Please note that the following article is an OPINION piece. The opinion of LMTS editor, Deborah Dorey Wilson. While I must label this as OPINION, readers can rest assured that my opinion is an educated one, made after over a year of sitting in meetings of various boards and committees throughout the town. Please read this as my OPINION and use it to as a research guide to help form your own opinion and choices. Thank You.
LMTS alerted our readers over two weeks ago to the fact that the Lebanon Budget Committee voted not to recommend budgets from several town departments to the town's voters.
It has been my intention to save this discussion for the Meet the Candidates Night, sponsored by Harrison Thorp of The Lebanon Voice, however, Mr. Thorp has announced that while other candidates will have a voice that evening (date still unannounced), he has chosen to leave out the members of the community seeking election for Budget Committee, so we apparently have some work to do prior to that date, where once again, LMTS will be left without a voice.
A Lebanon voice.
MY voice.
LMTS has an opinion on things as they are in the Lebanon town government. This post will attempt to address my concerns. Many in town government positions will see some of what I have to say as a slam against the members personally, however, I assure you, this is not about any one individual, their personal opinons, or character, but after a full year of sitting in town board and committee meetings, these are my thoughts and it is my right (and I feel my responsibility) to share them with our readers.
The board of three Selectmen are responsible for the day to day operations of the Town of Lebanon. If something should happen to one, the other two should be able to pick up the slack and the town should continue to operate seamlessly. Please keep this statement in mind, as it is important further on in this post.
Since this discussion is on the recent vote of the Budget Committee not to recommend various town budgets, it is the budgetary process that we will cover in this post.
Each year, the Town of Lebanon begins anew in the creation of budgets for all of it's town departments. The budget is the agreed upon dollar amount that each department is granted by the taxpayers to spend, via town election votes, during the upcoming year.
In other towns across the state, the process begins with the Budget Committee.
As part of their job description, department heads are required to create and present their expenditures to the Budget Committee, who in turn, are charged with working with department heads to examine the numbers, suggest ways to save money, and aid in the examination of possible grants or other means of creative financing in order to aid the department head in moving things forward and into the future for their department and for the town. This requirement is missing in the job descriptions of Lebanon town department heads.
In short, the Budget Committee should act as an aid, a tool, both to the department heads, and to the Board of Selectmen, and finally, to the voters of the town in assuring that the members have examined every line item and understand them, and have done the research and work needed to try and keep those dollar amounts to a minimum. However, the Budget Committee must also weigh the importance of the town's needs and they should have a general working idea of material and application cost for each of the many things needed to secure a growing and thriving town with the ability to serve the residents, which is, the basic ideals behind having a town government.
Once the Budget Committee is satisfied that they have examined dollar amounts for each department, and have examined possible solutions to curtailing larger dollar expenditures, they should then pass the completed numbers on to the Board of Selectmen for examination and perhaps some further ideas and suggestions.
In Lebanon, this process is backward. Our town's department heads go first to the Selectmen. Some department heads show up with a spread sheet and preliminary budget, others come with a file folder full of receipts and estimates and a head full of ideas, and some others come with nothing but their winter jacket. This is not always the "fault" of the department head. While some department heads are wonderful at their job, they may have no idea on budget creation or what is needed to create a working budget. It has been LMTS' thought that perhaps a class or video available for department heads to utilize in the creation of their department budgets, created by some competent budget or financial professionals would be a good idea. One that LMTS has suggested, but has fallen on deaf ears due to LMTS lack of elected status.
Sitting in the Board of Selectmen's meetings during budget preparations, LMTS watched as Selectman Thompson spoke to each department head and marked his budget book. One by one, Thompson addressed line items and dollar amount while the other two Selectmen did not even use a calculator to check the numbers to ensure correct figures. In fact, what happened was that Thompson would figure the numbers and Heath and Nadeau would just record them in their budget books without the benefit of understanding how each number was created, or a double checking of figures.
The next step in Lebanon's budget process is for the department head to appear at a scheduled Budget Committee meeting. The purpose of presenting a budget to the Budget Committee should be for the department head and Budget Committee members to work on shaving a dollar here or there and boosting budgets for needed growth and sustenance for the town. However, since the department heads, generally speaking, don't create their budgets, they can't present them to a 9 member committee with any ideas or passion for the money they are requesting from tax payers. LMTS repeatedly hears from members of the Budget Committee regarding the incompetence of town department heads in "defending" their budget request. LMTS does not fault the department heads on this problem. How can anyone defend a budget that they did not create and many of them do not understand, or why should a department head have to defend anything to a committee that should be a tool to them in figuring out funding alternatives and methods of saving dollars prior to finalizing their presentation to the town voters?
