Town of Lisbon Route 196 Design Standards Online Survey

 

 

Town of Lisbon

Route 196 Design Standards Online Survey

 

 

Greetings! Please take the time to participate in Route 196 Design Standard Online Survey by clicking the link below.     Route 196 Design Standard Online Survey    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Thank you, Route 196 Steering Committee

Lisbon's Very Merry Main Street offers free family holiday fun‏

Carolers singing holiday favorites on Main Street Lisbon Falls during the Very Merry Main Street celebration which this year will be Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5 pm until 7 pm.

Bring your family and celebrate the holiday season in Lisbon Falls at the 5th Annual Very Merry Main Street on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5-7 pm. Free activities include horse drawn carriage rides, musical performances, and the chance to visit Santa.

“Lisbon Falls is the perfect place to experience an authentic small town holiday celebration. As a family friendly destination, we offer activities that will bring smiles to children of all ages,” said Ross Cunningham, President of Positive Change Lisbon, the coordinator of the event.

The evening begins at 4:30 at the MTM Center on School Street where carolers from Lisbon Falls Baptist Church will lead the singing as Santa lights the town’s Christmas tree at MTM park. After the lighting, everyone is invited to follow Santa in a "Caroling Procession" down Main Street to Route 196.

From 5 pm to 7 pm, over 15 businesses in Lisbon Falls will open their doors and welcome visitors to their stores with many providing snacks and drinks and activities. Stop by the Positive Change Lisbon table outside Mike's Flooring on Main Street to receive a card to be stamped by local businesses. Return the stamped cards to be entered into a contest to win a gift basket.

Children will be able to meet Santa for free after he arrives at the “North Pole Annex” in the Masonic Hall on Route 196. Parents can take photos of their kid's visit. All visitors are invited to line up at the Outside Mike's Flooring on Main Street for free horse drawn carriage rides.

During the evening, the Lewiston trio known as “Present Company” will perform holiday favorites at Drapeau's Costumes on Main Street. Local singer songwriter Steve Hildonen will be playing sing a long songs at The Railroad Diner. Participants will be able to hear familiar tunes at Tangles Hair Salon broadcast by Lisbon’s own WQRY Internet Radio.

For more information, contact Ross Cunningham at 751-2417 or rcunni@aol.com

Positive Change Lisbon is an organization of business owners, citizens, and government officials who work together to make Lisbon a more attractive place to live, recreate and to conduct business.

The Enigma‏

  As I have asked many times over the years, my questions about revolving loans were either ignored or told by the town manager & his sidekick, Mr. Feeney, it was classified information.  So who ever got loans, it was only known by rumors - who they maybe  and their status of defaulting,  Only the STAR CHAMBER knew. The Lisbon Video, the Farwell furniture & its cohort businesses (who never ran a business previously ), Maria's (Ronnie Anctil's old place) are just a few names. The town manager, I believe, should be responsible as this leadership should be accountable. WHERE DOES THE BUCK stop?

     How much money has been defaulted? For those loans in arrears-what are the consequences?? Who is in CHARGE?  Is anything TRANSPARENT??  As Abbott and Costello would ask who is one first, who is on second.....

                                                                                          DEEP THROAT

Are Lisbon's Taxpayers' Getting Fleeced By The Town Manager ?

THE FLEECING OF LISBON

 Lisbon Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge

The darkest day in the history of Lisbon was when Chief Brooks talked the Town Council into hiring Stephen G. Eldridge as our Town Manager.  In 2008, when Mr. Eldridge took over as Town Manager, there was over three (3) million dollars, that’s right, three million dollars in the town’s Undesignated Fund.   

The Undesignated Fund is an account where the funds have NOT been designated for a purpose.  It is to ensure the town has at least 12.5% of the operating cost in case of an emergency.  The Charter Commissioners and the Town Fathers felt this was important to protect against bankruptcy.  These were very wise men and cared a great deal for this community.

According to the 2013 Municipal Tax Rate Calculation form submitted by the town to the state, the tax for commitment which is what is utilized to compute the Undesignated Fund was $10,422,328.02 and you multiply this number by 12.5% you will come up with $1,302,791.00 which should be what our Undesignated Fund Balance should be.  

