In Lisbon The Beat Goes On - A Pure Waste

A PURE WASTE OF $70,000 TAX DOLLARS

Last year’s budget included an 8.5% pay increase to the town engineer because the town manager decided to consolidate Public Works, Solid Waste, and Sewer Department under the town engineer.   Remember, the town engineer has never had more than one individual to supervise in the past twelve years and now he has approximately 16 full time; 4 part time and 2 summer personnel to directly supervise with absolutely no managerial training or experience.   According to the town, Leighton has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UM; 16 additional credits in Civil Engineering; a Grade 2 Waste Water Operations License and is a certified Code Enforcement Officer. 

 

 Councilor Bowie

At last Tuesday’s Workshop, Councilor Bowie asked Leighton how the consolidation was working out and Leighton replied there were problems.  During the discussion that followed it came out, Leighton was having issues with personnel not complying with his guidance.  Councilor Ward also asked questions pertaining to why there were so many issues.  Town Manager Eldridge tried to rescue the situation by informing everyone that department heads are receiving managerial training.  If the department heads do not have managerial skills; what in the world qualifies these individuals to be hired as department heads with these inflated salaries, in this case $70,000.  This clearly demonstrates the incompetency of the town manager and also show’s a complete lack of respect for the individuals who had previously held these positions such as Wayne Ricker, now retired, Button Beale, and Gerald Kamke.

Councilor Ward

 

The most important aspect of this whole situation is Ryan Leighton is not a Licensed Professional Engineer and therefore cannot legally perform duties as an Engineer on any project over $100,000 dollars.  On the handout provided, it states under his Brief Description of Responsibilities “Prepare RFP’s, plan and supervise all major capital projects including computer upgrade, trails projects, public works road work, equipment replacement, etc.”  This statement is an outright lie because in the previous workshop Leighton himself stated the town will have to hire a Licensed Professional Engineer to supervise the trails project because it exceeds $100,000.  So, why are we wasting $70,000 a year to an individual who does not possess the required credentials to supervise our projects?  The town will have to hire an additional engineer who is a Licensed Professional Engineer  for all projects over $100,000.

The Solid Waste and Public Works Departments have always received outstanding comments from the Public and dedicated years of professional service under their respective department heads; so why change it.  If it is not broken why fix it!!!!!   The Waste Water Treatment Plant is rated as Class 4 by the State of Maine.  Leighton is only a Class 2 Operator and technically cannot be at the plant unless supervised by a Class 4 or 5 individual.  So, the real question is “If the State of Maine is holding our Class 4 & 5 personnel responsibility for the Waste Water Treatment Plant, how can Leighton be the Superintendent of Sewer?  What possible managerial skills does he bring to the table and how can he tell these two Class 4 & 5 personnel what to do when he is not qualified himself?” 



 
You do not have to be a rocket scientist to understand the stupid of consolidation under an individual who has never supervised personnel and who has absolutely no managerial training or experience.   This consolidation was done to justify Leighton receiving an 8.5% increase in his already inflated salary.  The real crime here is the town manager making a move like this which resulted in absolute no cost saving to the taxpayer of Lisbon because all of the previous department heads received the same salary and Leighton received a pay raise.  The town manager has no respect for the dedication and professionalism the town employees have devoted to this town.  Again, an individual (town manager) who does not understand good management practices. 

How much longer does the town of Lisbon have to put up with this mismanagement of town employees and the waste of our tax dollars?

 Town manager Eldridge

 The town manager’s evaluation is being reviewed by the town council and the council will approve keeping the town manager but the only way to stop this injustice is by getting rid of the cause.  Eldridge makes all decisions on town employees so he is responsible for this situation.  Lisbon cannot begin to heal without getting rid of the cancer in this town, Eldridge.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen