The 14 Referendum Questions Approved for your November 3, 2015 Town of Lebanon Ballot.

 

 

 

Would you like to know how your Selectmen voted to recommend the Referendum articles to the voting public??

Here's how it went!!

There are a total of 14 Referendum Questions.

 

Referendum 1. Proposed by the Lebanon Planning Board to eliminate an ongoing discrepancy between what the current MAP and TEXT say, in order to use the FEMA map created by a Federal agency.

Select Board Chairman Thompson YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 2. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine. This question moves to take the outdated fees out of the town's ordinance language, allowing the Selectmen to set the fees for Building Licenses, Permits and Applications on a yearly basis to help contain the costs to the taxpayers in general, asking instead that these costs be paid by the people actually utilizing the services.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 3. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine. This question moves to take the outdated fees out of the town's ordinance language, allowing the Selectmen to set the fees for the Zoning Code Ordinance on a yearly basis to help contain the costs to the taxpayers in general, asking instead that these costs be paid by the people actually utilizing the services.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 4. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine. This question moves to take the outdated fees out of the town's ordinance language, allowing the Selectmen to set the fees for the Message and Sexual Conduct Ordinance on a yearly basis to help contain the costs to the taxpayers in general, asking instead that these costs be paid by the people actually utilizing the services.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 5. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine. This question moves to take the outdated fees out of the town's ordinance language, allowing the Selectmen to set the fees for the Dog Ordinance on a yearly basis to help contain the costs to the taxpayers in general, asking instead that these costs be paid by the people actually utilizing the services.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 6. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine. This question moves to take the outdated fees out of the town's ordinance language, allowing the Selectmen to set the fees for the Waste Disposal Facility Ordinance on a yearly basis to help contain the costs to the taxpayers in general, asking instead that these costs be paid by the people actually utilizing the services.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau NO

 

 

Referendum 7. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine. This question moves to take the outdated fees out of the town's ordinance language, allowing the Selectmen to set the fees for the Mass Gathering Ordinance on a yearly basis to help contain the costs to the taxpayers in general, asking instead that these costs be paid by the people actually utilizing the services.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau NO

 

Referendum 8. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine. This question moves to take the outdated fees out of the town's ordinance language, allowing the Selectmen to set the fees for the Special Amusement Ordinance on a yearly basis to help contain the costs to the taxpayers in general, asking instead that these costs be paid by the people actually utilizing the services.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 9. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine and Mike Beaullieu, Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer. This question moves to create a permitting and regulation structure for any and all Festivals and Events expecting more than 250 people in attendance. It includes requirements for toileting facilities, parking, water, and a 30 day advanced notice for permit applications.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath YES

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 10. Proposed by Mike Beaullieu, Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer. This question moves to create a standard of 16 inches on center for all non load bearing interior walls.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 11. Proposed by Mike Beaullieu, Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer. This question moves to take the 2 year expiration date of currently issued Lebanon Building Permits and have them expire after 1 year with the possibility of an extension upon review by the Code Enforcement Officer.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

Referendum 12. Proposed by Mike Beaullieu, Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer. This question moves to create the need for an Electrical Permit and Inspection process for all new construction, additions, and remodels.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau NO

 

Referendum 13. Proposed by Mandy Grenier, Town Clerk of Lebanon Maine and Mike Beaullieu, Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer. This question moves to require applicants for a Mass Gathering Permit to submit their application no later than thirty (30) days prior to the event.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath NO

Selectman Paul Nadeau NO

 

 

Referendum 14. Proposed by the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen. This question moves to authorize the removal of the wall between the current Selectmen's Meeting office and the current Code Enforcement Officer's office in order to create a larger public meeting room at the Town Office.

Select Board Chairman Thompson, YES

Selectman Royce Heath YES

Selectman Paul Nadeau YES

 

The Lebanon Budget Committee voted 4 in favor and 2 opposed

Chip Harlow, Bettie Harris Howard, Nancy Neubert, and Skip Wood in favor

and Chris Gilpatrick and Laura Bragg opposed

(see video of Budget Committee Meeting of 9/10/15)

Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen Meeting Video 8/31/15 in 7 parts........

 

LEBANON MAINE

SELECTMEN'S MEETING 8/31/15

 

Part 1 of our Monday evening Selectmen's Meeting of 8/31/15 starts off with Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker, Deborah Dorey Wilson addressing the Board of Selectmen regarding the donations by Lebanon residents to secure a brand new flag pole for the Lebanon Fire and EMS Blaisdell Corner Station on Route 202.

For those of you who DON'T know, the flag pole at the station has been broken for quite some time and because it was a telescoping flag pole, repairs would have been quite costly. It was easier and cheaper to purchase a new, old fashioned, very reliable flag pole from Yankee Flagpole Company in Lyndeborough, NH and have it delivered and installed.

Wilson takes a moment to thank each person who donated toward the purchase and installation of the flag pole, and outlines the intent of the Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers to work with the Lebanon Fire and EMS station to help make the Blaisdell Corner station beautiful and a place that people of Lebanon can be proud of.

There will also be a rededication of the Blaisdell Corner Fire and EMS Station taking place on Saturday, October 3, 2015. Beginning at 10 am. There will be a flag dedication, and a rededication to service for the station. We've secured music and are hoping to have a community pot luck luncheon where everyone can meet some of your responders, Chief Daniel Meehan, and have the chance to enjoy others in our community.

Purchase Orders are presented to the Board and the purchase has now been authorized.

 

SEE Part 1 of the

Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting, Monday 8/31/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltNG6AFMqnU

 

In part 2 of the Lebanon Selectmen's Meeting video, Selectmen's Assistant, Sue Collins, addresses the Board on issues to do with the Board's Assessing duties. According to Collins, the Board is nearing the completion of the town's assessing with only 98 properties left for them to visit before the job is finished.

Select Board Chairman Ben Thompson lets folks know that tax bills are going to come out late this time around as the number of properties they've had to view this year has been huge.

