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MINUTES
Present: Larry Hart, Carl Hildebrandt, James Bulger, Thomas Otterman (Select Board), Cynthia Flannigan (Town Clerk/Treasurer), Donna Otterman
Absent: Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant), Bradford Calhoun (Select Board) and Guy Welch (Road Foreman)
Visitors: CJ and Sue Altland and via Microsoft Teams: Jim and Nancy Clark, Pat Plaisted
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm.
Tom Otterman pointed out that the word “fiber” should be changed to “cyber” security under correspondence on page 2 of the October 25, 2021 minutes. A motion was made by Jim Bulger to approve minutes with change and seconded by Tom Otterman. Passed unanimously.
CORONA VIRUS
The numbers of cases continue to increase. Jim Bulger reported that there will be three vaccinations clinics tentatively planned at the Waits River Valley School on Saturday, December 4th, Monday, December 27th and on Monday, January 17th from 8 am to 12 pm. All three vaccinations including boosters and the pediatric vaccination for 5-12 years old will be available.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Larry Hart reported that the paving was done on Powder Spring Road. There are some concerns about driveway aprons. Larry Hart will discuss concerns with Guy Welch. Guy Welch plans on doing the shoulders on Powder Spring Road. Sue Altland expressed concern about the driveway aprons on Stryker Road. Larry Hart will discuss it with Guy Welch.
Garage Site – Larry Hart sent revised map to Select Board and to Vance’s attorney to prepare a purchase and sales agreement to provide to Town’s attorney. Larry Hart tried to contact C. M. Whitcher to get an estimate for demolishing all buildings on the Vance site. Larry will contact him again about estimate and also set up a site visit.
VTrans Better Roads Ditching Project – Application due December 17th. Larry will ask Guy Welch about filling out application to get grant for ditching.
Pike Hill Road Bridge is finished. Cindy Flannigan reported that there will be an invoice from engineering company overseeing the project.
GENERAL
APRA Funds – Jim Bulger will contact people interested in being on the committee to research the guidelines for the use the funds and provide recommendations that would be beneficial the Town of Topsham.
Waits River Cemetery – Tom Otterman requested approval from the Select Board to get estimates from contractors to create a defined roadway in the new section of the cemetery. Larry Hart made the motion for approval and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt. Passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE
Use of Town Hall – A request was made to use the Town Hall for a birthday party on December 11. Following a discussion, it was not approved by consensus due to the increase cases of the corona virus.
Vermont Efficiency Lighting - Will discuss at next Select Board Meeting.
Two Rivers Ottauquechee – Annual dues will be included in budget for 2022.
Green Up – Jim Bulger made the motion to appropriate $100.00 for Green up in 2022 and seconded by Larry Hart. Passed unanimously.
Requests for Funds:
Little Rivers Health Care - $1,100.00
Northeast Slopes - $1,199.00
Orange East Senior Center - $3,500.00
Tri Valley Transit - $850.00
Motion was made by Jim Bulger to approve requests for funding to be included in Town Warning and seconded by Tom Otterman. Passed unanimously.
Tri-Village Fire Department – Will be included in budget for 2022
CTERT – Will be included in budget for 2022
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2121 in the amount of $6,968.11 for payroll and $26,552.20 for accounts payable.
OTHER
Carroll Mattoon requested to put a SLOW DOWN-HIDDEN DRIVE sign on Lyme Kiln Road. Motion was made by Tom Otterman to approve request and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt. Passed unanimously.
Jim Bulger called the State Highway Department about the pine tree that needs to be taken down at the end of Kimble Hill Road.
Discussion about Barre Town ambulance services and if patients can request which hospital they want be taken to for emergency care. Jim Bulger will contact Chris LaMonda, Director of EMS to ask him to attend a Select Board meeting and explain services. Jim Bulger will also review current contract.
Executive Session – A motion was made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to go into executive session to discuss a legal matter. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned to executive session from 7:43 pm to 7:55 pm.
Legal matter – No action taken. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 pm.
TOPSHAM BUDGET COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, November 8, 2021
Present: Donna Otterman, Yvette Tomlinson (Budget Committee Members), Larry Hart, Jim Bulger, Carl Hildebrandt, Tom Otterman (Select Board)
The meeting was called to order at 6:50PM.
This was an organizational meeting to elect a chair, elect a secretary and to schedule future meeting times and dates.
A motion was made by Larry Hart to elect Janice Emerson for Chair and seconded by Yvette Tomlinson. Passed unanimously
A motion was made by Yvette Tomlinson to elect Donna Otterman as Secretary and seconded by Jim Bulger. Passed unanimously.
Meeting for the 2022 Budget will be held at the Town Hall from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on the following dates:
Monday, November 22, 2021 – Animal Control, Auditors, Delinquent Tax Collector, Listers, Fire Department, CTERT, Energy Coordinator, Select Board and Highway.
Monday, December 13, 2021 - Select Board, Highway and Town Clerk/Treasurer
Monday, December 27, 2021 – Town Clerk/Treasurer Future meetings will be scheduled if needed.
Cynthia Flannigan will have Budget Status Reports and Comparative Budget Reports ready for next meeting.
Donna Otterman will post the meeting dates and notify those responsible for budget requests of the meeting dates.
Meeting adjourned at 6:57 PM.