MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, July 27, 2026
Present: James Bulger, Tom Otterman, Carl Hildebrandt and Jake Thompson, (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, Megan Clark, Donna Otterman, Ann Peck, David Vance, Rebekah Osborn, Roger Vance, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian, John Hood and via Microsoft Teams Michael Miller and Peggy Welch
Meeting called to order at 7:08 pm.
Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to approve minutes from meeting of July 13, 2026. Passed unanimously.
VISITORS
Jim Clark – Jim report the Planning Commission reviewed the Select Board’s comments/input on the draft of the Energy Section of the Town Plan. Revisions were made and it was sent to TRORC.
Ann Peck – Ann asked if the Town would share the cost of mowing at the Church. The property is owned by a neighbor and the Church has permission to keep it mowed. The cost is $40 every two weeks. Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jake Thompson to share the cost. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Richie Sampson updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
Grader – Richie Sampson looked at and tested the used grader located near Concord, NH. The cost is $102,500 after subtracting the trade-in value of $30,000. Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to purchase the used grader for $102,500. Passed unanimously.
Backhoe – The cost of a new backhoe is $139,400 ($171,900 minus trade-in of $32,500). Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign the lease for a new backhoe for a period of five years at 4.99% interest with the option to buy for $1 at the end of the lease with the first payment due after the first of the year. Passed unanimously.
New Garage – Motion made by Jim Bulger and seconded by Jake Thompson to ask the town auditors to work with Brad Calhoun on the garage expense reports to confirm/correct the amount and itemization of funds available, the amount and itemization of amount spent and the remaining balance to be completed by September 1. Passed unanimously. Jim will contact the auditors.
Salt Shed Roof – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Tom Otterman to put out for bid the salt shed roof, providing Brad Calhoun is not available to do the job. Passed unanimously.
Salt – Motion made by Jake Thompson and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to purchase 350 tons of salt at $116.50 per ton from Cargill. Passed unanimously.
Grants-In-Aid – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jake Thompson for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign the application. Passed unanimously.
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.
Megan discussed the income/expenses and asked Karen Walker for a detailed accounting of all income and expenses.
Town Finances – Finances were discussed. The audit for 2025 needs to be finished before beginning the audit for 2026.
CORRESPONDENCE
Otterman & Allen Letter Regarding Macdonald Family Funds - The distribution for 2027 will be $11,033 each for the Town of Topsham and the East Topsham Cemetery.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign on behalf of the Town of Topsham and the East Topsham Cemetery the Consent to Issuance of Order of Termination of Judicial Supervision. Passed by a vote of three. Jake Thompson abstained.
Casella – Casella is working on the cost figures if the Solid Waste Transfer Station is moved to the town owned land on Route 302.
Norumbega Trail Riders – The annual trail ride for charity will be on September 13.
F INANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2614 in the amounts of $48,135.82 for accounts payable and $9,297.37 for payroll.
OTHER
John Hood updated the Board on the town wide reappraisal.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to adjourn. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant Topsham Select Board