 But if you go to the Annual Audit and look, you will see that the Undesignated Balance is $1,076,332.00 which means the town is SHORT $226,459.00.  This is what the auditor meant when they wrote “The Town’s Unassigned Fund Balance changed from 2012 to 2013 as a result of an unfavorable expenditure budget variance.”

If you notice no one explained the “unfavorable expenditure”.  

 This means that during Mr. Eldridge's reign of terror the town has spent over two (2) million dollars somewhere.  It certainly was not on our roads, so where?  This town is in desperate need of a forensic audit in order to hold someone accountable.

Now with our Undesignated Fund being short $226,459.00, Mr. Eldridge is proposing a wage increase for town employees.  As I have stated in the past, I am not against the actual town workers receiving a wage increase but I am against Mr. Eldridge and Department Heads receiving anything because their salaries are drastically inflated.  Also, Mr. Eldridge’s annual increase is based on the same percentage as the employees.   

Who do you think negotiated the increase; that’s right Mr. Eldridge?

Now, I am going to show you the latest tactic utilized by Mr. Eldridge to get his way.  For years, wage increases were included in the budget when it was presented to the people at a Public Hearing?  Because so many people were outraged at the last two Public Hearings and the Town Council was getting the reputation of not listening to the people; Mr. Eldridge had to do something new.  This year there was no mention of wage increases in the budget at Public Hearing.    

That is because Mr. Eldridge started with the Unions first.  Always before, Mr. Eldridge established a wage increase percentage for the town employees and then negotiated with the Union for the same or below.  Now, he has negotiated with the Unions first in order to jam a wage increase down our throats. 

Mr. Eldridge has a very special manner in which to confuse the Town Council and the people and that is by using different terms such as Town Surplus Fund Balance instead of Undesignated Fund Balance.  There is no such term as Town Surplus Fund Balance in our Town Ordinances.  Section 86-1 Fund Balance Policy (See Below) outlines the Undesignated Fund Balance requirements.   

 (click on each to enlarge or print)

 

As you can see in paragraph (c) the council cannot approve the Supplemental Appropriations because the Undesignated Fund is below the mandatory requirement.  Given the history of this council, I am sure the town will approve this Supplemental Appropriations because the majority of the council could care less about our town Ordinances.

How much more of our tax dollars are going to be misappropriated by our Town Manager?  How long do the taxpayers have to pay over $91,000 tax dollars to have someone run this community into the ground financially?

Larry Fillmore

The citizens of Lisbon deserve equal justice for all!

                               PROPERTY TAX FORECLOSURES

Property tax foreclosures will be a topic of discussion on Tuesday night's agenda.  I find this to be hilarious.  Chairman LaRochelle is going to preside over property tax foreclosures when LaRochelle Properties, LLC paid back taxes without paying Interest and Penalties.  This is outrageous because the town is requiring some taxpayers to pay Interest and Penalties and others do not.

Normally justice is dispensed equally for all but here in Lisbon that is NEVER the case.  There is the “Good Old Boys” network and then there are the normal residents.  It is well documented members of the “Good Old Boys” network get special treatment when dealing with the town while normal residents are required to comply with every aspect of an ordinance.  Take for example a councilors husband receiving a TEMPORARY LAND USE PERMIT without an expiration date.  How can one have a temporary condition without an expiration date? 

 
As you can see from the above document, the town assessor did not charge LaRochelle Properties, LLC for Interest or Penalties for the back taxes owed on 140 Main Street.  Tell me again how the town can charge taxpayers on the Property Tax Foreclosure list with Interest and Penalties and not LaRochelle Properties, LLC.  Can anyone call this equal justice? 

It is my understanding  the reason LaRochelle Properties, LLC did not have to pay Interest and Penalties was because the mistake was caused by the town.  However, it is the responsibility of each taxpayer to ensure all the information on their tax bill is correct.  For over 14 years this discrepancy had been going on in favor of LaRochelle Properties, LLC, so the LLC has to assume some responsibility in this situation.  Just because the error is in their favor is no excuse to allow it to continue without trying to get it corrected.  LaRochelle Properties, LLC should be charged the Interest and Penalties for allowing this situation to go on for 14 years.

Remember Councilor Roger Cote and his problems with the town on Excise Tax.  The town screwed up Councilor Cote’s excise tax in his favor and then charged him the difference and Interest until he paid for the town’s mistake.  This is another prime example of the “Good Old Boy” network in action.  LaRochelle
Properties, LLC does not have to pay Interest and Penalties and Councilor Cote had to pay Interest.   Both of these situations were created by a mistake by the town.  

