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Showing posts with label Town Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Town Council. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?



According to google, these are the mil rates and population for towns in Androscoggin County.  What should stand out to everyone is the major discrepancy between the mil rates and the populations.

TOWNS                     MIL RATE                 POPULATION

Auburn                      23.68                         22,948 

Sabattus                    17.75                         5,015

Lisbon                       24.84                         8,846

Lewiston                   28.67                         36,140

Durham                    18.85                         3,940

Wales                         14.85                         1,634

Greene                      17.80                         4,373

Poland                       14.74                         5,544

Minot                         15.85                         2,596

Livermore Falls       21.60                         3,115

Turner                       17.05                         5,765

As you can see Lisbon has moved into second place in the county as far as the mil rate goes surpassing Auburn.  These figures for population are from 2016.  The reason for the discrepancy is because our Town Manager, Diane Barnes, compares populations when determining salaries instead of the tax base for the towns.  As everyone knows Auburn has many more commercial businesses than Lisbon and yet our mil rate is higher.
There is no way that the salaries of Department Heads in Lisbon should be as high as they are starting out.  We just do not have the tax base to support such high salaries and the Town Manager knew this from the start but used population to establish salaries without comparing tax bases and our Town Council believes everything the Town Manager says as gospel.
The Town Council needs to delay voting on spending issues until the Council can do adequate investigations.  The Town Council needs to cut spending to include the Town Manager’s salary.  The Department Heads are receiving between $1,200.00 and $1,800.00 annually and taxpayers in Lisbon cannot afford these increases.  There is no way to reduce Department Heads salaries because the Town Manager, Diane Barnes has committed the taxpayers into paying these outrageous salaries.
Taxpayers and the Town Council have to pay more attention to the spending habits of the Town Manager and her Department Heads.  We have to bring down our mil rate so that it is more in line with our population and other towns in the county.
Let’s put a halt to excessive spending and start comparing apple to apples instead of apples to oranges.
Larry Fillmore

 

CENSORSHIP IN LISBON

 
Over the weekend and on Monday, there was a discussion my members of Lisbon pertaining to the increase in taxes.  This discussion was started when Hank Frazier asked the question “Anybody else’s property tax go up significantly?” on the Lisbon Maine Community Information website.  I believe that there are approximately 319 comments posted to this site.  However, there are several more than were deleted from this website by the webmaster playing God.
 
I wrote a comment with my opinion and it was deleted so I cannot show you the post, however, I called a Councilor by name and the webmaster said I was too aggressive.  Councilors are Public Officials and are fair game to the rest of the world but not this webmaster.  However, below is a post that the webmaster let go through in which my name is clearly stated.  This was NOT censored because the webmaster clearly has a double standard.  You be the judge!
 
Normand Albert  Larry Fillmore if you don’t like the direction the town is going, take out papers and run for council. Please come earn $1400 a year to deal with some of these complex issues that require hours of reading and research to make an informed decision based on the best info available at that moment. All while balancing a full time job and a family. Only to be second guessed and vilified by a few. Don’t cry for me Larry, I have thick skin. I can take it.The town’s problems are systemic from years of a “kick the can down the road” mentality displayed for decades.All in the name of lower taxes. We had stagnant business and job growth. High dropout rates and a few shouting down many in a town meeting style of government. This lack of a comprehensive vision or goals had left our community in a place with very little hope of being anything more than a drive through community. Infrastructure has been crumbling for DECADES and you have the gall to blame the current council for the latest tax increase? We are the first council not to bury our heads in the sand and pretend the problems don’t exist. These are complex issues, with large price tags to properly address them. We need to be forward thinking in our approach to address these issues and make sure we develop plans that will include clear strategies for routine maintenance of that infrastructure so we are NEVER in this position again. That’s not going to happen overnight. It will require some short term pain for some long term gain. If not for a change of attitude and focus of a few citizens that has now turned into many, the positive changes and the promise that they bring would have never happened. I know I was inspired by those few in the begining to take a more active role because of the concerns I had with the direction of our town. I ran for this seat because I believe the majority of the people in this community want to create a place to be proud of and a place their kids will stay and become the next generation to lead this community.Larry, I do not subscribe to your narrative that the current council is the problem. This council is not spending money like drunken sailors on shore leave. We are a committed group who are doing our very best to be as transparent as possible. We provide clear information to the people of this community regarding the decisions that we make and the impact it will have on the property taxes. So in closing, I understand that people will be upset about the increase in taxes. I used humor to lighten the mood when I saw a blatant falsehood regarding the supposed “slush fund” the town has. If you didn’t like the joke, just keep scrolling.
 
