Redzone's 2019 expansion will stretch from Berwick to Fort Kent

Redzone's 2019 expansion will stretch from Berwick to Fort Kent

The broadband services company Redzone will expand to 26 communities stretching from Berwick north to Fort Kent in 2019, bringing its customer base to more than 300,000 Maine households and businesses.
The multi-million dollar expansion by the Rockland-based company, which is privately funded, follows an equally ambitious expansion in 2018, that included networks serving Farmington, Dover-Foxcroft, Calais and Machias.
The 2019 expansion will be in 10 of the state’s 16 counties, and focuses on areas targeted by 35,000 service requests made by Maine businesses and residents in 2018, a Friday news release from the company said.
Once the expansion is completed, the company said its coverage will be available to more than 100 communities and 50% of all Maine homes .
Communities set for expansion in 2019, by county, are:
Androscoggin County: Durham, Greene, Lisbon, Livermore Falls; Aroostook County: Caribou, Fort Kent, Presque Isle; Cumberland County: New Gloucester, Windham; Franklin County: New Sharon, Wilton;
Hancock: Bucksport; Kennebec County: Gardiner, Oakland, Winthrop; Oxford County: Rumford; Piscataquis County: Milo;
Somerset County: Fairfield, Madison, Norridgewock, Skowhegan; Waldo County: Frankfort, Morrill; York County: Alfred, Berwick, Waterboro.
Portions of 50 communities adjacent to the communities listed will also be part of the network expansion, the company said.
Jim McKenna, president of Redzone Wireless, said the company’s technology combined with its financial model allow it to expand broadband quickly to rural areas — 50,000 customers in 12 months.
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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA - JANUARY 28, 2019

LISBON Charter Communications - Upcoming Changes Effective February 21, 2019

Charter Communications - Upcoming Changes Effective February 21, 2019

At Charter (locally known as Spectrum), we continue to enhance our services, offer more of the best entertainment choices and deliver the best value. We are committed to offering our customers with products and services we are sure they will enjoy. Containing costs and efficiently managing our operations are critical to providing customers with the best value possible. Like every business, Charter faces rising costs that require occasional price adjustments. As a result, customers will be notified that effective on or after February 21, 2019, pricing will be adjusted for the following residential video service:
                        • Broadcast TV Surcharge will change from $9.95 to $11.99
We remain committed to providing an excellent experience for our customers, in your community and in each of the communities we serve. If you have any questions about this change, please feel free to contact me at 207-620-3319 or via email at shelley.winchenbach@charter.com.

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PARKING BAN IN EFFECT FROM 8:00PM SATURDAY, JANUARY 19TH UNTIL 7:00AM MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST

DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST THIS WEEKEND, A PARKING BAN HAS BEEN PUT INTO EFFECT FROM 8PM SATURDAY, JANUARY 19TH UNTIL 7AM MONDAY, JANUARY 21ST.

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LISBON PARKING BAN IN EFFECT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18th, 2019 FROM 5AM UNTIL 7PM

 

PARKING BAN IN EFFECT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18th, 2019 FROM 5AM UNTIL 7PM

DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST FOR TOMORROW PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT A PARKING BAN WILL BE IN EFFECT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 18TH, 2019 FROM 5AM UNTIL 7PM.

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

MORALE IN LISBON

At last night’s Town Council workshop, the subject of the morale of the town employee’s was discussed.  There was talked about having an employee appreciation day at Beaver Park, which is an excellent start.  It is a shame the Town Council is so blind to the obvious.  The reason employee’s morale is so low, as I see it, is twofold:  (1) The lack of leadership and (2) all employees being treated the same.

I think the lack of leadership is self-explanatory.  So I will move on to the second point and that is rewarding, the good and bad, employees with the same pay raises. This is done every year by the Town Council, recommended by the Town Manager, approving Cost-of-Living Allowance (COLA) for all town employees.  This is probably the dumbest idea anyone ever came up with. 

The employee who is work the hardest and trying to improve themselves are compensated at the same rate as the employee who is enrolled in the Retired on Active Duty (ROAD).  The road program means that they are doing just enough to get by or less and being rewarded the same as someone working to improve the quality of service residents deserve.

The reason the town approves COLA is because all town employees are rewarded by the same percentage but the pay raises are never the same.  The percentage is based on the current salary and this stupid program applies to wage workers and management personnel the same.  An example of this is the Town Manager; whose annual salary is over $90,000.00, receives a 2% COLA increase of $1,800.00 while a wage worker earning $40,000.00 receives only $800.00 a year increase.  How can anyone justify this?  Management positions should never be included in COLA increases in this town. 

