RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – NOVEMBER 1ST

At last night’s Town Council meeting, the following is a summary.

 Under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances –

1.     FD 2 – 2016 SCBA Compressor Bid Results – The Council approved the bid from Industrial Protection Service for $21,945.00 by a vote of 4-0.  Excused Councilors were Bickford, Kolbe, and Albert.

2.     Cruiser Bid Award – The Council approved the bid from Casco Bay for $25,375 and an additional cost for changing over equipment for a total of $33,000.00 by a vote of 4-0.  This is again a lease to purchase.

Under Other Business – Kathy Malloy (Assessor) and Dennis Douglas (Code Enforcement Officer) provided Department Heads Oral Briefings to the Council.

 Under Appointments – The Council approved two new committees as follows:

 Advisory Committee as part of the CDBG requirements - Members are Tracey Steuber; Amanda Bunker; Dennis Douglas; Karin Paradis; Don Fellows; Scott Hall; Fern LaRochelle and Gina Mason.

Lisbon Brownfields Steering Committee – Members are Tracey Steuber; Richard Main; Charlotte Farnum; Marie Hale; Trevor Kenkel; Roger Bickford and Gina Mason.

Larry Fillmore 

LISBON COMMUNICATION CENTER

The following are FACTS concerning the Lisbon Communication Center:

a.  Androscoggin County Dispatch receives all 911 (emergency phone calls) and has to call 353-2500 (Lisbon Communication Center) to have First Responders dispatched.  If 353-2500 is busy (which 911 operators have told me happened several times) delays the response time for First Responders to get to the scene.
b. There are absolutely no dispatchers at the Lisbon Communication Center that are currently qualified as Emergency Medical Dispatchers.  This means that there is no one qualified to determine an Emergency Medical Code.  This code is critical for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to alert them as to what equipment and medical supplies are going to be needed.  This is yet another reason why not to use 353-2500 for emergency situations.
c. At Candidate Night a sitting Councilor (Chris Brunelle) announced that for local 911 call 353-2500.  This is so incredible wrong.  All emergency situations should go through the Maine State 911 system.  353-2500 is the NON-emergency phone number to reach Lisbon Police Department.  353-2500 should never be used for emergency situations because the dispatchers are not qualified to handle emergency situations.  This show the level of competence of our Councilors.  The worst part is that only one Councilor has investigated and got the facts on the Lisbon Communication Center and that is Councilor Klobe.  Every time she tried to bring this up; Roger Bickford and Eric Metivier refused to discuss this issue and changed the subject.
d. By not having the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatching our First Responder and having to wait for unqualified personnel to answer 353-2500; creates a delay in responding to emergency situation which in turn puts every resident of Lisbon’s life a risk.  This is a Public Safety issue and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

So what is the problem and how do we correct the situation:  First and foremost the Town Council needs to get educated as to how to improve the quality of life for its residents.  I recommended to the new Chief Hagen, Town Manager Barnes and Councilors Ward, Albert and Klobe that a joint workshop be held with
Androscoggin County Dispatch (Sheriff Samson and Director Fournier) and the Town Council to resolve any issues remain unanswered.  So far Chief Hagen and Town Manager Barnes said they cannot get involved until the Town Council asked them.  Councilors Ward and Albert keep stalling and Councilor Klobe has always been in favor.  Androscoggin County is willing to participate.  The Lisbon Communication Center has always been a political issue instead of a Public Safety issue. 

The Town Council and Town Manager want to wait until after the election.  As you well know, I do not think Erick Metivier and Chris Brunelle should be reelected because they have cost this community a great deal of tax dollars and have failed to tackle this Public Safety issue.  In fact, these two are part of the group that created this mess.

The people need to elect leaders and not followers.  We need to elect people that will take politics out of the situation and vote for what is best for the community.  Right now former Town Councils have put everyone in this community’s lives at risk because there was no follow-up by the next Council on this issue.  The solution is very simple and that is to hire a PSAP to dispatch our First Responder upon receipt of an emergency situation.  There are two PSAP’s in Androscoggin County (L/A 911 and Androscoggin County Dispatch).  It does not make any difference which one we use and long as we eliminate having to contact the Lisbon Communication Center prior to dispatching our First Responder.

The need to start now is because whichever PSAP is selected it is going to take approximately six month for the transition.

Larry Fillmore

TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA FOR NOVEMBER 1ST

WHEN TO CALL 353-2500 AND WHEN TO CALL 911

 

At the Candidates Forum on Tuesday October 18 Chris Brunelle,

a Town Councilor, running for re-election, made the statement 'that for

 

emergencies call 353-2500.'

353-2500 is the phone number for the Lisbon Police Department.

 They answer Lisbon Communications. 

When to call 353-2500:

    To report a break-in.

    To report non-life threatening situations.

    To report a theft, i.e. of a vehicle, bicycle, private property.

    To report any suspicious activity.

        You get the idea????

When to call 911:

    FOR ANY AND ALL EMERGENCIES !!!!!!!!! 

 

THE LIFE YOU SAVE MAY BE YOUR OWN, OR THAT OF A

                            LOVED ONE.

 

Submitted by:  Dorothy Fitzgerald

                        Concerned Citizen

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOBER 18TH

This is a summary of a very short Town Council meeting.

Under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances:

1.  School Capital Reserve Request – The Council approved for the School Department to spent $20,311.00 for Gartley Street repairs and for a new dishwasher by a vote of 5-0.  Councilor Albert and Bickford were both excused.
2. HVAC Service Contract – The Council approved the award of the contract to Patriot Mechanical in the amount not to exceed $4,480.00 by a vote of 5-0.
3. Acceptance of CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grant – The Council accepted the CDBG Grant funds for $320,000.00 for its Lisbon Falls Streetscape Project and set a date of November 1st as a date for a Public Hearing by a vote of 5-0.
4. Acceptance of FY16 HSGP Funds - The Council accepted the award of this grant in two parts.  The first was for Maine Emergency Management in the amount of $15,258.44 to be applied toward a generator and for the Police Department for $3,485.00 for upgrading the exterior security cameras by a vote of 5-0.

Under Other Business – The Town Manager informed everyone that a new telephone system is being installed at the town office.  Also Mark Steven updated the Council on the Recreation and Parks Department.

Larry Fillmore

THE JOKE OF THE DAY!!!!!!

The other day, I was running errands around town and almost lost control of my vehicle after reading Mr. Eric Metivier’s reelection sign.  The sign read “a Citizen and not a politician”.  Are you kidding me?

Eric Metivier was one of the ringleaders that challenged the School Department budget a few years ago.  The result was in the taxpayers having to pay approximately $15,000.00 for five extra referendums and additional legal fees.  Mr. Metivier also stopped the consolidation of the Androscoggin County Dispatch and the Lisbon Communication Center.  According to Councilors Garrison and Pesce the cost savings to the town would be approximately $190,000.00 per year.  Since it has been two years, which means this move resulted in the taxpayers have lost out on approximately $380,000.00 and will continue too until Lisbon gets rid of the Lisbon Communication Center.

Mr. Metivier has always been a member of the “Good Old Boys” network which is just another way of saying “Politician”.  

On November 8th, the people of Lisbon must think hard and long before casting their vote for Town Councilors.  Mr. Chris Brunelle voted with Mr. Metivier on everything.  Mr. Brunelle is a follower and not a leader.  Neither one of these two individuals has demonstrated they have the best interest of the community at heart.  Instead, they are wasting our taxpayers’ hard earned money.  

Please choose carefully!  In order to move our community forward, the Town Council has got to remember to put the best interest of the community in making their decision.

Larry Fillmore

DAS IST GENUG!!!!!

We are coming up on the second anniversary of the Town Council shutting down the Consolidation of the Lisbon Communication Center and the Androscoggin County Dispatch project for providing emergency services to Lisbon.  The estimated cost savings to the community was approximately $190,000.00 tax dollars per year.  So far, the community has lost out on approximately $380,000.00 tax dollars.  The following fake councilors can take full credit for this:  Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts.

 

These individuals have made no effort to investigate and resolve any questions they had at the time so we can assume that questions were NOT the real reason for shutting down the project.  If these individuals really cared about our community or they would have looked into how to save approximately $190,000.00 per year in tax dollars for the people.  However, they never made an effort to provide relieve for the people but instead increased our taxes every year.  However, come November of this year, the people will have an opportunity to correct this situation and vote someone in that will put whatever is best for the community before any personal agendas.

 

There are several critical reasons to having Androscoggin County Dispatch provide our emergency services to the community.

 

(1)           Having Androscoggin County Dispatch immediately dispatch OUR first responder upon receipt of the 911 call will provide the best quality of life possible.  Forcing Androscoggin County Dispatch to contact Lisbon Communication Center prior to dispatching OUR first responder (current system) is time consuming and if they cannot make contact because 353-2500 is busy as has happened on numerous occasions cause a delay that puts our lives as risk needlessly.

 

(2)           Having Androscoggin County Dispatch providing emergency services to Lisbon will save the community approximately $190,000.00 tax dollars.  This is NOT chump change and will help to reduce our taxes.

 

(3)           Having Androscoggin County Dispatch providing emergency services to Lisbon will enable Sergeant Moore to return to the Police Department full time.  This will improve the efficiency of the Patrol Division.

 

(4)           None of the individuals currently filling positions as dispatchers are currently qualified as Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMD) so they should be classified as Communication Specialist.  There is no NEGEN911 equipment in the Lisbon Communication Center and therefore they do not receive 911 calls directly and cannot establish the Emergency Medial Code (EMC) that is required to be pass on to the Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in an emergency medical situation.

 

These are a few advantages for closing the Lisbon Communication Center. However, I am sure that by now you are asking the same question “Why has these imposters not looked into the situation in two years?”  This is a scenario which should be of great importance to provide residents with better quality of life and would save the people money.  These two items should always be a top priority in order to improve our community.  Think about how far $380,000.00 could have gone to improving our community. 

 

This brings me to the reason for this article.  If the phonies do not come to an agreement with Androscoggin County Dispatch or any other Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) by the end of the year; the town will lose another $190,000.00 for next year. I have talked to Androscoggin County Dispatch and they estimate it will take approximately six months to integrate Lisbon into their system.  This will move us into yet another budget season and the community will lose out for another year. 

 

The Town Council has stalled enough.  Let’s have a Town Council workshop and include representative from Androscoggin County Dispatch or whatever PSAP they want to use and resolve all questions and move forward and do what is right.

 

Larry Fillmore

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – OCTOVER 4TH

This is a summary of the Town Council meeting for October 4, 2016.

Under Council Orders, Resolutions and Ordinances –

1. Outdoor Shooting Range (Second Reading) – The Council voted by a vote of 7-0 to approve.
2. CDBG Micro-Enterprise Assistance Program – Lisbon Business Façade Program – The Council approved by a vote of 7-0 to adopt the Town of Lisbon Business Façade Grant Guidelines and Requirements.
3. Self-Contained Breathing Fill Station Compressor – The Council authorized the Fire Chief to solicit bids for self-contained breathing fill stations by a vote of 7-0.
4. Request to go to bid for 2017 Ford SUV Interceptor – The Council authorized the Chief of Police to solicit bids for a 2017 Ford SUV Interceptor.
5. HVAC Service Contract – The Council tabled this item because they needed more information.
6. Managed IT Support Service Contract – The Council awarded the bid to the Round Table Technology for $53,790.00 by a vote of 7-0.

Under Other Business - The Town Manager is working on an information paper to explain the Charter Changes on the November ballot.  Ryan Leighton provided an update on both the Sewer Study and the Downtown Parking Lot & Hasey Street situations.

Under Appointments – Both Richard Main and Annica McGuirk were appointed to the Conservation Commission.

Larry Fillmore

Town Council Agenda - October 4, 2016

 

 

IF WE ONLY HAD FOUR REAL COUNCILORS

 
In 2014, two REAL Town Councilors were looking into ways to reduce the operating cost of the town in order to reduce taxes for residents.  What a novel idea?  Two of the REAL Councilors estimated that the town could save the taxpayers approximately $190,000.00 by having Androscoggin County Dispatch provide our emergency services.  They even went so far as to begin working with Sheriff Samson and his staff on how to go about it.  However, the project was stopped by the Council because of a dog and pony show by former Chief of Police David T. Brooks.  Chief Brooks provided false information to the people and the Council.

Instead of trying to iron out the differences, our current Town Council dropped the idea.  Roger Bickford has been making excused for not trying to make it work.  To me, saving taxpayers approximately $190,000.00 deserves a second look.  I decided to look into it a little further to see where the disconnect really is.  The most disturbing part of the current system is that all request for emergency services automatically go to Androscoggin County Dispatch.  Androscoggin County Dispatch immediately dispatches First Responder upon receipt of the call for all towns they provide service for with the exception of Lisbon.  Lisbon REQUIRES Androscoggin County Dispatch to notify Lisbon Communication Center at 353-2500 and Lisbon Communication Center is the ONLY ones authorized to dispatch our First Responders.  What a useless system!  I talked to the Emergency Medical Dispatchers/911 operators at the Androscoggin County Dispatch and they informed me that there have been several times that they could not get thru on 353-2500 which causes a time delay before First Responders are dispatched.  This puts our live a risk every day.  What this means is that we are paying over $360,000.00 a year to be put at risk. 

The reason 353-2500 is so busy is because people do not understand this is for NON-EMERGENCY situations ONLY.  There should be an automated message that states “If this is an emergency; hang up and dial 911”.  I have mentioned this to the Town Manager several months ago and it still has not happened.  The Town is getting a new phone system and maybe this message will be on 353-2500.  

Rumor has it that the Town Council will be putting a Referendum question on the November ballot asking the people if they want to close the Lisbon
Communication Center or not.  Of course, this will be NON-BINDING so what good is it?  Also, the Town Council is NOT going to provide all the facts to the people in order to make a valid decision because they do not want the people to know what the facts are.  If the people knew all the facts, there would be no need for the question.  The Councilors are unaware of all the facts.  You know how I know that is because if they knew all the facts they would have already reenergized the project in order to provide residents with quality emergency service instead of hanging them out to dry.

The four imposters are keeping this project from moving forward.  This is just another example of their lack of concern for our community.  Two of these imposters are coming up for election in November and I hope the people remember all the pain they have caused this community.

Larry Fillmore

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 20TH

The following is a summary of the events Tuesday night at the Town Council meeting.  

Under Council Orders, Resolutions & Ordinances

1.  Ch. 70 Definitions – Medical Marijuana Definition (First Reading) – Chairman Bickford made a motion to table this action until after the election and rescheduled for December 6, 2016.  It was approved by the council by a vote of 7-0.
2. Outdoor Shooting Range (First Reading) – The Council approved the first reading by a vote of 7-0.
3. Annual approval of Residential Tax Club policy - The Council approved this policy by a vote of 7-0.
4. Order of Payment of taxes – The Council approved this by a vote of 7-0.
5. Voting Credentials for MMA Annual Business Meeting – The Council approved this by a vote of 7-0.
6. School Capital Reserve Request – This was approved by a vote of 7-0.

Larry Fillmore

HOW MANY REAL COUNCILORS ARE ON THE TOWN COUNCIL?????

I believe the right answer is three?  The rest are impostors.  This was clearly demonstrated Tuesday night.  First, we have to begin with “What is a Councilor?  Once an individual is “Elected” as a town councilor, he represents the people in his district or at large.  This means he no longer has a personal opinion but must vote for what is best for the community and the people of his district or at large.

 

Several years ago, the people voted out all three councilors up for reelection because these councilors failed to move the community forward and did not vote the desires of the people.  This needs to happen again this year!!!!!!  As a result Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts formed an alliance to control the Town Council.  You can see that I no longer call them Councilors because they have not earned the title.

 

These are the same individuals that created the situation with the School Budget several years ago.  This caused the town to have 5 referendums at a cost of $3,000.00 per referendum.  They also cost the town an increase in legal fees.  These four individuals were solely responsible for this situation.

