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

Friday, September 9, 2016

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 6TH

The first thing I must do is apologize for the delay in getting this information out to the people. This is an extremely hard and discouraging recap. I am going to present just the facts here and will follow this up with the disgusting and shameful actions of three fake Councilors.

Under Appointments – Effective this month, Mrs. Lydia Colston will be the Lisbon Finance Director. She is currently a Senior Accountant/Senior Auditor with Otis Atwell in South Portland. She is a graduate of the University of Maine as Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Accounting.

Under Public Hearings –

1.   CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grant Public Hearing – The ECD Director, Tracy Steuber briefed the Council on the benefits of applying for this grant. This grant is for $400,000.00 which the taxpayer will have to come up with $80,000.00 in matching funds.

2.   Loader Bond Issue, Road Bond Issue, and Charter Amendments – The Loader and Road Bond issues were briefed by Ryan Leighton, Public Works Director. The Charter Amendments were briefed by Diane Barnes, Town Manager.

Under Council Orders, Resolutions, & Ordinances –

1.   Dump Body Install – The Council voted 6-0 (with Dale Crafts excused) to approve $50,225.00 from Viking Cives of Maine.

2.   Huston Street Drainage – The Council voted 6-0 to award the bid of $85.00/LF to Longchamps & Sons, Inc.

3.   Request for Qualifications for Brownfields Qualified Environmental Professionals – The Council approved by a vote of 6-0 to solicit qualifications for Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEP).

4.   CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grant Submission – The Council approved by a vote of 6-0 to have the ECD Director to application for the grant.

5.   Authorize the issuance of up to $150,000.00 in bonds to finance a front end loader. The Council approved this by a vote of 6-0.

6.   Authorizing the issuance of up to $1,500,000.00 in bonds to finance road projects – The Council approved this by a vote of 6-0.

7.   Warrant for November 8, 2016 – The Council approved the warrant by a vote of 6-0.

8.   Set interest rate on overpayment & prepayment of taxes – The Council set the interest rate at 3% by a vote of 6-0.

9.   Write-off personal property tax – Muzak, LLC – The Council voted 6-0 to write-off the amount of $7.74.

10.         Sec 90-17 – Holiday leave Personnel Policy Amendment – The Council voted by a vote of 6-0 to approve the amendment.

11.         Route 9 Zoning – After a lengthy discussion and several motions and amendments the Council voted 5-1 with Councilor Kolbe voting against to add this to the Comprehensive Plan Review. However, Roger Bickford tasked the Planning Board to start work on the Comprehensive Plan now. I will be writing a separate article this weekend to explain what took place from by prospective.

Town Manager’s Report – Mrs. Barnes announced there will be a meet and greet our new Chief of Police Marc Hagan between 5:00-7:00 P.M. on September 13^th at the Lisbon Community School.

Larry Fillmore