Topsham Select Board approves routine write‑offs, contracts, truck purchase and reappointments

The Topsham Select Board on July 16 approved a series of routine fiscal and operational items by unanimous vote.

Finance staff asked the board to allow the tax collector to write off a list of personal property balances totaling $4,023.26 for accounts that the town deemed uncollectible. The motion to allow the write‑off carried 3–0 (Anne Callahan, Ryan Holmes and Mike Labbe voting in favor).

The board also approved a separate write‑off of ambulance accounts receivable through the service year ending June 30, 2023, totaling $61,361.02. Staff described this sum as resident accounts (not inter-municipal billings) and recommended the write‑off; the motion passed unanimously.

The board accepted a three‑year water‑quality monitoring, analysis and reporting proposal from Saint Germain for $21,945, citing the DEP requirement to monitor wells near closed leach fields and noting the recommended bidder was lower than the town’s current cost.

Public Works Director Mac Hunter presented a recommended purchase of a 2026 Freightliner with plow equipment from Viking Savay for $250,411. Hunter said the purchase is within the $295,000 authorized budget and that the selected package was both similarly equipped to existing trucks and under budget. The board authorized the director to proceed with the purchase.

Finally, the board reappointed Kimberly Maldonado and Ruth Lyons to the finance committee and Dominic Cardella to the historic district commission; those reappointments were approved unanimously. The board also voted to set public hearings (separately recorded) on a proposed ATV access route on Upper Main Street and on a temporary closure of Thompson Lane for construction staging.

Votes at a glance:
- Motion (agenda item 26‑76): personal property write‑off, $4,023.26 — approved, 3–0.
- Motion (26‑77): ambulance accounts receivable write‑off, $61,361.02 — approved, 3–0.
- Motion (26‑78): accept Saint Germain water‑quality monitoring proposal, $21,945 — approved, 3–0.
- Motion (26‑79): authorize purchase of 2026 Freightliner plow truck, $250,411 — approved, 3–0.
- Motion (26‑80): reappointments (Kimberly Maldonado, Ruth Lyons, Dominic Cardella) — approved, 3–0.
- Motion (26‑81) & (26‑82): public hearings set (ATV access route; Thompson Lane temporary closure) — both approved, 3–0.

The board adjourned at the end of the agenda. Meeting minutes and supporting documents were referenced as available on the town website.