 

Next, these same individuals put a stop to merging with Androscoggin County Dispatch.  This merger would eliminate the Lisbon Communication Center and allow for Androscoggin County Dispatch to immediately dispatch “OUR” First Responders upon receipt of a 911 call for emergency services.  This would have saved over $200,000.00 tax dollars per year.  So now, the taxpayers are forced to spend these additional funds which would help reduce our taxes.  Each year that goes by the taxpayers have to pay more tax dollars to operate the Lisbon Communication Center.  Roger Bickford refused to put the Lisbon Communication Center on the agenda.  Councilor Kolbe has asked to have this reviewed by Council but Roger Bickford is protecting former Chief Brooks.

 

Now, we come to Rick and Gina Mason wanting to sell used cars on their property.  The town’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the Land Usage Table all prohibit this action.  Roger Bickford has forced this action back to the Planning Board two or three times and each time the Planning Board comes back with it cannot be done.  They have tried a survey, workshop and Public Hearing and in every case the majority of residents have stated they did not want any changes to the zoning on Route 9.  Roger Bickford and his alliance are not going to accept the will of the people.  Councilors are supposed to take the desires of the people and vote that way.  These four individuals are voting to help a friend out instead of concentrating on what is best for the community and the desires of the people.  These four individuals have done more harm to this community in the past two years which has set the growth of this town back several years.

 

Individuals, who have their own personal agenda, should never become a Councilor because that is not what a Councilor is there for.  The people elect these individuals to represent their wishes and desires to move this community forward not backwards.  These individuals have forgotten their duties and responsibilities to the people of Lisbon and need to be replaced this November before they do any more damage to our community.    

 

I refuse to call Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts Councilors because they have demonstrated a behavior that clearly reflects they are not for making this town better.  They are forcing taxpayers’ taxes to increase every year.  Their decisions are based on loyalty to their friends and not what is best for our Community. 

 

Shame on them!!!!!

 

Larry Fillmore

HOW MANY REAL COUNCILORS ARE ON THE TOWN COUNCIL?????

I believe the right answer is three?  The rest are impostors.  This was clearly demonstrated Tuesday night.  First, we have to begin with “What is a Councilor?  Once an individual is “Elected” as a town councilor, he represents the people in his district or at large.  This means he no longer has a personal opinion but must vote for what is best for the community and the people of his district or at large.

 

Several years ago, the people voted out all three councilors up for reelection because these councilors failed to move the community forward and did not vote the desires of the people.  This needs to happen again this year!!!!!!  As a result Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts formed an alliance to control the Town Council.  You can see that I no longer call them Councilors because they have not earned the title.

 

These are the same individuals that created the situation with the School Budget several years ago.  This caused the town to have 5 referendums at a cost of $3,000.00 per referendum.  They also cost the town an increase in legal fees.  These four individuals were solely responsible for this situation.

 

Next, these same individuals put a stop to merging with Androscoggin County Dispatch.  This merger would eliminate the Lisbon Communication Center and allow for Androscoggin County Dispatch to immediately dispatch “OUR” First Responders upon receipt of a 911 call for emergency services.  This would have saved over $200,000.00 tax dollars per year.  So now, the taxpayers are forced to spend these additional funds which would help reduce our taxes.  Each year that goes by the taxpayers have to pay more tax dollars to operate the Lisbon Communication Center.  Roger Bickford refused to put the Lisbon Communication Center on the agenda.  Councilor Kolbe has asked to have this reviewed by Council but Roger Bickford is protecting former Chief Brooks.

 

Now, we come to Rick and Gina Mason wanting to sell used cars on their property.  The town’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the Land Usage Table all prohibit this action.  Roger Bickford has forced this action back to the Planning Board two or three times and each time the Planning Board comes back with it cannot be done.  They have tried a survey, workshop and Public Hearing and in every case the majority of residents have stated they did not want any changes to the zoning on Route 9.  Roger Bickford and his alliance are not going to accept the will of the people.  Councilors are supposed to take the desires of the people and vote that way.  These four individuals are voting to help a friend out instead of concentrating on what is best for the community and the desires of the people.  These four individuals have done more harm to this community in the past two years which has set the growth of this town back several years.

