MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, June 9, 2025
Present: James Bulger, Jake Thompson, Tom Otterman and Carl Hildebrandt (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Bradford Calhoun
Visitors: Jim Clark, Nancy Clark, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian, John Hood, Carol Appleton, Tim Cramer (Blaktop) and Nigel Friend (Pike Industries)
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting of May 12, 2025. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on roadwork and equipment. New Garage – No report.
Audit Update – Jake Thompson updated the Board on the Audit.
Bond Update - Jake Thompson updated the Board. The application was submitted on the May 19 due date. He answered additional questions and furnished additional information.
Agency of Transportation Letter Regarding Project24d004 – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to check the box which states, “Lacking sufficient evidence, the municipality of Topsham claims a statutory 3 rod right of way.” Passed unanimously.
New Truck Financing – Discussed leasing with option to buy for $1 as we have done in the past.
VT Council of Rural Development – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson to nominate Megan Clark and Greg Tilton to attend the leadership summit meeting on August 11. Passed unanimously.
Roadside Mowing and Brush Cutting – Richie Sampson will handle.
Paving Bids – Two bids were received.
Blaktop - $111,497.10
Pike Industries - $112,236.75
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to accept the lowest bid, from Blaktop. Passed unanimously.
GENERAL
Open Position - NEKWMD Alternate and two Planning Commission members. If anyone is interested, please contact the Town Office or a member of the Select Board.
West Topsham Community Hall - Tom Otterman discussed putting the septic system on the Community Hall property instead of on the neighbor’s property. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to proceed with putting the septic on the Community Hall property.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2509 in the amounts of $83,628.74 for accounts payable and $16,298.57 for payroll.
Hood Funds – Will be discussed at the next Board meeting.
John Hood, Lister, discussed the change in how utilities are assessed and the impact on small towns.
NEMRC – Currently our lister information is on NEMRC. John Hood discussed moving it to their cloud service. Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to move the database to the cloud for a set-up fee of $750.00 and a user fee of $100.00 per month. Passed unanimously.
OTHER
Executive Session – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to go into executive session to discuss a legal matter. Passed unanimously. John Hood was invited to join the session. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 7:51 pm to 8:03 pm. No action taken.
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant