An Icon Is Gone, 'Joe' Has Left The Building: Graziano's Will Be Missed !!!!!

And We Are Paying How Much and How Many People Have We Had In Lisbon's Economic & Community Development Department?????

Moxie Festival launches wicked, cool new web site‏

31^st Annual Moxie Festival July 12-14, 2013

Moxie Festival 2013 Theme —  Moxie:  A Maine Tradition

Feb. 7, 2013.  The Moxie Festival Committee is pleased to announce that the newly designed Moxie Festival web site (www.MoxieFestival.com) is launched.

Created by Maine’s own Krack Media, visitors can now obtain a 2013 schedule, events forms and find out from Frank Anicetti (Lisbon Fall’s Moxie Man) how to taste your first Moxie.

According to Lisbon Public Safety Officials, over 50,000 people attend the three-day Moxie Festival.  The Town of Lisbon has approximately 9,300 residents.

Since 1982, The Moxie Festival in Lisbon, Maine has been held on the second weekend in July.  The Festival now includes a three day Pow Wow; Friday night fireworks; a Saturday parade, Moxie Day 5K Race, Moxie Day ATV Charity Ride, and Family Fun Fair; and on Sunday, the Chief Worumbo Androscoggin River Race and the Moxie Car Show.  Moxie was designated Maine’s official soft drink on May 20, 2005.

Keep checking the Moxie Festival website:  www.MoxieFestival.com for the latest information on events.

Town Council Agenda February 5, 2013

AGENDA
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2013
LISBON TOWN OFFICE
7:00 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE TO FLAG

2. ROLL CALL
___Councilor Bickford
___ Councilor Garrison
___ Councilor Larochelle
___ Councilor Lunt
___Councilor Mason
___ Councilor Pesce
___ Councilor Ward

Town Clerk reading of meeting rules

3. PUBLIC HEARING
A. GA Housing Maximums – Appendix C
B. Home Occupation Ordinance
C. Finance Committee Ordinance Amendment
D. Pawnbroker Establishment License for Daniel Miller, Jr. d/b/a Double Diamond Pawn

4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION RESPONSE

6. CONSENT AGENDA
2013-24 ORDER −
A. Minutes of January 8, 2013
B. Minutes of January 22, 2013
C. Renewal Pawnbroker license for Daniel Miller, Jr. d/b/a Double Diamond Pawn

7. COUNCIL ORDERS, RESOLUTIONS, & ORDINANCES

2013-25 ORDINANCE−
Home Occupation Ordinance (Second Reading)

2013-26 ORDINANCE −
GA Housing Maximums – Appendix C (Second Reading)

2013-27 ORDINANCE −
Finance Committee Ordinance Amendment (Second Reading)

2013-28 ORDINANCE −
Zoning Ordinance Amendment (First Reading)

8. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Town Manager’s Report

9. APPOINTMENTS

2013-29 ORDER −
Civil Constable

10. COUNCILOR COMMUNICATIONS

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION

12. ADJOURNMENT
2013-30 ORDER −
To Adjourn

2013 Moxie Festival Theme Winner‏

31st Annual Moxie Festival July 12-14, 2013

(from left)  Jan. 26, 2013 at Lisbon Town Hall.  Frank Anicetti, owner of Kennebec’s; John Hardesty of Dallas, the 2013 Moxie Festival theme winner; and Scott Benson, Lisbon’s Director of Economic and Community Development.

Dallas resident who calls Maine “home” wins the 2013 Moxie Festival theme contest

Jan. 26, 2013.  The Moxie Festival Committee is pleased to announce that the 2013 Moxie Festival theme is Moxie:  A Maine Tradition.  The winner, John Hardesty, resides in Dallas, TX, but calls Maine “home.”  

The Committee chose John’s entry from a selected list from previous nation-wide Moxie Festival theme contests.

