A CITIZEN'S OPINION

Recap of Lisbon Council's Special Town Meeting ---The one you probably won't be allowed to see

    Lisbon's 12/22/15 Special Council Meeting was difficult to watch.

 This meeting wasn't a compromise between the two governing groups in Lisbon it was more like the School Committee blackmailing the Council into giving them everything they wanted or face another election that would cost Lisbon taxpayers another $3,000 dollars.

The audience (mostly the Schools "Special Interest Group) seemed to revel in a false sense of power and was heard making statements like

     "We got rid of the A_ _ _ _ _ _ this year and we will get rid of the rest of them next election."  and

      "Blackmail oh well" as if it didn't matter that the School Committee was breaking their laws and blackmailing Lisbon taxpayers.

IF the townspeople are ever allowed to view the recording of this fiasco they will see the Councilors almost begging Ms. Austin to tell them what they can do to pacify the School Committee.  At one point the Council Chair got so frustrated with  Ms. Austin's lack of compromise that he actually allowed her to make the Council's resolution.

The School Committee was so full of a sense of  entitlement that they brazenly broke one of the main laws governing their conduct.

I personally heard one of the School Committee Members stating to a gentleman in the audience that their conduct was Illegal, but that didn't stop her from going back into another illegal private caucus with her fellow Committee members.

The School Committee's only desire was to suck more and more money out of the taxpayers of Lisbon without any compassion for the elderly and less fortunate in Lisbon.

The meeting ended with the Town agreeing  to pay for a large portion of the Schools SRO officers salary.  The town doesn't have the money to do this but unlike the School they are willing to do the best they can for the good of the Town.

Some at this meeting said it didn't matter if the School broke the law as long as they got the results they wanted.  They felt  the end justified the means.  I disagree with this philosophy. I feel laws should apply to all equally. The law the School Committee broke is there for a reason and should be obeyed.

At least one good thing will come from this infraction of our laws. We will find out which of our School Committee Members has the integrity to do the right thing and RESIGN for the  good of Lisbon. 

Sadly
Joe Hill

A CITIZENS LETTER

Lisbon School Committee Willfully and Knowingly broke the Laws that Govern their Conduct

Last night Lisbon Town Council held an Emergency Council Meeting to discuss the School Budget vote scheduled in January.

At this meeting a voting majority of Lisbon's School Committee held a number of impromptu and illegal private discussions about School financial matters. This behavior is clearly a violation of the laws that govern the School Committee.

At least one of the School Committee members was heard acknowledging the illegality of these meetings before she turned around and engaged in another illegal meeting. 

This is the same committee that tried to use a false charter interpretation to justify a "Special Meeting". I guess they use the Charter when it suits their needs but disregards it when the Charter is inconvenient.

This isn't left for interpretation The School Committee clearly, willingly and knowingly disregarded the laws of Lisbon.  

How can we trust them to enforce other regulations if they can't even follow the laws themselves. 

These School Committee members should resign immediately to save Lisbon from further embarrassment.

Respectfully
Joe Hill

RECAP SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – DECEMBER 22TH

Last night, the Town Council held a special meeting to discuss the current School Budget Referendum.  As everyone is well aware, there have been four previous ballots and none approved the School Budget for Fiscal Year 2015-2016.

Chairman Bickford and the Town Council had a proposal that involved the School Reserve Officers (SRO) Budget.  In attendance were Chair Traci Austin and members of the Lisbon School Board to work with the Town Council to resolve this ugly situation prior to the next referendum vote on January 12, 2016.

It was not pretty and was not in accordance with Robert’s Rules but both side worked extremely hard and came to a solution that both sides could live with.  However, the agreement is only good if the Referendum passes in January.  Both sides have agreed to live by the agreement.  I commend both sides for their effort to resolve this situation.

Some are probably going to say it is blackmail and some are going to say one side or the other won but as far as I am concerned both the Town Council and the School Committee did what was needed to be done for the best interest of this community.

I commend both sides for their hard work resolving a bad situation and I for one will be voting YES in January.

Thank you all for your efforts and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

 Larry Fillmore 

LHS WOMEN'S ALUMNI GAME

Lisbon School Committee - 11/23/2015

Lisbon School Committee - 11/30/2015

Lisbon School Board 11/9/2015 Part 1

Lisbon School Board Part 2

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – NOVEMBER 10TH

Last night’s Town Council meeting was uneventful.  This is a summary of what took place.  Under Council Orders, Resolutions, & Ordinances:

1.    School Capital Reserve Request – This was for a sidewalk between Route 196 and the Middle School.   There is a batch area included in the request.  The Council approved the request by a vote of 7-0 not to exceed $18,000.

