Lisbon Town Council Meeting Recap Sept. 18, 2012

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 18TH

This recap may be a little lengthy but in order to cover this meeting fairly it will have to be.  The meeting was business as usual – the people speak and the council ignore. 

There were four Public Hearings held pertaining to the following items:

Amendment to Chapter 10, Article V (Victualer’s) Sec 10-292(e) (Temporary Permits
Chapter 2 Finance Committee Establishment
Charter Amendments
Victualer’s License for Mei Qin Chen d/b/a Canton Pearl

The audience only addressed Chapter 2 Finance Committee Establishment and the Charter Changes.  All the people who spoke were against both of these items.  David Bowie provided a very compelling argument against the Charter Amendment pertaining to the Budget issue.  This is the second time Mr. Bowie has explained this to the council.  The first time was earlier in the year. 

Under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances all items were voted 7-0 in favor with the exception of the Charter Amendments which was amended to exclude the budget question on the ballot.  This means the people are not going to be able to vote on next year’s budget.
Amendment to Chapter 10 passed
Chapter 2 Finance Committee Establishment passed
Fireworks Ordinance (1st Reading) was tabled because the council did not feel the ordinance as presented included everything they wanted.
Winter Sands Bid was awarded to Premier Development at $3.89
Paving Bid was awarded to Pike Industries for $120,000 dollars
HVAC Preventative Maintenance was award to Siemens for $14,105 dollars
2012-2013 Sewer Budget was approved for $986,473 dollars utilizing the current sewer rate of $5.35 per hundred
Victualer’s License for Canton Pearl was approved.

I wonder which account all of this money came from since the town has elected to hide money from the people.
The Finance Director provided a report on the current status of revenues and expenditures.
The Town Manager provided an update on several grants being worked for both the Fire and Police Departments.  Graziano’s Casa Mia restaurant has been sold.

During Councilor Communication, it was announced an Open House for the Public at 4 Campus Avenue starting at 6:00PM on Wednesday, September 26, 2012.   Chairman LaRochelle spoke about a meeting he attended of the Positive Change Lisbon group and some of the ideas which came out of the meeting and he encouraged the council to support the group.

On Tuesday at 7:00PM there will be a discussion pertaining to where the Moxie Festival needs to go.  It is open to the Public and you will be allowed to speak.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen