Part Two
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
Showing posts with label School Budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School Budget. Show all posts
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
RECAP TOWN COUNCIL MEETING – JUNE 30TH
The following is a summary of
the Town Council meeting for June 30th, 2015. The following agenda items were approved by a
vote of 7-0:
1.
Town Manager’s Contract was approved.
2.
Banner Policy was
approved.
3.
Award Paving Bid
was awarded to Harry S. Crooker & Sons for $183,440.38.
4.
Striping Bid
Award went to Lucas Striping for $16,380.12.
5.
Library Masonry
Repair Bid Award was awarded to Knowles Industrial Services Corporation.
6.
2015-2016 Waste
Water Treatment Plant Budget was approved.
7.
2015-2016
Municipal Budget was approved by departments with only one being approved by a
vote of 6-1 and that was Public Works Department. (Lunt dissenting vote)
8.
Authorization to
expend funds without approved School Budget was approved.
Agenda item 2015-187 was
taken off the agenda because the Municipal budget was approved by the Council.
Under Other Business – Mr.
Michael Pardue, from The Tideview Group provided the results of the Lisbon
Police Department Staffing Assessment.
The Town Manager had no comments.
It was determined that the Gartley Street Property is not owned by the
town but by the School Department so it was taken off the list of property to
be sold.
Under Appointments – Mr.
Richard Long resigned as an Associate Member of the Planning Board and was
approved as a Regular Member of the Planning Board. Mr. James Lemieux was approved as an
Associate Member of the Planning Board.
Larry Fillmore
Thursday, June 25, 2015
AGENDA SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015
AGENDA
SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 2015
LISBON TOWN OFFICE
7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER & PLEDGE TO FLAG
2. ROLL CALL
___Councilor Bickford ___ Councilor Brunelle ___ Councilor Crafts ___ Councilor Garrison ___ Councilor Lunt ___Councilor Metivier ___ Councilor Pesce
Town Clerk reading of meeting rules
3. GOOD NEWS & RECOGNITION
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
5. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION & RESPONSE FOR AGENDA ITEMS
6. CONSENT AGENDA
2015-178 ORDER − A. Sewer Commitment
7. COUNCIL ORDERS, RESOLUTIONS, & ORDINANCES
2015-179 ORDER − Town Manager's Contract
2015-180 ORDER − Banner Policy
2015-181 ORDER − Award Paving Bid
2015-182 ORDER − Award Striping Bid
2015-183 ORDER − Award Library Masonry Repair Bids
2015-184 ORDER − 2015-2016 Waste Water Treatment Plant Budget
2015-185 RESOLUTION − 2015-2016 Municipal Budget
2015-186 ORDER − Authorization to expend funds without approved School Budget
2015-187 ORDER − Authorization to expend funds without approved Municipal Budget
8. OTHER BUSINESS
A. Police Study Presentation
B. Town Manager's Report
C. Gartley Street Property
9. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION & RESPONSE NEW ITEMS
10. APPOINTMENTS
2015-188 ORDER − Planning Board Resignation Associate Member
2015-189 ORDER − Planning Board Regular Member (Richard Long)
2015-190 ORDER − Planning Board Associate Member (James Lemieux)
11. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
12. EXECUTIVE SESSION
13. ADJOURNMENT
2015-191 ORDER - To Adjourn to workshop
14. WORKSHOP
A. Medical Marijuana Ordinance
B. Itinerant Vendor Ordinance (Mass Gathering)
15. ADJOURN WORKSHOP
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
A Lisbon Citizen Writes In
I recently stumbled on the Lisbon Reporter and I'm already a big fan.
It's quite refreshing to read the honest happenings of this town.
My
husband and I were both raised in Lisbon Falls and now we are raising
our 3 young children here as well. There are so many things I truly love
about Lisbon and it's those things that have kept me here. However,
there are other attributes of Lisbon that I'm not so fond of and I see
that many of the posts on this site mirror my own thoughts.
My
oldest child is a 7-year-old boy and he attends Lisbon Community
School. Naturally, this fact has given me a renewed interest in the
Lisbon School Department. As we all know, recently there was a vote
pertaining to the school's budget. It was a topic that I had mixed
emotions about. On one hand, I think the schools should have the money
they need to provide the next generation of Lisbon citizens with the
best possible education. On the other hand, my husband and I are in the
process of finding our first home and we've learned how expensive Lisbon
taxes already are and I certainly don't want to vote in favor of
anything that will increase our already heavy tax burden.
But
I don't feel as though those two routes should be my only options. Why
should I have to choose between voting for the schools to have the
money they need or vote to keep the taxes from increasing? With the high
tax rate we already endure, there is surely enough money for the
schools to get what they need.. or at least there should be.
This
lead me to the question, where are our tax dollars going? The answer
wasn't hard to find. It's quite obvious that the Lisbon PD is the
biggest financial drain of our tax dollars. For years, Lisbon's
excessive police force has been a joke. People say that we have one cop
per family. They say not to drive down 196 through Lisbon unless you
want to get pulled over. So on and so forth, everyone seems to agree
that Lisbon has an overabundance of police officers.
In
a town this size, with a meager crime rate, there is no need for a
force like ours. By cutting the PD budget, we could easily afford to
give our schools the money they need and fund the things that really
matter. What would we lose? The opportunity to fine every poor soul
going 30 mph in 25 mph zone?
Our schools and
other departments are constantly asked to prove themselves and beg for
every penny they get. In order to get what they deserve, there is tons
of paperwork, meetings, and voting that must take place. And then once
all the stars align, they may or may not receive their fair share of the
tax dollars. What's ironic is that I never see or hear of any of this
happening in regards to the police department. The citizens are never
asked or given the opportunity to vote on whether or not we want to hire
new officers, purchase new vehicles etc. My guess is it's because Chief
Brooks already knows how that would turn out.
My
parents both live in Lisbon as well and my father recently compared
Chief Brooks to Boss Hog in the Dukes of Hazzard. He said that Brooks is
crooked, manipulative and an overgrown bully. In his opinion, the
counsel is intimidated by Brooks and his tactics, which is why we are
never given the opportunity to vote for PD-related topics and why
everything Brooks wants, Brooks gets.
It's
time for the PD to be put in their place and for the money that is
frivolously thrown about by Brooks to be fairly distributed to the
school and other departments.
I'm very close
to some of the leaders in Lisbon, but clearly they aren't as concerned
with our children as they are with placating Brooks. I want to be
involved in the solution in whatever way possible.
Thank you for continuing to share the truth to Lisbon's residents.
Submitted by: ' Anonymous'
Sunday, June 14, 2015
WILL THE PEOPLE EVER BE HEARD AGAIN, IN LISBON?
Tuesday night will be another
meeting of the Town Council. One of the
items on the agenda is the School Budget Referendum Timeline. Part
of the timeline is whether or not the Town Council has to waste more of the
people valuable time by holding another Public Hearing on the new figures for
the School Budget.
The Town Council has
repeatedly demonstrated that everyone has an opportunity to speak at the Public
Hearing but what they don’t tell you is that they are
not going to listen to the wishes of the people. Instead, it is
going in one ear and out the other of some of the Councilors. So, this is a complete waste of time.
Lisbon is no longer a democratic form of
government where the voice of the people has any meaning. This is no longer a government of the people, by the
people or for the people. In fact, the Town Council has
interpreted the Town Charter to mean, the Town Council has absolute power over
everything in this town.
I fail to understand why the section of the Charter that deals with the Special Town Meeting is even a part of the Charter?
The Town Council and Town Attorney have stated that the people cannot put in a petition calling for a Special Town Meeting on the School budget when it clearly states “ANY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS”. I believe the Charter Commission would not have included the section on Special Town Meetings if they were going to deny the people the right to vote on budget issues.
I fail to understand why the section of the Charter that deals with the Special Town Meeting is even a part of the Charter?
The Town Council and Town Attorney have stated that the people cannot put in a petition calling for a Special Town Meeting on the School budget when it clearly states “ANY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS”. I believe the Charter Commission would not have included the section on Special Town Meetings if they were going to deny the people the right to vote on budget issues.
You can tell the Town Council
is turning into politicians because they speak out of both sides of their
mouths. The Town Council made a Charter change to reduce the number of
signatures needed to gather on a petition as a solution to not allowing the
people to vote on the Municipal budget.
Well, it seems they are going to have to change the Charter again to
protect themselves.
The Town Council present and
past have always changed the Charter to give themselves more power. At the same time, they strip more and more of
the power of the people. This was always
done by a vote of the people because the people are not involved in local
government.
In November, there will be more Charter changes on the ballot that will strip the people of what little power they have remaining. The only Charter change we need is to go back to the original Charters. It was working well until Councilor Michael Bowie, Town Manager Stephen Eldridge and Town Attorney Roger Therriault made massive changes to give the Town Council more power.
In November, there will be more Charter changes on the ballot that will strip the people of what little power they have remaining. The only Charter change we need is to go back to the original Charters. It was working well until Councilor Michael Bowie, Town Manager Stephen Eldridge and Town Attorney Roger Therriault made massive changes to give the Town Council more power.
Until the people decide to take back our
local government, the people lose.
Larry Fillmore
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Corrected Copy of Election Results
Town of Lisbon
School Budget Validation Referendum | ||||||||
June 9, 2015
| ||||||||
School Referendum Results
| ||||||||
Ward 1
|
Ward 2
|
Total
| ||||||
QUESTION 1: Adopt Lisbon School Budget
| ||||||||
Yes
|
130
|
178
|
308
| |||||
No
|
380
|
410
|
790
| |||||
Blanks
|
2
|
1
|
3
| |||||
QUESTION 2: If you voted No, was it because the budget is:
| ||||||||
Too Low
|
321
|
338
|
659
| |||||
Too High
|
53
|
67
|
120
| |||||
Blanks
|
6
|
5
|
11
| |||||
Ballots Cast:
|
512
|
589
|
1101
| |||||
Registered Voters:
|
3155
|
3261
|
6416
|
Provided by: Town Clerk
School Referendum Results
Town of Lisbon
Municipal Referendum & School Budget Validation Referendum | ||||||||
June 11, 2013
| ||||||||
Ward 1
|
Ward 2
|
Total
| ||||||
QUESTION 1: Adopt Lisbon School Budget
| ||||||||
Yes
|
130
|
178
|
308
| |||||
No
|
380
|
410
|
790
| |||||
Blanks
|
2
|
1
|
3
| |||||
QUESTION 2: If you voted No, was it because the budget is:
| ||||||||
Too Low
|
321
|
338
|
338
| |||||
Too High
|
53
|
67
|
67
| |||||
Blanks
|
6
|
5
|
5
| |||||
Ballots Cast:
|
512
|
589
|
1101
| |||||
Registered Voters:
|
3155
|
3261
|
6416
|
Thursday, June 4, 2015
The Voice of the People, Stifled Again!
At the Town Council meeting
of May 19, 2015, the School Department budget was presented to the people and
Town Council. This budget contained no
increase of local funds. However, the
Town Council did not accept this budget and made additional cuts to this budget
by approximately $399,000.00 plus.
During the Audience Participation portion of the meeting numerous citizens voiced their concerns about the additional cuts. No matter what the residents said, the Town Council refused to listen and approve the School Department budget with the numbers the Council wanted to go on the ballot for June 9, 2015. As the RSU, the Council has a perfect right to do so.
During the Audience Participation portion of the meeting numerous citizens voiced their concerns about the additional cuts. No matter what the residents said, the Town Council refused to listen and approve the School Department budget with the numbers the Council wanted to go on the ballot for June 9, 2015. As the RSU, the Council has a perfect right to do so.
I have tried to reconstruct a
timeline for what took place during this entire process. I was not involved so I am relying on
individuals who were actually there.
PETITION TIMELINE
WED (05.26.15) Turned in
Affidavit for petition because the Affidavit did not have Under Oath in it; it
was rejected. Also, there was no
address where to send petition. This was
then corrected and resubmitted at o/a 05:50 PM.
According to Town Clerk, this paperwork had to be reviewed by the Town
Attorney.
THUR Returned
to pick-up blanks and was told awaiting legal review. This was 08:30 AM. Talked to Town Manager and asked why a legal
review prior to receiving signature.
Returned at 01:00 PM and told the legal review was not back. Called the Maine AG and was told to call
DA. Called DA and was told to make a
compliant with Lisbon PD which we did; however, never received a copy of the
compliant.
FRI Town
Office Closed. Received a message
through Facebook from the Town Clerk saying they would receive blanks between
08:00 – 09:00 AM Sunday.
SAT LJAL held
opening day which was a perfect time to gather signatures but did not have the
necessary blanks.
SUN The Town
Clerk issued signature blanks at approximately 09:00 AM and provided emails
from Town Attorney. Starting gathering
signatures (451)!
MON Gather
signatures totaling 718.
TUE Turned in
signatures at 10:20 AM. 24 petitions
were filed. The Town Clerk acknowledged
24 petitions with 718 signatures.
WED (06.03.15) Petition
was denied by Town Clerk.
If you review this timeline
you will see several inconsistencies by the town. The first one is asking for a legal review
prior to issuing the blank forms. The second legal review came after the
citizens had gathered the signatures.
If it was not legal why waste the peoples’ time? This is by design!
Second, knowing that LJAL had there open day ceremony
on Saturday; why wait until Sunday to issue the blanks? Again, this
was by design. The Town never figured that
this group of citizens could gather the required number of signatures in a
timely manner to meet the deadline.
These were delaying actions to
keep the people from gathering the required signatures. Also, it was as much as harassment or
punishment for challenging the Town Council.
If the Town Attorney, Town
Manager and Town Clerk had prior knowledge that the petition was not legally
sufficient; why put the people through this drill for nothing? This is not the way to treat citizens of this community.
As you can see on Wednesday
this group of citizens were notified that the petition was denied for two
reasons. The first reason was that the School budget is not legally adopted
until it is voted on by the people.
This
means that the Town Council, which is a legislative entity of the town, has no
legal standing on the School budget.
Also, the Town Council is acting as the RSU as defined by the state and
as such has no legal standings at all.
How can the School budget amended by the Town Council be placed on the ballot if it is not legally adopted by the Legislative Body of the Town?
How can the School budget amended by the Town Council be placed on the ballot if it is not legally adopted by the Legislative Body of the Town?
Third and more important,
according to the denial letter below it stated and I quote, “A special town
meeting to reconsider a school budget approved by the Council and the voters in
a secret ballot validation referendum would not be consistent with the
statutory and Charter requirements for adoption of school budgets.”
Apparently, under no circumstances can you petition for a special town meeting on school budgets. But according to our Charter, paragraph Sec. 8-11(d), it states and I quote “ Special Town Meeting. The qualified voters of the Town shall have the power to reconsider any budget appropriation at a special Town meeting called by petition. The petition must cite the specific appropriation(s) to be included in the warrant for the special Town meeting.” I hate to point out to members of the Town Council, Town Manager and the Town Attorney, who apparently cannot read, that the Charters states “ANY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS”. Our Charter does not state that Special Town Meetings applies only to Municipal budget appropriations.
Denial Certificate (click on to enlarge)
Apparently, under no circumstances can you petition for a special town meeting on school budgets. But according to our Charter, paragraph Sec. 8-11(d), it states and I quote “ Special Town Meeting. The qualified voters of the Town shall have the power to reconsider any budget appropriation at a special Town meeting called by petition. The petition must cite the specific appropriation(s) to be included in the warrant for the special Town meeting.” I hate to point out to members of the Town Council, Town Manager and the Town Attorney, who apparently cannot read, that the Charters states “ANY BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS”. Our Charter does not state that Special Town Meetings applies only to Municipal budget appropriations.