2.   Steco Trash Trailer Repairs – The Council approved this for $3,600 by a vote of 7-0.

3.   Winter Sand Bids – The Council approved the Copp Excaving bid of $5.24 per yard by a vote of 7-0.

4.   Natural Gas Fuel Bid – This was approved by the Council by a vote of 7-0.

5.   Pierce Apparatus E-1 Refurbish Bid Award – The Council approved the bid from Pierce for $55,370 by a vote of 7-0.

6.   Pierce Apparatus E-6 – The Council approved the bid from Pierce for $79,645 by a vote of 7-0.

7.   Emergency Operation Plan – The EMA Director presented the initial plan and it was adopted by the Council by a vote of 7-0.

8.   FY15 Homeland Security Grant Acceptance & Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) – The Council approved the acceptance of the following funds by a vote of 7-0:

Public Works - $1,077.00   Police - $4,388.00   Fire - $1,120.00

9.    2015 Bullet Proof Vest Grant & Use of Forfeiture Funds – The Council approved the grant award of $4,269.36;  use of Forfeiture funds not to exceed $4,418.64 and to purchase the vest from Atlantic Tactical in the amount of $8,688.00.

10.         Request to Apply for K9 Vest Grant – The Council approved to have Chief Brooks apply for this grant by a vote of 7-0.

11.         Request to apply for 2016 OUI Grant – The Council approved to have Chief Brooks apply for this grant by a vote of 7-0.

Under Other Business – Town Managers Report – The Opening Ceremony for the new Dollar General is scheduled for Saturday.  Also, Chief Galipeau and Mark Stevens gave presentations for their departments.

Under Appointments – The Council appointed Mrs. Hillary Kuhl to the Library Governing Board by a vote of 7-0.  Also, the Council appointed approximately 8 individuals to the Firing Range Ad-Hoc Committee.  I did not get all the names.

Larry Fillmore

Lisbon's Money Problems Not Over by Joe Hill

The election is over, the ballots have been counted and the will of the people is known. We have three new faces on the Council filled with fresh ideas for Lisbon's future. Its time for Lisbon to heal its wounds and come together for the good of all.

The first thing we need to do is put the School Budget behind us.

Two groups in Lisbon have been battling over this budget for months and have torn this town apart. One group wants more money for the school and the other doesn't want to spend more on the School. The recent vote showed us that the majority of Lisbon voters want either  the "Council Approved budget" (the Yes Vote) or they want to spend even less on the School. ("to high vote) I hope the "no to low group" gets the message voters sent and capitulates to the will of the majority. (1084 votes to 901 votes.)

The voters also replaced  two incumbent Councilors that voted on the School Budget.  One supported more money for the School and one supported cutting the Schools money. I think this message is also clear. 

The second thing we should do is ask ourselves why Lisbon School System costs four times as much as private schools in Lisbon that arguably give students a better education? We owe it to our kids to give them the best education we can afford even if that education comes from other sources.

When faced with a tough problem we have been taught to "look outside the box". Most people give this phrase lip service but never actually change their problem solving strategy. Lets really look at new solutions instead of trying to rework the old system that doesn't work.

If we don't find ways to reduce Lisbon's School costs we will be having another "battle royal" next year. 

The people have spoken. (1084 to 901 votes)


Respectfully
LisbonMaine.net
Joe Hill

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL YESTERDAY’S WINNERS

On behalf of The Lisbon Reporter and its staff, I would very much like to congratulate everyone for winning the trust of the people.  You now represent the residents of Lisbon.  This honor has been bestowed on you because the people believe that you will set aside your personal feelings and vote what is best for the community.

Good luck in the future and make Lisbon stronger and better during your tenure.

Larry Fillmore

LISBON'S NEW GYM OPENING

 

 

 

 

 

                                                        Traci Austin Opening Remarks

                                                                          Center Court

                                                                               Seating

                                                                          Weight Room

 

 

 

                                                                       Weight Room

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUPERINTENDENT GREEN, LISBON SCHOOL BOARD AND ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THIS PROJECT.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  SEVERAL HUNDRED PEOPLE TURNED OUT TO WITNESS THE OPENING OF LISBON'S NEW GYM.  IT IS A TRUE ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY. 
 




