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HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!
Lisbon Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge
At the last Town Council meeting, the council went into
Executive Session under the provisions of 1 M.R.S.A. Statute 405 (6) (E)
Consultations with legal counsel regarding Sewer Department fines from
DEP. I fail to understand how the Sewer
Department fine from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) qualifies
as an Executive Session.
On April 16, 2013, the Town Engineer, Ryan Leighton briefed
the council and the Public on what took place to warrant the fine of $22,307.00
dollars from the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP). Attached
to the agenda item was the Administrative Consent Agreement issued to the Town
of Lisbon. This matter was clearly discussed in a Public forum and should have
been updated in a Public forum and not behind closed doors.
Lisbon Town Engineer Ryan Leighton
I am sure the town has been in contact with DEP to try and
work out a solution. However, it is important that the people
of Lisbon be updated on what is going on with this situation. Hiding behind closed doors is inappropriate
and unethical. The statute
states that “…premature general public knowledge would clearly place the State,
municipality or other public agency or person at a substantial
disadvantage.” I do not believe updating
the status of this situation and how much the town of Lisbon will have to pay,
falls under this statue.
The town manager determines what qualifies in accordance with
Maine Statute 405 for an Executive Session and limited privilege. Numerous dealings have been conducted behind
closed doors and later determined not to have qualified for the Executive
Session privilege. This appears to fall
into this category.
The people have a
right to know what is going on with this situation and our tax dollars and
since it was first brought out in a Public meeting all updates should be
provided to the people in a Public forum. These behind closed door sessions, which are
illegal, must stop. The Town Manager
must provide better guidance to the council instead of always leading the
council down the wrong path.
I will submit on Monday a Freedom of Access Act (FOAA) for
the final decision of the DEP. Once, I
have secured the documents; I will update the community on what is going on.
I hope and pray the new council will
restore transparency in local government.
2 comments:
Larry,
If you would have asked rather than jump straight to FOA you might have save some time and paperwork. As of our last update we do not have a final decision from the DEP on this.
Gregg
Gregg - It is because of the past history of trying to cover up everything or conceal information from the people by the town that I have had to use the ONLY means available to me and that is a FOAA. If there was no decision by the DEP, why would you need to be in Executive Session. Let's see, trying to determine if the town is going to pay the fine, where are you going to get the money or maybe how can we keep this "Unfavorable Expenditure" from the people. If there was no decision; there was no need for yet another illegal Executive Session.
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