The Lisbon Reporter

WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA

Friday, January 11, 2019

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP AND MEETING

Council Meeting - 6:00 PM Workshop then Meeting

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

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

Planning Board Minutes

December 27, 2018 approved

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Thursday, January 10, 2019

LISBON SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA - JANUARY 14, 2019

Wednesday, January 9, 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.

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Monday, January 7, 2019

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

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Sunday, January 6, 2019

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

Saturday, January 5, 2019

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

Planning Board Minutes

November 29 Approved Minutes

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Thursday, January 3, 2019

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

Planning Board Minutes

November 8, 2018 approved minutes

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

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

Council Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2018 Approved Minutes

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

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.

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Monday, December 24, 2018

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

Sunday, December 23, 2018

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.

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!

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Wednesday, December 19, 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.

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES

Council Meeting Minutes

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

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Monday, December 17, 2018

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA - DECEMBER 18, 2018

Sunday, December 16, 2018

LISBON TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Council Meeting

December 18, 2018 Agenda & Attachments

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Friday, December 14, 2018

LISBON Christmas & New Year's Town Department Schedules

Christmas & New Year's Town Department Schedules

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON Charter Communication Notification -Effective January 21, 2019

Charter Communication Notification -Effective January 21, 2019

Charter Communications (“Charter”), locally known as Spectrum, is making its customers aware that effective on or after January 21, 2019, WCSH-Antenna TV on Basic and Starter TV, channel 1246, will no longer be available. WCSH-Quest will launch on Basic and Starter TV on channel 1247.
For a current channel lineup, visit www.spectrum.com/channels.

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Lisbon Connection Holiday Transportation Schedule

The citylink service will be not be operating the last two runs on Christmas Eve, (Monday, December 24th) the last run that day will begin at 3:15 pm. The final pick-up for the Lisbon Connection is scheduled to leave the Bates Street station at 3:44 pm on Christmas Eve. Should you have any questions, please contact Western Maine Transportation at: (207) 333-6972. Thank you

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON CHARTER COMMUNICATION NOTIFICATION

Charter Communication Notification - Effective January 4, 2019

Charter Communications (“Charter”), locally known as Spectrum, is making its customers aware that effective on or after January 4, 2019, Star India, located on Spectrum Channel(s) 1550,1552 and 1553 will cease providing programming to Spectrum. Star India is carried as a subscription service for customers.

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON PLANNING BOARD MEETING

Planning Board meeting

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

LISBON DOG LICENSES DUE NOW

Dog Licenses Due NOW

Renew by January 31, 2019 to avoid late fees.

Dog licenses expire December 31, 2018! The grace period is over on January 31, 2019 and a late fee of $25 will be charged.
The fee for a spayed or neutered dog is $6.00 per dog. Unaltered dogs are $11.00 per dog. Bring with you your new rabies certificates.
Renew these online if you like by going to Lisbon's website, under Town Clerk, look for the link to licensing dogs online.. All renewal dog license information can be uploaded into your town file and renewal dog tags can be mailed.

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON

Thursday, December 6, 2018

REQUIRED READING FOR COUNCILORS

I reviewed Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting for December 4, 2018 and was surprised to see Councilor LaRochelle being nominated for the position of Chairman of the Town Council. This just demonstrates members of the Town Council have not read or do not understand what the town Charter says.

Section 2-04, Chair, paragraph (b) reads “Term Limits. No member of the Town Council shall be eligible for election as Chair or Vice Chair for more than two consecutive one year terms. For the purposes of this section, election to an unexpired term of less than six (6) months shall not be considered a term.”

One would think this is very clear. However, it is not and I do not understand how anyone can interrupt this any different. If you have served as the Chair for two consecutive terms, you can no longer be eligible to serve again as Chairman/Chairwoman. If you notice, it does not say in the current term or any other terms. It says very simply, if you have served as Chairman of the Town Council for two consecutive terms; you are no longer eligible to serve as Chairman again.

On Tuesday night, Chairman Ward nominated Councilor LaRochelle for the position as Chairman of the Town Council. This is in violation of the above stated provision of our town Charter but our own Town Clerk did not explain this to the Council. Councilor LaRochelle served two consecutive terms as Chairman in his previous term on the Town Council. Currently, there are two Councilors that can no longer serve as Chairman of the Town Council ever again and they are Councilor LaRochelle and Councilor Ward because both have already served town consecutive terms as Chairman of the Town Council.

I personally believe after every election of Councilors; they should be issued a copy of the town Charter and required to read it. It is inexcusable when Councilors are not familiar with the town Charter. This should be the Bible they are required to live by. This minor requirement would eliminate a lot of mistakes made by the Town Council and improve the serve provided to this community.

Larry Fillmore

LISBON SCHOOL COMMITTEE AGENDA - DECEMBER 10,2018

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

LISBON Public Hearing Notice - Graveyards/Medical Marijuana Establishment Licenses

Public Hearing Notice - Graveyards/Medical Marijuana Establishment Licenses

December 18, 2018 at 7PM at the Lisbon Town Office

The Lisbon Town Council will hold a public hearing on December 18, 2018 at 7:00 PM in the Town Office at 300 Lisbon Street in the Public Meeting Room to consider the following business licenses:
Automobile Graveyards for1. Campbells' Used Auto Parts 36 River Road, Lisbon2. Huston's Auto Salvage 9 Capital Ave., Lisbon Falls Medical Marijuana Establishment License forLisbon Cannabis Company60 Capital Ave., Lisbon Falls The public is invited to attend.

SUBMITTED BY: TOWN OF LISBON