Resident Noah Tetreault arrives to speak to the Board regarding a piece of property he's looking to purchase in town. The property is in a Tree Growth Tax program at the time, and also has a Conservation Easement designation. Tetreault is wondering if there is a way to lessen the amount of the penalty on the property for removing it from the Tree Growth program, however, according to Selectman Thompson, there is not.

 

 

SEE PART 2 of the 8/31/15 Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzmtqHclj5k

 

In the third part of the 8/31/15 Selectman's Meeting video, Town Clerk, Mandy Grenier addresses the Board regarding town elections. According to Grenier, she has been in e mail correspondence with the Maine Secretary of State's Office who has told her that the current way the town's polling station at the Lebanon Elementary School is set up is "unlawful".  Ms. Grenier has been working with the Secretary of State's Office to reconfigure the flow of voter traffic during town elections.

The new Lebanon Town Clerk also states that in the departing budget requests by former Town Clerk, Laura Bragg, there was an allowance for new voting booths. In speaking with Ms. Grenier, the current booths are not only difficult to set up, but they are also getting to be a bit dangerous and need replacing. Since a purchase of new booths was included in the Town Clerk's 2015-2016 budget amounts which were approved by the Town Meeting Vote on June 9th, Ms. Grenier has taken the time to research prices and has found a set of new voter booths for a little over $3,700. Less than the $5,000 budgeted for this expense.

Also discussed was the combining of the June Town Meeting Vote with the earlier MSAD60 School Budget Vote. The two elections are typically only weeks apart, and the Town of Lebanon has been paying for two separate elections.

Selectman Ben Thompson motions: To move the Annual Town Meeting to coincide with the Annual Maine SAD60 School Budget Vote. The motion was seconded by Selectman Heath and then the Board voted 3 in favor, 0 opposed, to move the Town Vote, thus saving taxpayer dollars and hopefully allowing for greater voter attendance for all town related issues.

Due to the questions regarding the flow of voter traffic at the Lebanon Elementary School, there were several options discussed regarding changing the entry and exit of voters to the polls for town elections. Selectman Thompson suggested checking in to the use of the Hanson School gym rather than the Lebanon Elementary School, Ms. Grenier will be viewing that building and contacting MSAD60 to see if changing the venue from one building to another might be an option.

 

WATCH the third portion of the Lebanon Maine Selectmen's Meeting Video from Monday, 8/31/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2N-KBwugro

 

In part 4 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting Video, Town Clerk Mandy Grenier returns momentarily to ask the Board of Selectmen if they had remembered to speak to the Lebanon Budget Committee regarding their scheduled vote on September 9, 2015, on whether or not to allow the spending necessary to take down the wall that currently separates the Board of Selectmen's Meeting Room and the Lebanon Code Enforcement Officer's room.

Lebanon Selectmen also discuss with Ms. Grenier the "missing" Town Report Books, two separate books for the Fiscal Year 1939-40. Grenier says that she has not located them at this time and agrees to check the Town's Vault, located at the Lebanon Elementary School.

 

SEE the FOURTH part of the Monday, 8/31/15 Lebanon Selectmen's Video HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8co51fFDVAg

 

Part 5 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting shows Lebanon Historical Society member Nancy Wyman as she addresses the Board regarding the Old Town Hall building on Center Road, asking for the Board to put the money for the remainder of the repairs of the building on the next Town Ballot.

Selectman Thompson explains to Ms. Wyman that the appropriate time to raise and appropriate funds is at the Annual Town Meeting Vote which will happen in the Spring of 2016.

Ms. Wyman continues, speaking to the Board regarding the fact that the year 2017 will be the Town's 250th Birthday, and showing the Board that the Town has traditionally given money for the Historical Society to host a celebration, citing specifically 1967 (150 years) and 1992 (200 years). Selectman Thompson states that the Lebanon Festival Committee has been actively saving money toward that goal, and mentions to Ms. Wyman that the town has already voted to fund the Festival Committee with $1,500 a year toward the Lebanon Festival. He also outlines some of the plans that are being made for the celebration of the Town's 250th Birthday, saying that the Festival Committee could always use more volunteers.

Lebanon Truth Seekers, Deborah Dorey Wilson addresses Ms. Wyman with regards to the fact that the Historical Society was asked to be a part of the recent 2015 Festival, and they declined, stating that they didn't want to take part, to which Wyman answers that the past festivals have not been profitable enough for the Historical Society.

Wyman, who says she is also been a part of the Town's Garden Club who recently refused to help with the weeding, planting and mulching of the flower beds at the Town Office, leaving Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers Sandy Adams to complete the job with her son, says that all the clubs that she's active in have been interested in participating, however, they found the Festival was more a "kids event".

Selectman Thompson stated that the people of Lebanon are families who are actively asking for things to do with their children and families.

Selectman Thompson says he will have Festival Committee Chairwoman, Rebekah Thompson contact Ms. Wyman on her interests.

 

WATCH the FIFTH part of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting Video of 8/31/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaDkW46CtYU

 

In the sixth part of the Selectmen's Meeting Video from Monday evening, 8/31/15, Resident Chris Gilpatrick addresses the Board on some issues regarding personnel disciplinary actions. Apparently Mr. Gilpatrick came to the Town Office to pay his taxes recently and was overcharged by over $500. The problem was not caught by Town Office personnel, or even by the Town Treasurer, but by Gilpatrick himself. And when he asked to have the problem straightened, he was told that it would be 2 weeks before he could get refunded the $500 overcharge, even though it was not his mistake.

Mr. Gilpatrick, and indeed all in the room, are questioning why the cash registers aren't reconciled to the bills at the ending of a day's receipts, and if, in fact, they are reconciled at all? Also questioned is whether or not the Selectmen were even aware that there had been a problem. Apparently, the overcharge had been mentioned, however Selectman Thompson was the only one who would say he was aware, while Selectmen Heath and Nadeau said that they had been unaware. ***Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers adds to this AFTER the fact the wonder on HOW three Selectmen MUST have signed the check for Mr. Gilpatrick's $500 refund and yet only ONE will say openly that he was award of the refund and why. Selectmen Heath and Nadeau must have just signed the $500 check without being aware of why they were shelling out $500.***

Mr. Gilpatrick demands to know, that if one Town Office Employee had previously been given a written verbal warning for "poor cash handling practices", why the employee responsible for his overcharge of his taxes was not similarly disciplined by the Board.

Selectman Thompson agrees with Chris Gilpatrick that the error should have been caught right away, however, this was an error and not a purposeful overcharge. Thompson also agrees that Gilpatrick should have received his refund of the overcharged amount sooner than 2 weeks time.

Mr. Gilpatrick continues to speak with Selectmen, this time on the issue of Town Employees being paid while driving private pick up trucks while working on Town projects. Gilpatrick states that recently, he saw a young Town Road Crew employee acting as a traffic flagger. He was using a truck owned by private contractor, Scott Gerrish. According to Gilpatrick, the young man in question was getting paid by the Town to act as a flagger, and all the while, Gerrish's truck was sitting, unused, and earning $55-$60 per hour of the Town's money. Gilpatrick further went on to question, if the Town Employee is driving a private contractor's truck while on Town Time, who is responsible for Workmen's Compensation insurance if the young man should be hurt on the job?

Select Board Chairman Ben Thompson addresses Mr. Gilpatrick stating that this would be something to be taken up with Road Commissioner Tom Torno. Thompson states that this is an ongoing issue and that Torno has failed to appear when scheduled or requested by the Board a total of 5 times since July 1, but that he can not act alone in requiring Torno to appear, that it must be an act of the entire Board and that he (Thompson) can not seem to get the cooperation of the other two seated Board members in bringing Torno into meeting.

Thompson also eludes to soil being delivered by trucks while on Town time being dropped for certain homeowners, stating that there are a lot of "favors" being done, and that this was another issue that he had wanted to address with the ever absent Torno.

Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker, Sandy Adams asks both Selectman Heath and Nadeau if they are willing to call the young Mr. Torno into the Selectmen's Meeting and address these issues with him, saying that allowing the Road Commissioner to continue on unchecked is not serving the Town taxpayers. Thompson answers that he wants Torno to appear, Nadeau has no answer, and Selectmen Royce Heath's answer? "I didn't cause his father to die," adding afterwards, "This sounds like a party, and like a hanging party, so my last answer to your questions is, NO COMMENT."

After this odd statement by Selectman Heath, Thompson says that in his thinking, Torno's constant claims of needing to be absent to "bring in the hay" are not cutting it. Selectman Nadeau finally agrees that Torno should be coming to the meetings, but is visibly upset.

Selectman Heath, after much discussion, says that he will "Talk to Tommy when I see him," and then after a bit more discussion says that he doesn't want to call Torno, "because it's late."

The final issue brought in front of the Board by resident Chris Gilpatrick, is the fact that although he mentioned the lack of performance by the company responsible for the mowing of the Town Cemeteries and Properties over 2 weeks ago, the Park and Ride, and several other locations in town, have yet to be mowed. In fact, states Gilpatrick, the Park and Ride has not been mowed all season.

In review, the Bid was given to J&S Masonry out of Brownfield Maine, even though there were two Lebanon based entities that bid for the job. The difference was that J&S Bid was the lower bid, coming in about $4K lower than the closest competitor from Lebanon.

Questions are asked as to who is responsible for keeping track of whether or not J&S is keeping up with their contract with the town. Selectman Thompson states that is the job of the Road Commissioner. Selectman Nadeau, after prompting by Mr. Gilpatrick, reads aloud the duties of J&S Masonry to the Town of Lebanon by contract awarded in their bid, which calls for the Town Properties, Town Office, and 28 Cemeteries in town to be mowed every 2 weeks as needed. It is also noted that Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker Sandy Adams complained several weeks ago that the Town Office lawn was being mowed, but that the weeds along the edges were waist high and in need of weed whacking, which was also part of the bid spec for the contract.

Selectman Thompson answers that each year it seems to be "getting better" but gets angry with residents who are aggravated by the payment of J&S Masonry when they are clearly not performing as contracted. Thompson challenges Deborah Dorey Wilson as to whether she has seen all the properties, and Ms. Wilson agrees that she will go walk the properties with him, even though it was not she who bid the job, but J&S Masonry. Thompson states that he is "getting perturbed" by the residents all questioning him on this, and that he suggests that residents allow the Board to call J&S Masonry, "before their business is bashed all over Facebook land".

I guess residents will have to wait a bit longer prior to getting any answers.

 

SEE Part 6 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Video of 8/31/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7n8ydag1is

 

The 7th and Final portion of the video of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting of Monday 8/31/15, show resident Chris Gilpatrick as he continues to question the Board regarding the Town's Mowing Contract. Watch with AMAZEMENT as Board members argue over WHO is going to have to place a follow up call with J&S Masonry. Selectman Nadeau does not want to do it, passing it off to Selectman Heath. Then watch while Selectman Heath tries desperately to pass the call off onto Select Board Chairman Thompson, like he does with everything else. However, this time, Thompson's not having it dumped in his lap, and an argument ensues, ending in Chairman Thompson telling Selectman Heath that it's time for him to be a "big boy" and make the phone call himself.

The conversation continues that if this is, indeed the Road Commissioner's job to oversee, according to Lebanon Maine Truth Seeker Sandy Adams, we'd like to know WHY the Board is refusing to have the young man into the meeting, reminding the Board that this has now been going on for weeks, and is unacceptable.

Selectman Nadeau takes that opportunity to head out of the meeting, and shortly after a heated conversation with Mr. Gilpatrick, Heath adjourns the meeting saying he isn't feeling well, and he too exits the building.

The remaining residents ask a few more questions of Chairman Thompson regarding Road Commissioner Torno, mostly regarding his salary while he is not putting any hours in for the town, but is, instead on remote locations cutting hay. According to Thompson, the long lost Lebanon Road Commissioner makes $615.38 per week, and is allotted an additional $50 a week for gasoline. There are no requirements for hours on the job, and he answers to the Board of Selectmen. IF they can get him out of the hayfield and into a meeting.

 

SEE the 7th and Final Portion of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting of 8/31/15 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ON8sJh92es

 

 



 

 

 

LEBANON VOTE, NOVEMBER 3, 2015, SIGNATURES NEEDED FOR CITIZENS PETITION to CREATE A BOARD OF 5 SELECTMEN.

 

We, as a Town, a Community, are preparing for the

November 3, 2015 Vote,

Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers

would like to encourage all town residents to

GET OUT and VOTE!!

 

There will be many different IMPORTANT items on the November 3 Ballot, and you should all attend the Public Hearing to discuss all ballot question, scheduled for October 20, 2015 at the Lebanon Elementary School, on Upper Guinea Road.

Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers is circulating a Citizen's Petition that is in need of signatures.

 

This petition would ask that the Voters of the Town of Lebanon approve adding 2 positions to our Board of Selectmen, creating a Board of 5 members rather than a Board of 3 members.

 

There are a few reasons why this is being asked of voters.

1. The addition of 2 more Select Board Members would decrease the work load on Selectmen when Town Assessing, Accounts Payable, Permit Approval and other "hands on" jobs are required of them.

2. The addition of 2 more Select Board Members would then make 2 Board Members together for an evening out or a project NOT a quorum of the Board as outlined in Maine State Law, and allow a quorum to then be a minimum of THREE Board Members together, thus lessening the chances of an "illegal meeting" or a "surprise motion".

3. The addition of 2 more Select Board Members would make it a more difficult process for one person, or one group of people to gain outside control of a majority of Board Members.

 

We currently still need over 100 signatures, (total needed is 217 registered Lebanon voters), and we would like to pass this petition in to the Town Clerk on or before the Thursday, September 10, 2015 Board of Selectmen's Meeting for their approval of our petition to be added to the November 3, Election Ballot.

 

Please message us via Facebook and we will get to you,

OR you may e mail Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers at: lebanontruthseekers@Hotmail.com 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

 

 

An Open Letter to Lebanon Maine Residents and Taxpayers from Deborah Dorey Wilson of Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers........

From the desk of Deborah~~

Before I head out for the day, I wanted to jot you all a little note celebrating the fact that it is August!!
Only one more month until school is back in session, One more month until the fall harvest festivals begin, One more month until the weather becomes less hot and humid. And the countdown has started with only a little over 90 days until the November Election date.
Most of our town's little online pages are going to begin telling you how you should vote on certain issues. I've committed to never telling anyone how they should spend one of the most precious commodities that belong to each and every person in the United States, your vote.
Your vote is private. It is your own. It is cast in a booth for a reason. Because it is private and personal. It is your voice without fear of retaliation or persecution. It is the only place in the operation of our town, our state, and our country where you can put your weight behind an issue or a person without anyone else knowing if you did things their way, or if you had your own ideas and thoughts.
There is never anyone who sees your vote or knows it was yours. It is anonymous and secret by nature. I like to tell people it's like a diary where your personal thoughts and feelings are put to paper and have the ability to shape and mold the laws, rules and regulations by which we all live.
I am personally more interested in having you all be attentive. Watching the videos of Selectmen's Meetings, asking questions, EXPECTING answers that are intelligent and informational and honest.
Lebanon has grown so much since I've come here. There are so many more businesses, so many more new homes and the growth is continuing with an expected 30 new homes going in here in town within the next year from one builder alone.
Our property tax MIL rate is expected to be up around 16.0 this coming tax year, and the services that we receive for our hard earned money, here in Lebanon, are minimal.
There are no zoning laws in Lebanon by a majority of voters several times over. This can be a good thing to townspeople who want to start a business without the expense of licensing or legal fees, but it can be a bad thing to as companies looking to build large businesses start to realize that as long as their building is up to code, they can build whatever sized building they like and operate whatever business in that building that they want to. There is no pre-approval needed from voters. There is no comprehensive plan in place. There are no guidelines for Selectmen or Planning Board to follow the will of the taxpayers.
So just what IS the will of the taxpayers??
We don't honestly know because in a town of almost 7,000 people, less than 1,500 have been showing up to vote.
Your vote is your town government's bond. By voting, you are speaking to your town officials, planning board, budget committee, road commissioner, school board, code enforcement officer, town clerk and treasurer. Without your vote, they can only operate on their own instinct and their feeling of what is best for the taxpayers. Sometimes you are blessed by voting the right people into office that truly have their finger on the pulse of what taxpayers want, and other times you vote in your buddies and friends who are operating under an agenda of a small group of taxpayers rather than looking at the whole of the greater good of all the residents. It is a weak link in the structure of a town, when registered voters only show up to be sure that their friend or neighbor is voted into a town office when the candidate is not educated enough in town proceedings to come into office on their very first day and understand what is happening and what has been happening, within the borders of town and within the walls of the office.
Voting is different from coffee shop chance meetings. A worthy candidate should be educated enough to read, write and have a basic understanding of how to use common everyday technology. A worthy candidate should have attended months worth of meetings as an observer and have specific goals and ideas on things that have happened in past years and how to prevent mistakes from happening, and how to encourage other people to become involved. They should be educators and willing to share honestly the laws and bylaws that govern the town. They should be well versed and even immersed in studying for the position they are about to enter into. "I'm voting for my next door neighbor because he (or she) is so nice," is wonderful, IF you can also add, "and they really know how to budget." or write complete motions, or understand the problems of town.......
In the upcoming months, the November election process should become very important to every taxpayer and resident of Lebanon. You will begin to see increased discussions at the Selectmen's Meetings regarding proposed ordinances (which are policies that can ONLY be changed by a majority vote of registered voters), and policies (which are put into place by the Selectmen in order to compliment laws and ordinances passed by the voters) and amendments (which are changes to already existing ordinances).
Your Town Clerk is beginning to put together information to be presented at a Town Meeting with information on all of the proposed questions on the November ballot. Stop by the Town Office and have a chat with her, talk to your neighbors and get a feel for what they are thinking about the changes, attend the Town Meeting and hear what questions or concerns other townspeople have regarding the proposals.
While I don't doubt that all of the people who already come and vote, or who hold town government office in Lebanon are good friends, neighbors and hard workers, or that they have what they perceive to be the best interest of the taxpayers at hand, I would much rather that they hear from each of you what you would like rather than having to pin their own agenda on your shoulders, hoping that they know and understand your heart and mind and desires for the town you live in.
Lebanon IS growing. Just like every other small town in southern Maine. There's no way to escape it as the United States population grows and begins to look for land to build homes and businesses. Many people are starting to take notice of the lack of zoning, business licensing, and law enforcement in Lebanon. As the towns who do not have rules are growing fewer and fewer, the people looking to skip past the rules are beginning to notice that Lebanon is here, and that our town land, services, and tax money is ripe for the taking.
Stopping short of promoting anyone else's proposals or agenda's, I'm only going to promote the agenda that should be first and foremost on every taxpayer, resident, and registered voter in Lebanon. This year it seems that we are at a crucial decision making point for our town. I urge each and every one of you to make town issues a priority in your home this voting season. Be aware. Take the extra minute to ask a question. Stop for a minute and watch what is happening at Selectmen's Meetings, attend meetings that involve issues that are important to you, attend the Town Meeting this autumn to hear the explanations of things being placed on your ballot, ask questions until you get your answers and understand the effect that each ordinance or budget item could have on your tax rate, your services, or your neighbors.
In short, I'm asking each of you to become good citizens of the Town of Lebanon. I'm asking you to educate yourselves, research, understand what is happening around you and pay attention.
If you think your vote doesn't matter on the national or state level, that's your option. But your vote does matter at the local level. You have the power to speak your mind to your town officials with a small colored in circle on a piece of legal documentation called the ballot.
We at Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers will be alerting you of upcoming meetings where these items will be discussed, and about the date for the Town Meeting. You will also be notified by other members of town government who have an interest in making the November 2015 election turnout one of the largest in recent years. There are going to be many important items on this ballot which will effectively aid your town government in controlling growth, controlling the kinds of growth, and being sure that businesses and gatherings are what the townspeople want and feel are acceptable and accountable.
Be sure to listen. Think about this. Speak about things with your children, friends and family, and then attend the November 2015 election and vote your decisions.
You may not win. You may not get everything that you think is correct. But if you take the time to be informed, to be smart, and to listen, you may just make this town a better place to live for all of us.
Thank you for reading this. Please consider registering to vote if you have not. Please consider attending your Town Meeting and informational meetings. If you can't attend, watch the video tapes of the meetings to help you form your decisions and then go and vote!!
Sincerely,
Deborah Dorey Wilson

