“GOOD OLD BOYS” OR COUNCILORS

On October 6, 2015, the community got a real good look at what we have for (fake) Councilors.  A review of the minutes provided a clear picture of the nature of Bickford, Metivier, Brunelle and Crafts and it is not pretty.  This was the day, these individuals put a stop to the consolidation of the Lisbon Communication Center with the Androscoggin County Dispatch.  This alliance would have saved the town over $190,000.00 per year.

 

The room was full and everyone had questions.  Most of these questions were simple ones that could have been answered by Chief Brooks, Sergeant Moore, Mr. Frederick Stacy (Former Dispatcher) or I.  During my tenue at the NAS Brunswick, I was tasked with connecting all the computers securely on both the Unclassified and Secure networks.  My team and I had to develop and design the entire project and then made it worked.  So, I have knowledge in this area and that makes me a subject matter expert (SME).  The questions being asked were normal questions asked by individuals unfamiliar with the environment.  However, no one was given the opportunity to answer any questions.

 

The only questions that needed to be asked were (1) How much are we going to be saving per year?  (2)  How long will the project take?  (3) How is this going to impact my life?  Because the residents have never worked in this area and have little to no experience in this field; they should have left it up to the professionals instead of asking minor questions like are you going to use “dark fiber”?  The resident only need to know that the solution provided was going to be secure.  However, many residents are the Town Council for a Public Hearing to get their questions answered.

 

I have no objections to a Public Hearing as long as it includes members of the Androscoggin County Dispatch to answer technical questions about their system.  I have been in contact with them and they are willing to come and answer questions.  Lisbon is the ONLY community that is not serviced by a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).  What this means to you is that under the current system when you call 911 for help; that call first goes to Androscoggin County Dispatch and then they HAVE to call Lisbon Communication Center before any First Responders are dispatched to the scene.  All the rest of the County and the state; First Responders are dispatched to the scene by Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) operators immediately instead of trying to notify Lisbon Communication Center prior to the dispatch of First Responders.  Lisbon Communication Center is an unnecessary middle step.  Stop to think about the time lag when Androscoggin County Dispatcher cannot reach anyone of 353-2500 because the line is busy.  This has happened several times.  There should be NO middle step.  Our First Responders should be immediately dispatched to the scene upon receipt of the 911 call.

 

The motion to stop this consolidation was made by Councilor Bickford and seconded by Councilor Metivier.  These two Councilors heard the people ask for a Public Hearing.  There are no questions that having Androscoggin County Dispatch provide dispatching service to the community will save a considerable amount of money.  So why is it that these two individuals, who are the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Town Council NOT asked any questions of the Androscoggin County Dispatch or setting up a Public Hearing for the people.  Why have they done nothing to move this along since October 2015?  Here is a proven situation where the town can reduce our operating cost and they are not doing anything.  They are protecting the Lisbon Communication Center because the “Good Old Boys” network does not want to close the Communication Center.

 

Councilors should be looking for ways to reduce our operating cost which will lower our taxes.  Lowering our taxes should be the number one priority of each Councilor.

 

Larry Fillmore