The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Monday, March 3, 2014

Lisbon's Town Council Needs To "Give It Up"

                          TIME TO GIVE IT UP!!!!!

On Tuesday night, our Town Council will go into Executive Session to discuss three issues. One of these issues is the Dispatch Service Agreement (Communication Center). As far as I am concerned there is no discussion necessary.

A blind man can see that the Dispatch Center (Communication Center) is one of the major reasons the town is in the financial situation it is. Taxpayers are forced to dump approximately $275,000.00 of tax dollars to operate a redundant service. This service can be more efficiently performed by the Androscoggin County Dispatch Center and at a significant cost savings to the people of Lisbon. Keep in mind that the $275,000.00 is only for the operations and not the equipment which is approximately another $250,000.00 to maintain or replace.

Mr. Olmstead has experienced the cost savings to the people first hand by transferring the responsibility from Freeport to Brunswick. I support Mr. Olmstead in his recommendation to have the Androscoggin County Dispatch Center handle Lisbon’s dispatch service. The Androscoggin County Dispatch Center is where ALL the 911 calls come into first and common sense should tell you this is where dispatch should be. The state of Maine has designated the Androscoggin County Dispatch as a central point for 911 calls for this area. It is called a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for a reason. It is the most logical and effective point for the County.

Why should anyone have to wait for a 911 call to be transferred to the Lisbon Communication Center before First Responders can be dispatch to the scene?

In an emergency, every second is vital to saving a life.   It is simply not fair for Chief Brooks to put our lives at risk in order to satisfy his ego. First Responders should be immediately dispatched as soon as the 911 call is initially received and not from a relay point. It is unfair to the residents of Lisbon to have to accept second hand service. We deserve better!!!!!

Please contact your Councilors and support our Interim Town Manager, Mr. Olmstead in his effort to save tax dollars by moving the Lisbon Dispatch Center to the Androscoggin County Dispatch Center. Dispatching is a County function and should be the responsibility of the County Commissioners.

Larry Fillmore