LISBON GRAND OPENINGS

New Lisbon Businesses Grand Openings & Ribbon Cuttings

Walt's Place - Family Fun Center - Saturday, March 31, 2018 - 2:00 p.m.
Flux Restaruant & Bar - Thursday, April 12, 2018 - 11:00 a.m.

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

2ND AMENDMENT

TALK ABOUT OUT OF TOUCH

WHEN DOES COMMON SENSE COME IN???

 

I would like to know “When Common Sense is applied to the proposed budget?”  I am just am country boy from Freeport, Maine but I have handled many many budgets in my career.  The basic principle of budgeting is that you cannot spend more than you make.  You see this basic principle applied daily in every household budget in the world with the exception of Lisbon, Maine.

 

The Town Manager and the Town Council must believe that the citizens of Lisbon have very deep pockets and can come up with any amount of money.  This is the reason that our taxes go up every year.  Let’s take a look at the Department Heads salaries:

 

DEPT HEAD                          2018 Salary             2019 Proposed      Difference

Town Manager                   $95,047.00              $96,482.00              $1,435.00

Assessing Director                58,565.00                59,452.00                    887.00

Code Enforcement               73,090.00                77,777.00                 4,687.00

Finance Director                   75,394.00                77,228.00                 1,834.00

Town Clerk Director            54,217.00                56,560.00                 2,343.00

Chief of Police                       76,130.00                77,270.00                 1,140.00

Fire Chief                                69,797.00                75,005.00                 5,208.00

EMS Director                           1,523.00                   1,546.00                        23.00

Public Works Director        42,246.00                75,005.00              32,759.00

Solid Waste  Director          21,123.00                          0.00              -21,123.00

Recreation Director             61,014.00                61,922.00                     908.00

Library Director                    51,788.00                54,089.00                  2,301.00

General Assistance Dir        10,353.00                10,508.00                     155.00

Economic Director               53,878.00                57,276.00                  3,398.00

Treatment Plant Dir             21,123.00                82,717.00                61,594.00

                                                                                                TOTAL           $97,549.00

 

This is all part of the $1,900,000.00 increase in this year’s budget over last years.  This will raise the current mil rate by 4.36 mils.  I believe last year’s mil rate is 23.2 which mean that this years’ mil rate will be 27.56.  There is no telling how much your taxes will go up.

 

These salaries are supposedly compared to town with the same size populations as Lisbon.  This is not based on the Revenues of these towns so you are comparing apples to oranges.  Lisbon is basically a retirement (bedroom) community where in Skowhegan has many more businesses that generate revenue for the community.  Remember Revenues must exceed or equal Expenditures.  In Lisbon, the expenditures (money paid out) exceed our Revenue (money coming in) and so the town has to get more money from the people in taxes to offset this loss.  The proper way to correct this problem is to reduce your expenditures until it equals your Revenue.

 

The Town Manager and the Town Council had rather raise taxes than to reduce expenditures.  A prime example is the Lisbon Communication Center, which is nothing more than a message center, which passes information from the Androscoggin County Dispatch to our First Responders, at a cost to the town of $345,246.00 this year.  By eliminating the middle man by having Androscoggin County Dispatch contacting our First Responder directly, there is a cost saving to the town of approximately $200,000.00 annually.  This clearly demonstrates an unwillingness to reduce expenditures.  It is easily for the town to raise taxes on its people rather than cut spending.

 

The Town Council voted to cover the failing Lisbon Emergency Service, Inc. at an additional cost to the taxpayer of $127,885.00 this year.  I support this investment in our community but the Town Council and the Town Manager need to reduce the operating cost of this town (Spending) and so far they are NOT willing to do this.

 

Basic principle, Revenues (money coming in) must match the Expenditures (money going out) or eventually you go bankrupt.  The Town Manager and the Town Council are irresponsible when it comes to looking out for the people’s tax dollars in my eyes.

 

Call your Councilors and discuss this issue with them if you care about your taxes.

 

Larry Fillmore

 

HE MUST HAVE BEEN A DEMOCRAT

IS THIS THE END GAME?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR THE PEOPLE????

I have been reviewing the proposed 2018-2019 Municipal budget, which currently has a $1,900,000.00 increase over last year’s budget.  I am going to show some outstanding differences. 

 

Let’s start with the biggest irresponsible act of all.  It is a pay increase for all employees disguised as Cost-of-Living-Allowance (COLA).  All town employees, regardless of their position, have been receiving this for the past eight-ten years.  This year is no exception.  COLA was created by the Federal government to off-set inflation but is used to ensure ALL employees receive a wage increase EVERY year regardless of the economy.