As you can tell I did not change or correct anything in the post.  Since, I cannot answer this post on the Lisbon Maine Community Information website without being; I will try and answer Mr. Albert’s comments now. 
 
First and foremost, I want to address why I do not run for the Town Council.  I have served this country for 40 years in the Army and as a Department of Defense civilian.  I am aging and in poor health and cannot attend meetings but as most of you know I write for the Lisbon Reporter and make my feelings known.  Second, one vote does not count as we have seen from when Councilor Roger Cote was on the Council.  Most votes were 6-1.  Third, I have served my time and it is now time for young people to take the lead.
 
Now, I want to address some of Mr. Albert’s feeble attempt to justify the continued tax increases during his tenure.  My first objection is that this Council was presented two ways to save money and they both were rejected.  One was to close the Lisbon Communication Center which is a duplication of services and could save the taxpayers roughly $200,000.00 a year and second is the COLA increases every year to ALL employees; this would save the taxpayers approximately $100,000.00.       
 
COLA is nothing more than a cover-up for wage increases.  This means that if we have a bad employee; they get a wage increase every year.  Wage increases should be given ONLY to the outstanding employees of the town and does NOT include management positions.  Management Positions are normally salary employees and this should never apply.  Because all employees get the COLA, the Town Manager received a $1,400.00 plus increase this year alone.  Totally ridiculous; no one is worth that much increase every year.
 
Mr. Albert – until the Town Council start making an attempt to cut spending; I will continue to complain.  In my opinion, you are an Allen Ward wannabee but you will never gain that status because he is much smarter and has more experience.  Since you have been in office, you have voted with Mr. Ward on everything.  As far as you doing research, tell me again why you voted to approve a 7 year contract for MINUS.  If you did any research before voting, it was very poor research.
 
I hope I have addressed all your points without being censored by a webmaster trying to playing GOD.
 
Larry Fillmore

Monday, August 27, 2018

TAX BILLS




From the chatter this weekend on Lisbon Maine Community Information website, residents of Lisbon received their new tax bills.  I found it amusing that residents were shocked their taxes had increased so much.  The Lisbon Reporter and LisbonMaine.net have been warning residents for several months prior to the Town Council approval of the budget.
 
I have been trying to educate residents of Lisbon to exactly what is going on with our local government.  It would appear that the residents were not paying attention to my efforts.  Now, it is too late and the people are upset over the tax increases.
 
In my opinion, the problem is that the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, does not work for the people of Lisbon.  She works for and answers ONLY to the Town Council.  Mrs. Barnes and her staff have duped our Town Council in order to get the Town Council to vote their way.  She and her staff leave out important details on issues.  This neglect causes our Town Council to vote in their favor.  These decisions, by the Town Council, are good decisions based on the information provided to the Council, however, if the Council was provided ALL relevant information the vote may have been completely different.  In my opinion, the Town Council has too much faith in the Town Manager.
 
It was the Town Manager who presented a proposed municipal budget to the Town Council.  This proposed budget was almost accepted in its entirety.  Neither the Town Manager nor the Town Council is looking for ways to save money.  On numerous occasions Mrs. Dorothy Fitzgerald and I have offered suggestions on ways to save roughly $300,000.00.  Now to me, this is a significant amount of tax dollars, but the Town Council dismissed these suggestions.  These suggestions when in one ear and out the other.  It is nice to be ignored when you are trying to help.
 
Residents of Lisbon need to pay more attention to what is going on at these Town Council meetings.  The best and preferred way is to attend the meetings in person.  However, you can always go to the town website and watch the meetings.  It is critical the people of Lisbon start taken a more active role in our local government.  It is too late this year but please make your feelings known to the Town Council.
 