A native New Englander, John Hardesty was born in Lawrence, MA,  but has deep roots in the Lisbon area.  While growing up he spent many days at his grandmother/step grandfather’s farm on Ferry Rd. in Lisbon.  His parents, the former Margaret Ashton and Nap Hardesty, were married in the Ferry Rd. farmhouse.  

His uncle, Charles Earle, and his parents and siblings, lived for many years on Frost Hill and owned  much of the land down to the river.  Earle, a member of the Lisbon Falls Masonic Lodge,  worked at both the Farwell and Worumbo mills.  Hardesty’s aunt, the former Martina Ashton, met Earle while both worked at the Farwell Mill.  They were later married in Lewiston, ME.

In addition, Hardesty remembers attending many ceramic classes with his mother, aunt and grandmother at a farmhouse on Webster Rd. in Lisbon.  He fondly recalls riding on the American Legion train on summer nights around downtown Lisbon.  Hardesty attended many Moxie Festivals and enjoyed the parade with family and friends.  

He developed his strong preference for  Moxie at an early age while growing up in the farmhouse and spending many holidays and summer vacations in Maine.    Moxie became and remains his soft drink of choice.  To this day, after spending time in Maine, Hardesty always returns to Texas with a suitcase full of canned Moxie that he carefully rations until he returns “home.”  He has passed on his passion for Moxie to his grandson in Texas who now requests a can whenever the two get together. 

Hardesty and his wife, Deborah, currently live in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX area.

 

Hardesty received a basket filled with Moxie items from The Kennebec Fruit Company store in Lisbon Falls.  He will also return home to Maine to be one of the judges for the Moxie Festival Parade on Saturday, July 13^th. 

The parade which attracts over 100 participants follows the two mile plus route that begins on Capital Avenue and Route 196 and ends at the MTM Center on School Street in Lisbon Falls.

According to Lisbon Public Safety Officials, over 50,000 people attend the three-day Moxie Festival.  The Town of Lisbon has approximately 9,300 residents.

Since 1982, The Moxie Festival in Lisbon, Maine has been held on the second weekend in July.  The Festival now includes a three day Pow Wow; Friday night fireworks; a Saturday parade, Moxie Day 5K Race, Moxie Day ATV Charity Ride, and Family Fun Fair; and on Sunday, the Chief Worumbo Androscoggin River Race and the Moxie Car Show.  Moxie was designated Maine’s official soft drink on May 20, 2005.

Keep checking the Moxie Festival website:  www.MoxieFestival.com for the latest information on events.

The Process

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Town Council Meeting January 22, 2013

Lewiston Police Catch Lisbon Falls Armed Robber Late Friday Night

Man arrested late Friday night in Lisbon armed robbery case

 Andie Hannon,

LEWISTON — A man charged with robbing a Lisbon variety store at knife point Thursday remained in the Androscoggin County Jail on Sunday.

Brooks Noddin, 21, listed as a transient, was arrested late Friday night after being pulled over on Lisbon Street by the Lewiston Police Department. Authorities in Lisbon issued a warrant for Noddin's arrest after he was identified in surveillance footage at Miller's Variety store on Route 196.

According to police, Noddin stole cash and cigarettes from the store in Lisbon Falls, which is across from the Lisbon House of Pizza. Authorities reported that Noddin entered the store about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, displayed a knife and demanded money from the cash register.

Read more here:  http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2012/10/14/man-arrested-late-friday-night-lisbon-armed-robber/1265292

We Thank You Lewiston Police Department!!!!!

Miller's Variety Store In Lisbon Falls Robbed At Knife Point, No Injuries

Lisbon store robbed at knifepoint 

By: Connie Footman

 The store clerks were approached by the man, who displayed a knife and demanded money from the cash register, Tapley said. After receiving an undetermined amount of cash and cigarettes, the man left the scene in a white hatchback-style vehicle, possibly a Toyota Matrix or a Ford Focus with black wheels, he said.