FIRST WITH Lebanon Maine Town Election Vote Totals, June 9, 2015 Town Election

Lebanon Town Election Results

There were 774 Voters for the Lebanon Maine Town Election.

Vote Tallies are as follows:

SELECTMAN, ASSESSOR and OVERSEER OF THE POOR (3 year term)
Paul Nadeau 369 Votes
Paul Philbrick 178 Votes
Corinna Cole 157 Votes
Leo Richer 50 Votes

MSAD60 SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR (3 year term)
Joanne S. Potter (unchallenged) 640 Votes

BUDGET COMMITTEE (3 year term, choose 4)
Laura Bragg 522 Votes
Judith Churchard 396 Votes
Blain (Skip) Wood Write In Votes
Bettie Harris-Howard Write in Votes

Referendum 1....Funding of The Lebanon Festival for $1,500.00
YES 449 to NO 284
PASSED

Referendum 2.... Creating of Town Manager Position
YES 255 to NO 480
DID NOT PASS

Referendum 3....Creating a $60,000 for Town Manager Position
YES 241 to NO 503
DID NOT PASS

Referendum 4....Moving of Old Rescue Department Enterprise Account Funds to General Fund
YES 580 to NO 175
PASSED

Referendum 5....Allowing Board of Selectmen to enter into multi-year contracts
YES 396 to NO 355
PASSED

Referendum 6... Allowing Board of Selectmen to receive monetary donations on behalf of the Town.
YES 541 to NO 211
PASSED

Referendum 7..... Benefits Packages for Selectmen
YES 93 to NO 661
DID NOT PASS

Referendum 8.... Benefits Packages for Road Commissioner
YES 282 to NO 475
DID NOT PASS

Referendum 9.... Fire Department Budget $215,748.00
YES 464 to NO 297
PASSED

Referendum 10..... Fire Department Capital Reserve Fund $50,000.00
YES 414 to NO 345
PASSED

Referendum 11.... Rescue Department Budget $235,605.00
YES 421 to NO 337
PASSED

Referendum 12..... Combining of Fire and Rescue Departments to form one Town Department
YES 548 to NO 213
PASSED

Referendum 13.... Payment for Emergency Dispatching through Sanford

YES 616 to NO 144

PASSED

 

Referendum 14.... Payment to Rochester for South Lebanon Fire Hydrants.

YES 635 to NO 134

PASSED

 

Referendum 15.... Emergency Management Agency Funding

YES 592 to NO 176

PASSED

 

Referendum 16....$732,468.00 for Summer and Winter Road Maintenance and Repair

YES 624 to NO 147

PASSED

 

Referendum 17.... $150,000 Capital Reserve Fund for Road Paving

YES 554 to NO 212

PASSED

 

Referendum 18.... $5,000 Capital Reserve Fund for Bridge Repair

YES 642 to NO 128

PASSED

 

Referendum 19..... $358,188.00 to Fund Lebanon Transfer Station

YES 583 to NO 184

PASSED

 

Referendum 20.... $22,199.00 to Fund the NO SPRAY Contract with CMP

YES 558 to NO 206

PASSED

 

Referendum 21.... Selectman's Pay of $12 per hour plus expenses

YES 522 to NO 243

PASSED

 

Referendum 22.... $357,040.00 to Fund Town Office, Elections, and Selectmen's Wages

YES 497 to NO 260

PASSED

 

Referendum 23.... $21,730.00 to Fund Animal Control Officer and expenses

YES 492 to NO 273

PASSED

 

Referendum 24....$10,000 Capital Reserve Fund for major repairs to municipal buildings over $10,000.00

YES 504 to NO 258

PASSED

 

Referendum 25... $36,685.00 to Fund Code Enforcement / 911 Director / Health Officer

YES 522 to NO 243

PASSED

 

Referendum 26.... $35,000.00 for Legal Fees

YES 535 to NO 226

PASSED

 

Referendum 27.... $80,000.00 to Contingency Fund

YES 464 to NO 298

PASSED

 

Referendum 28.... $187,186.00 to Fund Town Insurances

YES 596 to NO 161

PASSED

 

Referendum 29.... $24,425.00 for General Assistance to Residents in Need

YES 595 to NO 169

PASSED

 

Referendum 30..... $13,046.00 to Support York County Community Action, Caring Unlimited, Southern Maine Agency on Aging, York County Shelter Program, Counseling Services Inc, Kids Free to Grow, Lebanon Community Learning Center, American Red Cross.