We, the people, need to take back our town and put an immediate stop to this outrageous spending. 
 
Larry Fillmore

 

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 
 
We need your input on a situation that is happening right now.  At the last Town Council meeting, the Council has decided to transfer the responsibility for the Moxie Festival from the Economic Community Development Department to the Recreational Department.  This decision, I believe is a poor decision by the Town Council.
 
Before the Town took over responsibility for the Moxie Festival, it was operated by the people of Lisbon.  The community did an excellent job running the Moxie Festival and it made money.  The Town Manager, at that time, decided he wanted to get some of this money and took over responsibility for the Moxie Festival.  Big mistake!
 
Now, the Town Council is trying to pass the responsibility on to the Recreational Department.  The Recreational Department is manned by three full-time individuals and has an enormous responsibility to this community already. 
 
However, it was brought to their attention that the responsibility should be passed to Positive Change Lisbon (PCL).  PCL is partially made up of business owners in Lisbon and is in their Mission Statement of the organization.
 
POSITIVE CHANGE LISBON MISSION STATEMENT:
 
To bring together the resources of Business people, local Government and Citizens, partnering together in a positive environment, to improve the image of our community. Through the efforts of a group of highly motivated individuals guided by a clear vision of our future, we aim to build on the favorable attributes of our Town and make Lisbon a more attractive place to live, recreate and to conduct business.
 
The Moxie Festival is a landmark of Lisbon.  It is conducted in Lisbon Falls business district and who better to have the responsibility of Moxie Festival than the business owners in Lisbon Falls.  Since this is part of their Mission Statement, who better than PCL to take over the responsibility for the Moxie Festival.  Who better to take this over responsibility than Ross Cunningham and Fern LaRochelle, the towns leading citizens?
 
I can appreciate the Council’s decision to turn the Moxie Festival over to the Recreational Department for their many successes but PCL is a much better fit.  Mark Stevens and his staff have done a super job supporting this community and providing activities for all.  I believe it is unfair to saddle the Moxie Festival on the Recreational Department when we have an organization and leadership in Positive Change Lisbon that this responsibility is in their Mission Statement to perform.
 
Tell me and your Town Council what you think.
 
Larry Fillmore  

 

 

Friday, August 17, 2018

DIG DEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
 
During the latest Town Council meeting, our Town Manager, Diane Barnes, informed the Town Council that the current mil rate is 24.84; our taxes will increase $1.64 per thousand which is a 7% increase.  I hope you are not surprised since the people did NOT turn out to voice their concerns.  Now it is too late!
 
This increase in our mil rate and taxes is significant for this small town.  Those residents on a fixed income are going to suffer the most.  This increase in our taxes every year is a trend that needs to be reversed.  Our Town Manager does NOT work for the people, so she could care less.
 
The Town Manager is receiving a salary of $96,482.00 this year.  This is an increase from last years’ salary of $95,047.00.  According to my calculator that is a $1,435.00 pay raise in one year.  It would appear that the Town Manager can afford a 7% increase in her taxes but can the rest of the residents?  I do not know any job where you receive pay raises like this; I never did and I was one of the top individuals in my field.
 
This pay raise was disguised as a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) which was approved by the Town Council.  Of course, Diane Barnes recommended this increase in HER budget.  COLA was first created by the Federal government to offset a recession but the Town of Lisbon uses it to cover-up for wage increases.  Wage increases, in my opinion, should be ONLY for those personnel who have done an outstanding job during the year and make less than $45,000.00.  No management positions deserve wage increases because they are above the $45,000.00 threshold, in my opinion.  We are paying individuals in management position plenty already and they do receive longevity pay.
 
The Town Manager and the Town Council have got to start looking for ways to save the taxpayer some money.  At good start would be by closing the Lisbon Communication Center which is a duplication of services.  The Androscoggin County Dispatch (911 services) could perform our dispatching services much more efficient than it is now.  This would increase the response time of First Responder and make our community safer.  By the way, the estimated cost savings was around $200,000.00 two years ago and has probably increased even more today.  This figure was provided by two previous Councilors, I trust, and not me.
 
The elimination of COLA will save the town appropriately $70,000.00 per year and will eliminate Department Heads and the Town Manager from receiving salary increases in the thousands every year.  They may very well be worth it but we cannot afford to pay them if it means increasing our taxes every year.
 
The people need to talk to the Town Manager and their Councilors and tell them how you feel.
 
Larry Fillmore

WHO’S IN CHARGE????


 
I just reviewed the latest Town Council video and was amazed.  The video reflects that the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, ONLY feeds the Town Council information she wants them to know instead of presenting ALL the facts.  The Town Council can never reach a sound decision unless they have all the information available on any subject matter.  I will explain:
2018-152 Asset Forfeiture Funds – This item was on the agenda because during the budget prepared by Diane Barnes; she conned the Town Council into using taxpayer dollars from the Unassigned Fund Balance instead of using Asset Forfeiture funds available in the Police Department.  According to the Recommendations, prepared by the Town Manager, Diane Bares, it says and I quote:  “Staff did not recommend the use of forfeiture funds since there is uncertainty in replenishing these funds now and in the future.  These assets have been used for matching grant funds for law enforcement equipment.”
The last time I checked, the people elected members of the Town Council to represent them when it comes to spending their money, not Diane Barnes or her staff.  The option of using the forfeiture funds should have been presented, at the time of the budget discuss, for the Town Council to decide which way they wanted to go but instead this information was withheld from the Town Council.  There is $6,786.04 in Federal funds and $13,972.30 in State funds available to be used for the purchase of the firearms at $7,800.00.  The Town Council reversed their decision and is now using the forfeiture funds instead of the Unassigned Fund Balance.  This is the right choice, as far as I am concerned.
This is a prime example of how the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, manipulates information she presents to the Town Council to get her way.  At first, I blamed the Town Council for making, what I considered poor decisions, but when I started looking into it, I realized they were not getting ALL the information and therefore they could not make a logical and right decision.  This has happened a lot and really needs to stop. 
I thank the Town Council and especially Councilor Allen Ward, for getting this on the agenda and correcting this situation.  Taxpayers are paying much more in taxes than they should and the Town Council must start looking for ways to cut spending.
Thank you Councilor Ward.
Larry Fillmore

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING

Council Meeting- Special

July 26, 2018 Minutes

SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Council Meeting

June 26, 2018 Minutes

Read more

SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

Monday, August 6, 2018

LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY

 
As part of this year’s budget, the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, recommended to the Town Council that certain items be purchased using Undesignated Funds.  The Undesignated Fund is our tax dollars left over from previous years. 
 
The Town Manager uses this fund to purchase items not listed in the budget.  This fund is resupplied every year by the town raising our taxes.  It is basically a slush fund for the Town Manager to draw from every year.
 
In this years’ approved budget the Town Manager recommended and the Town Council approved the purchase of $7,800.00 for the Police Department upgrade their firearms.  I am not opposed to the Police Department upgrading their firearms but the Police Department has funds available in their Forfeiture Fund. 
 
The Forfeiture Fund is NOT tax dollars but dollars returned to the town from the state.  These funds, as far as I am concerned, should be used first when upgrading the Police Department needs.  Now, I understand there are some restrictions on the use of these funds but upgrading firearms is NOT one of them.  So tell me again why we are using tax dollars when these funds are available to cover this expense.
 
This is another prime example of the Town Council NOT holding the Town Manager accountable for all her recommendations.   It would appear that the Town Council approves anything the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, puts before them.
 
There has to be more accountability of our tax dollars if the town is going to raise our taxes every year.
 
Larry Fillmore

HOW TO LEGALLY SCREW REIDENTS OF LISBON

 
Today, I had the privilege of paying $75.00 to the town of Lisbon for information I never asked for.  When you ask for information under the Freedom of Access Act (FOAA), you are at the mercy of the town.  The town determines what information they want to provide to you and how long it will take them to gather the information.  The cost is determined by state law.  The first hour is free but all hours after the first; you have to pay $15.00 per hour.
 
