Tuesday Night’s Town Council Just More Deceit And Deception

RECAP AUG 16TH

The Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting was nothing more than a continuance of more deceit and deception.  The only good news is there was no illegal meeting prior to the meeting.  That was because the puppet master (Bowie) was absent.  Councilors Pomelow, Mason, and Bickford hardly opened their mouths.  They had nothing to say because there was no briefing before the meeting.  They had no script to read off of.  This made the meeting go extremely fast.  Of course, Councilor LaRochelle informed everyone in the audience and on TV the reason the council elected to perform the revaluation over a 4-5 year period was because every time they brought the idea before the residents they voted it down.  The council ignored the desires of the people and is performing the revaluation against the wishes of the people.  See what happens when the puppet master is not there.

When asked by Mr. Ken Wells, "who is allowed to take town vehicles home", the town manager stated the Animal Control Officer was because he is responsible for 4 towns.  The town of Lisbon is paying the Animal Control Officer approximately $31,522 according to the approved budget.  I wonder how much the other towns are paying the Animal Control Officer.  Are they paying the Town of Lisbon for his services or to him directly?

I asked the question about why the town of Lisbon was discriminating against snowmobilers and ATV rider in Beaver Park.  The park ranger said these vehicles were too noisy.  The park ranger provides trails for snowshoers and cross-country skiers.  I believe this is very discriminatory because the park is large enough for trails to be built to accommodate everyone.  I am sure the snowmobile and ATV clubs will help build these trails.  Also, the town has several youth organization which could provide assistance.  I am sure there are not an excessive number of snowmobiles and ATV which will utilize the park to cause a noise issue.  Remember, the park is only open from 0700-sunset hours.  Also, the park ranger utilizes a snowmobile to perform her duties and I am sure her snowmobile makes the same amount of noise as any other snowmobile.  I hope no one decides to sue the town for discrimination.

By the way, I asked the town manager why at the last meeting he informed the public the $32,500 dollars was a legal transaction when the Secretary of State stated there was no record of a legal company called Atlantic Commercial Cleaners going back to 1993.  Eldridge stated this is an ongoing situation.  The town is going after the individual to recover the funds.  What Eldridge did not tell the town is at what stage in the process the town was at.   I do not believe the town, after 4 years, has filed a law suit anywhere.  The residents of the town need to know if the town manager and the town council are actively pursuing this matter.

On the agenda for the first reading was Chapter 46, Article V, Section 46-134 Access Management.  This deal with all public and private accesses onto:  Lisbon Street (State Route 196), Main Street, north of Huston Street (State Route 125), Mill Street, Ridge Road (State Route 9) and Upland Road.  I read it over and I do not understand why it does not apply to every street in the town of Lisbon.  It is easy to see this was coordinated with the Maine Department of Transportation MDOT) because it deals with State Routes 9, 125 and 196.  The intent for the document is to address numerous safety issues on these roads but safety should be everyone’s concern and this is so well written it could be applied to every road in Lisbon.  Safety should be the number one concern of the town council and all residents in the Town of Lisbon and if these guidelines have the blessing of the MDOT then it certainly should be good enough for the Town of Lisbon.  Copies of this proposal can be found on the town web site under Agenda and Minutes, Agenda Documents and Handouts, and 8-16-2011 Agenda Packets.  Once you have this document open scroll through the document until Chapter 46 appears. This document is 8 pages long and excellent reading.

THERE WILL BE A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE NEXT TOWN COUNCIL MEETING ON TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2011; PLEASE COME AND  HELP ME GET THIS TO APPLY TO EVERY STREET IN LISBON.

Larry A. Fillmore
Concerned Citizen