My Third letter to the residences of Lisbon: Referencing The Water Department

My Third letter to the residences of Lisbon:

The reason the Town Officials are giving for the take over of the Lisbon Water Department is an attempt to save money for water customers and taxpayers.  There are three areas that the town may feel that they can save money:

• The elimination of the stipends paid to the three water commissioners.
• The elimination of the part time person for the water department.
• The elimination of the salary for the general manager. 

This would total about $70,000 out of a $925,000 budget.  My question is who will perform the duties of the terminated employee’s and elected officials and how much will that cost us?  My thoughts are that this will cost the residents more money than any savings it will generate.   

Here are some facts that the voting public needs to be aware of.  If you have other areas of concern please call me.

BILLING
The Lisbon Water Department is using Northern Data for its billing program.  The Town uses Trio for its computer billing programs.  The Water Department has found that the customer history is much more beneficial by using Northern Data as its billing program.  This information has been extremely valuable when a customer calls about a high water bill.  If the town takes over does this account history vanish?

INSURANCE
The Lisbon Water Department pays for all of its own insurance programs, but does benefit from bulk purchasing through the town.

MAINTENANCE
The water department pays for repairs and parts for all of the vehicles that have been completed by the town garage.  However, the town does not maintain parts for hydrants, meters, the filtration plant, or repair clamps for water mains breaks.  The water department does maintain the inventory of parts for all of these.

METER READINGS
The water department provides to the town its water meter readings for sewer billing purposes at no charge to the town.  There are no savings to the town from meter readings.  Other communities are charging sewer departments as much as a $1.00 per reading. 

PAYROLL
The Lisbon Water Department maintains the payroll for water department employees.  The information is then provided to the Town of Lisbon and the Town prints the checks.  This amounts to six checks per week for employees and three checks quarterly for the commissioners.  The Lisbon Water Department does maintain it’s own checking account and prepares all of its own checks other than payroll.  The Lisbon Water Department must have the Town Manager or his designated person sign the checks.  This is spelled out very clearly by the charter.  No employee or elected official of the water department may sign any checks issued by the Lisbon Water Department.

DEBT
The Lisbon Water Department maintains its own debt structure.  These bond payments are paid for from water revenues but the Town of Lisbon guarantees the debt.   The total current long-term debt of the Lisbon Water Department is $3,000,000.
 NOTE:  $2,000,000 is owed for the filter plant located on Moody Ave (a spill or contamination means we still pay but can’t use this plant).

FACT:  MAINE PUBLIC UTILITIES STRICTLY FORBIDS THE MIXING OF UTILITY REVENUE AND EXPENSES WITH OTHER MUNICIPAL FUNDS.

I ask that when you vote on November 6 to vote NO on this question.    Voting yes will not save any money for the water customers or the taxpayers.
 
Questions call me at home 353-2780 or cell 576-2438 office 353-3020.

William A. Bauer, Chairman