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MINUTES
TOPSHAM SELECT BOARD MEETING
Monday, March 28, 2022
Present: James Bulger, Larry Hart, Bradford Calhoun, Thomas Otterman and Carl Hildebrandt (Select
Board), Cynthia Flannigan (Town Clerk/Treasurer) and via Microsoft Teams Janice Emerson
(Administrative Assistant)
Absent: Guy Welch (Road Foreman)
Visitors: Chris Lamonda (Barre Ambulance Service), CJ and Sue Altland, Jim Clark, John Hood and
via Microsoft Teams Pat Plaisted
Meeting called to order at 7:01 pm.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt for the Board meetings to continue to be held the second and fourth Monday of the month, starting at 7:00 PM. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Jim Bulger to approve minutes from meeting of
March 14, 2022. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to elect Jim Bulger as Board Chair.
Passed unanimously.
CORONA VIRUS
No new information.
VISITORS
Chris Lamonda - Chris gave an overview of the ambulance service. If the patient is stable they will generally be transported to the hospital of choice. Weather, space at the facility and other factors may prevent this. If unstable, the patient will be transported to the nearest facility to be stabilized. The exceptions are stroke, heart attack and trauma in which case the patient will be taken directly to Dartmouth or to the nearest appropriate facility. If anyone has concerns regarding transport, please call Chris Lamonda, Director, at 476-3147.
HIGHWAY
Road Report – Brad Calhoun updated the Board on roadwork and equipment.
Road Liaison – Tom Otterman nominated Carl Hildebrandt. Carl declined. Tom Otterman nominated Larry Hart. Larry declined. Board agreed to discuss at the next meeting.
Garage Site – Jim Bulger thanked Brad Calhoun for the Scope of Work he prepared for the Garage Project. The Board discussed the demolition project. They would like to pay for the demolition project and as much of the site prep work as possible from current funds. Larry Hart will put together a Scope of Work for demolition project for the Board to review. After the demolition project is complete an engineer will be hired to design a plan in such a way that does not waste any land that could be used for future development.
Ben Dexter Road Property – The Board reviewed the information Janice Emerson received from VLCT regarding the steps/requirements for a town to sell land. Tom Otterman will do more research. Tom does not feel the land can be marketed as a building lot due to the septic and also feels there is a property line issue on the side abutting Cornellier property.
USDA Technical Assistance Grant – Tom Otterman will look at it.
Updating Local Hazard Mitigation Plan – Motion made by Larry Hart and seconded by Tom Otterman for Jim Bulger, Chair, to sign the application. Passed unanimously.
Overweight Permits – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to approve permits for Suburban Propane, Borderline Trucking, S. D. Ireland, Ricker's Excavation, Camp Precast Concrete Products, Fornwalt Excavation, W. B. & R. L. Martin, Inc., Green Valley Excavation, Wind River Environmental and Thomson Timber Harvesting and Trucking. Passed unanimously.
GENERAL
Appointment of Town Officers – The Board asked Janice Emerson to contact the individuals who served last year to ask if they are willing to serve another term. Fence Viewers and an Inspector of Lumber are no longer required.
Administrative Assistant - Motion made by Larry Hart and seconded by Tom Otterman to appoint Janice Emerson as Administrative Assistant to the Select Board. Passed unanimously.
Village Designation – Jim Bulger updated the Board on the Village Designation process. We have to reapply for village designation for East Topsham because the designation is only good for eight years.
CORRESPONDENCE
VT Rural Fire Protection Task Force – The Board reviewed. The Fire Department handles.
Email Regarding VT Sunflowers for Ukraine – Tabled.
TRORC – On May 12, there will be a meeting regarding the Route 25 bridge repair (near Cross Road) scheduled for 2024.
Training Workshops – Motion made by Tom Otterman and seconded by Carl Hildebrandt to pay the cost for all Town Officials who wish to attend workshops/conferences related to their work as an Official of the Town. Passed unanimously.
Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Larry Hart to authorize the Town Treasurer to make payroll and payroll related payments, make payment to receive discounts, refund tax over payments, issue checks for tax sale redemptions, pay motor vehicle registration fees to the State and make payments for postage to the East Corinth Postmaster, as needed throughout the year. Passed unanimously.
FINANCIAL
The Board reviewed and signed Order #2206 in the amount of $6,935.81 for accounts payable and
$6,950.47 for payroll.
Motion made by Brad Calhoun and seconded by Tom Otterman to authorize the Town Treasurer to redeem and renew CDs as necessary in the best interests of the town throughout the year. Passed unanimously.
OTHER
The Board discussed and updated Projects and Goals for 2022 and Time Line for Bids.
Executive Session – Motion made by Carl Hildebrandt and seconded by Jim Bulger to go into
executive session to discuss a legal issue and personnel. Passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned to
executive session from 8:29 pm to 8:55 pm.
Personnel - No action.
Legal Issue - Seeeking other legal counsel. Curent counsel is retiring.
Meeting adjourned at 8:57 pm.