Recap Town Council Meeting - September 3rd, 2013

             RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 3

Tuesday night’s meeting of the Town Council was business as usual.  The Town Manager Eldridge hides as much information as he can from the council and the people.  It does not matter that this is a violation of the Council Working Rules or not because he knows that he will be able to talk his way out of it with this council.

In accordance with (IAW) paragraph C (2) Council Working Rules all items shall be provided to the manager’s office by close of business on Thursday.  The Finance Director failed, once again, to provide the documentation in accordance with the Council Working Rules.  The purpose of this requirement is to give the councilors and the Public adequate time to review all necessary information.  However, there is no enforcement of any rules or ordinances unless it is against selected individuals.  There were no documentation presented for 2013-136 Carry Forward Adjustment and 2013-137 Revenue Sharing Adjustment. 

The following items were passed by a vote of 6-0 for the following items:  Androscoggin County Budget Committee Official Ballot (Mike Bowie was elected); Set Rate of Interest for Delinquent Taxes (You can be sure LaRochelle Properties, LLC will never pay the Interest and Penalties on their back taxes); Carry Forward Adjustment (Finance Director found $17,000 in Fire Department for Radio); Revenue Sharing Adjustment (This was $570,000);  Repeal Section 70-731 Timber Harvesting (This was done to follow state rules).

The Town Assessor, William Van Tuinen provided an update on the town’s revaluation.  It is scheduled to be completed in 2015.  Mr. Van Tuinen also set the tax rate at $23.00 which is up from $22.26 per thousand.  The town is planning on releasing our tax bills no later than Friday.  This is just in time for the weekend and the Public Hearing September 10, 2013 on the bonds facing the people.  

The Town has a million dollar bond to purchase and demolition the Worumbo Mill; the School would like to raise money to get them off probation and finally the Water Department want to present two bonds (1 for 1.75 million for a water tank and 2 $650,000 for the replacement of 4300 feet of water main on Frost Hill Avenue and Old Lisbon Road).

The Town Manager talked about the upcoming Public Hearing on September 10th.

The Water Department Director provided an overview of the two bonds they want to talk about at the Public Hearing on the 10th.  It was very informative and a more detailed briefing will be given at the Public Hearing. 

Please come to the Public Hearing.

Larry Fillmore