My original FOAA request is below:
Mrs. Colston
This is a FOAA request.
I am looking for the money taken out of the Undesignated Fund the last four years.  Can you provide this information by years?
Thank you
 
I did not ask for any detail of what the money was used for; I ONLY asked for the amount taken out of the Undesignated Fund for the last four years.  What I received was:
 
 In response to Larry Filmore’s FOAA request:
2016:     $10,293.47 was taken from unassigned fund balance to cover charter requirements for maintaining a reserve funded by animal control fees
2017: N/A nothing was designated or spent from fund balance.
2018:  The following amounts were designated and spent from fund balance:
                $50,000 for computer server upgrade.  $30,663 has been spent to date.
                $20,000 has been designated for Generator pad and infrastructure
                $30,000 was designated for Town clerk storage.  $26,547 was spent an
                                the remainder put back into fund balance
                $40,000 was designated and spent for Police radio upgrades
                $35,000 was designated and spent for a Police cruiser
                $75,000 was designated for the Fire Department Capital Improvements
                $300,000 was designated for public works trucks.  $275,445 was spent
                                  and the remainder put back into fund balance
                $20,000 was designated and spent for Recreation Department
                                playground
                $25,000 was designated for new flooring in various town buildings.  The
                                money was not required and was put back into fund balance.
2019:  The following amounts have been designated for use during the upcoming year:
                $26,125 for an error in 2018 Technology budget
                $50,000 to establish an accrued leave payout reserve
                $10,000 for Book restorations in the clerks office
                $7,800 for Police Department firearms upgrades
                $50,000 for the Fire Department various equipment upgrades
                $8,000 for carpeting in the Library          
                $323,274 to pay off outstanding debt service.
 
According to the town, I was billed for 5 hours to put this information together.  I cannot understand why it took so long to gather this information.   The Finance Director has, not one but two, computer system in which to extract this information which should have taken 15 minutes per year at the most. By the way, we taxpayers are paying for both systems to be operating at the same time.
 
Also, if you look the town did not provide what I ask for and that was the total amount per year.  Instead they provided some detail but I challenge this information because the town claims that NO funds were taken from the Undesignated Fund in 2017.  This has to be a mistake because the Town Council spends money like drunken sailors without accountability.
 
I personally believe that this is an attempt to discourage citizens from challenging the Town Manager, Diane Barnes’ budgeting actions and to punish those that do.  The Finance Director did not comply with the original request but provided information that was not requested; which is a violation of state law.
 
Residents beware when dealing with the town and especially the Town Manager.
 
Larry Fillmore

 

WHY ARE WE PAYING SUCH HIGH TAXES?


The taxpayers in Lisbon have had their taxes raised for the last four years and will probably experience an increase in taxes every year from here on out.  This trend must stop if the taxpayers of Lisbon are going to stay out of bankruptcy.  We have been over taxed for the last four years and I will explain it to you.
Take a look at the carry forward for this year and it is the same for the last four years:

 
I did not total all of the funds here but as you can see it is a large amount of your tax dollars.  So where did all this money come from and why is it being carried forward?  Was this money left over from previous year budget; if so, someone needs to explain why our taxes were raised if the town did not need our money?  Personally, I would have been happy to keep my own money.

Now, let’s take a look at the Undesignated Fund expenditures for the last four years:

As you can see, the town spent a lot of money from the Undesignated Fund.  Look at it by years:

2016  $10,293.47

2017 None (Which I do not believe)

2018 $595,000.00

2019 $475,199.00

Well, how did the town get so much money in the Undesignated Fund?  Apparently, the tooth fairy blessed Lisbon.  I have a better answer and that is the Town Manager, Diane Barnes has been padding her budget without the knowledge of the Town Council.  The Town Council has been supporting the Town Manager instead of supporting us, the taxpayers.  This is really ridiculous to have so much money left over every year and have so much money in the Undesignated Fund.

This is our tax dollars at work.  This explains the high taxes and where our tax dollars are going.  We need to tell the Town Manager, Diane Barnes, that we will not put up with this from now on.  The Town Council has to start making the Town Manager accountable for her actions.  I realize that she works for the Town Council and not the citizens of Lisbon; so it is the Town Council responsibility to see that this never happens again.  Having over a half million dollars every year is ripping the taxpayers off every year.