YES 583 to NO 176

PASSED

 

Referendum 31.....$7,000 for the Updating of Town Maps

YES 498 to NO 226

PASSED

 

Referendum 32.....$9,491.00 to Fund Planning Board and Southern Maine Regional Planning and Development Commission.

YES 501 to NO 257

PASSED

 

Referendum 33.....$500.00 to Fund the Conservation Commission

YES 514 to NO 250

PASSED

 

Referndum 34.....NOT TO EXCEED $3,000 for the Comprehensive Plan Committee

YES 210 to NO 551

DID NOT PASS

 

Referendum 35.....$250.00 to Fund Appeals Board

YES 529 to NO 226

PASSED

 

Referendum 36..... $17,315.00 to Fund Martha Sawyer Community Library

YES 555 to 210

PASSED

 

Referendum 37..... $3,142.00 to Fund the Lebanon Recreation Department

YES 549 to NO 216

PASSED

 

Referendum 38.... $500.00 to Fund the Memorial Day Ceremony and Decoration of Veterans Graves

YES 697 to NO 69

PASSED

 

Referendum 39..... $24,250.00 to Fund Restoration and Maintenance of Lebanon's Cemeteries

YES 622 to NO 142

PASSED

 

Referendum 40..... Allowing the Tax Collector to accept taxes early or to apply interest rates to late taxes.

YES 633 to NO 117

PASSED

 

Referendum 41.... 3% Interest Rate to be Returned to Overpaying Taxpayers

YES 665 to NO 92

PASSED

 

Referendum 42......Allowing town departments to be run on previous year's budgets should requested funding not be voter approved.

YES 573 to NO 185

PASSED

 

Referendum 43..... State Snowmobile Registration funds to be turned over to The Lebanon Trail Riders Club for use in maintaining and grooming snowmobile trails.

YES 631 to NO 127

PASSED

 

Referendum 44.....Unexpended Funds from Previous Year into Unassigned Restricted Fund.

YES 615 to NO 144

PASSED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE from the Lebanon Maine Town Offices re: Offices Closed During Town Election.

ATTENTION:

 

 

The Town Office will be closed Tuesday, June 9^th due to lack of available staff for

 

the Town Election taking place from

 

6am-8pm

 

at the Lebanon Elementary School

We apologize greatly for the short notice

 

 and we look forward to helping you

 

Thursday, June 11^that 9am

Thank You for Your Patience and

 

 Understanding

 

Harrison Thorp and The Lebanon Voice SCORE BIG with Successful "Meet the Candidates" Night!

