Were The Taxpayers' Concerns Ever Considered During The Town Council Meeting? Dé·jà vu

                             

                           LISBON’S COMEDY HOUR

At last night’s town council meeting, a lot of critical information was released.  All of it was hysterical to say the least.

 

 Lisbon Council Vice-Chairman Lisa Ward

 Town Attorney Roger Therriault

The first revealing information comes to us from Councilor Ward.  She informed everyone that the Town Attorney, Roger Therriault, our own legal beagle, stated that since Chairman LaRochelle receives no direct financial benefit from the purchase and demolition of the Worumbo Mill there is no conflict of interest. 

 Lisbon Council Chairman Fern LaRochelle

By the way, Chairman LaRochelle voted on the agenda items dealing with the Worumbo Mill instead of recusing himself as he had done during the two Public Hearings.  The mere fact he purchased the abutted property for a little more than half the asking price is no financial gain.  Apparently, Mr. Therriault does not understand if the property value goes up around your property so does your property and if the property value around your property goes down so does the value of your property.  Do you call this a financial gain or not?

Councilor Ward stated that the reason she voted to put the million dollar bond on the November ballot was because she did not hear an overwhelming support one way or the other at the Public Hearing.  She went on to say that those who were against the project were heard loud and clear. Councilor Ward was not convinced that this represented the majority of the people.  This is not word for word because I do not take shorthand but it is as close as I can remember.  

Please watch the video tape when it becomes available.  

 Councilor Pesce

 Councilor Lunt

 Councilors Garrison and Bickford

I suggested that she call for a show of hands to determine how many people in the audience was for, against or undecided but she failed to do this.  By the vote, I would say the only two councilors who were paying attention at the two Public Hearings were Councilors Pesce, and Lunt because they voted against putting it on the ballot.  But as far as the council recommending this bond, Councilors Pesce, Garrison and Lunt voted against the bond.  

One of the questions asked during the Public Hearing was if the bond included the 5 lots owned by Miller Industries.  The answer was they were not sure if these lots, which contain Mercury, were going to be part of the final deal or not.  The council does not know if they can exclude them during the deal.  There are so many issues still undecided and yet they want US to TRUST them to make all the right decisions.  

This is ludicrous to play with a million dollars of taxpayers’ money without knowing all the fact first.  It appears that Chairman LaRochelle received his great deal in return for dumping the mill properties on the town to clear up.  Remember that after the mill fire, the insurance company paid Miller Industries a very large settlement.  Did they reinvest any of this money in Lisbon?  

Three years ago they offered to demolish the mill and Dale Crafts and Gina Mason pushed to leave it up.  Now they want the taxpayers of Lisbon to pick up the tab for eye soar to our community.  There are too many unknowns for the taxpayers to gamble on this project. 

 

 Planning Board Chairman Don Fellows

Mr. Don Fellows spoke on behalf of the Planning Board and the Route 196 Master Plan.  He is in favor of the mill coming down because it is an eye soar to the community.  I agree with Mr. Fellows that it needs to come down but not at the expense of the taxpayers.  

Mrs. Miller and Miller Industries should be responsible for bringing down the mill or restore it but that choice is complete up to them.  By the way, Mrs. Miller and Miller Industries allowed the Real Estate Listing to expire.  Does that mean the property is already under contract or is there a deal pending?

The final bit of information came from Chairman LaRochelle who wants everyone to believe the council can be TRUSTED to make the right decisions for the people.  He wants to compare the Campus Commons to the Worumbo Mill project.  So let’s take a look at the two.  Campus Commons was done behind closed doors; the town sold the property for $1.00 with over a million dollars of Federal Grant monies attached.  4 Campus Avenue was valued at $265,050.  Now Chairman LaRochelle believes that the Worumbo Mill falls into the same category. 

First, we are not selling town property but purchasing property from a private business.  Next, the Millers offered three years ago to demolish the mill, behind closed doors, and the council asked them NOT to do this.  Why wasn’t this brought to the people then?  Now, the council is bringing this to the people because the council cannot swing a deal behind closed doors as they have in the past.  Next, there are contamination issues with the Worumbo Mill property that is well documented.  Common Campus had no issues in this area.  Finally, does the town of Lisbon really want to set a precedent by getting into the Real Estate business?  Comparing these two projects is like comparing apples to oranges. 

If nothing else demonstrating your incompetence is entertaining.

Larry Fillmore