Town of Lisbon
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
Meeting Date: February 2, 2009
Selectmen Present: John Northrop (JN) Ruth Robar (RAR), Duncan McKee (DM)
Town Administrator: Regan Pride (RP)
Administrative Assistant: Barbara Menchin
Meeting started at 4:00 PM
Bills, manifests and minutes were read and approved.
SELECTMEN’S MATTERS:
The Board discussed the upcoming budget hearing and the various warrant articles.
The Board will be meeting for their regular meeting on Monday, February 9, 2009 at 4:00 PM.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR:
RP opened the 2009 Budget Hearing at 6:00 PM.
Department Heads attending included:
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Kevin Clement (Department of Public Works)(KC)
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Tanis “Joe” Tavernier (Chief, Lisbon Police Department) JT
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Harvey Paquin (Lisbon Recycling Center) HP
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Karla Houston (Lisbon Public Library) KH
KH started the budget hearings by telling the audience that she tried to keep the Library Budget down this year. She further stated that in order to keep the budget down, the Library will be using some of the donations they have received.
RP stated that the deadline for petition warrant articles is February 3, 2009. He stated he pre-scheduled the 2nd budget hearing for February 9, 2009 at 6:00 PM in the event additional petition warrant articles were received. If there were no warrant articles needing to be discussed, RP would post a cancellation notice.
RP proceeded with the various line items and discussed each and asked if there were any questions or comments. He discussed the changes that have been made in the “line-item” columns. One of the changes was putting money from the Executive line into the Town Clerk line. These changes are due to auditor recommendations.
RP stated that the Boards goal was to level fund this year.
There were no questions or comments regarding the Police Budget.
A member of the audience asked what roads were to be improved for 2009. KC stated the money that was received from FEMA for the July 2008 floods would go towards repairing Walker Hill Road. He further stated he would be requesting $88,000.00 in a warrant article to be used towards repairing School Street, Walker Hill Road and West Street, whichever the voters vote on. A member of the audience felt as if School Street should get number one attention.
RP spoke of the street lighting line and the increase the town will be seeing. One member of the audience asked if the town could get the power company to repair the lights. Another audience member stated that the town should withhold payment until the streetlights are repaired.
Recycling Department was discussed and the various changes that will be implemented to improve the revenue line.
RP spoke about the General Assistance line and a member of the audience asked if there has been an increase in people requesting assistance. RP stated there has been. He further stated that the Board has authorized some of the Buffington Fund to be used for General Assistance.
RP discussed the Parks and Recreation Line and explained the increase in the water usage for the pool. JN stated there has been an increase in people using the pool.
Before RP started reading the individual warrant articles Mr. John Northrop, chairman of the Board, stated he wanted to commend the department heads for their hard work in trying to keep their budgets at a minimum. He ended with a “thank you”.
Warrant articles were read.
Regarding Warrant Article number 7, concerning the purchase of a new cruiser, JT discussed the rotation of the police cruisers. He explained why the old “unmarked” cruiser would remain with the town and the newer cruiser would go up for auction.
Regarding Warrant Article number 8, a member of the audience asked for an explanation of what “fund balance” is. This was done so by RP.
Regarding Warrant Article number 9, a member of the audience asked if this was the same $26,500 that was a warrant article for 2008 budget which was concerning the Town Water Benefit Fee. The answer was a yes.
Regarding Warrant Article number 12, RP to check on the wording of this article regarding raising the money to replace the aeration system in the wastewater treatment lagoons.
Regarding Warrant Article number 14, a member of the audience recommended money to be placed in the Capital Reserve Fund for a new fire engine. Another member of the audience recommended the Board place $25,000.00 into that article for this purpose.
Regarding Warrant Article number 15, Mr. Roger Gingue addressed the town on behalf of Lisbon Main Street, Inc. Mr. Gingue stated it is their wish to be an extension of the Town of Lisbon. He discussed future plans Main Street has been looking into one of which is bringing back Lilac Days. He further stated that Main Street is looking to be the town’s economic development engine. He further stated that Main Street wants to visit the Master Plan regarding long-term growth.
Regarding Warrant Article 16, the Board told the audience that they have been looking into handicap access and that it was their hopes that by this time next year there would be a solid plan in place.
RP read through the remaining articles with no further discussion from the audience.
DM made a motion to adjourn the meeting, JN 2nd, all in favor.
Meeting closed at 7:50 PM.
| 