Can anyone tell who is a member of the “Good Old Boys” network and who is not?

The citizens of Lisbon deserve equal justice for all!!!!!!!!

Larry Fillmore

Just Getting "Winter" Sand For Lisbon Roads Presents Problems

Lisbon Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge

WINTER SAND BID

If you look at the Town Council Agenda for November 5, 2013, you will find the Winter Sand Bid on it again.  This is the third time the council has had to consider the Winter Sand Bid.   So why are we still playing with the Winter Sand Bid?   

This is a direct result of the Town Manager, Stephen Eldridge, not complying with our town ordinance, Chapter 86, Purchasing Policy.  Mr. Eldridge accepted a sealed bid that was incomplete and then tried to justify it with the council but Councilor Pesce pointed out the bid was incomplete.  Mr. Eldridge’s attempt to slide the incomplete bid was because the majority of the council believes EVERYTHING he says.  Councilors LaRochelle, Ward, Bickford and Mason believe every word that comes out of Mr. Eldridge’s mouth. 

Once Councilor Pesce pointed out the bid was incomplete several others supported Councilor Pesce in getting the agenda item tabled until the next meeting of the council.  When the next meeting came up, the bid was still screwed up and Council Pesce brought it out to the council.  Instead, of throwing out the incomplete bid, the majority of the council voted to approve the bid.  Councilors Pesce and Lunt voted against accepting the incomplete bid.

The winning bidder delivered the sand to Public Works.  Public Works inspected the sand and performed a Sieve test on the sand upon arrival and the sand failed the Sieve test not once but twice.  It is my understanding that the Town Manager, made a command decision and rejected the winning bidders sand and elected to go to the next lower bidder.  The sand was immediately delivered because of the changing weather.  I believe this was the right decision because of the changing weather in Maine there is no telling what could happen. 

So this brings us to Tuesday’s agenda and why the Winter Sand Bid is back on the agenda.  The town manager made the right decision and went with the next lower bidder and the sand was delivered.  According to the documentation, the total cost of the sand is $8,925.00.  The amount of the bill is under $10,000 and therefore does not require council approval so why are we wasting the council’s time with this again? 

Can someone tell me why this town is paying the Town Manager over $90,000 dollars a year?

Larry Fillmore

MORE CORRUPTION IN LISBON

Lisbon Town Manager Stephen G. Eldridge

MORE CORRUPTION IN LISBON

Right off the bat, I want to apologize for the length of this article but it cannot be helped.  This needs to be said in its entirety.  On September 17, 2013 at the Town Council meeting, one of the agenda items was the “winter sand bids”.  The Town Manager presented the winter sand bids.  Councilor Pesce said and I am quoting from the minute of the meeting.  “Councilor Pesce pointed out that the sieve testing results were not submitted with Premier’s bid and that he just received them today.  Mr. Eldridge said the testing company was at fault, the Premier Development submitted their sample but the testing company requested another one, and that this one was received late today so it was added to the agenda.  Councilor Mason asked that the reason for the delay be verified.  Councilor Pesce said because he just received this information that he was not comfortable making a decision tonight and requested this item be moved to the next agenda.”  Councilors Garrison, LaRochelle, Mason, Lunt and Pesce voted to table this item until the next meeting.

 

Lisbon Town Councilor Dillon Pesce

Our youngest councilor has the ability to see right through our Town Manager trying to pull a fast one.  The bid for Premier Development was not complete in accordance with the Request for Procurement (RFP).  Councilor Pesce recognized this and tried to make sure everyone was provided a fair playing field when submitting bids for town projects.

At the October 1, 2013, the saga continues and here is what took place, again from the minutes.  “Mr. Eldridge said this item was tabled at the last Council meeting.  Ryan Leighton said RFPs were sent out to Carl Huston Excavating, Copp Excavating, Dube Gravel, Premier Development, and Pat Cry Trucking.  Bids were received from Carl Huston Excavating, Dube Gravel, and Premier Development.  He recommended Premier Development at $4.49 per yard.”