It is time to hold both the Town Council and the Town Manager accountable for the way they spend our tax dollars.

Larry Fillmore  

PS  The Town is charging me $75.00 for the Undesignated Fund information.  Apparently, with two computer systems (MUNIS and TRIO) it took 6 hours to put this information together.

 

Monday, July 9, 2018

GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

 
An update to my previous letter on the Lisbon Reporter:
 
You probably remember that, at the June 26 Town Council meeting, my
remark that placing a solar light at the School Street/Route 196 Garden
might prevent vehicles from driving into the garden, and hopefully 
stopping the annual destruction of the garden and Worumbo Mill Wheels.
 
And to my surprise on Monday, July 2, there were solar lights around
the perimeter of the garden. 
 
I assumed that the town public works had placed them there. I even
called the PW director and left a message, thanking him.
 
I learned last night that it was actually Councilor Kris Cradford who purchased
the solar lights, and, with the help of his son, put the them around
the perimeter of the garden.
 
Kris, a member of the Town Council, decided it would be a good civic
lesson for his son. 
 
In my estimation, Councilor Kris went above and beyond Civic Duty by that 
unselfish act. 

He is my hero!

Dorothy Fitzgerald
Concerned Citizen

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

VANDALS STRIKE TOWN GARDEN

 
Sometime Monday night someone stole solar lights from the School Street/
Route 196 Town Public Flower Garden.
 
On Monday, Public Works placed solar lights in the ground around the outside
perimeter of the garden, hopefully to prevent vehicles from crashing through it,
damaging shrubs, flowers, and the Worumbo Mill Wheels, again.
 
This happens at least once a year. The tire marks are still there on the School
Street side, from the last time someone drove into the garden. A beautiful, large
bush was driven into, torn from it's roots and had to be removed, and the wheels
were damaged, again.
 
Several years ago a tree was planted in the garden in memory of Nancy Chizmar,
long time State of Maine Representative in Augusta. Someone ploughed into the
garden with enough force to almost uproot the tree.

Sadly the tree did not make it.
 
The solar lights was supposed to prevent that from happening.

They were an attractive addition to the Town Garden during the day,
and were beautiful at night. At least on Monday night, until vandals decided
different.
 
On Tuesday I noticed that some of the solar lights were placed in different spots,
with only 3 or 4 still in the perimeter, the rest, missing.
 
How many times does the town have to replant bushes that have been destroyed
because someone misses the curve and ploughs into the garden?
 
How many times can the Worumbo Mill Wheels be repaired before they are damaged
beyond repair?
 
Faye Brown first planted the garden, and the Green Thumb Gang was born.
 
Faye is also responsible for rescuing the Worumbo Mill Wheels, to be on display
as a reminder of the our heritage.  
 
It would be nice if the vandal or vandals who stole the lights have a change of heart
and leave them at the police station so they can be put back in the garden,
to be enjoyed by all.  

 
Dorothy B. Fitzgerald
A Concerned Lisbon Citizen

CONTROL OF THE MOXIE FESTIVAL

 
At the last Town Council meeting on June 26, 2018, the Town Council decided to hold a discussion on moving the responsibility of the Moxie Festival from the Economic Community Development Department to the Recreational and Parks Department.  As usual there was NO advance notice posted on the town website including the agenda posted for this meeting.  However, I am sure the agendas handed out at the meeting included this change.  This is the type of strategy the Town Manager, Diane Barnes uses to control the input from citizens.
 
Instead of having this discussion in a workshop, it was a last minute addition to the already full and published agenda.  Typical action by the Town Council and the Town Manager!  Such short notice does not provide citizens with adequate preparation prior to the meeting but this is there style.
 
Dorothy Fitzgerald offered the Town Council a different option and as usual it went in one ear and out the other of the Council.  Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested the Moxie Festival’s responsibility be moved to Positive Change Lisbon (PCL).  It was obvious the Council members where not aware of the history of the Moxie Festival.
 