The vehicle was last seen headed east on Route 196 toward Topsham.
The suspect was described as being in his 20s, about 5 feet, 10 inches to 6 feet tall and of average build. His dark hair was worn in "a dreadlock-style," police said, and he had a thin beard and wore a gray pullover. Police released photos of the suspect and the vehicle that were taken from the store's surveillance camera.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Tapley at the Lisbon Police Department at 353-2500 or email him at wtapley@lisbonpd.com.

 http://www.sunjournal.com/news/lewiston-auburn/2012/10/11/lisbon-store-robbed-knifepoint/1264454

Please if you know who this person might be or have other information contact the Lisbon Police at 207-353-2500 

Let's show him 'we mean business'!!!

 Photos used under fair use act.

FRICK MEETS FRACK‏

I attended the May 24, 2012 Planning Board meeting.

I find that the more Planning Board meetings I attend, the more confused I become.

It is painfully clear that the Planning Board

is clearly out of their element.

First up was Premier Development: Requesting permission to continue on-going work, bringing in and selling materials. A neighbor is and has been complaining about a dust problem. After much discussion an obvious solution was reached. 

Next, 

Case # 11-08    Open Door Bible Church.

The Church is requesting permission to rent out the storage units in a commercial building that was permitted to be built in a residential area. The Town since changed the zoning, spot zoning, so the storage building would be allowed.

A member of the Planning Board did not like the sign advertising the storage units with a phone number to call. A long discussion ensued on that topic.

Next they want the area around the storage units to be landscaped. 

Also brought up was hours of activity and lighting.

  

Talk about locking the barn door after the horses have escaped ! ! ! ! 

All these should have been addressed by Codes Enforcement and the Planning Board during the application and approval process. The storage building was allowed to be built, illegally. Zoning was changed to allow the storage building. 

It would be assumed that renting the storage units was a given.

Why then, did the Church have to endure more than an hour of debate and discussion to allow a sign with a phone number so they can rent the storage units? 

A church member said there is paving in front and on both sides of the building, and lawn at the rear, and that there is no lighting so there is no night activity.

Problem solved. Permit approved.
 

Last on the agenda was Wayne Ricker, requesting permission to sub-divide three (3) lots on Mill Street.

The Planning Board members were asking questions they could have had answers to had they done an "on-site inspection" of the applications.  

And these people were chosen for OUR representation in Lisbon?  Yet another example of Lisbon's lack of leadership.
 

The Town used to have a sign ordinance.

I checked the Town of Lisbon Ordinances and did not find one!

Where did it go? Why do we not have one now?

Especially when in these difficult times of local businesses closing and we are paying a Community Development Director who is supposed to be actively trying to retain what businesses we have and attracting new ones? Where is he and what does he do? 

Town Manager Steve Eldridge tells us at council and budget meetings he has hired a Town Planner, and wants $20,000 in the 2012-13 budget to continue with a town planner; to assist the Community Development Director and Planning Board.

If we have a Town Planner why is he or she not assisting the Planning Board with these issues? Issues that should be cut and dried if we have ordinances in place and a Planner to assist.

Dot Fitzgerald

A Very Concerned Lisbon Citizen

As The Money Flows In Lisbon The Corruption Continues

CORRUPTION CONTINUES IN LISBON

Last night the town council held a Public Hearing on the municipal and school budgets. This meeting was first announced on April 30^th in the Sun Journal and was never announced in the Brunswick Times Record according to the respective papers. This is a direct violation of our town Charter, Section 6.04 – Council Action on Budget, (a) Notice and Hearing, 2 The time and place (not less than two weeks after the first such publication) of a public hearing on the proposed budgets.

 "The Dynamic Duo Dumb-heads"

Since the first announcement, only 9 days had past. When this information was presented to the council Chairman Larochelle, he ignored it and moved on with the public hearing. Apparently, this council has absolutely no interest in complying with OUR Town Charter. The citizens’ desires are meaningless to this council.