“Councilor LaRochelle said all of them have presented the criteria for sand.  Mr. Leighton said yes, they have all presented passing analysis of the materials they intend to sell us.  Councilor LaRochelle said so your recommendation is the low bid from Premier Development at $4.49 per yard.  Mr. Leighton said low bid, closet pit to the shop.”

“Councilor Pesce said for the Premier Development test; it is on the back of Carl Huston’s bid and I don’t see anything filled in, like any sort of company that did the test.  Mr. Leighton said Shaw Brothers.  I contacted Premier Development and it was Shaw Brothers.”

“Councilor Pesce said I don’t have anything filled out on the bottom, nothing on the top.  And the project is ETTI when it was submitted by Premier, so I don’t think this is filled out as it should be.  All the others have very detailed companies with names and signature sand this one does not.”

 “Councilor Ward said is that because this was the same one we used last year.  Mr. Leighton said yes.  Councilor Ward said how many years have we used them.  Mr. Leighton said last year was the first year.”

“Councilor Ward said did we have some issues last year.  Mr. Leighton said there were some questions when we first started hauling and they started taking material from a different stockpile and the material was fine.  This year the material is better than what was presented last year.”

“Councilor Pesce said I think we should look at Carl Huston or Dube Gravel just because this is the second round with this and it still isn’t filled in.”

Once again, Councilor Pesce recognized the fact that Mr. Eldridge, Mr. Leighton, Councilors LaRochelle and Councilor Ward were trying to pull a fast one.  Awarding the contract to Premier Development was not in the best interest of the town on so many different reasons.

Now I am going to provide information which has been obtained by several reliable sources.  I cannot verify all of it at this time.  The other day I was at the Transfer Station and I noticed they were delivering the winter sand and it looked like high quality sand.  I asked about the sand and was told that Premier Development originally delivered the sand and when it was tested it failed two times.  A decision was make to reject Premier Development and go with Carl Huston.  Apparently, the sand was from Carl Huston’s pit.  How they could deliver the sand before it was approved by the council is another mystery.  I have been told that this will be on the next Town Council agenda.

I am amazed how easy Mr. Eldridge and Mr. Leighton can manipulate several members of the council with the exception of Councilors Pesce and Lunt.  It sure is easy to see which councilors are members of the “Good Old Boys” network and which truly have the best interest of the town at heart.  Councilor Pesce is very young in age but very wise when it comes to dealing with the truth.  Councilor Pesce has the ability to see when Mr. Eldridge is trying to pull a fast one on the council.  Councilor Pesce is always looking to do what is best for this community.  Councilor Lunt on numerous occasions puts the best interest of the community at heart.

Lisbon Town Councilor Mark Lunt

The community should be proud of these two councilors and encourage other councilors to follow their lead.

Larry Fillmore

Final Draft Of Route 196 Master Plan October 8th, 7:00pm Lisbon Community School

Rt. 196 Master Plan meeting on Tuesday, October 8th at LCS at 7:00 pm? FINAL Draft

THE MILL‏

I read a paper circulating in town that bond for the Womubo  Mill includes the Mill St. property.

Is this true??

                                                                           DEEP THROAT

Were The Taxpayers' Concerns Ever Considered During The Town Council Meeting? Dé·jà vu

                             

                           LISBON’S COMEDY HOUR

At last night’s town council meeting, a lot of critical information was released.  All of it was hysterical to say the least.

 

 Lisbon Council Vice-Chairman Lisa Ward

 Town Attorney Roger Therriault

The first revealing information comes to us from Councilor Ward.  She informed everyone that the Town Attorney, Roger Therriault, our own legal beagle, stated that since Chairman LaRochelle receives no direct financial benefit from the purchase and demolition of the Worumbo Mill there is no conflict of interest. 

 Lisbon Council Chairman Fern LaRochelle

By the way, Chairman LaRochelle voted on the agenda items dealing with the Worumbo Mill instead of recusing himself as he had done during the two Public Hearings.  The mere fact he purchased the abutted property for a little more than half the asking price is no financial gain.  Apparently, Mr. Therriault does not understand if the property value goes up around your property so does your property and if the property value around your property goes down so does the value of your property.  Do you call this a financial gain or not?

Councilor Ward stated that the reason she voted to put the million dollar bond on the November ballot was because she did not hear an overwhelming support one way or the other at the Public Hearing.  She went on to say that those who were against the project were heard loud and clear. Councilor Ward was not convinced that this represented the majority of the people.  This is not word for word because I do not take shorthand but it is as close as I can remember.  

Please watch the video tape when it becomes available.  

 Councilor Pesce

 Councilor Lunt

 Councilors Garrison and Bickford

I suggested that she call for a show of hands to determine how many people in the audience was for, against or undecided but she failed to do this.  By the vote, I would say the only two councilors who were paying attention at the two Public Hearings were Councilors Pesce, and Lunt because they voted against putting it on the ballot.  But as far as the council recommending this bond, Councilors Pesce, Garrison and Lunt voted against the bond.  

One of the questions asked during the Public Hearing was if the bond included the 5 lots owned by Miller Industries.  The answer was they were not sure if these lots, which contain Mercury, were going to be part of the final deal or not.  The council does not know if they can exclude them during the deal.  There are so many issues still undecided and yet they want US to TRUST them to make all the right decisions.  

This is ludicrous to play with a million dollars of taxpayers’ money without knowing all the fact first.  It appears that Chairman LaRochelle received his great deal in return for dumping the mill properties on the town to clear up.  Remember that after the mill fire, the insurance company paid Miller Industries a very large settlement.  Did they reinvest any of this money in Lisbon?  

Three years ago they offered to demolish the mill and Dale Crafts and Gina Mason pushed to leave it up.  Now they want the taxpayers of Lisbon to pick up the tab for eye soar to our community.  There are too many unknowns for the taxpayers to gamble on this project. 

 

 Planning Board Chairman Don Fellows

Mr. Don Fellows spoke on behalf of the Planning Board and the Route 196 Master Plan.  He is in favor of the mill coming down because it is an eye soar to the community.  I agree with Mr. Fellows that it needs to come down but not at the expense of the taxpayers.  

Mrs. Miller and Miller Industries should be responsible for bringing down the mill or restore it but that choice is complete up to them.  By the way, Mrs. Miller and Miller Industries allowed the Real Estate Listing to expire.  Does that mean the property is already under contract or is there a deal pending?

The final bit of information came from Chairman LaRochelle who wants everyone to believe the council can be TRUSTED to make the right decisions for the people.  He wants to compare the Campus Commons to the Worumbo Mill project.  So let’s take a look at the two.  Campus Commons was done behind closed doors; the town sold the property for $1.00 with over a million dollars of Federal Grant monies attached.  4 Campus Avenue was valued at $265,050.  Now Chairman LaRochelle believes that the Worumbo Mill falls into the same category. 

First, we are not selling town property but purchasing property from a private business.  Next, the Millers offered three years ago to demolish the mill, behind closed doors, and the council asked them NOT to do this.  Why wasn’t this brought to the people then?  Now, the council is bringing this to the people because the council cannot swing a deal behind closed doors as they have in the past.  Next, there are contamination issues with the Worumbo Mill property that is well documented.  Common Campus had no issues in this area.  Finally, does the town of Lisbon really want to set a precedent by getting into the Real Estate business?  Comparing these two projects is like comparing apples to oranges. 

If nothing else demonstrating your incompetence is entertaining.

Larry Fillmore 

Lisbon Councilors Hear Plenty of Citizens Saying 'No' To Worumbo Mill Bond, But Were They Listening?

By: Peter Reuter, Special to the Lisbon Reporter

About 135 people attended the second Public Hearing on the Worumbo Mill Project Bond held tonight at the Lisbon Community School.  Several residents spoke NOT to put this on the taxpayer's back in the form of a $1 million dollar bond to be put on the ballot in November.   Out of the roughly 25 people that spoke a multiple of times, the consensus was that the majority are not in favor of such a preposterous proposition put forth by this sitting council.

Those in favor numbered just about 5 persons.  

Vice Chairman Lisa Ward chaired the meeting and Chairman Fern LaRochelle recused himself and sat in the front of the room.  Ward tried to stymie a citizen from speaking to no avail.  Rounds of applause were given for information the citizen speaking was presenting.

This meeting was announced, once again, that it would be aired on Public Access Television. But we know from past history that these Public Hearings held at LCS are selectively aired.  Time will tell.

Thank you to all who attended, listened, learned, and participated.  Lisbon A Great Place To Live and Do Business,  together we can fulfill that motto.