 

DEPT HEAD                          2018 Salary             2019 Proposed      Difference

Town Manager                   $95,047.00              $96,482.00              $1,435.00

Assessing Director                58,565.00                59,452.00                    887.00

Code Enforcement               73,090.00                77,777.00                 4,687.00

Finance Director                   75,394.00                77,228.00                 1,834.00

Town Clerk Director            54,217.00                56,560.00                 2,343.00

Chief of Police                       76,130.00               77,270.00                 1,140.00

Fire Chief                                69,797.00                75,005.00                 5,208.00

EMS Director                           1,523.00                   1,546.00                        23.00

Public Works Director        42,246.00               75,005.00              32,759.00

Solid Waste  Director          21,123.00                          0.00              -21,123.00

Recreation Director             61,014.00                61,922.00                     908.00

Library Director                    51,788.00                54,089.00                  2,301.00

General Assistance Dir       10,353.00                10,508.00                     155.00

Economic Director               53,878.00                57,276.00                  3,398.00

Treatment Plant Dir            21,123.00                82,717.00                61,594.00

                                                                                                TOTAL           $97,549.00

 

Ryan Leighton

Public Works Director      $42,246.00

Solid Waste Director          21,123.00

Treatment Plant Director  21,123.00

                        TOTAL          $84,492.00  in 2018

(Not bad for an individual with no qualification for any position)

 

Now, I dare anyone to show me an equal means to justify the difference in salaries.  These salaries were determined by the Town Manager, Diane Barnes and I cannot understand how they were determined, maybe by favoritism. 

 

The total increase, for just the Department Heads, is $97,549.00 by my calculator.  I believe that there are approximately 100 town employees and this is just 15 employees.  So what is this COLA increase going to total for the other 85 employees?

 

I can never remember getting a $1,400.00 dollars pay increase every year and I worked for forty years.  Can any of you citizens remember when you did?  This is not only wrong but totally irresponsible on the part of the Town Manager and the Town Council as a whole.  We, the people, hired or elected these individuals to represent our best interest and as far as I am concerned they failed measurable.  

 

I will be reporting on numerous other problems with this proposed budget but I know that it will not make a difference to either the Town Manager or the Town Council.

 

 I hope, the people, remember these discrepancies in November.

 

Larry Fillmore

 

 

 

 

 

WHY IS CONGRESS FUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD?

2ND AMENDMENT

THE TRUTH REFLECTED HERE

SOCIAL PROBLEM

SAYS IT ALL

DEMOCRATS SUPPORT PLANNED PARENTHOOD

WHY NOT????????????????????????

TYPICAL DEMOCRAT LOGIC

WHY??????????????????

 

When Mrs. Diane Barnes, Town Manager, first came to Lisbon and the people had an opportunity to meet her; I was very impressed with Mrs. Barnes.  I thought she would be a good fit for the town and with her financial background would help taxpayers.  Since that time, I have seen firsthand that this was all a front.

 

Since, she has been our Town Manager; her budget has increased taxes every year.  Mrs. Barnes has made absolutely no attempt to reduce the municipal budget; in fact, she has included a Cost-of-Living-Allowance (COLA) every year she has been here.  The Federal government uses COLA to offset inflation but in Lisbon it is used to grant pay raises to ALL town employees.  How does a person being paid over $90,000.00 a year needs an increase of 2% ($1,800.00) every year disguised as COLA?

 

Now, the Town Manager is trying to replace the Public Works Director previously held by Ryan Leighton.  This is a total waste of our tax dollars.  Mr. Elwood “Button” Beal, who is still working for Public Works, was the director before Ryan Leighton and had an outstanding record.  I remember when “Button” was the director of Public Works and there were nowhere near the problems we are experiencing today.   Given “Button’s” track record, why is the Town Manager advertising for a Public Works Director?  This is a total waste of our tax dollars and members of the Town Council should put a stop to this.

 

I noticed that there is NO advertising for a Superintendent of Sewer which Ryan Leighton was being paid for when he was never qualified for the position.  The Sewer Department has Mr. Stephen Aievoli as the Operations Manager and the State of Maine has accepted his reports as far as the Environmental Protection Agency needs.

 

Mr. Marcel Obie has been operating the Transfer Station since Mr. Wayne Ricker retired.  I believe that most residents of Lisbon would agree that Marcel has been doing an outstanding job and should continue as the Manager.  This is another position Ryan Leighton claimed in his over $80,000.00 dollar salary annually. 

 

The Town Manager needs to stop wasting taxpayers’ dollars and concentrate on reducing the operating cost of the town.  This year’s budget, which is $1.9 MILLION more than the current budget, also included a COLA increase which will put the cost of wages and benefits at 49.6% of the entire municipal budget.  Mrs. Barnes needs to put a stop to wasting tax dollars.

