RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – JUNE 30TH

The following is a summary of the Town Council meeting for June 30^th, 2015.  The following agenda items were approved by a vote of 7-0:

1.      Town Manager’s Contract was approved.

2.     Banner Policy was approved.

3.     Award Paving Bid was awarded to Harry S. Crooker & Sons for $183,440.38.

4.     Striping Bid Award went to Lucas Striping for $16,380.12.

5.     Library Masonry Repair Bid Award was awarded to Knowles Industrial Services Corporation.

6.     2015-2016 Waste Water Treatment Plant Budget was approved.

7.     2015-2016 Municipal Budget was approved by departments with only one being approved by a vote of 6-1 and that was Public Works Department. (Lunt dissenting vote)

8.     Authorization to expend funds without approved School Budget was approved.

Agenda item 2015-187 was taken off the agenda because the Municipal budget was approved by the Council.

Under Other Business – Mr. Michael Pardue, from The Tideview Group provided the results of the Lisbon Police Department Staffing Assessment.  The Town Manager had no comments.  It was determined that the Gartley Street Property is not owned by the town but by the School Department so it was taken off the list of property to be sold.

Under Appointments – Mr. Richard Long resigned as an Associate Member of the Planning Board and was approved as a Regular Member of the Planning Board.  Mr. James Lemieux was approved as an Associate Member of the Planning Board.

 The Town Council meeting was adjourned to a workshop where the Council discussed two items:  Medical Marijuana Ordinance and Itinerant Vendor Ordinance (Mass Gathering).

Larry Fillmore

Lisbon Police Personnel Study for Staffing Assessment

LISBON POLICE STAFF

Chief David Brooks - 101

Lieutenant Dan Michel - 102
Sergeant Harry Moore - 103
Detective Bernie McAllister - 105 -->  (believe he in no longer employed)
Detective Bill Tapley - 106
Officer Rich St. Amant - 107
Officer Jason St. Pierre (K9) - 108 - and K9 Moxie
Officer Jeff Picard - 109
Officer Ryan McGee - 110
Officer Renee Bernard (SRO) - 111
Officer Shawn Kelly - 112 
Officer Glenn Darby - 113

Officer Ellen Jones - 114
ACO Jeff Cooper - 117
Res Ofcr Sherri St. Amant - 121
Res Ofcr Mark Caron - 122
Res Ofcr Dennis Matthews - 123

Res Ofcr Glen Brushwein - 124
Dispatcher Dan Turcotte
Dispatcher Steve Dickinson

Dispatcher Cathy Roy

Dispatcher Tiffany Libby

Res Dispatcher Charlie White
Res Dispatcher Mark Bingelis
Res Dispatcher Lee Gamache

Res Dispatcher Missy Kelly

Res Dispatcher Gabrielle Mathieu

Res Dispatcher Jared Blake

Res Dispatcher John Chonko

Res Dispatcher Vic Barr
Administrative Assistant Denise Bowie
Secretary Andrea Tapley

(as listed this date from Town's website)

 http://www.lisbonpd.com/staff.html

   Lisbon Police Personnel Study

http://www.lisbonme.org/vertical/sites/%7B23BCC392-4131-4737-99E0-6C6FCE7FB2A2%7D/uploads/Police_Personnel_Study.pdf

Additional Supplements To Go With Last Night's Town Council Meeting, June 30th, 2015

Note: We received these supplemental documents late yesterday.  Pay attention to the departments that get cuts and the ones that get increases. (Supplement B) Appears to be a more formal form of Creative Accounting for the Lisbon Taxpayers.

Some of the faces have changed but the 'tactics' continue to remain the same or worse.  Happy July First to everyone.

   Supplement B to 06302015 Council Meeting

AGENDA SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015

AGENDA 

SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015

LISBON TOWN OFFICE 

7:00 P.M.

1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE TO FLAG

2. ROLL CALL
___Councilor Bickford ___ Councilor Brunelle ___ Councilor Crafts ___ Councilor Garrison ___ Councilor Lunt ___Councilor Metivier ___ Councilor Pesce 
Town Clerk reading of meeting rules

3. GOOD NEWS & RECOGNITION

4. PUBLIC HEARINGS

5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION & RESPONSE FOR AGENDA ITEMS

6. CONSENT AGENDA
2015-178 ORDER − A. Sewer Commitment

7. COUNCIL ORDERS, RESOLUTIONS, & ORDINANCES
2015-179 ORDER − Town Manager's Contract
2015-180 ORDER − Banner Policy
2015-181 ORDER − Award Paving Bid
2015-182 ORDER − Award Striping Bid
2015-183 ORDER − Award Library Masonry Repair Bids
2015-184 ORDER − 2015-2016 Waste Water Treatment Plant Budget
2015-185 RESOLUTION − 2015-2016 Municipal Budget
2015-186 ORDER − Authorization to expend funds without approved School Budget
2015-187 ORDER − Authorization to expend funds without approved Municipal Budget

8. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Police Study Presentation
B. Town Manager's Report
C. Gartley Street Property

9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION & RESPONSE NEW ITEMS

10. APPOINTMENTS
2015-188 ORDER − Planning Board Resignation Associate Member
2015-189 ORDER − Planning Board Regular Member (Richard Long)
2015-190 ORDER − Planning Board Associate Member (James Lemieux)

11. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION

13. ADJOURNMENT
2015-191 ORDER - To Adjourn to workshop

14. WORKSHOP
A. Medical Marijuana Ordinance
B. Itinerant Vendor Ordinance (Mass Gathering)

15. ADJOURN WORKSHOP 

   Lisbno Town Council June 30, 2015 Public Info. Packet by Lisbon Reporter

A Lisbon Citizen Writes In

I recently stumbled on the Lisbon Reporter and I'm already a big fan. It's quite refreshing to read the honest happenings of this town. 

My husband and I were both raised in Lisbon Falls and now we are raising our 3 young children here as well. There are so many things I truly love about Lisbon and it's those things that have kept me here. However, there are other attributes of Lisbon that I'm not so fond of and I see that many of the posts on this site mirror my own thoughts. 

My oldest child is a 7-year-old boy and he attends Lisbon Community School. Naturally, this fact has given me a renewed interest in the Lisbon School Department. As we all know, recently there was a vote pertaining to the school's budget. It was a topic that I had mixed emotions about. On one hand, I think the schools should have the money they need to provide the next generation of Lisbon citizens with the best possible education. On the other hand, my husband and I are in the process of finding our first home and we've learned how expensive Lisbon taxes already are and I certainly don't want to vote in favor of anything that will increase our already heavy tax burden. 

But I don't feel as though those two routes should be my only options. Why should I have to choose between voting for the schools to have the money they need or vote to keep the taxes from increasing? With the high tax rate we already endure, there is surely enough money for the schools to get what they need.. or at least there should be. 

This lead me to the question, where are our tax dollars going? The answer wasn't hard to find. It's quite obvious that the Lisbon PD is the biggest financial drain of our tax dollars. For years, Lisbon's excessive police force has been a joke. People say that we have one cop per family. They say not to drive down 196 through Lisbon unless you want to get pulled over. So on and so forth, everyone seems to agree that Lisbon has an overabundance of police officers. 

In a town this size, with a meager crime rate, there is no need for a force like ours. By cutting the PD budget, we could easily afford to give our schools the money they need and fund the things that really matter. What would we lose? The opportunity to fine every poor soul going 30 mph in 25 mph zone? 

Our schools and other departments are constantly asked to prove themselves and beg for every penny they get. In order to get what they deserve, there is tons of paperwork, meetings, and voting that must take place. And then once all the stars align, they may or may not receive their fair share of the tax dollars. What's ironic is that I never see or hear of any of this happening in regards to the police department. The citizens are never asked or given the opportunity to vote on whether or not we want to hire new officers, purchase new vehicles etc. My guess is it's because Chief Brooks already knows how that would turn out. 

My parents both live in Lisbon as well and my father recently compared Chief Brooks to Boss Hog in the Dukes of Hazzard. He said that Brooks is crooked, manipulative and an overgrown bully. In his opinion, the counsel is intimidated by Brooks and his tactics, which is why we are never given the opportunity to vote for PD-related topics and why everything Brooks wants, Brooks gets. 