It is the town manager’s responsibility to ensure the provisions of OUR town Charter are upheld. This is another violation of the town charter by the town manager. How long do the people of Lisbon have to put up with his incompetentness? Councilor Mason states she was disappointed there were not more people there but when you announce the public hearing in one newspaper and then NOT allow the 14 days to pass prior to the meeting; What would you expect? 

 Lisbon Town Councilor Gina Mason

"We Went From 'Eye Rolling' Norma Wells To This!???"

There was not sufficient time for the message to get out to all the citizens. However, this is just another prime example of Eldridge not following OUR Charter and the town council being manipulated. They say, "ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise"!!!

 The actual wording comes from Thomas Gray's poem, "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College" (1742): "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

One of the more important questions asked was if the people were going to have an opportunity to vote on this year’s budget and the answer was “NO”. Chairman Larochelle stated this has to be changed in several parts of our Charter. Supposedly, it is in the hands of the town lawyer whose objective is to water this proposal down so the people of Lisbon will not have the opportunity to vote “by department” on the municipal budget. Remember last November when over 2,000 citizens of Lisbon stated they wanted to vote on the municipal budget by departments. Brooks cannot stand to allow this to happen because his budget is the most expensive.

At the last Town Council meeting, I pointed out to the town council I was not receiving correct information from the management of the town. I had asked for the general fund balance to determine if the town has the correct amount in the Undesignated Fund (emergency fund) which is mandated by our Charter. The town is required to maintain 12.5% of the total municipal and school general fund. I continued to receive different numbers every time I asked.  

So I asked the State of Maine Tax Division for the correct number and guess what; the town is SHORT approximately $7,271.50 in this account. Again, this is a violation of OUR town Charter. When Eldridge took over as the town manager there was over 3 million ($3,000,000) dollars in this account. Where has our tax dollars gone? We need a forensic audit.

How many more of OUR Town's Charters are we going to allow Eldridge to VIOLATE? 

When is the town council going to get the message Eldridge’s word cannot be trusted? 

I cannot believe how easy it is to manipulate this council.

Vote three of them out in November and let’s try and get some individuals who are not as easy to manipulate!!!!!!!!!!

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Lisbon's Municipal Town Budget For 2012-2013

2012-2013 MUNICIPAL BUDGET PROPOSAL

The Town of Lisbon has posted on the town web site, the initial 2012-2013 Municipal Budget Proposal.  (simply click on highlighted to view)

Now, I fully understand this is only a starting point and not the final product. This budget will be worked by the Budget Advisory Committee, the town Manager, Finance Director and finally the Town Council over the next several months before a final municipal budget will be voted on by the Town Council. The people will NOT be able to vote on this year’s municipal budget, even though you voted that you would like to.

 Town Manager bullcrap budget presentation. Simply click on this link. http://www.lisbonme.org/vertical/sites/%7B23BCC392-4131-4737-99E0-6C6FCE7FB2A2%7D/uploads/2013_TM_Budget_Request_Fund_1_031612.pdf

Lisbon's Lawless Leader, Town Manager Stephen Eldridge

Editor's Note: This Picture has been edited to show what a 'pinhead' that he really is.

 Economic Director Scott Benson.
Editor's Note:  " Ok Boss,  What am I supposed to say again????"

Lisbon Economic Development Director  Scott Benson
Editor's Note: Hmm!!!?  Wonder if I did good enough to get a raise like Rosie Bradley got?

Lisbon Finance Director  Jessica Maloy

I have been reviewing this budget and am terribly disturbed at the trends as outlined by the Town Manager regarding recommendations to  this budget. 

I guess it is not hard to understand why Eldridge only desires  to spend more money since he does not live in Lisbon nor does he pay property tax here. The town Manager does not have a vested interest in the taxes for the people of Lisbon. 

Eldridge does not understand there are only two methods to reduce taxes and they are: (1) Increase revenues coming in and (2) reduce spending. This is not rocket science but apparently Eldridge does not understand these simple facts.

According to this budget, Eldridge proposes a 2% increase in pay across the board once again. I do not understand how in this economy this is possible especially when our department heads, including Eldridge, salaries are $166,000 dollars higher than the same department heads for a comparison town like Skowhegan. 

There is also a proposal of a $10,000 dollars wage increase for the Park Ranger. Please do not misunderstand me, I certainly believe Verla Brooks deserves every penny of this raise but until the other department heads who are not earning their inflated salaries are reduced, I cannot see how this can be  possible. 

The two department heads who contribute the most to this town are the lowest paid: Recreation and Parks. These two departments generate revenue for this town and do an excellent job.

Now at the last Town Council Workshop, Eldridge announced he wants to hire a Planner for the Economy Community Development Department. We currently have an Economic Community Development Director who has not contributed anything to the town since being hired. Benson has talked a remarkable game but has produced absolutely nothing. We lost Kitty Korner and now Graziano’s. More money spent and no revenue coming in.  

Didn't Councilor Cote recommend abolishing this expenditure recently?

Under General Government/Contingency there is a $25,000 increase or 163.16% for matching grants for Police Department Cruiser Video Systems $10,000 and furnishing to comply with Federal Grant Funding of equipment for Dispatch $15,000. 

 Lisbon Chief of Police David T. Brooks

Editor's note:  "Cry Baby" here's your box of tissues Oh and you ought to put some Miracle Hair grow tonic on your scalp, wait, check with Mike Bowie, you might get a discount on a toupee!

Better yet check with your 'Goon Squad'  "Steroids Stewart" and "Whole-Donut Kelly" for some of the wigs they wear.  You know what I am talking about don't ya Chiefy???  Documented and Preserved for future use.

Why is this line item under General Government/Contingency instead of the Police Department and Communications? 

Both of these items pertain to the Police Department and should be listed under the Police Department in the budget instead of under General Government. 

Brooks is trying to hide the actual cost of his department which is the largest drain on this town. This is how Brooks conceals his operating costs and ensures the people of Lisbon have no clue as to how large his budget really is.

In the General Government/Legal, Eldridge wants an additional $6,000.00 for legal fees. There would be no need for legal fees if Eldridge and Therriault did not conspire to force citizens to file lawsuits to obtain Public Records and information pertaining to how our tax dollars are being spent. 

There is absolutely no transparency in the government of Lisbon. I have asked for the Credit Enhancement Agreements for the six (6) businesses utilizing the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program as directed by the state TIF Director and my request was denied. I am turning it over to the state for appropriate action since they provided the guidance. 

 Lisbon's Current Town Manager  Stephen Eldridge

Editor's note:  "Did I just see what I thought I heard????"

 This is yet another example of Therriault providing false information to the town.

I will continue to update the people of Lisbon as I review this proposal.

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Editor's Note:  Thank You Larry for ALL your dedication and hard work in rooting this information out for the public to digest.  Your Dedication is unprecedented.

Originally Posted: 2012-03-30 08:12

Recap Of Last Night's Town Council Meeting

RECAP April 3rd

Last night’s meeting was a very historical event for the citizens of Lisbon. The Chairman Fern LaRochelle and the council added an additional line item called “Audience Participation Responses”. This line item is where the council responds to the questions asked at the previous meeting. The people have always asked for answers and now we have it. I personally want to commend and thank this town council for adding this valuable means of communication to the agenda.

Who is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Lisbon? 

As the Town Manager, all requests for Freedom of Access Acts should be signed by the Chief Administrative Officer since he is the sole Custodian of Public Records for the Town of Lisbon. If the Town of Lisbon is denying the information requested, it should be signed by this Council and not a Town Employee since this action could result in a lawsuit being filed which will cost the taxpayer tax dollars in legal fees. Right now two individuals, who do not pay taxes in this town, are making decisions which results in tax dollars being utilized to defend their actions.

The response was we hired these individuals to do a job and so we must allow them to do so. My take on this is neither the town manager or town attorney has a vested interest in the taxpayer’s money nor how it is spent. The people elected the council to be responsible for how our tax dollars are being spent and not these two individuals who do not pay taxes in this town. When the charter was developed our town manager resided in Lisbon and paid taxes but this has changed.

Why doesn’t the town manager brief the people on the status of voting on the municipal budget at every meeting like he did on the Lisbon Connection? The people are still waiting to hear when they will be allowed to vote on the municipal budget.

The response was the change to allow the people to vote one the municipal budget by department is currently with the town attorney and should be ready for the November 2012 ballot.

What is the status of the $32,500 tax dollars? 

The last time the Town Manager briefed the people he stated the town was seeking to recover the funds in civil court. Has this been filed in civil court? The reason I asked is because the listing the town manager provide the court on all open loans the $32,500 is not on this list. Why is that?

The response was the misappropriated $32,500 dollars is not a loan because the proper procedures were not followed. My take on this is yet another attempt at making this disappear. It was also said it was filed in civil court. I have a copy of the signed Purchase Order, Promissory note and the check issued to Atlantic Commercial Cleaners. It has been stated in the past procedures were lax during this time frame; but if the Finance Officer wrote out a check then that person had to have followed some kind of procedure. Clearly the town is hoping the public will forget about the $32,500 dollars and the incomplete investigation. I believe this is a play on words in yet another attempt to cover all this up.

Please advise everyone on which ordinances we are required to comply with and which ordinances we can ignore?

The response was this is clearly a difficult question to answer and we are looking into it.

The town council vote 6-0-1 with Councilor Mason abstaining to approve the first reading of the proposed zone change on Gartley Street from General Residential to Diversified Development District. Vice-Chair Don Fellows of the Planning Board spoke on this issue and explained the Planning Boards position on this controversial issue. Also former Councilor Cote spoke on how the Lisbon Comprehensive Plan was developed and why. Mr. Cote also made it crystal clear there will be serious issues with the Route 9 trouble being presented by the Planning Board.

Mr. Fellows and the town manager both announced there was going to be a Public Hearing April 26, 2012 with no firm meeting location on the Route 9 changes proposed by the Planning Board. The changes involve “Conditional Usage” to allow for all the businesses currently located on Route 9.

The entire town council meeting will air on Channel 7 at 07:00 PM on Friday night April 6, 2012.

Larry Fillmore

Concerned Citizen

Originally posted: 2012-04-04 20:01

Town Of Lisbon Managerial Report For January 1, 2012

Disclaimer: We did not write this material. It was done by well paid town employees.

 

Town Of Lisbon Greetings! Please click on the link below for the January reports: Managerial Report 1-2012 If you have any questions regarding this report or any other concern, please contact us. Respectfully, Stephen G. Eldridge Town Manager

Thank You for voting! (It is in giving, that we recieve)‏

PLEASE VOTE AS WE ONLY HAVE TILL MARCH 5th.... Thank You! ♥

 Please help someone in your Community! It's called (People Helping People)! Rockin T Equine Rescue, Inc. (The Second Largest Farm in Maine, right in Lisbon Falls) When you get on the Bangor web site, click on vote then look for the Portland/ Lewiston/Auburn area. You will have to type in Rockin T Equine Rescue. You can vote 3 times (one ...per day).Only takes a couple of minutes of your time and would be greatly appreciated!

 

 The Rockin’ “T” Equine Rescue is a non-profit organization under the provisions of 501©(3) IRS tax codes; who needs our assistance. An undertaking of this size is very costly and this is where the residents of Lisbon and the State of Maine can help. There are two ways people can assist. The first one is to logon to www.bangor.com/cmm which is a web site for the Bangor Savings Bank which has a contest going where the Bangor Savings Bank is giving back to the communities of Maine. All you have to do is logon to the web site; click on the box which reads “Cast Your Vote Today”; scroll down to the section for “Portland/Lewiston-Auburn” and click on a write in box and enter Rockin’ “T” Equine Rescue. THIS COSTS YOU NOTHING MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES OF YOUR TIME! According to the information I have received 68 grants will be awarded. The top vote-getting organization in each region, including write-ins, will receive $5,000. The remaining 60 organization will each receive $1,000. Any amount of money received will go a long way to feed, shelter and caring for these animals.