If you want to raise the morale of the employees in town, they need to start rewarding ONLY the good employees who are working the hardest.  This is rewarding the good employees and hopefully encourages the poorer employees to work harder.  Another method is to have each department nominate an employee for “Employee of the Month” and “Employee of the Year”.  With both these positions, comes a small increase in their pay or time off.  This will recognize these employees and hopefully push other employees to improve.

There are numerous methods to boost morale in the town.  The problem is the leadership has to first to acknowledge the problem exists and then come up with a plan to address the situation. 

I understand because I have recommended a number of solutions, they will never be considered, which is too bad.

Larry Fillmore

 

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Council Meeting Minutes

December 18, 2018 Approved Minutes

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LISBON Town Departments Closed - Monday January 21, 2019

 

Town Departments Closed - Monday January 21, 2019

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, all town departments will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2019.  The police department for non-administrative staff will remain open. 

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON Charter Communication Notification - Effective February 15, 2019 (rate adjustment)

Charter Communication Notification - Effective February 15, 2019 (rate adjustment)

Charter Communications, locally known as Spectrum, is making its customers aware that effective on or after February 15, 2019, the following changes will occur on the channel lineup serving your community.
The Spectrum TV Silver package will no longer include Cinemax and its related channels. Cinemax and its related channels will be available for subscription as an a la carte service only.
The monthly a la carte subscription rate will be reduced from $15.00 to $9.99.
The Spectrum TV Gold package will no longer include Cinemax, EPIX or their related channels. These services will be available for subscription as a la carte services only. The monthly a la carte subscription rates for Cinemax, EPIX and their related channels will each be reduced from $15.00 to the following rates: Cinemax - $9.99, EPIX - $5.99.
Pricing for monthly a la carte TMC subscription service will be reduced from $15.00 to $9.99.
If customers would like to subscribe to any of these a la carte services which are now available outside of a package, they can visit www.spectrum.com/getchannels. To view a current Spectrum channel lineup visit www.spectrum.com/channels. To view a current Spectrum rate card visit www.spectrum.com/ratecard. For questions call 1-855-70-Spectrum. Customers may downgrade or disconnect service without charge within 30 days of receipt of this notice.

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON Charter Communications Notification - WGN Agreement

Charter Communications Notification - WGN Agreement

Charter Communications, locally known as Spectrum, is happy to report that we have reached an agreement with Tribune Broadcasting to provide WGN America and multiple local ABC, CBS, FOX and CW, and digital multicast channel affiliate stations to our customers. We are pleased to have reached a fair agreement and appreciate your support and patience.

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA - JANUARY 15, 2019

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP AND MEETING

Council Meeting - 6:00 PM Workshop then Meeting

Jan. 15, 2019 at 6:00 PM Agenda & Attachments

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

Planning Board Minutes

December 27, 2018 approved

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LISBON SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA - JANUARY 14, 2019

LISBON PARKING BAN FROM NOON TODAY UNTIL 10 PM TONIGHT, 1/9/19

PARKING BAN FROM NOON TODAY UNTIL 10 PM TONIGHT, 1/9/19

DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER FORECAST TODAY, THE TOWN OF LISBON WILL HAVE A PARKING BAN IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY UNTIL 10PM TONIGHT, 1/9/19.

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LISBON PARKING BAN FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT UNTIL 8 PM TUESDAY 1/8/19

PARKING BAN FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT UNTIL 8 PM TUESDAY 1/8/19

DUE TO THE UPCOMING WEATHER FORECAST A PARKING BAN WILL BE IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT UNTIL 8 PM TUESDAY 1/8/19

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WHY LISBON’S TAXES CONTINUE TO RISE!

 

Have you ever wondered why our taxes continue to go up every year?  Does anyone really care?  The answer to these two questions is explained below.

 

There are several reasons why our taxes go up every year.  The first reason is mismanagement of our tax dollars.  In March 1, 2016, the town entered into a seven (7) years contract for a software package called MUNIS to replace the old one called TRIO.  I totally agree with this decision but would have never entered into a seven (7) year contract without first having the software installed so I could evaluate if it was going to do the job I wanted it to do.  This was a total blunder by the Town Council but they are not totally a fault.  The Town Manager, I am told, recommended this action to the Town Council.  Once again, this is poor advice by the Town Manager.

 

MUNIS cost the taxpayers $79,761.00 per year for fifteen (15) modules for seven (7) years.  As of today, I am told that only a portion of one (1) module has been installed.  At that rate, at the end of the contract MUNIS will NOT BE fully operational.  On March 1, 2019, the contract will have been in place for three years.  This means taxpayers will have paid $239,283.00 and the software package is not even installed, so we are paying for nothing.  This is not only disgraceful but borders on fraud, waste and abuse of our tax dollars.

 

A few months ago, the Town Council spent $4,400.00 for an evaluation to determine the cost to fully install MUNIS and its fifteen (15) modules.  The assessment came back and it would cost the town approximately $186,000.00 to have professionals come in and install the software package.  This is a great deal of money but the town has spent, as of March 1, 2019, a total of $239,283.00 and the taxpayers have nothing to show for it.  This is a crying shame because there are at least three residents available that have been through a transition from one software package to another and neither the Town Council nor the Town Manager called on their expertise.  These subject matter experts (SME) are former Councilor Greg Garrison, Jeffery Costanzo and I.  I am sure that there are a few more but I do not know them.

When the management of our town continues to waste thousands and thousands of our tax dollars every year, it is no wonder our taxes continue to rise.  Whenever the citizens of Lisbon decide enough is enough, they need to contact the Town Council and demand a stop to wasting our tax dollars.  I recommend as a subject matter expert that the Town Council stop wasting our tax dollars and pay the $168,000.00 to have professionals convert the town from TRIO to MUNIS so the town can move on.  From my limited experience with TRIO, it is a lousy software package that allows management to hide money. 

 

The Town Council needs to recognize the mistakes of the past and move the town forward.  This issue is supposed to be discussed on January 15, 2019 at the workshop.

 

Larry Fillmore

 

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

Planning Board Minutes

November 29 Approved Minutes

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

Planning Board Minutes

November 8, 2018 approved minutes

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON Charter Communication Notification - Effective January 2, 2019

Charter Communication Notification - Effective January 2, 2019

Dear Municipal Official:
Charter Communications (“Charter”), locally known as Spectrum, has been in discussions with Tribune Broadcasting (“Tribune”), the owner of WGN America to renew our carriage agreement. At 5:00 P.M. ET on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, Spectrum’s agreement to carry Tribune’s channels expired. As a result, WGN America and all associated Video On Demand content are no longer available to Spectrum customers.
Tribune asked for a dramatic increase in fees (200%) which we believe is completely unjustified. We regret the impact of Tribune’s decision, and we remain optimistic that this matter will be resolved quickly so our customers can again receive Tribune programming. For more information please visit www.tribunefairdeal.com.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Shelley Winchenbach
Director, Government Affairs
Charter Communications

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Council Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2018 Approved Minutes

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LISBON PARKING BAN MIDNIGHT UNTIL 3PM THURSDAY 1/3/19

 

PARKING BAN MIDNIGHT UNTIL 3PM THURSDAY 1/3/19

DUE TO THE UPCOMING SNOWSTORM THE TOWN OF LISBON HAS PUT A PARKING BAN INTO EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT UNTIL 3PM THURSDAY 1/3/19.

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

MERRY CHRISTMAS

THE LISBON REPORTER AND ITS STAFF WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!1

3-Hours of Christmas Music Classic and Holiday Scenery

LISBON Public Hearing Notice - Business Applications

 

Public Hearing Notice - Business Applications

Victualer's License for the Rusty Lantern

Notice is hereby given that the Lisbon Town Council intends to hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM in the Town Office Public Meeting Room to hear comments on a new Victualer's License for the Rusty Lantern located at 689 Lisbon Road in Lisbon Falls, ME.  The public is invited to attend. 

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON Christmas & New Year's Town Department Schedules - Reminder

 

Christmas & New Year's Town Department Schedules - Reminder

The Lisbon Town Office Departments including, MTM, Library, Transfer Station will be closed during the Christmas & New Year's holiday on Monday, December 24th, Tuesday, December 25th and Tuesday, January 1.
On behalf of all employee's, we would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

Lisbon Connection Bus Service Schedule - Effective December 1, 2018

 

Lisbon Connection Bus Service Schedule - Effective December 1, 2018

Please find attached the Lisbon Connection Bus Service updated schedule as of December 1, 2018.
The Lisbon Connection if operated by Western Maine Transportations Services in cooperation with the Town of Lisbon and MaineDOT.
Should you have any questions, please contact Western Maine Transporation Customer Services at 784-9335.

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Council Meeting Minutes

November 13, 2018 Minutes that were adopted December 18, 2018

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA - DECEMBER 18, 2018

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Council Meeting

December 18, 2018 Agenda & Attachments

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON