RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – JULY 7TH, 2015

This is a summary of the Town Council meeting of July 7^th, 2015.  I need to change the format of this recap due to an important message by the Town Council that impacts every citizen.  The following is what took place under Council, Resolutions & Ordinances:

1.      Itinerant Vendor Ordinance & Fee Schedule (Second Reading) – This was approved by a vote of 4-1 with Councilor Garrison voting NO.  Councilors Lunt and Crafts were excused from the meeting.

2.     Lisbon Cemetery Ordinance (Second Reading) – This was approved by a vote of 5-0.

3.     Lisbon Cemetery Committee Ordinance (Second Reading) – This was approved by a vote of 5-0.

4.     RHR Engagement letter for annual audit – This was approved with an amendment that the Town Manager could sign this by a vote of 5-0.

5.     Set date for workshop for Mill Street Dam – This was tentatively set for July 16^th pending approval by DEP/Salmon/Water.

6.     Lisbon Falls Fire Company Road Toll – This was approved by a vote of 5-0.

Under Other Business – The Town Manager announced that Officer Ryan McGee has been promoted to Sergeant.  The Finance Director is looking into closing out four (4) bonds that are over ten (10) years old. 

Mr. William Van Tuenin (Lisbon's former Assessor) updated the Town Council on the progress of the Revaluation of the town that was supposed to be completed  (no later than) June 30, 2015.     

According to Mr. Van Tuenin, the residential side is about 90% completed and the commercial side is roughly 35% completed.  What this means to the residents of Lisbon is that the Town Council voted to use last year’s figures in order to prepare this year’s tax commitment.  Mr. Van Tuenin made excuses for the delay and Chairman Pesce did not accept them and asked for the adjusted completion date that Mr. Van Tuenin could not provide.   
This is a true mess that was created in 2011 by Stephen Eldridge who brought Mr. Van Tuenin into the town as an Assessor and then conned the Town Council at the time to approve the bid by Mr. Van Tuenin over other bidders with a better offer.  There is no telling when the revaluation will be completed or even how accurate it will be under the circumstances.  It is my understanding that Mr. Van Tuenin and his company will not receive any more money from the town.

Larry Fillmore