It's time for the PD to be put in their place and for the money that is frivolously thrown about by Brooks to be fairly distributed to the school and other departments. 

I'm very close to some of the leaders in Lisbon, but clearly they aren't as concerned with our children as they are with placating Brooks. I want to be involved in the solution in whatever way possible. 

Thank you for continuing to share the truth to Lisbon's residents.

Submitted by: ' Anonymous'

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – JUNE 2ND, 2015

This is a summary of the Town Council meeting for June 2^nd.   The following agenda items under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances was approved by a vote of 7-0:

1.      Request to prepare an RFP for Paving, Road Striping, Library Brick Repointing & purchase of used 4x4 Pickup Truck.

2.     Request for disposition of town owned property.

3.     Sewer Department Mower.

4.     Beaver Park Trailer Expenditure.

5.     Acceptance of Utility Poles for the purpose of hanging banners.

6.     Moratorium Ordinance prohibiting marijuana dispensary facilities (Second Reading).  Councilor Metivier wanted to include caregivers in this ordinance but was voted down by a vote of 3-4.  Councilor Pesce wanted the moratorium to be for 90 days and not 180 and this amendment was approved.  And finally the original agenda item was approved 7-0 with the 90 days amendment.

7.     Schedule workshop for Ordinance prohibiting marijuana dispensary facilities.  A workshop was approved for June 30, 2015.

8.     Lisbon Cemetery Committee (First Reading).

9.     Lisbon Cemetery Ordinance (First Reading).

10.            Itinerant Vendor Ordinance (First Reading).

11.            Treasurer’s Turnover Audit. Was approved with a $10K limit.

12.            Policy & Procedure for the Fiscal Administration of School Accounts Payable and Payroll.

13.            Request to solicit bids for Pierce Apparatus

The following items were tabled:

1.      Renewal Itinerant/Mass Gathering Permit – Riverside Flea Market – James & Paulette Carville.

2.     Renewal Itinerant/Mass Gathering Permit – Positive Change Lisbon (PCL)

The following agenda item was scheduled for a workshop on June 30, 2015.  Fee Schedule.

The following agenda item was announced.  Detective Position.  Detective McAllister has taken a position with the Androscoggin District Attorney’s office.  The Council did not take any action on filling this position until the Police Survey is completed and the findings announced.  

Under Other Business – The Town Manager had no report.  The Atlantic Salmon Federation Upper Dam Report gave a presentation on several options to resolve the issues at the Upper Dam.  The Council took no action awaiting the final report on the project.

Larry Fillmore

[VIDEO] Dear Racist, Looting, Rioting Thugs, Here’s Why Cops Say They Really Took The Job

By AmyElizabeth - Jun 2, 2015

QPolitical Do you ever wonder why police do what they do? Why they suit up every morning, put their lives on the line, and protect and serve communities that at times don’t truly give them the appreciation they deserve? This incredibly moving video will show you why these officers chose their line of work. You have to see this!


TO READ MORE: http://gopthedailydose.com/2015/06/02/video-dear-racist-looting-rioting-thugs-heres-why-cops-say-they-really-took-the-job/

Lisbon's Former 'Special' Appointed Finance Committee Members Were Nothing More Than Brooks' Brown Nosers

Communication/Dispatch Center - Part 1 (The Problem)

COMMUNICATION/DISPATCH CENTER –PART 1 (THE PROBLEM) 

The Town Council is looking for ways to reduce the operational cost of the town. This effort is designed to eliminate wasteful spending which in turn will reduce our taxes. One way is to have Androscoggin County Dispatch assume the dispatching responsibility for Lisbon thus eliminating our Communication/Dispatch Center. 


The Town Council tasked Mrs. Barnes, our Town Manager, to send our requirements to the current Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) Lewiston-Auburn 911 and the Androscoggin County Dispatch to see if either one of these two PSAPs is capable of taking over the dispatching responsibility for Lisbon. Apparently, this task was further delegated to Chief Brooks. Chief Brooks sent out letters to the two PSAP’s with our requirements. 


