Research From A Reader

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

I was recently reading a post on the Lisbon Reporter, and found the post quoted in the subject of this email. I found that what was written is incorrect. The poster wrote “…it completely goes against the Lisbon Town Charter.” (speaking of consolidating with Lewiston for assessing purposes.) I must preface my research by stating that I am thoroughly against this in any shape or form.

After reading the post, I said to myself that the town manager can’t be that blatant, so I did some research into the town charter. The following is what I found:

Sec. 1.04. Intergovernmental Relations.

The Town may exercise any of its powers or perform any of its functions and may participate in the financing thereof, jointly or in cooperation, by contract or otherwise, with any one or more municipalities, states or civil divisions or agencies thereof, or of the United States or any agency thereof.

Sec. 2.10. Prohibitions.

(a) Holding Other Office. Except pursuant to an agreement under the Interlocal Cooperation Act, no Councilor shall hold any other Town of Lisbon office or employment by the Town of Lisbon while holding the office of Councilor, and no former Councilor shall hold any compensated appointive Town office or Town employment until one year after leaving office of Councilor.

(b) Appointments and Removals. Except as provided herein, neither the Council nor any of its members shall in any manner dictate the appointment or removal of any Town administrative officers or employees within the jurisdiction of the Town Manager or his or her subordinates, but the Council may express its views and fully and freely discuss with the Manager anything pertaining to appointment and removal of such officers and employees.

(c) Interference with Administration. Except for the purpose of inquiries and investigations under Section 2.09, the Council or its members shall deal with the Town officers and employees who are subject to the direction and supervision of the Manager solely through the Manager, and neither the Council nor its members shall give orders to any such officer or employee, either publicly or privately.

Sec. 5.31. Tax Assessor.

There shall be a single Tax Assessor appointed by the Town Manager who is confirmed by the Town Council pursuant to Section 2.10. The Tax Assessor shall have custody of and maintain the assessment records of the Town and shall perform all duties and responsibilities as are prescribed for assessors by the laws of the State of Maine. The Tax Assessor must be certified by the State of Maine. The Town Manager may also appoint one or more assistant assessors.

So, with the above quoted sections approved by the people of Lisbon, the town manager is well within his powers per the rules of the town charter.

Not that I like it in the least, but I just wanted the correction to be posted.

If a townsperson doesn’t like what is going on, there are steps to stop just about anything that the town manager or the town council may do. Read the following charter article if you’d like to know how to go about it: Town Charter

ARTICLE VIII. INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, RECALL AND SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

Thank you,

A Lisbon Concerned Citizen