The Moxie Festival started around 1982 by the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce.  It included businesses and citizen who volunteered every year.  The Moxie Festival grew and grew every year and prospered very well.  Because it was making so much money, Steve Eldridge, former Town Manager decided he wanted that money for the town and had the Town Council vote to take over responsibility of the Moxie Festival.
 
Now, we all know that Mark Stevens, Recreation and Parks Director, has his hands full.  Mark does an excellent job and the Town Council has added the responsibility for parks, gardens, cemeteries to his original duties at the Recreation Department.  Mark has done all this with a full-time staff of one besides himself and the Town Council added a full-time maintenance position this year.  Adding the Moxie Festival, would cause a major burden on Mr. Stevens and the Recreation and Parks Department.  Over the years, since the town took over the Moxie Festival and the number of volunteers has continually declined.
 
POSITIVE CHANGE LISBON MISSION STATEMENT

To bring together the resources of Business people, local Government and Citizens, partnering together in a positive environment, to improve the image of our community. Through the efforts of a group of highly motivated individuals guided by a clear vision of our future, we aim to build on the favorable attributes of our Town and make Lisbon a more attractive place to live, recreate and to conduct business.
 
Now to me, this sound like exactly what the original Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce was made up of.  Positive Change Lisbon appears to be the perfect place for the Moxie Festival responsibility.  If you review their website, you will see the majority of the businesses are members.  Councilor LaRochelle is the Secretary.  Positive Change Lisbon puts on numerous events throughout the year and this festival fits right in.  The Moxie Festival promotes the town of Lisbon and our many attributes.  I cannot think of a better organization to have the responsibility for the Moxie Festival.
 
I do realize that because Mrs. Fitzgerald suggested it and I agree with her; this will never happen because the Council will never admit this is the right thing to do and they did not think of it.
 
Larry Fillmore

Friday, June 22, 2018

PURE WASTE OF TIME

 
The Town Council’s agenda for June 26, 2018 is currently out.  It is important to note that it has a start time of 6:00 PM instead of 7:00 PM.  The early start time is because it includes a Public Hearing on the proposed 2018-2019 Municipal budget.  The Town Council wants you to believe that they want the people’s input prior to them voting on the budget.  This is only a myth.
 
Anytime you think this is not true, just go back to the results of the November 2011 election where the residents were asked on the ballot if they wanted to vote on the municipal budget.  The results were almost 3 to 1 in favor of voting on the municipal budget.  Did this ever happen?  The answer is the Town Council then had no intention of listening to the residents and that continues today.
 
Another more recent example is at the last Town Council meeting on June 5, 2018; Mrs. Dorothy Fitzgerald asked the Council why they are not looking for ways to reduce the operating cost of the town instead of increasing the spending.  Mrs. Fitzgerald went so far as to offer ways the town could save taxpayers money but not one councilor responded.  It went in one ear and out the other.  Watch the video of the meeting at 1:23 minutes into the meeting.
 
I use to attend every Town Council meeting for numerous years.  I offer suggestions on how to improve the community or save the taxpayers money.  Not one of the suggestions I offered was considered so I stopped wasting my time.  This Town Council, like others before them, is not going to take any suggestions from the people and they only do whatever they want.  The current Town Council waste been wasting over $200,000.00 a year for the past three years and they do not care.
 
The idea of holding Public Hearings is a legal requirement but nowhere in the law does it say the Town Council has to do anything but listen.  This is why it is important to elect ONLY those individuals to the Town Council that will listen to the people.  Once these individuals are elected, they no longer listen to the voice of the people.  This is disgraceful!
 
The Town Council meeting on June 26, 2018 will be the last chance to voice your opinions about the budget not that it will do any good.  The Council has already made up their minds to raise your taxes again without considering ways to cut taxes.  You will get much more out of staying home and watching “The Big Bang Theory” and “NCIS”.
 
I listened too many Councils complain about residents not attending council meeting.  These same councilors are the ones that totally ignore residents when they speak up at council meeting.  Why would anyone want to be ignored especially on TV? 
 
Elect Councilors who will listen to the people.
 
Larry Fillmore