Androscoggin County Sheriff Eric Samson responded with a letter dated April 8, 2015 stating that Androscoggin County Dispatch does have the capabilities to provide and maintain your current level of dispatching service. Sheriff Samson included a fees schedule in his letter. Based on his fee schedule, Chairman Pesce announced that there would be a cost savings of roughly $191,000.00 to the town. This is a significant savings to the taxpayers. The letter is attached. 

   Sheriff Samson Letter

However, Chief Brooks sent a letter dated April 10, 2015 to Sheriff Samson outlining all the reasons why the two Communication/Dispatch Centers CANNOT be consolidated. This letter is unprofessional and a slap in the face of Sheriff Samson. It is like telling him that he has no clue what he is doing. Under no circumstances do you send out a letter requesting information and then send another letter telling someone that they cannot provide the service as stated. The only person who knows what his Dispatch Center can and cannot do is the supervisor and to have an outsider tell him he does not know what he is talking about is wrong. This letter is also attached. 

   Brooks' Letter

I am sure that Sheriff Samson consulted with the County Commissioners and his people before stating that Androscoggin County Dispatch can provide dispatching service to our town. Chief Brooks is not privileged to what Sheriff Samson and the County has planned and therefore should never have sent his response. It appears this was a deliberate attempt to sabotage any chance of eliminating our Communication/Dispatch Center which would reduce the tax burden by $191,000.00 tax dollars. 


Chief Brooks’ action was not only irresponsible and insulting but has jeopardized this project. I do not believe anyone authorized Chief Brooks to send the letter dated April 10, 2015 to Sheriff Samson. Chief Brooks has never wanted to consolidate Communications/Dispatch Centers from the very start. I attended a few of the meetings the County Commissioners had years ago and discussed the consolidation with them. I personally believe this would have been completed years ago if Chief Brooks was not so adamant about being in charge. 


Chief Brooks’ letter dated April 10, 2015 is not only irresponsible and unprofessional but also insulting to our County Sheriff. This behavior cannot go without consequences and Chief Brooks should be disciplined for his action. 


Larry Fillmore

Communication/Dispatch Center - Part 2 (The Solution)

In Communication/Dispatch Center – Part 1 (The Problem), I outlined what I believe to be the problem.  Chief Brooks’ over stepped his authority by sending a very insulting letter to Sheriff Samson.  Chief Brooks’ action has jeopardized the consolidation of Lisbon’s Communication/Dispatch Center with the Androscoggin County Dispatch.   I believe Chief Brooks sent this letter without the approval of the Town Manager, Mrs. Barnes or the Town Council.

A review of the fees schedule, Chairman Pesce estimated a cost saving of $191,000.00 which Chief Brooks has now put into jeopardy.  So how do we correct this problem?

1.      Chief Brooks should be disciplined.

2.     Chief Brooks and either Mrs. Barnes or the Town Council should send a letter of apology to Sheriff Samson.

3.     The Town Council has to decide if they want to go ahead with the consolidation with Androscoggin County Dispatch.

4.     If the answer is yes, then direct Mrs. Barnes to work with Sheriff Samson to repair any damage done and seek a timeline.

5.      Move the Communication Center under Mrs. Barnes and not allow Chief Brooks any participation on this project to prevent any further damage being done.

6.     Before the town commits to Androscoggin County Dispatch, there should be a written contract detailing the fees and responsibilities of both parties.

The cost savings of $191,000.00 tax dollars is a sufficient amount to warrant pursuing the consolidation of dispatching.  Once completed, I believe that the cost savings will be even more.

Consolidating Communication/Dispatch Center with the Androscoggin County Dispatch which receives 911 calls DIRECTLY will enable a faster response time and possibly save more lives.  Having the County do dispatching, eliminates having to relay all information to a middleman causing a delay.  I believe our Communication/Dispatch center has done an outstanding job but it is a redundant service.  The consolidation in dispatching will improve the efficiency when it comes to response time.

This is a good move for the town and will result in a significant savings for our taxpayers.  