 

Individuals, who have their own personal agenda, should never become a Councilor because that is not what a Councilor is there for.  The people elect these individuals to represent their wishes and desires to move this community forward not backwards.  These individuals have forgotten their duties and responsibilities to the people of Lisbon and need to be replaced this November before they do any more damage to our community.    

 

I refuse to call Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts Councilors because they have demonstrated a behavior that clearly reflects they are not for making this town better.  They are forcing taxpayers’ taxes to increase every year.  Their decisions are based on loyalty to their friends and not what is best for our Community. 

 

Shame on them!!!!!

 

Larry Fillmore

HOW MANY REAL COUNCILORS ARE ON THE TOWN COUNCIL?????

I believe the right answer is three?  The rest are impostors.  This was clearly demonstrated Tuesday night.  First, we have to begin with “What is a Councilor?  Once an individual is “Elected” as a town councilor, he represents the people in his district or at large.  This means he no longer has a personal opinion but must vote for what is best for the community and the people of his district or at large.

 

Several years ago, the people voted out all three councilors up for reelection because these councilors failed to move the community forward and did not vote the desires of the people.  This needs to happen again this year!!!!!!  As a result Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts formed an alliance to control the Town Council.  You can see that I no longer call them Councilors because they have not earned the title.

 

These are the same individuals that created the situation with the School Budget several years ago.  This caused the town to have 5 referendums at a cost of $3,000.00 per referendum.  They also cost the town an increase in legal fees.  These four individuals were solely responsible for this situation.

 

Next, these same individuals put a stop to merging with Androscoggin County Dispatch.  This merger would eliminate the Lisbon Communication Center and allow for Androscoggin County Dispatch to immediately dispatch “OUR” First Responders upon receipt of a 911 call for emergency services.  This would have saved over $200,000.00 tax dollars per year.  So now, the taxpayers are forced to spend these additional funds which would help reduce our taxes.  Each year that goes by the taxpayers have to pay more tax dollars to operate the Lisbon Communication Center.  Roger Bickford refused to put the Lisbon Communication Center on the agenda.  Councilor Kolbe has asked to have this reviewed by Council but Roger Bickford is protecting former Chief Brooks.

 

Now, we come to Rick and Gina Mason wanting to sell used cars on their property.  The town’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the Land Usage Table all prohibit this action.  Roger Bickford has forced this action back to the Planning Board two or three times and each time the Planning Board comes back with it cannot be done.  They have tried a survey, workshop and Public Hearing and in every case the majority of residents have stated they did not want any changes to the zoning on Route 9.  Roger Bickford and his alliance are not going to accept the will of the people.  Councilors are supposed to take the desires of the people and vote that way.  These four individuals are voting to help a friend out instead of concentrating on what is best for the community and the desires of the people.  These four individuals have done more harm to this community in the past two years which has set the growth of this town back several years.

 

Individuals, who have their own personal agenda, should never become a Councilor because that is not what a Councilor is there for.  The people elect these individuals to represent their wishes and desires to move this community forward not backwards.  These individuals have forgotten their duties and responsibilities to the people of Lisbon and need to be replaced this November before they do any more damage to our community.    

 

I refuse to call Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts Councilors because they have demonstrated a behavior that clearly reflects they are not for making this town better.  They are forcing taxpayers’ taxes to increase every year.  Their decisions are based on loyalty to their friends and not what is best for our Community. 

 

Shame on them!!!!!

 

Larry Fillmore

HOW MANY REAL COUNCILORS ARE ON THE TOWN COUNCIL?????

I believe the right answer is three?  The rest are impostors.  This was clearly demonstrated Tuesday night.  First, we have to begin with “What is a Councilor?  Once an individual is “Elected” as a town councilor, he represents the people in his district or at large.  This means he no longer has a personal opinion but must vote for what is best for the community and the people of his district or at large.

 

Several years ago, the people voted out all three councilors up for reelection because these councilors failed to move the community forward and did not vote the desires of the people.  This needs to happen again this year!!!!!!  As a result Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts formed an alliance to control the Town Council.  You can see that I no longer call them Councilors because they have not earned the title.

