Great Falls TV: Lisbon Town Council Meeting March 3, 2015

Part One

Part Two

Recap Town Council Meeting - March 3 , 2015

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – MARCH 3, 2015

Last night the Town Council met and the council chambers were filled. Even a TV had been setup in the hallway with chairs and there were not enough to seat everyone who was there.  The citizens turned out to protest the council requiring the School Department to cut $600,000.00 out of the 2015-2016 school budget.

Before Superintendent Green presented the school budget, the council conducted their normal business.  The following agenda items were approved by a vote of 6-0 because Councilor Lunt was excused:

1.      Public Works Addition – The Council approved and gave permission to go forward on  the 25x80 addition to the current garage.

2.     FY 2013 Homeland Security Supplemental Funds – The Council approved Chief Brooks to use $5,666.61 of forfeiture funds for the Voter Repeater System and $9,234.00 of forfeiture funds for two (2) mobile computers (MDTs) for the two new cruisers.    This leaves approximately $19,930.51 of forfeiture funds available.

3.     Downtown Omnibus Municipal Tax Increment Financing District Development Program – This was a conditional TIF and the Council approved it.

4.     Non-Storm Water Discharge Ordinance (First Reading) – Was approved as provided.

5.     Post-Construction Storm Water Management Ordinance (First Reading) – Was approved as provided.

6.     Section 47-4 Street Excavation Amendment (First Reading) – Was approved as provided.

Under Other Business – The Town Manager asked the council to hold off on replacing the Parks Director until April to give her time to look at all the options.  The Council agreed.  The Town Manager’s report revealed that there is a listing of unclaimed properties on the town web site under the Town Clerk’s section.  Also, the Police Department study will begin next week and will take 30-90 days.

Superintendent Green presented a preliminary 2015/2016 budget to the council.

This budget did not include the $600,000.00 cut directed by the Council.

During Audience Participation, approximately 25 citizens spoke in support of Mr. Green and the school budget against the cuts.  This lasted until approximately 09:20 PM. 

The final order of business was that Mr. Edward Karass was appointed as the new Finance Director for the town of Lisbon.

Larry Fillmore

Lisbon’s Financial Fiasco Follies

 Chief David T. Brooks

By Peter Reuter, Special to The Lisbon Reporter

Once again the time has arrived when we find ourselves in  undoubtedly the most reverent of seasons, Budget Season.  Every taxpayer already has a license to pursue the prey of choice, ie. Municipal department.  Taxes are levied on the people’s property, personal & estate, which afford the community to carry on with normal business as usual actions.  

But what happens when no one is ‘minding the fort’ and looking out for the best interests of the community, its people?  When the past management establishment elected and hired to do so were inflicted with a very contagious social and economical disease called GREED.  You get exactly what Lisbon is experiencing right now.   

Monies from the Federal and State levels have all but disappeared that were flowing into each municipality like spring thaw after a hearty winter of snow.  Those dollars, in most cases, were desperately counted on to balance the often over budgeted municipal balance sheets.  Now towns are struggling to manage with the same services they were afforded in past years. Change must occur to correct the deficit created by not making sound economic choices.

Through lack of financial fortitude Lisbon has had to dip into the Undesignated Fund account to make up the difference for a multiple of past years. Leaving it depleted to less than a favorable level.  Lately departments have had to make significant cuts to their operational budgets and employee rosters in order to keep the financial responsibility in somewhat of an order.  For that, infrastructural suffrage have occurred.  Roads, bridges, equipment and other items have not be improved or expanded as needed.

When you look hard into the Municipal Budget of Lisbon at all the departments that have had to make cuts, one department stands out like a black and blue eye where no cuts have been made.  In fact it has been increased each and every year.  But in order to ascertain that fact you just about need to have a PHD in forensic auditing. All because the TRUE and ACCURATE accounting of the POLICE DEPARTMENT has been spread out and hidden, on purpose to confuse the people.  This has permeated and promulgated the budget each year with significant protection of your duly elected officials.

It is REFRESHING to hear that the new Town Manager has recognized this and is in the process of correcting.  Once the taxpayers learn of the TRUE EXPENSE of the Police Department, then perhaps we all can hope for a change.  Maybe Lisbon could be a more affordable community for the retired residents and appeal to people to move in to make it their home.

Lisbon Town Manager, Mrs. Diane Barnes has made significant progress in the administration process and expenditures side of things. Namely digressing from one of the 'Good Ole Boys Club' members, the previous Town Attorney.  With the challenges that she is facing we all need to lend her support at meetings or whenever we see her.  Her intentions are honorable and admirable. Something Lisbon has been lacking in recent years.

The residents have spoken loud and clear when presented with the opportunity to improve things.  A couple of examples would be the vote on the addition to the High School Gymnasium, Track, and not purchasing Worumbo Mill. And let us not forget the opportunity to vote on the School Budget each year.