In preparation for the June 9th Town Vote and Election, Harrison Thorp, Editor of the local and regional online news site, The Lebanon Voice, sponsored a Candidates Night on June 1st, 2015, where Lebanon town residents could come out and meet the 4 Candidates running for Town of Lebanon Selectman.
Up until the last minute, Candidate Leo Richer was unsure if he could make the scheduled evening, but it was pleasant to see that all four candidates were present for the 6:30 pm meeting.
Once again Lebanon's patriotism led the evening with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
Moderator for the evening, Mr. Harrison Thorp, Editor of The Lebanon Voice, took the podium to advise the crowd of about 70 people of the Guide Rules, which included 4 rounds of time for each candidate to speak their minds. He reminded people to be respectful and said, "It takes a lot of guts to run for public office", and thanked all four of the candidates for the evening event's participation.
The first round, consisting of 3 minutes per candidate was used to tell the people present their history with the town and any background information the wanted to share.
Mr. Paul Nadeau, simply by his choice of seating, was the first to speak. Nadeau outlined his 50 year history as a town resident and that he had always been interested in town government. He cited the death of Road Commissioner Larry Torno and his anger at the way Mr. Torno was treated as the catalyst in his decision to run for Selectman. He also added that he was unhappy with the fact that Selectmen seemed to have an agenda and that he thought it was wrong that our new Town Clerk and Fire and Rescue Chief were from out of town and that he thought that Paul Philbrick had taken away the Code Enforcement Officer's job to do it himself without having any experience. "If I'm elected, I'm not going backwards!" he stated, thanking several residents for their support.
Mr. Leo Richer, cited being in town for 34 years and a business owner for 30 of those years. He said that his main objective in running for Selectman was to keep expenses down, adding that he too was unhappy with the hiring of out of town employees, especially the current Fire and Rescue Chief.
Mr. Paul Philbrick, our incumbent Selectman, took the lectern third and spoke about how much he's learned in his 15 months as Selectman, saying that taking Selectmen's office has provided him with an opportunity that he was thankful for. He stated that all that he has learned will provide him with a base knowledge useful should he return as Selectman for another 3 years. He took the time to speak of the current Board of Selectmen and said they operate as a team, thanking Chairman Ben Thompson and Board member Royce Heath for their time with him. "Fixing the spending in this town takes a lot of time," he stated, "I apologize, but it can't be helped". He mentioned the financial fiasco of the Rescue Department specifically and thanked the current volunteers for "doing a lot of runs for very little money" and for "hanging in there".
The fourth and final Candidate to speak was Mrs. Corinna Cole who first noted that she had handouts available at the door outlining her background and goals. Her 3 minutes was spent mostly discussing her sponsored Referendum Question on the June 9th ballot promoting a Town Manager Plan form of town government. She says that in the past few years, she sees the Selectmen's position as a "popularity contest" following with stories of how folks that had promised to vote for her in the past had then turned around and voted for someone they had known longer, or who had been a neighbor for years. She also spoke on the past history of Selectmen who had used the position to embezzle money, misuse funds and talked about how a Town Manager would help to provide checks and balances in Lebanon to help insure that wouldn't happen again.
The Editor of The Lebanon Voice announced Round 2, a 2 minute opportunity to rebuttal on other Candidates answers, or for the Candidates to add something more to their information.
Leo Richer spoke first this time, saying that he didn't really have much to add, except for that he was in agreement with a Town Manager's position being added to Lebanon government.
Incumbent Paul Philbrick used every bit of his 2 minutes to speak on how people had perceived him. "They always think I'm the quiet one," he stated, adding that he had been working on truly listening to residents to see what was ACTUALLY being said and then he would go and spend his time researching local, State and Federal law before he would make a judgment on where he stood and THEN would speak. "There are rules and regulations for a reason," he stated, "we must abide by them." He also added that he was not against a Town Manager position for the town, he just didn't think Lebanon was quite ready as the details of exactly what that position would involve had not yet been discussed. He added that he would be much more comfortable having details provided. He cited as an example the town's hiring of a Police Department years ago without clear details on how the department would be run and who would oversee them. "That didn't do well," he ended.
Corinna Cole stated that according to State statutes, the sitting Selectmen would outline the job description and parameters of the Town Manager's position. "The Town Manager's position would absorb so many of the Town Departments," she said, adding that the salary of that position would also be set in agreement of the Board of Selectmen. She also spoke on the hiring of out of town people for various positions within the town. "It's not easy to find qualified people for each department all in one town. There may just be no one in town who is qualified." she said.
Paul Nadeau said he didn't understand why Cole and Philbrick thought there were no qualified people in town to fill all the jobs, especially noting the Fire Chief's position and stating that someone currently on the department should have been given the chance for advancement. "I think the Selectmen have an agenda here", he said, "and that they don't follow precedent". He returned to using our late Road Commissioner, Larry Torno as an example saying that he didn't believe that the Selectmen knew that much about road work and that he felt "running a town is just like running a house budget, but with a few more zeros".
Harrison announced the beginning of Round 3, the Audience participation round. Town residents could ask one question, no follow ups, and no discussion or argument. Each Candidate would have the chance to answer the question.
Former Town Clerk, Laura Bragg asked "Why should I vote for you?"
Philbrick answered with simplicity. He said if you liked the forward direction the town was currently moving in, vote for him. If you wanted to go backward and try to bring up something from the past that may, or may not, still be there, then vote for one of the others.
Cole said she also did not want to go backward, again citing the need for a Town Manager and the need to uphold the Comprehensive Plan for the vision of our town's future. She also said that she wants to continue with her proposal for all town meetings to be video taped and presented on Metrocast Cable, stating that the money has already been voted for that and that Metrocast's contract with the town would be up for renewal soon and she would like to see public meeting access be part of that contract.
Nadeau said people should vote for him because he has plenty of available time. "I don't want all these changes", he stated, adding that he didn't understand why our town can't keep our volunteers and why people aren't participating.
Richer, being the last to speak, said that he thought people should vote for him because he'd successfully run a business for 30 years and he felt he could stop wasteful spending.
I stood, (Deborah Dorey Wilson), and asked what, specifically, would each of the Selectmen do to protect our townspeople and volunteers from the harassment, stalking and belittling that had been going on in our town, and what they would do to stop private residents from operating websites that use our town logo, or patch, and make people believe that they are town officials?
Mrs. Cole stated that she thought a Town Manager would handle that effectively with his knowledge of checks and balances and that she thought the matter should be handed off to an outside agency to be investigated and if necessary, prosecuted.
Mr. Nadeau said that he thought our lack of volunteers was due to the Selectmen being on people's backs all the time.
Mr. Richer said he personally had "no clue" what has happened, but he thinks that if people are nicer to the volunteers we can get them back.
Mr. Philbrick, speaking last gave the matter a few minutes of thought before answering. He said that as a sitting Board Member, he felt uncomfortable addressing this in a public forum as he must speak carefully as there were many issues involved here, some being personnel issues and some being of a civil suit nature. He then spoke to each resident seated in the elementary school gymnasium and said that "WE are all part of this problem." He spoke to people with an air of truth and said that "WE as a town, need to protect and shield our volunteers. We need to block people we see taking photos of videos of them. We need to speak up when we hear someone speaking badly of them. When we hear they've done a good job, we need to promote that and let everyone know what a good job they're doing for us!"