 

These are the same individuals that created the situation with the School Budget several years ago.  This caused the town to have 5 referendums at a cost of $3,000.00 per referendum.  They also cost the town an increase in legal fees.  These four individuals were solely responsible for this situation.

 

Next, these same individuals put a stop to merging with Androscoggin County Dispatch.  This merger would eliminate the Lisbon Communication Center and allow for Androscoggin County Dispatch to immediately dispatch “OUR” First Responders upon receipt of a 911 call for emergency services.  This would have saved over $200,000.00 tax dollars per year.  So now, the taxpayers are forced to spend these additional funds which would help reduce our taxes.  Each year that goes by the taxpayers have to pay more tax dollars to operate the Lisbon Communication Center.  Roger Bickford refused to put the Lisbon Communication Center on the agenda.  Councilor Kolbe has asked to have this reviewed by Council but Roger Bickford is protecting former Chief Brooks.

 

Now, we come to Rick and Gina Mason wanting to sell used cars on their property.  The town’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and the Land Usage Table all prohibit this action.  Roger Bickford has forced this action back to the Planning Board two or three times and each time the Planning Board comes back with it cannot be done.  They have tried a survey, workshop and Public Hearing and in every case the majority of residents have stated they did not want any changes to the zoning on Route 9.  Roger Bickford and his alliance are not going to accept the will of the people.  Councilors are supposed to take the desires of the people and vote that way.  These four individuals are voting to help a friend out instead of concentrating on what is best for the community and the desires of the people.  These four individuals have done more harm to this community in the past two years which has set the growth of this town back several years.

 

Individuals, who have their own personal agenda, should never become a Councilor because that is not what a Councilor is there for.  The people elect these individuals to represent their wishes and desires to move this community forward not backwards.  These individuals have forgotten their duties and responsibilities to the people of Lisbon and need to be replaced this November before they do any more damage to our community.    

 

I refuse to call Roger Bickford, Eric Metivier, Chris Brunelle and Dale Crafts Councilors because they have demonstrated a behavior that clearly reflects they are not for making this town better.  They are forcing taxpayers’ taxes to increase every year.  Their decisions are based on loyalty to their friends and not what is best for our Community. 

 

Shame on them!!!!!

 

Larry Fillmore

“GOOD OLD BOYS” OR COUNCILORS

On October 6, 2015, the community got a real good look at what we have for (fake) Councilors.  A review of the minutes provided a clear picture of the nature of Bickford, Metivier, Brunelle and Crafts and it is not pretty.  This was the day, these individuals put a stop to the consolidation of the Lisbon Communication Center with the Androscoggin County Dispatch.  This alliance would have saved the town over $190,000.00 per year.

 

The room was full and everyone had questions.  Most of these questions were simple ones that could have been answered by Chief Brooks, Sergeant Moore, Mr. Frederick Stacy (Former Dispatcher) or I.  During my tenue at the NAS Brunswick, I was tasked with connecting all the computers securely on both the Unclassified and Secure networks.  My team and I had to develop and design the entire project and then made it worked.  So, I have knowledge in this area and that makes me a subject matter expert (SME).  The questions being asked were normal questions asked by individuals unfamiliar with the environment.  However, no one was given the opportunity to answer any questions.

 

The only questions that needed to be asked were (1) How much are we going to be saving per year?  (2)  How long will the project take?  (3) How is this going to impact my life?  Because the residents have never worked in this area and have little to no experience in this field; they should have left it up to the professionals instead of asking minor questions like are you going to use “dark fiber”?  The resident only need to know that the solution provided was going to be secure.  However, many residents are the Town Council for a Public Hearing to get their questions answered.

 

I have no objections to a Public Hearing as long as it includes members of the Androscoggin County Dispatch to answer technical questions about their system.  I have been in contact with them and they are willing to come and answer questions.  Lisbon is the ONLY community that is not serviced by a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).  What this means to you is that under the current system when you call 911 for help; that call first goes to Androscoggin County Dispatch and then they HAVE to call Lisbon Communication Center before any First Responders are dispatched to the scene.  All the rest of the County and the state; First Responders are dispatched to the scene by Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) operators immediately instead of trying to notify Lisbon Communication Center prior to the dispatch of First Responders.  Lisbon Communication Center is an unnecessary middle step.  Stop to think about the time lag when Androscoggin County Dispatcher cannot reach anyone of 353-2500 because the line is busy.  This has happened several times.  There should be NO middle step.  Our First Responders should be immediately dispatched to the scene upon receipt of the 911 call.