 

Larry Fillmore

TYPICAL LIBERALS

PAST DUE

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Council Meeting

Budget Workshop

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

Maine Hometown Careers

Maine Hometown Careers

COME HOME TO A MAINE MUNICIPAL CAREER, AND REAP BENEFITS BEYOND YOUR PAYCHECK.

Contact towns and cities near you about available jobs, today!

Whether you’re just starting out, or looking for a new career direction, you may be surprised to learn about the range of great opportunities working for Maine towns and cities.
Maybe you left Maine for Boston or New York, but are tired of the crowds and traffic. Maybe you’ve stayed here, but want a job that’s more meaningful, more stable or offers better benefits.
If so, consider a HoMEtown Career — one of the hundreds of positions in municipal government that allow you to work with a close-knit team, right in your home state, with all the recreational and cultural opportunities Maine is famous for. Chances are, you’ll make a real impact on the lives of your friends, family and neighbors from the very start.
The rewards are better quality of life, better job security, and better benefits than many private-sector careers. There’s a good chance there’s a job for you in one of your favorite places.
To start, call nearby towns or cities to check out the wide range of municipal careers available right now. Or search our listings—a small sample of current openings—at right.

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Council Meeting

Minutes of Meeting

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

L-A Rotary Lunch Club to Welcome Trisha Scribellito May 10

Auburn - On Thursday, May 10, from noon to 1:00 p.m. at The Village Inn, 165 High Street, Auburn, Trisha Scribellito will be the featured guest speaker of the Lewiston-Auburn Rotary Lunch Club.  Scribellito is the Coordinator of BookReach, a non-profit early literacy program supported by the Lewiston and Auburn Public Libraries, serving daycares in Lewiston, Auburn, and Minot. She attended the University of Southern Maine, and worked in the Lewiston Public Library prior to working with BookReach. Trisha is a resident of Lisbon Falls, and is married with a 10 year old son, and is expecting another child in early July. She enjoys volunteering in her child’s classroom when time allows. Reservations are not required at the luncheon.  Visiting Rotarians and community members are welcome to attend.  FMI on future Rotary speakers, contact President and Program Chair, Monica Millhime, 713.7045 or email millhime@myfairpoint.net.  Events and other club information are posted at www.lewistonauburnrotary.org and www.facebook.com/lewistonmainerotary/.

ESPECIALLY DEMOCRATS AND LIBERALS

LISBON ROADS AND STREETS

The Difference between Politicians and Trump

LISBON ROADS AND STREETS

 

This year has been extremely hard on our roads and streets.  There are potholes everywhere making it difficult to drive.  I do understand that it is still winter and hard for Public Works to repair our road and streets.  However, nothing is stopping Public Works from marking these potholes to alert drivers of the hazard.

 

However, the question is “Is Public Works under Ryan Leighton doing all that they can for the residents of Lisbon?”  I answer that question with a resounding “NO”.  I remember years ago before Ryan Leighton being Public Works Director; a gentleman name Button Beale was the Public Works Director and we never had any of the problems we have been having lately.

 

Putting Ryan Leighton as the Public Works Director, Superintendent of Sewer, and in charge of the Transfer Station was a temporary fix because the State of Maine finally stepped in and told the town that Ryan Leighton was NOT qualified as a Maine Licensed Engineer.  Ryan Leighton had been getting paid as a fully qualified licensed engineer.  The town of Lisbon had been wasting our tax dollars on unqualified personnel being in positions where they needed to be qualified.  The “condition of employment agreement” was written so that the individuals never had to complete the qualifications for the position.  

 

Now Ryan Leighton is moving on and as far as I am concerned not fast enough; we have qualified individuals’ current in place to perform the various duties and in fact most cases have been doing the work but Ryan Leighton has been taking the credit.  The town has been paying a Ryan Leighton close to $90,000.00 tax dollars when it was not necessary.  I hope the Town Council is smart enough to restore the individuals who are actually doing the work back in supervisory positions and NOT try to replace Ryan Leighton.  How can you replace nothing?

 

Let’s learn to save tax dollars by putting ONLY qualified individuals in the required positions and if they want to do a “condition of employment agreement” makes it very clear the desired outcome and a timeline in order to complete the qualifications.  By the way, they should be hired a lower salary until they become fully qualified.

 

STOP WASTING OUR TAX DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Larry Fillmore

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA & DOCUMENTS

Council Meeting Agenda & Documents

March 20, 2018

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Council Meeting

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MEETING

Planning Board Meeting

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SUBMITTED BY:  TOWN OF LISBON