Expectations For September 10th, 2013 Public Hearing On the Worumbo Mill Million Dollar Bond

                                        WHAT TO EXPECT SEPTEMBER 10th

September 10th is the date for the next Public Hearing on floating a bond to purchase the Worumbo Mill property and the demolition of the mill.  This bond does NOT cover making the property presentable for sale.   Now, what can you expect at this Public Hearing.

It is more than likely the town will put on a dog and pony show.  What this means is the town will have a presentation of their vision of what the town will look like in 30 years.  This vision starts with the Route 196 Master Plan.  If it is the same presentation I saw at the joint meeting, it is an excellent proposal.  However, it should not be our number one priority.

Town Manager, Stephen Eldridge is going to try and use a scare tactic by telling you that it is imperative that the town purchase the Worumbo Mill property in order to protect how the property will be used in the future.  This is about as far from the truth as you can get because the town has Zoning Ordinances along with Land Use ordinances to protect this from happening. 

Chairman LaRochelle should be able to speak on this point from first-hand experience.  Chairman LaRochelle is currently working on constructing a commercial building at 2 Canal Street.  The Planning Board spent one hour and fifteen minutes quizzing Chairman LaRochelle on this project and he is not done yet. 

Between the presentation and the scare tactics, it will be important for you to wear your boots.

At the joint meeting where the Town Council, Planning Board and the School Department and Facilities Committee outlined their priorities for the future.  At this workshop, it became very clear that the taxpayers are going to have to make an investment in this community or let it die.  It also came out that the school is on probation, NOT for academics but for facilities.  The majority cause of the probation is the gym.  

The cost to replace the gym is approximately $6.2 million dollars.  Planning Board Chairman Don Fellows told about a conversation he had with someone thinking about moving to Lisbon until he found out the school was on probation.  Who wants to move to a town where the school is on probation?
I love this community and after two years of having my taxes raised, I blame the management of our town for this.  I personally believe there has been no reason to raise our taxes these last two years except to protect the Communications Center and the Police Department.  The majority of our tax dollars goes into the Police Department.

I am not in favor of raising our taxes any more but if we do not invest in our community it will be lost.  I cannot see how anyone can be in favor of purchasing the mill which has no guarantee of a return on investment over doing everything we can to get our school off probation.  If the school comes off probation it will draw more families to our community.  This will increase the tax base and will eventually lower our taxes. 

It is a silly notion of having the town get involved in the real estate business OVER getting our school off probation.  You do realize that if the town floats a million dollar bond for the Worumbo Mill it will be impossible to get the school off probation for many many years and you can forget the track for a long long time. 

The Town Council has the authority to forget about putting the questions on the November ballot to float a million dollar bond for the Worumbo Mill purchase and demolition.   Let’s forget about purchasing the Worumbo Mill and concentrate on getting our school off probation. 

Getting our school off probation is a true investment in our future.

Larry Fillmore

Recap of the Planning Board Meeting‏ August 29, 2013

RECAP PLANNING BOARD MEETING

At last night’s meeting of the Planning Board, the Planning Board reviewed an application by LaRochelle Properties, LLC for the construction of a commercial building at 2 Canal Street.  This meeting was open to the Public and even though it did not contain a “Public Hearing” section, the Public was allowed to speak.

Our new Code Enforcement Officer, Dennis Douglas, had prepared the application with all the required documentation to include all drawings required.  He had ensured everything was complete and assembled in accordance with the Planning Board checklist.  This made the meeting flow better and as it was, it took roughly one hour and fifteen minutes to complete the checklist.

Mr. Fern LaRochelle had spent a huge amount of time and money preparing the documentation and the drawings.  He was quizzed by the members of the Planning Board the entire time and was upfront with all his responses.  This building is going to be an asset to the community.  Mr. LaRochelle should be commended for undertaking such an investment.  This building will be located near the corner of Route 196 and Route 125.  It will be visible from both entrances to the community and will provide a good “first impression” of Lisbon.

Chairman Don Fellows and the members of the Planning Board were extremely thorough when reviewing this application to ensure all town ordinances had been met.   The Panel went down the checklist, item by item.  All members of the Planning Board were professional and courtious.   After the Planning Board had completed the review of the application, I can honestly say all my questions and concerns had been answered.  This is something good for this community and everyone should acknowledge the efforts of Mr. Fern LaRochelle.