This speech by Selectman Philbrick met with a hearty round of applause, the first of the night.
Assistant Fire Chief Dan Roy asked Leo Richer specifically, "Mr. Richer, why have you never been to any of the meetings?", specifying Budget meetings, the recent Referendum meeting, the "Meet the Chief" meeting back in February, or any of the Selectman's meetings that Roy had attended in the past. "I've never seen you there," he said, "So why is it you'd like to run for Selectman?".
Richer stated that he used to go to meetings but "didn't see these meetings being much of anything, really.", adding "I'm just very angry at the spending in this town. I'm tired of it."
Cole said, "I never really wanted to be a Selectman without a Town Manager...because I know there is a lot to being a Selectman.", and that she just thought a Town Manager would be a benefit to the town and she wanted to see it pass.
Nadeau said that he was only running after seeing the horrible way that Road Commissioner Torno had been treated in regards to the Selectmen refusing to continue to pay his health insurance when he could no longer work.
Another resident stood and asked "If we hire a Town Manager, and he doesn't do what the Selectmen say, he'll get fired. So isn't a Town Manager really just a front man for the Selectmen?"
Nadeau agreed with the resident saying that he was right and that "it could be just that", adding that he was against the Town Manager's position.
Richer said that he thought the Town Manager's position should only be for going after Federal money and grants to help the town pay for things.
Philbrick again answered that without clear details on what the Town Manager's position should include, he would not be satisfied. He added, "If you are not confident that your Selectmen are trustworthy, if you hire a Town Manager and the Selectmen oversee his position, what are you really gaining? The Selectmen would still have the control."
Cole once again countered with the fact that the Town Manager would just add another level of checks and balances to Lebanon town government, but agreed that the Selectmen would have the power to fire or replace him or her.
Judy Batchelder, attending with daughter Becky, and a local business owner in town, spoke of her own unfamiliarity with computer systems. She asked if the Candidates were "up to speed" with current computer technology.
Mr. Paul Nadeau said that he was not all that familiar but could "get by".
Mr. Leo Richer said he could "run a computer okay".
Selectman Paul Philbrick stated that he had "basic skills" but that he most often relied on the Town Office employees to navigate the different Town Office software systems.
Mrs. Corinna Cole stated that she had been using computers since 1984 and that had been using them to run her own business since 2005. She said she was not familiar with Town Office software.
At this time, Harrison Thorp announced that he would allow time for 2 more questions.
Chris Gilpatrick questioned the choice of current Selectmen to vote to recommend, or not to recommend to the voters a couple of the Referendum questions that directly spoke on Selectmen's positions, specifically citing the ballot question as to whether or not Selectmen should receive health insurance benefits. He asked how each candidate felt about that choice by the current Selectmen.
Richer immediately agreed that he found the Selectmen's choice to speak on this question to be a conflict of interest, and said that he didn't think that Selectmen should be eligible for town paid insurance.
Philbrick, second in line to speak, said that he had addressed this question already at the Referendum Question Town Hearing held on May 26th, but that he would address it again with the same answer. He said that he only voted to NOT recommend because he wanted to send a clear message to the voters that he was against this change.
Cole said that the MMA (Maine Municipal Association) came out clearly against insurance for any elected town positions adding that she thought the REAL conflict of interest came when you have employees of the town also acting as elected officials.
Nadeau was just as clear that he was against Selectmen having insurance.
The final question of the evening was asked by long time Lebanon school teacher, Rebecca Beal. She asked what each candidate thought was the best thing in our town and worth spending money on, and what they thought was the worst thing in town and in need of being dropped.
Mr. Philbrick, looked out over the group of residents and without hesitation stated that he was "Utterly amazed by our Fire and Rescue Departments".  He said, "All they've been through, worked through and recovered from is noteworthy". He added that 80% of our volunteers on Fire and Rescue Departments were from outside of Lebanon. He also added that he agreed there was not enough money being spent on our Roads and Highways. He added that he'd been spending a lot of time with the Acton Road Commissioner, listening and then researching and that the Selectmen, rather than spending more money, need to start spending Highway Department dollars more wisely.
Mrs. Cole said that she would like to concentrate more on our town's Education dollars. She said, "This is our town's future", and thought that a single town vote, combining Referendum articles for all town departments as well as the MSAD60 budget might be beneficial. She said that the last MSAD60 saw less than 150 registered voters come to the polls. She was corrected by Rebecca Beal that the number was actually 212. But they both agreed that was a very low number of the town's voters to decide on Education dollars. Cole also added that the Roads, and Activities for our Senior Citizens were also important to her.
Mr. Nadeau made a much simpler statement, saying "No cuts for the Highway Department". adding "You can't cheat on Highway and play catch up later".
Mr. Richer, having the last word on this question, stated that he wants to see more money spent on our making our highway intersections safer, He spoke about a $900,000 Highway Department budget, adding that he'd like to see less money spent on Winter plowing and sanding, noting that he often sees a lot of sand on the sides of the roads in the Spring and that he thought this was wasteful.
Harrison Thorp then stood and announced the final round in which each candidate would have 2 minutes to sum up their goals, statements, question answers and candidacy.
Corinna Cole used her 2 minutes to speak again on the Town Manager, she said, "A good Town Manager, along with the work of the Comprehensive Plan can help our town's vision for the future". She outlined the Comprehensive Plan, a survey to all residents, followed by research in how to help the town achieve these goals, and then a final report on the best ways to go forward in town growth. She added that she thought that the town should copyright their logos, name, and patches and that they should then prosecute legally anyone who was using them illegally.
Paul Nadeau said that he would work hard on the town's roads and that he thinks that is what is most important.
Leo Richer, too ended with a statement on working hard with special attention to the roads in town.
Paul Philbrick used his entire 2 minute allotment. He said that for right now, the Acton Code Enforcement Officer is acting on behalf of Lebanon. He said that the position of Code Enforcement Officer had been advertised now twice and that not one single resident of Lebanon had applied for the job. "Understanding that, we MUST go outside of town to hire for this position". He then spoke directly to Nadeau's earlier comment on the Road Commissioner position and said that it was directly against State Law for the Selectmen to have included the Road Commissioner position on this year's ballot, as it can only be included once per term, which was 3 years. He added that Larry Torno's son, Tom Torno, had been hired on as the Road Supervisor and that he was doing a FABULOUS job for the town in that position. He ended by saying that all over town, he sees people struggling to pay their taxes. He's listened to what is important to them, and he thinks that adding a $900,000 to $1 million dollar Highway Budget would be raising taxes beyond some people's payment capabilities.
At that point, Mr. Thorp stopped Selectman Philbrick as his time was up.
Harrison thanked all of the candidates for being present and answering questions during the meeting, and he adjourned the meeting for the evening.

2013 Brochure Surfaces Promoting the 24 Hour a Day Staffing of Lebanon Fire and Rescue Departments.

 

A former member of the Lebanon Rescue Department back in 2013 has confirmed the fact that Chief Samantha Cole and Assistant Chief Jason Cole had, indeed planned to have the town vote on staffing the Rescue Department on a full time basis.

As a matter of fact, they still had the ALREADY printed up brochure that the Coles had planned on using to convince the voters that this was an idea who's time had come!!

Read the attached materials and let the Cole Family convince you that funding our Fire and Rescue Department's plans on a 24 hour staffed Station!!

 

 

Once you see the expense that was laid out before the question had even been placed on the ballot, the cries about Chief Daniel Meehan's "unfair" tax burdens on the Town of Lebanon by funding a 24 hour staffed Fire and Rescue Department will seem like the nonsense that it is.

This IS an idea that's time has come for Lebanon Maine. With over 7,000 residents now in our town, it's time to give the protection that 24 hour coverage would bring!!