This frustration is not the fault of the Budget Committee either.
Without any actual power within town government to effect a change in budgetary decisions, the Budget Committee has become little more than a self imposed judge, jury, and prosecutor rolled into one. They sit at a table and without benefit of any changes or decisions that have happened over the last year, they judge the numbers presented on paper without an iota of knowledge of average cost or manpower hours to effect the projects needed to further the town.
To Budget Committee's defense, if this Committee had competent Selectmen's meeting minutes to view with regards to changes made in town departments, they may have an easier time of it. If the Budget Committee held any power or any responsibility for research on pricing, average salaries within the State for various positions, or responsibility for researching materials pricing, they may understand more about the line items presented by each department head. LMTS would even go as far as to suggest subcommittees in charge of watching over department's expenditures over the course of the year, in order to understand where the dollars go, how they are spent, and the necessity versus the waste in each department. These subcommittees could then present competently to the larger committee body regarding average costs in other local area departments or the differences in costs of other supply companies that could be utilized at a savings, or with regards to more service for similar dollar values.
The Budget Committee questions and verbal attacks on department heads have created a feeling of fear and even loathing for the process within all of the town's department heads that leaves them unwilling, or perhaps even unable, to come in to a committee meeting and participate in a competent discussion of needs, ideas, growth, or change for their departments. Some department heads have spoken openly with regards to their feelings on the budgetary process within Lebanon, and there have been ongoing discussions regarding law suits to the demeaning statements made during those sessions, which have cost the town dollars in legal fees, Selectmen's wages to review the problems, and hard feelings with several former and current town employees.
Budget numbers in Lebanon are often judged with regards to town operations of the past rather than on the needs of a growing and changing town or project ideas, there are no suggestions on upcoming grant applications that could aid in keeping the numbers down, department heads are chastised, discussions on the size of men's testicles are commonplace, and department heads leave the Budget Committee table feeling as though they have been raped of any voice, respect, or recognition of accomplishments.
It is said that negativity breeds negativity, and LMTS finds a lack of respect and dignity within the town boards and committees for the Budget Committee, and the important role they should be fulfilling for residents, leaves us with no surprise that the Budget Committee reacts, in kind, in a negative manner, passing the negativity along to town employees and residents.
This year, it was discovered that the Budget Committee is actually acting in a questionable manner with regards to State Law, as there have been no bylaws ever presented as to the scope of work, guidelines or parameters under which the Budget Committee is to prepare for budget work, nor was there ever a legal vote to create the committee. In a speedy attempt to correct a need and create legality, Selectman Thompson, presented this problem to the currently seated committee and asked for their help in creating a set of Budget Committee bylaws to present to the voters of the Town of Lebanon on the May 10th ballot. Members Corinna Cole and Sean Bright and Chairman Jeri Basko did come to the meeting prepared to discuss and create a new set of Budget Committee bylaws and Selectman Thompson presented several sets of bylaws from other Maine towns. The discussion regarding bylaws for this committee were speedy and left some members of the committee's concerns and ideas left unfulfilled, and basically, what is being presented to voters, is a cut and paste version of several other town's bylaws The Budget Committee bylaw referendum was hastily created over the time period of 2 or 3 meetings, rather than a plan of action discussed and created by members of the committee after lengthy consideration, research and discussion.
LMTS finds this unacceptable.
The Budget Committee should be charged with hearing the budget needs of town departments as a first step. Members should work to research and identify grants and low interest loans in order to make ideas and plans of department heads work and come to fruition. Budget Committee members should cast aside personal feelings for department heads and as much as they would like department head to come to their meetings prepared, so the Budget Committee members should come prepared, having read the previous year's budget for each department, and armed with suggestions, available solutions to problems and an open mind on hearing department heads ideas for the future.