Now let’s apply some common
sense to the situation. What would be the purpose of a Special
Town Meeting after the people had voted on the budgeted appropriations? The people will have already voiced their
opinion. This provision in the
Charter is intended to have the people correct or make appropriate changes to the
budget prior to it being voted on.
This process is either definitely broken
or the Town took inappropriate action to delay processing of this petition in
order to keep the people from speaking or make changes to the Council approved
School budget at a special town meeting.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE WITH THE ACTIONS OF THE TOWN,
CONTACT THE TOWN MANAGER AND THE TOWN COUNCIL AND LET YOUR CONCERNS BE
KNOWN!!!!!!!!
Larry Fillmore
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
A Simple Sample Of Lisbon VIA Outline Format
A. Division between Town Council and School Department
1. should be working together.a. conveniently Town Council eliminates budget advisory committee
b. holds all power in the laps of 7 people now, instead of having more "eyes" on budget
2. Controlling Police Chief pulling the council puppets strings (a perpetual problem)
B. Future of Lisbon and this country lays in the youth being educated through actually learning material
1. Common Core mandates testing, testing, and testing. To the point that all across the State and Country, students have expressed concerns of added stress and anxiety because they have no time to learn material before being tested2. Employment opportunities for High School graduates to work in Lisbon extremely scarce.
C. Those fortunate enough to further education find jobs elsewhere.
1. Limited employers in town puts greater tax burden on residents to "maintain status quo" of services with less monies to finance them
2. Forward thinking and planning are none existent except for "deck the poles" festival & activities etc.
Here's a tip for those on the Town Council: Start treating the Lisbon taxpayers with the respect they deserve, listen to their concerns and adjust accordingly, represent their interests as stated by them, not what you want, and then, maybe someday the damage done by your self-serving interests will be fixed. It is up to you.
Lisbon taxpayer's you should leave your "comfort zones" and get to the Town Council meeting tonight where you can express your concerns directly to the council during Audience Participation. There are two places, one to discuss items on the agenda and another for "New Items". This is the process currently mandated by Lisbon's governing body.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Lisbon Town Council And School Committee 2nd Public Budget Hearing May 19th, 2015
Part One
Part Three
Part Two
Part Three
Thursday, April 9, 2015
I.T. is missing in Lisbon
By: Peter Reuter, Special to The Lisbon Reporter
Integrity and Transparency are not present in Lisbon.
At last Tuesday's Town Council meeting, Councilors proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that they wanted and now have absolute power to control ALL financial matters. A panel of seven, without input from a Town Ordinance mandate of a Finance Committee, will now control the flow of monies. Councilors may make changes to the Town Ordinances without consent of the residents.
They openly admitted to illegal discussions in Executive Session. The Town Councilors approve of a high salary for an unqualified Town Engineer and they are not looking out for the best interest of the citizens of Lisbon.
But for a few of us that have been actively monitoring their actions and attending Town Council meetings this comes as no surprise. The Lisbon Reporter has posted numerous articles pertaining to this aspect since day one of its inception. Many of the Concerned Citizens have been trying to get the word out.
Now as to the legality of what the Town Council just did, that remains to be seen. So what if it was illegal. Who polices the Town Council, Brooks? No it is more like he is directing them. Once again this year he will get his $2 Million Dollar Police Budget approved. The Council will hold true to their demand order for the School Department to cut $600 Thousand Dollars from their budget.
Here is the kicker. The voters have the right to vote on the School Budget but not the Municipal Budget. With that, voters should reject every proposed and approved for voter consent School Budget put forth by this council.
It costs over $3 Thousand Dollars per voting session per the Town Clerk. The voters should send the budget back to the Town Council until they wake up and do what is right. The Expense for each voting process will rest solely in the laps of Seven Councilors. If it takes 2, 3, 4, or more times so be it. This is the only say that, "we the people" have left. Use this power wisely.
Remember in November citizens, your only chance of getting some resemblance of control back, is to put forth some great candidates to uproot the evil empire that currently exists. Tyranny reigns supreme in Lisbon currently.
Shame on this Town Council.
Integrity and Transparency are not present in Lisbon.
At last Tuesday's Town Council meeting, Councilors proved beyond a reasonable doubt, that they wanted and now have absolute power to control ALL financial matters. A panel of seven, without input from a Town Ordinance mandate of a Finance Committee, will now control the flow of monies. Councilors may make changes to the Town Ordinances without consent of the residents.
They openly admitted to illegal discussions in Executive Session. The Town Councilors approve of a high salary for an unqualified Town Engineer and they are not looking out for the best interest of the citizens of Lisbon.
But for a few of us that have been actively monitoring their actions and attending Town Council meetings this comes as no surprise. The Lisbon Reporter has posted numerous articles pertaining to this aspect since day one of its inception. Many of the Concerned Citizens have been trying to get the word out.
Now as to the legality of what the Town Council just did, that remains to be seen. So what if it was illegal. Who polices the Town Council, Brooks? No it is more like he is directing them. Once again this year he will get his $2 Million Dollar Police Budget approved. The Council will hold true to their demand order for the School Department to cut $600 Thousand Dollars from their budget.
Here is the kicker. The voters have the right to vote on the School Budget but not the Municipal Budget. With that, voters should reject every proposed and approved for voter consent School Budget put forth by this council.
It costs over $3 Thousand Dollars per voting session per the Town Clerk. The voters should send the budget back to the Town Council until they wake up and do what is right. The Expense for each voting process will rest solely in the laps of Seven Councilors. If it takes 2, 3, 4, or more times so be it. This is the only say that, "we the people" have left. Use this power wisely.
Remember in November citizens, your only chance of getting some resemblance of control back, is to put forth some great candidates to uproot the evil empire that currently exists. Tyranny reigns supreme in Lisbon currently.
Shame on this Town Council.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Resident Wants To 'Axe' Police Budget And Not The School
Cut the Tax Rate Without Cutting the School Budget
A few weeks ago I made a comparison between Lisbon and Standish budgets and Police Departments.
Town Mil rate Crime Index PD Officers Taxes 150K Home Pop
Lisbon 20.98 65 33 $3120 8958
Standish 12.15 61 County supplied $1822 9800
Both of these towns have similar populations, crime rates and both are close to other towns with higher crime rates.
Lisbon adjacent to Lewiston and Brunswick
Standish is close to Portland and Biddeford (5th most dangerous in Maine)
If you examine the budgets of
these towns you will find Standish pays a fraction of the cost we pay
for Police protection. They have a contract with Cumberland County
Sheriffs Department. The savings from this contract enables them to have
a much lower tax mil rate.
Here is a copy of their first contract with their County Sheriffs Dept. Notice the drastic difference in public safety cost.
I know this contract is a few years old but the above contract will give you a rough indication of the savings we could realize if we follow Standish and contract with our county Sheriffs Department.
Don't believe the people that tell you this change would cause a crime wave. This is another fact less claim.
If you look at the 11 communities,
our size, on Maine's "50 most dangerous places in Maine" you will
discover that 9 of these 11 communities have large police forces.
Large Police Forces don't necessarily reduce crime rates.
Why are we
cutting $600.000 from the School Department when we could switch to
Androscoggin County Sheriffs Department and save more. And this change
would not jeopardize our kids education?
Our Town Council should at least get a quote from Androscoggin County Sheriffs Dept..
Call your Councilors and demand they listen to your needs.
Respectfully
Joe Hill
Don't believe the people that tell you this change would cause a crime wave. This is another fact less claim.
If you look at the 11 communities,
our size, on Maine's "50 most dangerous places in Maine" you will
discover that 9 of these 11 communities have large police forces.
Large Police Forces don't necessarily reduce crime rates.
Why are we
cutting $600.000 from the School Department when we could switch to
Androscoggin County Sheriffs Department and save more. And this change
would not jeopardize our kids education?
Our Town Council should at least get a quote from Androscoggin County Sheriffs Dept..
Call your Councilors and demand they listen to your needs.
Respectfully
Joe Hill
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