Isn’t it about time we have more of say on the Municipal side of the Budget?

AGENDA TOWN COUNCIL TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

AGENDA

TOWN COUNCIL

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 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

A. Special Entertainment Permit for Sandra Harkins d/b/a Railroad Diner

B. Downtown Omnibus Municipal Tax Increment Financing District Development Program

5.  AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION & RESPONSE FOR AGENDA ITEMS

6.   CONSENT AGENDA

      2015-53   ORDER −  A. Minutes of February 17, 2015

                                      B. Special Entertainment Permit & Liquor License for Sandra Harkins d/b/a Railroad Diner

7.   COUNCIL ORDERS, RESOLUTIONS, & ORDINANCES

      

 2015-54    ORDER − Public Works Addition

     

 2015-55    ORDER − FY 2013 Homeland Security Supplemental Funds

     

 2015-56    RESOLUTION − Downtown Omnibus Municipal Tax Increment Financing District Development Program

       

2015-57    ORDINANCES − Non-Storm Water Discharge Ordinance (First Reading)

     

 2015-58    ORDINANCES − Post-Construction Stormwater Management Ordinance (First Reading)

     

 2015-59    ORDINANCES − Section 47-4 Street Excavations Amendment (First Reading)

8.   OTHER BUSINESS

      A.  Parks Director Vacancy Discussion

      B.   Town Manager's Report

      C.  School Budget Presentation

9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION & RESPONSE NEW ITEMS

10. APPOINTMENTS

      2015-60   ORDER − Appoint Finance Director

11. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION

      2015-61   ORDER − 1 MRSA § 405 (6)(A) Personnel matters - Finance Director

13. ADJOURNMENT

      2015-62   ORDER - To Adjourn

SUMMARY OF LISBON COUNCIL MEETING RULES

This summary is provided for guidance only.  The complete council working rules may be found on the town website www.lisbonme.org on the Town Officials, Town Council page.

The meeting agenda is available from the town website under Council Agendas and Minutes.

1.   Please note the order that agenda items may be acted upon by the Council, however, if necessary, the Council may elect to change the order of the agenda.

2.   The Council Chairman presides over the meeting.  When the Chairman is not present, the Vice Chairman serves that function.  The chair shall preserve decorum and decide all questions of order and procedure subject to appeal to the town council.

3.   Public comment is not typically allowed during Council workshops.  There may be occasions where public comment may be recruited, but normally, workshops are reserved for Council members to discuss and educate themselves on a variety of issues facing the Town.  Prior to the conclusion of a workshop, if time permits, the chair may allow questions from the public. 

4.   During audience participation, anyone wishing to address council will wait to be recognized by the chair before beginning any remarks.  Audience members will move to the lectern to address council, and shall provide name and address prior to addressing the council.

5.   Note that “Consent Agenda” items (if there are any) are acted upon first, voted upon as a group, and will most often be voted on without discussion as these items often involve “housekeeping” issues (such as minor parking changes).  On occasion “Consent Agenda” items are separated out as stand-alone action items by the Council to allow for more discussion.

6.   Public comment on agenda items.  General comments on agenda items should be made during audience participation.  After introduction of an agenda item, appropriate motions, and time for explanation and council questions, the public may be allowed to comment on that agenda item at the discretion of the chair.  During that period of time, the public comment shall address only the agenda item before council. 

7.   Action on agenda items.  As each item on the agenda for any meeting is brought to the floor for discussion:

      a. The town clerk reads the agenda item and the action being requested of council.

       b. The sponsor of each item or, if there is no council sponsor, the town manager, or town staff, shall first be                                                      allowed to present their initial comments for consideration by the public and councilors. 

            c. Following this introduction of the issue, there will be time devoted to any questions of the sponsor or the town                       manager or staff regarding the agenda item which any councilor may have which would help to clarify the                       question presented by the agenda item.  The chair may allow questions from the public during this time                       however; no debate or discussion of collateral issues shall be permitted. 

            d. When authorized by the chair, any additional public comment shall be no longer than two minutes per person             and must be to request or furnish new or undisclosed information or viewpoints only. 

            e. Once an agenda item has been explained and clarified by any questioning, the discussion on the specific                    agenda item will remain with the council.  Additional public comment, prior to final council vote; will only be                  allowed at the chairman's discretion. 

8.   New business is for the council to receive input on town matters not on the agenda for that meeting.  It is not intended, nor shall it be construed as an opportunity for debate of previous agenda items or reinforcement of a point made by another speaker.  Comments shall be to furnish new or undisclosed information or viewpoints and limited to a time period of two minutes or less and shall be directed through the chair.

9.   If an “Executive Session” is conducted by the Council, State Statute prohibits public attendance for any discussion of the action to be addressed by the Council. Any action taken by the Council on any “Executive Session” matter must be acted upon in a public meeting, and may occur at the end of the “Executive Session” (which has no time element relative to the length of the discussion involved in the “session”).