Larry Fillmore

 

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING/WORKSHOP –APRIL 14TH

Last night the Town Council started off with a meeting followed by a budget workshop.  The purpose of the meeting was too approved the minutes of the last meeting so it could be included with the CDBG Application which has to be submitted by Friday.  Also, the Town Manager updated the budget schedule which moved the Public Hearing from April 21^st to May 5^th.  This was also approved by the Council.

Next they moved into a budget workshop.  During this session, the Council reviewed the following department’s budgets:  Finance, Tax/Town Clerk, Town Manager, Codes, Assessing, Economic Development, Town Building, Technology, Sewer Department and all other Miscellaneous Departments.  The Council made several adjustments during these discussions.

After the Council had finish going through all the departments they returned to the Police Department and Public Works Department.  The Council directed the Town Manager to cut both of these budgets by $100,000.00. 

The Council reviewed the letters they had received from L/A 911 and Androscoggin County Dispatch pertaining to taking over the Lisbon Communication Center.  L/A 911 had to check with their upper management and Androscoggin County Dispatch said they could take over our Communication Center.  However, Chief Brooks stated that this is not possible.  Chairman Pesce and the Council questions Chief Brooks for a short time because Chairman Pesce said that the potential saving for the town would be approximately $191,000.00 which is a significant savings.  Chairman Pesce said the Town Manager to get clarification on the miscommunications between the two PSAP’s (L/A 911 and Androscoggin County Dispatch).

The workshop was then adjourned.

Larry Fillmore  

Are The Same Lisbon Officer(s) Receiving OUI Summonses In Other Towns That Are Writing Them In Lisbon?

Has a Lisbon Police Officer received an OUI summons in Auburn very recently? 

Here is the Arrest Record for February and March 2015 for the Lisbon Police Department:

http://www.turnerpublishing.net/pdf/LL.pdf

Page Nine for local details

BDN: Recently Released Criminal With Extensive History Tries To Fly, er Flee With A Stolen Pickup

 Alcohol, Gasoline, & Fleeing an Officer  Will Not Fly

By Dawn Gagnon, BDN Staff

LISBON, Maine — A local transient formerly from Augusta was arrested Friday after he allegedly stole a pickup truck and numerous items from a Capitol Avenue business, then led a Lisbon police officer in a brief pursuit that ended with a more than 80-foot plunge down to the banks of the Androscoggin River.

Tony R. St. Pierre, 44, has been charged with burglary of a motor vehicle and operating under the influence, as well as felony crimes of burglary of a commercial building, theft, aggravated criminal mischief, unauthorized use of property, eluding a police officer and aggravated operating after habitual offender revocation, Detective William Tapley said Friday afternoon.

According to Tapley, the series of incidents that led to St. Pierre’s arrest began about 4 a.m., while Officer Ryan McGee was performing nightly routine business checks. Because of recent commercial burglaries in the area, Lisbon police had been conducting property checks throughout the night.

Read the complete article here:  http://bangordailynews.com/2015/04/10/news/augusta/man-arrested-after-drunken-crime-spree-ends-in-androscoggin-river/?ref=polbeat

Fortunately for all no one was hurt. A terrible situation avoided when Pickup won't fly!

From one county jail to another in less than 24 hours. 

Prostitution Is Not The Answer To High Taxes And Foreclosures

Lisbon PD Arrest Log: February

and March 2015

http://www.turnerpublishing.net/pdf/LL.pdf     

April 2015 Issue of The Greater Lisbon Ledger
Go to the above link and navigate to page nine for more details.

Five arrested in connection with Freeport prostitution sting

 By Beth Brogan, BDN Staff

FREEPORT, Maine — Five men were arrested Tuesday and charged with engaging a prostitute following an investigation conducted by Freeport police and other law enforcement agencies.

Police arrested John Driscoll, 65, of Falmouth; Kenneth Fairbanks, 56, of Lisbon Falls; Jerry Hardy, 49, of Topsham; Joseph Lacroix, 28, of Topsham; and Hoang Nguyen, 33, of Portland, according to a release.

