MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, June 22, 2026
Present: Bradford Calhoun, Tom Otterman, Carl Hildebrandt and Jake Thompson, (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Richard Sampson (Road Foreman) and via phone Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: James Bulger
Visitors: Jim Clark, Nancy Clark, Donna Otterman, David Vance, Rebekah Osborn, Becky Christian, Bill Johnson, Carol Appleton, Aiden Otterman and via Microsoft Teams Chelsea Magwire, Marc Welch and Peggy Welch
Jake Thompson acted as Chair due to Jim
Bulger's recent surgery.
Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting of June 8, 2026. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on roadwork and equipment. Grader – Richie Sampson will get prices.
Backhoe – Price for a new backhoe is $171,900. With a trade-in value of $32,500 the cost will be $139,4 00.
Purchase of a grader and a backhoe will be discussed more at a future meeting when more information is available regarding cost.
Excavator Work – Two bids were received.
Fulford Excavating - $195 per hour
Sidney Smith Trucking - $150 per hour
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to accept the bid from Sidney Smith Trucking. Passed unanimously.
New Garage – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on this project. Garage expenses were discussed. The town auditors will work with Brad Calhoun to confirm/correct the itemization and total amount available ($1,068,700.83), the itemization and total amount spent in 2024, 2025 and 2026 ($928,463.00) and the balance remaining ($140,237.83).
Overweight Permits – Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to approve and for Jake Thompson, Acting Chair, to sign permits for Theodore Salomaa, Jr. and Manchester Brook Materials. Passed unanimously.
Roadside Mowing and Brush Cutting – Brad Calhoun and Richie Sampson will get prices from two or three firms.
GENERAL1
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. NEKWMD Rate Increase – The surcharge increase of $2.00 per ton does not affect us.
Town Finances – Tom Otterman will ask Chelsea Magwire if she is available to work with Karen Walker regarding use of the NEMRC for town finances.
Communication Properties – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to sign the stipulation regarding an appeal to the BCA. Passed unanimously. This negates the need for a BCA meting regarding the tax value.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was received regarding use of drones in Topsham. Topsham has no regulations regarding drones.
F INANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2611 in the amounts of $33,655.49 for accounts payable and $9,418.18 for payroll.
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to adjourn. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:04 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant