MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, December 22, 2025
Present: James Bulger, Thomas Otterman and Carl Hildebrandt (Select Board), Karen Walker (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson (Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Jake Thompson, Bradford Calhoun and Richard Sampson (Road Foreman)
Visitors: Jim Clark, Nancy Clark, Donna Otterman, James Salinas, Bill Johnson, Becky Christian and John Hood
Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve minutes from meeting of December 8, 2025. Passed unanimously.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – No report.
New Garage – No report.
Bond Loan – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to set up ACH payments for the both the principal and interest. Passed unanimously.
TRORC - Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to apply for the Highway Safety Improvement Grant. Passed unanimously. Brad Calhoun will handle.
Topsham Telephone ROW Easement to Garage – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign. Passed unanimously.
Driveway Permits Downing Road Samantha Nickerson - A letter will be sent letting Samantha know driveway permits must be requested by the property owner.
GENERAL
Open Positions - NEKWMD Alternate
If anyone is interested, please contact the Town Office or a member of the Select Board.
Resignation - Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to accept, with regret, Peggy Welch’s resignation as Auditor. Passed unanimously.
Auditor – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to appoint James Salinas as Auditor from now to March, effective immediately, with the understanding that there is a potential conflict of interest. Passed unanimously.
West Topsham Community Hall - Tom Otterman updated the Board on this project.
Errors and Omissions to the 2025 Grand List – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign the certificate. Passed unanimously.
Poster for Transfer Station – The Board reviewed.
CORRESPONDENCE
Little Rivers Health Care- The Board reviewed a thank you from Little Rivers Health Care for the funds received from the Town
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2522 in the amounts of $48,250.73 for accounts payable and $10,258.29 for payroll.
The $1066 received for the Ford 1-ton will be put in the equipment fund.
Request for Funds
Little Rivers Health Care - $1100
This will be included in the Warning for the March 2026 Town Meeting.
OTHER
Solid Waste – A committee is being formed to look into the cost of our solid waste disposal and explore various options. If interested in becoming a member of the committee, contact the Town Office or a member of the Select Board.
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Tom Otterman to adjourn. Passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Janice Emerson
Administrative Assistant