brad Calhoun and Larry Hart updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
Garage Site – The closing date will be known tomorrow, March 1.
Title Insurance - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Brad Calhoun to purchase title insurance. Passed unanimously,
Larry Hart will work with C. M. Witcher to get an estimate of the cost of demolition of the structures on the property including removal of the contaminated floor tiles.
Honey Corners Grant – Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Tom Otterman for Larry Hart, Chair, to sign a letter to the VT Agency of Transportation saying we are forfeiting the Grant because we did not submit the required information by the deadline. Passed unanimously.
We did not meet the deadline because we were unable to get the engineering work done on time. We will be reapplying for this grant in April.
TRORC Grants-in-Aid Project - The Board reviewed material from Rita Seto. Rita and Guy Welch looked at the project and recommend extending the work on Currier Road and Welch Road.
Overweight Permits – Motion made by Jim Bulger and seconded by Brad Calhoun to approve permits for Bethel Mills and Feed Commodities International. Passed unanimously.
GENERAL
Cemetery Mowing Contract – Will will put out for bid.
Reappraisal Order – A Reappraisal Order was received from the VT Department of Taxes. The Board no longer plans to contest the order. A letter will be sent indicating we will comply with the order. Janice Emerson will handle.
Dog Issues – There are two dog issues. One case was referred to to the Newbury Heath Officer and in the other case a ticket will be issued.
Town Meeting – Town Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 10:00 am in the Waits River Valley School gym. There was a question about whether there will be remote access. Because there are no major issues for discussion on the warning and because one must be physically present to vote from the floor, there will be no remote access. Jim Clark suggested the Board make a presentation about the new Town Garage. A member of the Board will give a status update.
CORRESPONDENCE
State Survey Regarding Solid Waste – Larry Hart will handle.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2204 in the amount of $7,145.51 for accounts payable,
$7,002.15 for payroll and $36,167.64 for closing costs on the Vance property.
OTHER
Executive Session – Motion made by Jim Bulger and seconded by Tom Otterman to go into executive
session to discuss a legal issue. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned to executive session from
8:17 pm to 8:22 pm. No action.
Meeting adjourned at 8:23 pm.