.SEE WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WHEN YOU DO NOT HAVE TO INVOLVE CHAIRMAN PESCE, COUNCILORS CRAFT, BRUNELLE, BICKFORD AND METIVIER OF THE TOWN COUNCIL

LISBON'S GRAND OPENING OF THE GYMNASIUM

EDITOR'S NOTE:  PLEASE COME OUT AND SEE THIS MARVEL.  IT IS TRULY AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY!

Vote "Yes" on the School Budget To Stop the Insanity

I can see no logical reason for anyone to vote "NO" in the upcoming School Budget vote .The budget has already been  committed and can't be changed so any further elections are a moot point. The only thing a "NO" vote will do is trigger another election that will cost Lisbon another $3,000 in election costs.

What is the point of this ?  Is the School trying to increase the tension between the School Department and the town?  Are they doing this to set the stage for next years Budget Battle? Are they trying to take money away from another town department?Possibly they want the money from the winter salt budget or they want to take money from the Library.  Who knows

This is a hostage situation pure and simple. The Schools "Special Interest Group" is telling the town "If you don't give us what we want we will keep voting "NO" and cost the town another 3 grand every time the no vote triggers another election." This behavior serves no purpose other than punishing the taxpayers of lisbon for not giving in to their demands. 

Recently I have seen professionally made signs around town advocating a "NO TO Low" vote as well as a "Yes vote". This development is disturbing because it implies that people are planning on using this years tactics again next year. Why would anyone spend hundreds of dollars on signs for just one years vote?  

If this is going to be the Schools new tactic for overiding the Councils legitimate control over them, It may be time to restrict the number of times we vote on the School's budget before the budget reverts back to a previous budget.

Vote YES to stop this insanity.

Respectfully
Joe Hill

LSJ: New sidewalk recommended at Lisbon school

Laurie St. Pierre, Special to the Sun Journal  

Lewiston-Auburn |

Monday, October 26, 2015 at 10:28 pm

LISBON — A sidewalk from Philip W. Sugg Middle School to Route 196 could become a reality this fall, according to action by the School Committee on Monday night.

The committee voted 4-0 to authorize Superintendent Richard Green to ask the Town Council to approve spending up to $18,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund to build the sidewalk. 

The Capital Reserve Fund was created in November of 2011 for maintenance and minor remodeling of four school properties: Central Office, Lisbon Community School, Sugg W. Middle School and Lisbon High School.

TO READ MORE: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2015/10/26/new-sidewalk-recommended-lisbon-school/1808674

LSJ: Lisbon council passes proposed school budget

Laurie St. Pierre, Special to the Sun Journal  

 

Lewiston-Auburn |

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 11:45 pm

LISBON – In a 5-2 vote Tuesday night, the Town Council approved a proposed school budget of just over $15 million, which is $234,188 less than the School Committee recommended.
 

    

For the fourth time this year, voters will go to the polls Nov. 3 to decide on a spending plan for 2015-16.

They rejected a $14.93 million budget June 9 and a $14.88 million budget Aug. 11, with the majority saying it was not enough money. The third vote Sept. 22 rejected a $15 million budget.

TO READ MORE: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2015/10/20/lisbon-council-passes-proposed-school-budget/1804759

TIMES RECORD: Fourth school budget comes up

Public hearing slated for tonight

BY DARCIE MOORE

Times Record Staff

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LISBON
The Lisbon Town Council will hold a public hearing tonight on the fourth proposed school spending plan proposed by the school committee for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

The council meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the town office.

This year, the council amended and reduced three earlier proposed budgets by the Lisbon School Committee, all of which have been rejected by voters in budget validation referendums since June. A majority of voters in each referendum indicated the opposition to the budget was because education spending proposed by the council was too low.

The school committee has proposed a $15,441,270 spending plan, including adult education, and would reduce taxes by $93,889.

TO READ MORE: http://www.timesrecord.com/news/2015-10-20/Front_Page/Fourth_school_budget_comes_up.html

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING 10/5/2015

LSJ: Lisbon school gym nearly done; budget vote looms

Laurie St. Pierre, Special to the Sun Journal  

 

Lewiston-Auburn |

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 11:55 pm

LISBON — Superintendent Richard Green told the School Committee on Tuesday night that the new Lisbon High School gymnasium is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 21.

 

The $4-plus million project is expected to be finished almost two weeks before voters go to the polls a fourth time to approve a school budget for 2015-16.

TO READ MORE: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2015/10/13/school-committee-wants-excess-gym-proceeds-be-used-school-budget/1800422

Lisbon School Board