LMTS is unsure of who created the backwards position of the Budget Committee and Selectmen, but it is faulty at best. It is LMTS idea that the Budget Committee bylaws should be examined by every resident and that they should not be passed as currently written, but truly considered and worked on by a subcommittee of the Budget Committee, department heads and Selectmen, and presented as a complete and well thought out document rather than a hastily thrown together compilation of other towns' work. We also think that it would benefit the town of Lebanon to charge their Budget Committee members with the responsibility of aiding in the creation of competent budgets as a required first step, rather than sitting as a judiciary panel over the character and ideas of the town's department heads with no voice or responsibility. Giving this responsibility to a larger group of town residents ensures that there are several sets of eyes searching for possibilities for growth, grants, low interest loans, and ways to save the taxpayers dollars.
When considering the recent denial of recommendation by the Budget Committee on various town departments, LMTS has had several conversations with interested voters in Lebanon. Most people in town do not understand some of the relationships or dynamics at play in our Budget Committee as they currently sit.
With specific regard to the Fire and EMS budget, voters need to understand those who are voting against recommendation and their possible objections to the department's budget.
Blaine "Skip" Wood is the former Fire Department Chief. While Skip is to be applauded and respected for his years of service to the Town of Lebanon, one has to wonder why he would vote against the Fire Department budget request. Wood is an old school Fire Chief. He groomed and trained many of his department members to one day take his place in the leadership of the Lebanon Fire Department. Woods' number 2 man was the former Chief's choice to replace him upon his retirement. The Board of Selectmen chose differently and appointed Chief Daniel Meehan. No one can blame Wood for being disappointed in the Board's choices differing from his own, however, what seems "right" in the thoughts of a Fire Department, may not have been right in the thoughts of creating a combined Fire and EMS department for the town. No matter what the reasons behind the Board of Selectmen's choices at the time, LMTS is sure that the choices were made with thought and planning, and we remind voters that this should not come into play when considering budget choices for the current Fire and EMS department or their future needs in providing essential services to the town.
Nancy Neubert is the wife of the former second in command under Chief Wood. It has never been a secret that she supported Wood as Chief, and that her respect for him is still maintained, which is as it should be. This is no surprise to most Lebanon voters who have been paying attention over the past years, and Mrs. Neubert has served on the town's Budget Committee for years, to her defense, and has supported the Fire Department Budget and the Department's former requests for new equipment and new apparatus. Once again, we have to state that this respect and personal relationship with the former Chief should not carry over into Mrs. Neubert's discussions and decisions as a seated member of a Budget Committee and that this is not a personal attack of Mrs. Neubert, but an opportunity to open our eyes regarding possibilities for actions.
Laura Bragg is the former Lebanon Town Clerk. But what most people don't know is that Mrs. Bragg's brother is the husband of the former Chief's daughter. It was a large disappointment to many in town when Mrs. Bragg chose to leave her position as Lebanon Town Clerk and there were so many who spoke on her behalf and made accusations against the Board of Selectmen regarding her personal choice for departure. At the time of Mrs. Bragg's leaving the Town Office, LMTS also considered that it might have been a mistake to not fight harder for her to remain in her position. However, it should be considered that there is a relationship there, and that this relationship needs to be considered when establishing reasons behind denial of a current department budget.
Also entangled in the mention of relationships is the always outspoken Chris Gilpatrick Sr. It comes as no surprise to Lebanon voters that Gilpatrick has a relationship with the State Representative for Lebanon, that is common knowledge. That is not the relationship that has a possibility of playing itself out in the discussion of the Budget Committee's refusal of the Fire and EMS budget. The relationship to examine here is that Mrs. Neubert is very active on the town's Republican Committee, a Committee that supports the State Representative with whom Gilpatrick has a personal relationship. While LMTS is sure that the State Representative is not in any way influencing the choice of the voters with regards to the Fire and EMS budget and that she has been hard at work at State level to institute many changes that have been beneficial to Lebanon, the relationship chain can not be ignored when stopping to question the Budget Committee's denial of recommendation.
There were others who denied the Fire and EMS budget as well, as outlined in both The Lebanon Voice's post, and in LMTS post with regards to the vote on recommendations of the Committee. It is important to note that member Corinna Cole (also a cousin of Chris Gilpatrick) abstained due to her daughters' participation in the Junior's program with the Department. It is LMTS opinion that members Bragg, Gilpatrick, Neubert and Wood should have followed Cole's lead and abstained from this vote due to their own relationships with the department (past or present) or with it's former members and administration, or if choosing to vote, these members should have disclosed these relationships to the public. Four members of a nine member Budget Committee only need one more member in order to become a quorum of the Board and a large voting block of representation to the public. I might also add that in speaking with other members of the Budget Committee, there were several seated members who were not aware of the relationships between the mentioned members of the committee, which denies these members a chance to ponder if the decisions are made through relationship loyalties or true concern over the budgets.
LMTS continues on with the budget discussion of the Road Commissioner and Highway Department. It is no secret that LMTS has been disappointed with some of the decisions with regards to the Highway Department expenditures. However, it also needs to be noted that Budget Committee member Gilpatrick is running for election of Road Commissioner, and that the very committee members mentioned above, were also the driving force behind the negative vote regarding the Highway Department budget. LMTS also sat in on that budget discussion and it was difficult to follow, at best, however, considering that Road Commissioner Torno did not create his own budget requests. In struggling to understand the Highway Department budget request, the Budget Committee received more answers from Selectman Thompson than they did from the Road Commissioner, and this is no disrespect, but more-so a question of Torno not understanding his department's budget. Selectman Thompson wrote the Highway Department budget, much as he has written just about every budget in town, therefore it was suitable that he should answer most of the questions regarding it rather than putting Torno in a position of trying to answer questions on a budget he had little hand in creating. I'm sure that the current process is as frustrating for the Select Board Chairman as it is for the Road Commissioner and every member of the Budget Committee. Once again, let me remind you that this is not a slam on Selectman Thompson, Road Commissioner Torno or the Budget Committee, but a statement of the events as observed by LMTS during town department and budget meetings.
Also at issue with the Budget Committee is the budget for the Lebanon Transfer Station. LMTS was not present at the Budget Committee meeting where Transfer Station head Ronal Patch ( a former Lebanon Selectman) discussed (or didn't discuss) his budgetary needs. However, I did have the opportunity to speak with Mr. Patch regarding this Budget Committee meeting.
In the interest of the same disclosure I require of others, it is noted that LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson is engaged to be married to Ronal Patch's cousin in the near future, however, LMTS usually refrains from discussion on the Transfer Station for just this reason. Ronal does not know his cousin well, due to family separations through divorce when LMTS fiancé was a very young boy. In the importance of my thoughts on the Transfer Station budget, we felt that the disclosure was important to note.
Historically, the Transfer Station holds a large piece of the town's attention. Entering into the property, things are clean, well organized, and orderly. Patch runs the Transfer Station with the employment of his wife, Lorraine, his brother Robert, and from time to time, his grandson Jordan as well as two other employees, one a neighbor of the Patch family. Upon LMTS first hearing of the relationships of Transfer Station employees, it was a surprise that the residents of Lebanon would have allowed such nepotism to occur, but in many visits to the Transfer Station, it is hard to find anything amiss or faulty with the day to day operations. It is also important to note in this section that it is the Selectmen of the town who have final approval on any and all town employees, and while Patch can recommend employment, he does not have the final decision, and that while the majority of the employees are in their 60s and 70s, there are no reports of injury or insurance claims from that department and turnover of employees, even among those not related, is almost non-existent.
In the year that we have been vigilant in eyeing the Transfer Station, we have seen that the Transfer Station is well run, with consideration to recycling, ideas on saving money when the opportunity arises, and ideas on boosting recycling efforts. When Patch appeared before the Budget Committee, discussion was directed toward the employment of family members and friends rather than the budgetary numbers. The demands for answers on Patch's character or employees are not the concern of the Budget Committee, and therefore, it is understandable that Patch refused comment. When the actual budget is examined, there is little waste, and any increases this year stem from the increases passed on to the town from Waste Management, the company that the town contracts with for the removal of Transfer Station waste. Negotiations with Waste Management or other waste disposal companies are not the responsibility or concern of the Transfer Station Department head. Patch does not sign the contract with this company, and although he has input, the Selectmen make the final decision on which company will be utilized.
Disclosure of relationships reminds town voters that there are two seated Selectmen, Heath and Nadeau, who were former Transfer Station employees, working under Mr. Patch.
