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

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Are Our Tax Dollars Being Properly Used?‏

ARE OUR TAX DOLLARS BEING UTILIZED PROPERLY?

Apparently, I opened a can of worms the other day at a Town Council meeting when I asked why the Public Works Drive-way was not being paved this year. The Public Works Director had a listing of roads/street to be paved this year and it was not on it. The criteria for selecting which roads/streets should receive the highest priority are the ones with the worst condition and the most heavily traveled. Since the Public Works Director has no credentials, he cannot be held accountable for not using this measuring stick.

However, according to several of our Councilors I have learned several interesting facts I am sure the people are not aware of.

1. The paved surface in front of the Public Works garage is NOT a road or street.

2. This is classified as an internal access-way on Town property.

3. Since it is an internal access-way it does not have a name.

4. It is not built to the standards of a public road.

5. According to a Councilor, it needs to be closed whenever the Transfer Station is closed.

6. The town will not build a proper road until the property that the buses park on is purchased by the town. What one has to do with the other escapes me?

7. This internal access-way is the current traffic pattern for the following:

a. Residents use to get to the Transfer Station.

b. Town owned vehicles use this to refuel.

c. Used by the buses to get to the Middle and High Schools.

d. Used by the Public to get to the parking lot to watch sporting events.

The Town Council is content to let this situation remain as it is until they purchase the property the buses park on. The problem is that this internal access-way is currently in a very deplorable state and is causing damage to everyone’s vehicles. Please review the pictures in this article again.

The citizens of Lisbon deserve better treatment from local government especially since the people have been paying such high taxes. It is not unreasonable to demand better service from town officials.

I believe this is a major problem right now that requires immediate attention by the Town Council, Town Manager, and the Public Works Director.

If the Town does not want to take immediate action to correct this situation, please provide information as to where to send the bills for vehicle repairs.

Larry Fillmore

[Editor's note: If the 'town officials' are not part of the solutions then they are part of the problems.]