 

The motion to stop this consolidation was made by Councilor Bickford and seconded by Councilor Metivier.  These two Councilors heard the people ask for a Public Hearing.  There are no questions that having Androscoggin County Dispatch provide dispatching service to the community will save a considerable amount of money.  So why is it that these two individuals, who are the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Town Council NOT asked any questions of the Androscoggin County Dispatch or setting up a Public Hearing for the people.  Why have they done nothing to move this along since October 2015?  Here is a proven situation where the town can reduce our operating cost and they are not doing anything.  They are protecting the Lisbon Communication Center because the “Good Old Boys” network does not want to close the Communication Center.

 

Councilors should be looking for ways to reduce our operating cost which will lower our taxes.  Lowering our taxes should be the number one priority of each Councilor.

 

Larry Fillmore

 

RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – SEPTEMBER 6TH

The first thing I must do is apologize for the delay in getting this information out to the people.  This is an extremely hard and discouraging recap.  I am going to present just the facts here and will follow this up with the disgusting and shameful actions of three fake Councilors.

 

Under Appointments – Effective this month, Mrs. Lydia Colston will be the Lisbon Finance Director.  She is currently a Senior Accountant/Senior Auditor with Otis Atwell in South Portland.  She is a graduate of the University of Maine as Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Accounting.

 

Under Public Hearings –

 

1.   CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grant Public Hearing – The ECD Director, Tracy Steuber briefed the Council on the benefits of applying for this grant.  This grant is for $400,000.00 which the taxpayer will have to come up with $80,000.00 in matching funds.

2.   Loader Bond Issue, Road Bond Issue, and Charter Amendments – The Loader and Road Bond issues were briefed by Ryan Leighton, Public Works Director.  The Charter Amendments were briefed by Diane Barnes, Town Manager.

 

Under Council Orders, Resolutions, & Ordinances –

 

1.    Dump Body Install – The Council voted 6-0 (with Dale Crafts excused) to approve $50,225.00 from Viking Cives of Maine.

2.   Huston Street Drainage – The Council voted 6-0 to award the bid of $85.00/LF to Longchamps & Sons, Inc.

3.   Request for Qualifications for Brownfields Qualified Environmental Professionals – The Council approved by a vote of 6-0 to solicit qualifications for Qualified Environmental Professionals (QEP).

4.   CDBG Downtown Revitalization Grant Submission – The Council approved by a vote of 6-0 to have the ECD Director to application for the grant.

5.   Authorize the issuance of up to $150,000.00 in bonds to finance a front end loader.  The Council approved this by a vote of 6-0.

6.   Authorizing the issuance of up to $1,500,000.00 in bonds to finance road projects – The Council approved this by a vote of 6-0.

7.   Warrant for November 8, 2016 – The Council approved the warrant by a vote of 6-0.

8.   Set interest rate on overpayment & prepayment of taxes – The Council set the interest rate at 3% by a vote of 6-0.

9.   Write-off personal property tax – Muzak, LLC – The Council voted 6-0 to write-off the amount of $7.74.

10.         Sec 90-17 – Holiday leave Personnel Policy Amendment – The Council voted by a vote of 6-0 to approve the amendment.

11.          Route 9 Zoning – After a lengthy discussion and several motions and amendments the Council voted 5-1 with Councilor Kolbe voting against to add this to the Comprehensive Plan Review.  However, Roger Bickford tasked the Planning Board to start work on the Comprehensive Plan now.  I will be writing a separate article this weekend to explain what took place from by prospective.

 

Town Manager’s Report – Mrs. Barnes announced there will be a meet and greet our new Chief of Police Marc Hagan between 5:00-7:00 P.M. on September 13^th at the Lisbon Community School.

 

Larry Fillmore