I was particularly impressed with the meeting.  There appeared to be no backdoor dealings, no hidden agenda or anything else like that.    It was very refreshing to see everything above board.  This is a wonderful project for the community.  Once this is completed, everyone in the community will be proud.   There are no losers here.

I want also to acknowledge the fine work Dennis Douglas did ensuring everything was complete.  Also, I want to commend the Planning Board for the excellent job they did reviewing the application but most of all I want to thank Mr. Fern LaRochelle for investing in our community.

Larry Fillmore

Recap Appeals Board August 28, 2013

Lisbon Appeals Board Chairman Morgan-Alexander

RECAP OF THE APPEALS BOARD MEETING

Tonight, I attended the Appeals Board meeting.  This was without doubt the most put-up job I have ever seen.  The entire meeting lasted fifteen (15) minutes.  Chairman Miriam Morgan-Alexander proved to be qualified to join the “Good Old Boys” club.   There was absolutely no need for a meeting, wasting everyone’s time because this was predetermined.

The purpose for the meeting was to review Case #13-1 pertaining to LaRochelle Properties, LLC request for a variance for front and side setback to allow for a commercial building to be constructed at 2 Canal Street.  Mr. LaRochelle presented his case for the variance and he was the only person allowed to speak.

Lisbon Appeals Board (l to r): Morgan-Alexander, Richard Long, and Bruce Marshall

This was advertised as a “Public Hearing” but apparently Chairman Morgan-Alexander did not get the memo (See Above).  However, at no time did Chairman Morgan-Alexander allow any input from the audience.  The Public was never allowed to speak. This clearly demonstrated at what length Chairman Morgan-Alexander went to in order to ensure Mr. LaRochelle's variance was approved.  Has anyone ever heard of a Public Hearing where the Public is not allowed to speak?

This clearly was a put-up job!  The Board of Appeals did not take into consideration our own ordinances on Access Management and Land Management Use.  Approval of this variance is not in accordance with the Route 196 Master Plan.  I have no idea if construction of this building will create a safety hazard by limiting vision on the curve because I was not allowed to speak.  Do we have a safety issue here? 

Larry Fillmore

Many many questions‏

Many, many ????s

1.What happen to Luiggi's ? RUMOR: they have walked away--burnt by Econ Dev/Scott Benson  who made promises..

 

2. I read about Millers property and read on the announcement that the bond also includes the MILL St. property. I thought the bond was only for the Mill itself..

 

    Town has a poor memory--what did anyone LEARN about the horrors of the FARWELL MILL when the town bought it & then Mr. Fenney gave out all the grant $$?????!!  REMEMBER???

  Something about HUD wanted their $$ back and a buried train car with something in it..

 

3.The taxes for this building & 5.5 acres---ONLY $4,500 a year!!!!! Mr. Moxie pays half this amount for his building with no land outside the footprint.

 

4.How much did Fern pay for that corner lot and what is the tax on it.

 

5.Today I heard Fern is building a subdivision on Hinkley St. with construction done by someone in town..if this is true was this land bought from the town? Also there is a lot in this cul de sac that was land locked and now has access??

 

6. Why are town lands for sale and are not publicly /visibly published?!!   HUD

  SOMETHING SMELLS FISHY???

 Questions are NOT answered by town council if you are allowed to ask a question

                                                               DEEP THROAT

TD BANK CLOSING DOORS IN LISBON FALLS‏

 

 

TD BANK  "America's Most Convenient Bank will no longer be "the most convenient Bank" to it's Lisbon customers.

 

In a letter I received on August 19, 2013 I was informed that they will be closing the Main Street Lisbon Falls

branch on November 1, 2013.

 

This closing will be most inconvenient to it's Lisbon/Lisbon Falls customers.

 

I was notified that local accounts will be transferred to their Brunswick Branch.  Or customers can go to their two locations in Lewiston. The letter did not mention their other location in Auburn

 

This when Positive Change Lisbon is working to improve Lisbon's image and bring Positive Change and businesses to Lisbon.

 

Many customers are pretty upset about the local TD Bank branch closing.

 

Are you one of them?

 

The Lisbon Reporter would like to hear from you.

And maybe from Ross Cunningham of Positive Change Lisbon.

