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TAXPAYERS WILL BE FORCED TO PAY MORE
In the Sun Journal dated October 10, 2012 there is an article called “County close to setting fees for dispatching emergencies”. According to the article, the County Commissioners are close to setting fees for 911 call responding.
The article states “The plan calls for per-capita fees to be charged to the towns: $2.00 per person in the community for answering the calls, $6.15 per person for dispatching a town police department and $2.50 per person for dispatching rescue and fire services.” Also the article says “If the measure is approved, fees could run about $3000 in Wales, which has about 1,600 residents and already contracts its fire and rescue calls with a Kennebec County agency, to more than $18,000 for Lisbon, which has about 9,000 residents and must contract for its call-answering.”
Taxpayers are currently paying a County Tax of $566,440, Communication Center cost of $227,066, and now are being asked to pay at least $18,000 more for its call-answering. This additional cost may seem insignificant but when you add this to what we are already paying for the same service it is outrageous.
Earlier this year, there was a discussion of consolidating Lisbon Communication Center with the Androscoggin County Dispatch. Chief Brooks convinced our town council to keep the Lisbon Communication Center separate. Was this decision based on loyalty or stupidity? The main point to remember is NO 911 CALLS COME DIRECTLY TO THE LISBON COMMUNICATION CENTER. All 911 calls whether received by cell phone or land line go directly to the Androscoggin County Dispatch and then are relayed to the Lisbon Communication Center before any dispatching is done. Any time delay becomes critical in life or death situations.
The article states “The plan calls for per-capita fees to be charged to the towns: $2.00 per person in the community for answering the calls, $6.15 per person for dispatching a town police department and $2.50 per person for dispatching rescue and fire services.” Also the article says “If the measure is approved, fees could run about $3000 in Wales, which has about 1,600 residents and already contracts its fire and rescue calls with a Kennebec County agency, to more than $18,000 for Lisbon, which has about 9,000 residents and must contract for its call-answering.”
Taxpayers are currently paying a County Tax of $566,440, Communication Center cost of $227,066, and now are being asked to pay at least $18,000 more for its call-answering. This additional cost may seem insignificant but when you add this to what we are already paying for the same service it is outrageous.
Earlier this year, there was a discussion of consolidating Lisbon Communication Center with the Androscoggin County Dispatch. Chief Brooks convinced our town council to keep the Lisbon Communication Center separate. Was this decision based on loyalty or stupidity? The main point to remember is NO 911 CALLS COME DIRECTLY TO THE LISBON COMMUNICATION CENTER. All 911 calls whether received by cell phone or land line go directly to the Androscoggin County Dispatch and then are relayed to the Lisbon Communication Center before any dispatching is done. Any time delay becomes critical in life or death situations.
By consolidating Lisbon Communication Center with the Androscoggin County Dispatching would have eliminated $227,066 from our operating cost. This cost does not include the cost of equipment which I understand has been paid for but still it has to be maintained and eventually replaced or updated. Yes, we would have to meet the County additional cost for dispatching but I do not believe it would reach the cost to maintain our Communication Center.
But to me, the most important fact is by not eliminating the middle process of relaying information, the citizen’s lives are put at risk and this is totally unacceptable to me. When keeping a kingdom together or adding to your ego come before the lives of the people you have sworn to “serve and protect” then you no longer have the best interest of Lisbon at heart.
The right answer would have been to consolidate communications centers and dispatch police, fire and rescue immediately upon receiving the 911 call.
Thank you Chief Brooks and our town council.
Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizens
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