The second way is through tax free donations under the provisions of the 501©(3) of the IRS tax codes. You simple login to the rescue web site and follow the instructions provide. This web site is www.rockintequinerescue.com . I completely understand that times are hard right now and every penny counts but this also applies to these animals. If there are any organizations which would like to adopt the rescue farm or volunteer their time would be greatly appreciated. REMEMBER ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. There are no donations too small and every bit helps!!!!!!!

 This Pony and All his other pals say, Thank You for voting!!!

"American Pickers" Comes To Lisbon Falls

 Lisbon couple Kathy and Jim Harris hosted the History Channel's "American Pickers" duo Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz for an episode that aired Monday titled, "Knuckleheads."  The show will repeat Friday at 8 p.m.  That's Tonight.







The Antiques Roadshow Missed the Biggest & Most Useless 'Relic' Lisbon Has to offer, Police Chief David T. Brooks!!!!!

Part Two: Councilor Lori Pomelow ----Law Maker or Law Breaker?

Councilor Lori Pomelow   ----   Law Maker or Law Breaker?

PART TWO:

There has been much debate about the weight limit on Wing Street but no one seems to know what that weight limit is. The signs at both ends of Wing Street state “No Thru Trucks” but the other part of the regulation “The weight limit is conspicuously absent.

After much searching I found what the sign should read. I refer you to the Minutes of the March 1 2011 Council meeting. In this Official Town document It clearly states that Wing St. should not be used by vehicles exceeding 5 ton. This restriction of 10,000 lbs would exclude some heavy duty 4 wheeled pickup trucks along with almost all six wheel vehicles. This posting is a correct reflection of the roads inability to handle heavy loads.

It is my understanding that many Tractor Trailers have a front axle weight capability of about 12,000 lbs and drive axles GVAW of around 34,000 lbs. (each) along with a total legal weight rating including trailer of about 80,000 lbs. This is up to 8 times the weight limit of Wing Street.

 Empty Imagine Loaded!

What do you think happens to a road designed for 10,000 lbs. when it is regularly used by a tractor trailer weighing many times  the roads design weight? Does the Lisbon Council think that  these road crushing loads are somehow lightened if the trucks are owned by a Councilor or other Lisbon resident?

If we are going to continue to ignore this obvious problem we should set aside a few hundred thousand dollars, every few years, to cover the cost of rebuilding Wing Street and Scottsdale Ave. on a regular basis.

 I resent having to subsidize illegal activity.


Respectfully
Joe Hill
LisbonMaine.net

What A Tangle Web We Weave When We First Practice To Deceive

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PICTURES

At the town council meeting, February 17, 2012, the town council voted 5-1 to approve the memorandum submitted by the Public Works Director to post “Weight Restrictions” signs on various streets because of the early thaw. Also on the memorandum, it stated Webster Road and Wing Street were posted year round. 

Now compare the two photos below and tell me if they read the same. The “Weight Restriction” sign is from Webster Road and the “No Thru Trucks” is from Wing Street. To me there is a big difference in these two signs. The one on Wing Street is designed to allow David Pomelow to drive his tractor trailer rigs to and from his residence. This is the manner in which Brooks takes care of his councilors to protect his police budget.

 

Webster Street Sign

Wing Street Sign

According to the Town Code Enforcement Officer: We do not have a specific definition of business in our ordinance where as there are numerous descriptions for the word business. As for what constitutes having a business in different areas of town, zoning regulates where businesses can take place. There is such a use called "home occupation" where a person can run a small business within the confines of their home and not having any type of advertisement out-side their home.