The arrests were made between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to an email from Freeport Police Lt. Susan Nourse. She declined to name the specific location or release details of the operation.

The Yarmouth, Gorham and Portland police departments, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Fusion Center and the Department of Homeland Security assisted with the investigation, according to Nourse.

 http://bangordailynews.com/2015/04/09/news/portland/five-arrested-in-connection-with-freeport-prostitution-sting/?ref=polbeat

 

I.T. is missing in Lisbon

 By: Peter Reuter, Special to The Lisbon Reporter


Integrity and Transparency are  not present in Lisbon.

At last Tuesday's Town Council meeting, Councilors proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that they wanted and now have absolute power to control ALL financial matters.  A panel of seven, without input from a Town Ordinance mandate of a Finance Committee, will now control the flow of monies.  Councilors may make changes to the Town Ordinances without consent of the residents.

They openly admitted to illegal discussions in Executive Session. The Town Councilors approve of a high salary for an unqualified Town Engineer and they are not looking out for the best interest of the citizens of Lisbon.

But for a few of us that have been actively monitoring their actions and attending Town Council meetings this comes as no surprise. The Lisbon Reporter has posted numerous articles pertaining to this aspect since day one of its inception.  Many of the Concerned Citizens have been trying to get the word out.

Now as to the legality of what the Town Council just did, that remains to be seen.  So what if it was illegal. Who polices the Town Council, Brooks?  No it is more like he is directing them.  Once again this year he will get his $2 Million Dollar Police Budget approved.  The Council will hold true to their demand order for the School Department to cut $600 Thousand Dollars from their budget. 

Here is the kicker.  The voters have the right to vote on the School Budget but not the Municipal Budget.  With that, voters should reject every proposed and approved for voter consent School Budget put forth by this council.

It costs over $3 Thousand Dollars per voting session per the Town Clerk.  The voters should send the budget back to the Town Council until they wake up and do what is right.  The Expense for each voting process will rest solely in the laps of Seven Councilors.  If it takes 2, 3, 4, or more times so be it.  This is the only say that, "we the people" have left. Use this power wisely.

Remember in November citizens, your only chance of getting some resemblance of control back, is to put forth some great candidates to uproot the evil empire that currently exists.  Tyranny reigns supreme in Lisbon currently.

Shame on this Town Council.

THE IMPACT OF A 2% COLA

With the financial situation the Town of Lisbon is in; there is a need to take a closer look at what our tax dollars are being used for. 
   
Is there a possibility the Department Heads are receiving salaries that the taxpayers cannot afford?   

Let’s look at the impact 2% COLA increase for Department Head has on the taxpayers.

                                    2014-2015 SALARY                      2%                              2015-2016

DEPARTMENT        PLUS LONGEVITY STIPEND              COLA                         SALARY

Town Manager                   Contract                                                                    $91,971.00

Assessing                              $53,040.00                          $1,060.90                  54,101.00

Code Enforcement               69,184.08                            1,411.92                   70,596.00

Finance                                 Just Hired                                                                 66,311.00

Tax Collector                          83,370.56                             1,701.44                  85,072.00

Town Clerk                             54,303.76                             1,108.24                 55,412.00

Police Chief                            73,647.98                             1,503.02                 75,151.00

Fire Chief                                66,064.74                             1,348.26                  67,413.00

Town Engineer                      78,478.40                             1,601.60                  80,080.00

Parks                                        43,907.92                                 896.06                 44,804.00

Recreation                              47,760.30                                 974.70                 48,735.00

Library                                     49,003.92                              1,000.08                 50,004.00

Economic Community        50,980.58                              1,040.42                 52,021.00

                                                                     TOTAL           $16,670.20

This is 13 department heads receiving a COLA increase of $16,670.20 which means that all but two receive over $1,000.00 increase in their pay for next year.  Are any of our citizens receiving $1,000.00 pay raises in one year?  This has been going on for several years.  The majority of our department head’s salaries have blossomed to more than the taxpayers can afford.