 

This will be a great loss, not just to customers,

but to Main Street Lisbon Falls, and to The town of Lisbon.

 

Dot Fitzgerald

A Lisbon Concerned Citizen

Happy Centennial Anniversary To The Kennebec Fruit Company Better Known As The Moxie Store and Frank

CONGRATULATIONS

KENNEBEC’S FRUIT COMPANY

BETTER KNOWN AS “THE MOXIE STORE”

(1913-2013)

In 1913, the doors opened on the Kennebec’s Fruit Company located at the corner of US Routes 125 and 196 in Lisbon Falls, Maine.  These doors have remained open for 100 years.   This company has survived two World Wars, the Stock Market crash, the Great Depression, Korean War, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and our sluggish economy today.  How many other businesses can you name that are still open after 100 years?

This business was founded by the Anicetti family.  Three generations of Anicetti’s have owned and operated this business.  The current owner is Frank Anicetti.  Frank’s sister, Cathy Bienkowski, comes every year to help her brother during the Moxie Festival.  This family has devoted their lives to the service and support of the Lisbon community.

There's nothing better than "Moxie Ice Cream"

 

Over the years, the store became the headquarters for Moxie.  For the past 31 years during the second weekend of July, the community holds a Moxie Festival honoring Moxie.  In 2005, Moxie became the official soft drink of Maine. The Moxie store has put the Lisbon community on the map and is known throughout the country.  People come every year to help celebrate Moxie Day.

Congratulations on reaching this epic milestone.  The Anicetti family has devoted and dedicated their lives to this community.  Frank, please keep up the great work.

A Grateful Neighbor.

Tuesday April 9, 2013 Town Input Needed 6:30pm at Lisbon Community School

OUR input is needed ! Come join them and help shape the future of OUR Community!

Lisbon Icon, Graziano's Is Going, Going, Gone!!!

Thanks for the Memories, We Shall Never Forget!!!

Photos compliments of: "Megan"

Piecing The Town Budget Together

SEE IF YOU CAN FIGURE IT OUT!

It is now budget season for the town of Lisbon and they are off to a great start.  It appears the confusion is going to be the same this year.  I am going to present three documents that reflect last years proposed budget, approved budget and this year’s proposed budget.  Let’s see if you can figure it out before it changes again.  I can understand the frustration of the councilors when they are provided so many different formats dealing with the budget.  This is the method the town Manager and Finance Director utilize to keep everyone from finding all the hidden funds in the budget.

Let’s start off with the proposed budget for last year.  Below is the format provided as a working document.  This format was easy to read and showed the previous year’s budget and actual expenditure line item by line item.  This is extremely helpful in seeing how your tax dollars are being spent.

Next, look at the actual budget approved by the town council for the 2012-2013 municipal budget.   If you notice, the line items do not match up with the working document above.  There is no way to cross-reference line items.  Also, on the approved budget below there are line items 5100, 5200 and 5300 which never appear in the working document.  There is no way to cross-reference to tell what tax dollars were to be applied against which line item number.  By looking at the approved budget below, you cannot see where your tax dollars are actually being spent.

So on Tuesday’s night town council meeting, the Town Manager and Finance Director presented this year’s proposed budget (see below).  Once again it is in a different format.  The line items do not line up with the approved budget for last year and several line items from last year are left off this years proposed budget like the TIF Payment.  It is a fact the town is under contract to make these payments but where is it in the proposed budget? 

One would think the format of last year’s proposed working document would be the best approach for everyone to work off of since it provides so much information.  The entire budget by line item numbers and what was budgeted and spent the previous years.  This should be the document to work off of and should contain the same line items approved by the council.  Changing the format, not displaying the same line item numbers only adds to the confusion of developing a valid budget.  The people, councilors and the Finance Committee need to be provided the proposed working document for this year that was used last year.   Everyone must have the same documents in order to follow along with all the discussion pertaining to the budget. 

This is why the town has so many transfers and carry forwards every year.  The Town Manager and Finance Director pad the town budget in order to have a slush fund in which to operate during the year.   The funds allocated to a line item should be ONLY what are necessary.  The town has an Undesignated Fund to cover emergencies during the year.  Before the current Town Manager arrived this fund had over three million dollars in it and now it has just over one million.  This is because no one can decipher the budget.

The people have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent and for what.

Larry Fillmore

We the People