Now let’s compare the next two photos and see if this is true or a double standard for the Pomelow’s.

Pomelow's Truck

Lisbon Public Safety Sign

Both of these pictures are advertising to the Public, both are on wheels and both have a trailer hitch; so what is the difference? Both are advertising so how can anyone state that the Pomelows are not operating a business from their residence. Once again, a double standard being applied because Lori Pomelow is a town councilor and receiving special treatment in order to protect Brooks budget.

Councilor Lori Pomelow

 
TALK ABOUT CORRUPTION AND COLLUSION IN THE TOWN OF LISBON!!!!!!!!!

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen

Recap Of Last Night's Budget Workshop: How Much Are Taxes Going To Be? Noone Knows!!!!!!

TUESDAY’S WORKSHOP FEBRUARY

Lisbon Assessor William Van Tuenin

At last night’s workshop, Mr. William Van Tuenin, Tax Assessor, gave a bleak presentation of the town’s situation going into this year’s budget.  It was an excellent presentation outlining exactly where we are right now. 

However, Bowie asked Van Tuenin to project what the figures would look like if the town added $300,000 dollars more to the spending.  Van Tuenin computed it for them and when Van Tuenin showed how much it would raise the taxes Bowie and his followers broke out into a chorus of laughter.

Councilor Bowie

THERE IS NO MAGIC FORMULA TO REDUCE TAXES.  THE ONLY WAY TO REDUCE TAXES IS TO CUT SPENDING!!!!  In the past, the Lisbon Reporter has asked its readership to submit possible ways to cut spending.  Below is the consolidated list:

Cost Savings

The biggest cost savings is to completely turn the Lisbon Communications Center over to the County lock, stock and barrel.  This would assist the County Commissioners with their dilemma and as Gina Mason stated “It is time for Lisbon to reach out to our neighbors and offer our help and service to them.”  This is a cost savings to the taxpayers of Lisbon of approximately $500,000 dollars.

Why not combine the Police and Fire Department forming the Public Safety Department?  Depending on how the town decides to combine these two departments, there is a cost savings of between $70,000 and $80,000 dollars.  It is only a matter of which department head you want to be the new head of the Public Safety Department, of course, if you let both current department heads go there would be additional savings.  Remember, Brooks has already retired once and Galipeau is not fully qualified for the position.

Reduce the salaries of the Town Engineer and the current Fire Chief in half.  This is an additional cost savings of approximately $70,000 dollars.  Both individuals were hired with the understanding they would obtain the necessary credentials and since both have breached their employment agreements there should be no problem reducing their salaries.  Neither of these individuals has obtained the required credentials and yet the taxpayers are paying them as if they are fully qualified.

Sell the equipment stored in the old Lisbon Emergency building.  There is no sense storing equipment not being utilized.  This building is being maintained at an unknown cost to the taxpayers.  Why do we need to store equipment not being utilized?  Why not sell this equipment and utilize that money to update some of the equipment we are utilizing. 

Cutting Lisbon’s department heads salaries to match that of Skowhegan would save the taxpayers approximately $160,539.  This would go a long way to reducing our tax bills.

Generate Revenue

Gina Mason suggested overnight camping at Beaver Park.  Why not?  We have a park ranger there 24/7 to supervise.  If it was controlled, it would generate additional revenue to the town.

If the town was to turn the Lisbon Communications Center over to the County and the County utilized the Lisbon town office space, then the town of Lisbon could charge the County rent on the space being occupied by the Androscoggin County Consolidated Communication Center (A4C), once again generating revenue for the town.

The above are my suggestions on how to cut spending in the Town of Lisbon.  Reducing spending is the ONLY method to lowering our tax bills. 

It is very apparent, by Bowie making the suggestion of adding $300,000 dollars of spending to last year’s budget, this council has absolutely no intentions of attempting to reduce spending.  Bowie and the puppets are trying to justify increasing your taxes this year.

Larry Fillmore
Concerned Citizen