In the Police Department, their salaries are growing more than the town can afford.   Here is a prime example:

            OVER $50,000                                OVER $60,000                    OVER $70,000

                       5                                                           4                                              4

This means that 13 out of the 32 individuals on the Police Department roster are making over $50,000.00.  This would not mean much except 12 of the staff are Reserve Personnel.  This is why the Police Department budget is almost 25% of the entire Municipal Budget.

 By the way, in the proposed budget for the Police Department, the Police Chief identified only 28 of the 32 on his staff.  Who is paying the other 4?  Where are these accounted for in the budget?

 Our community cannot afford these 2% COLA or wage increases for the top echelon.  Is there any wonder our municipal budget is steadily going up along with our taxes.

Larry Fillmore  

LONGEVITY STIPEND

The longevity stipend was established as an incentive for employees to remain working for the Town of Lisbon.  This program is in most businesses to retain continuous service by their employees.  It is very costly for companies to continually replace employees so this program is a cost savings.

In this years proposed budget, there are approximately 18 town employees receiving longevity stipend for continuous service in increments of five years.  However, there are a few employees abusing the program.  I will provide some examples:

Scenario 1:  Two individuals retired and were rehired the next day.  The first one retired on February 28, 2003 and the second one retired March 31, 2005.  Both employees were paid longevity stipend for the continued service up to the date of retirement.  Both terminated their service to the town in order to retire and were closed out as of their retirement date of all benefits and money owed.  Yet, they are trying to collect their longevity stipend based on this period of prior service in which they have already been paid for upon retirement.  Since that chapter of their lives has been closed out; they should not be allowed to use that period of service in the computations of continuous service.  The start date for the first employee should be March 1, 2003 and the second employee should be April 1, 2005. 

Scenario 2:  There is an employee whose salary is divided by four departments because he is the head of three departments and works in a third.  However, the longevity stipend is recorded as Town Engineer as $1560.00; Public Works Director $1560.00; Solid Waste $1560.00 and Treatment Plant $2600.00 for a total of $7,280.00.  The longevity stipend is to be paid to an employee and not to position or salary.  This individual’s salary has been prorated between the four departments but yet the longevity stipend is not prorated and the employee will receive approximately $5,720.00 more that he should.  This employee should have his longevity stipend prorated between all four departments.  This will save the taxpayers $5,720.00 tax dollars.

In this financial crisis, every penny that the town can save will help the taxpayers.  I do not know if all employees’ longevity stipend is computed accurately.  These two scenarios are the only ones I was able to find that in my eyes are incorrect.

Larry Fillmore

Resident Wants To 'Axe' Police Budget And Not The School

Cut the Tax Rate Without Cutting the School Budget 

 A few weeks ago I made a comparison between Lisbon and Standish budgets and Police Departments.


Town       Mil rate  Crime Index   PD Officers      Taxes  150K Home            Pop
Lisbon 20.98        65                  33                              $3120                8958
Standish   12.15        61     County supplied                      $1822                9800


Both of these towns have  similar populations, crime rates and both are close to other towns with higher crime rates.  

Lisbon  adjacent to Lewiston and Brunswick
Standish is close to Portland and Biddeford (5th most dangerous in Maine)

If you examine the budgets of these towns you will find Standish pays a fraction of the cost we pay for Police protection. They have a contract with Cumberland County Sheriffs Department. The savings from this contract enables them to have a much lower tax mil rate.

Here is a copy of their first contract with their County Sheriffs Dept.  Notice the drastic difference in public safety cost.

I know this contract is a few years old but the above contract will give you a rough indication of the savings we could realize if we follow Standish and contract with our county Sheriffs Department.

 Don't believe the people that tell you this change would cause a crime wave. This is another fact less claim.

If you look at the 11 communities, our size, on Maine's "50 most dangerous places in Maine" you will discover that 9 of these 11 communities have large police forces.

Large Police Forces don't necessarily reduce crime rates.

Why are we cutting  $600.000 from the School Department when we could switch to Androscoggin County Sheriffs Department and save more. And this change would not jeopardize our kids education?  

Our  Town Council should at least get a quote from Androscoggin County Sheriffs Dept..  

Call your Councilors and demand they listen to your needs. 

Respectfully

Joe Hill