In a final observance, LMTS would like to notice the many department heads of Lebanon Town Departments, who boldly attend Selectmen's meetings and Budget Committee meetings and attempt to provide some insight into the budgetary needs of their respective departments, and who leave year after year without their "wish list" and manage for another year to keep things together in order to provide services to the Town of Lebanon, a nod to Selectman Thompson and recognition of his many hours of work over the past year in creating these budgets, overseeing their expenditure, and questioning dollar amounts spent, a nod to the members of the Lebanon Budget Committee who see me as a personal adversary, when in fact, I support their efforts and understand their frustrations and a word of thanks to the people of Lebanon for considering carefully the items placed on your May 10 ballot and voting what you see, rather than what is being implied.
I may not be perfect, but at least I'm not fake.
This page is copyrighted by Deborah Dorey Wilson, The Lebanon Truth Seekers. All rights reserved.
Showing posts with label Lebanon Maine Road Commissioner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lebanon Maine Road Commissioner. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Monday, March 14, 2016
Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting Notes, Monday, March 14, 2016
Monday, March 14, 2016
Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting
The Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers is not an official representative of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen. The notes below are not an official record of the Town of Lebanon or any of their boards or committees, they are only the notes of LMTS resident sitting in on Board meetings. For the official minutes of these meetings, please see the Town of Lebanon Maine Official Town Website.
In light of statements made by individuals at the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting, it is also important for us to write that we do not represent any one person, board or committee within the Town of Lebanon, Maine and that these are only our notes on the events, happenings and statements during that meeting.
The Lebanon Board of Selectmen's meeting began promptly at 4 pm.
Although both Selectmen Heath and Nadeau were in the office, Selectman Thompson remained outside of the office until 4 pm.
Lebanon Road Commissioner Tom Torno arrived at 4.
Selectman Thompson spoke with Torno and told him that he wanted the Road Commissioner to come into the Board meetings every Monday night to keep the Board on top of what projects he had completed and what was being planned for the upcoming week.
Torno agreed.
Thompson asked him what he had been doing over the past week, and Torno stated that he had been patching potholes and that he had been up on Shapleigh Road taking measurements and refiguring the project so that he could present a more current cost calculation to the Board.
Selectman Nadeau asked Torno if he had the chance to go and take a look at River Road, and Torno stated that he had, and that he was working on project prices for paving of that road.
Thompson once again requested that Torno make the Monday evening meetings each week so that the Board could keep on top of what was going on from week to week, and again, Torno agreed.
LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson asked Mr. Torno what was happening with the portion of Bigelow Road that had been ripped up by a private plowing contractor earlier in the month. Torno stated that the area would be patched, and Wilson stated that was not an acceptable answer, this damage is not a pothole, but a swath cut into the entire side of the road. Torno stated that they were not going to use cold patch on the area, and Wilson answered that they had been packing the area with cold patch. Torno agreed with Wilson, but stated that the area was scheduled to have a portion of the road cut back and replaced, but that he was waiting for the asphalt plants to open up.
Wilson asked the Road Commissioner who was going to pay for the planned work to be done, and Torno stated that the Town of Lebanon would be paying the bill. Once again, Wilson objected, stating that the plow contactors are independent of the town and should have liability insurance, and that the plow operator's insurance should be held accountable for the damage that he had caused.
Torno disagreed, and said that the damage happened due to the fact that the asphalt had been soft under the snow, and that the road was not flat, however Wilson noted that NO road is flat, (or it shouldn't be), even when it is newly paved.
Selectman Thompson asked Selectman Heath to include Wilson's objection to the taxpayer being responsible for repairing the damage in the Board's Official Minutes. Heath was unsure of what to write and it was agreed that Thompson would write the comments into the minutes later in the evening.
Wilson also noted that the Road Commissioner had put a new skirt from 202 onto Bigelow Road only a year and a half ago, and that there was a huge dip in the road as vehicles enter off of Route 202. Torno stated that it was due to a frost heave moving the culvert around under the road, and Wilson agreed that you couldn't predict frost heaves, and that the bump in the road served as a "speed bump", Torno agreed to keep his eye on that.
Wilson stated that she had been to visit Sandy Adams, a resident of Shapleigh Road, and Ms. Adams had asked her to inquire about two very large potholes on Shapleigh Road. Torno stated that he had been up on Shapleigh Road and that the area was part of his upcoming project already discussed.
At 4:12 pm, Selectman's Assistant Sue Collins entered the meeting with an e mail she had received by an unnamed man in Augusta. According to Collins, the man was asking for permission to erect a communications tower to aid in State Police communications in far reaching parts of Lebanon, calling it a "Temporary Solution to Aid the State Police".
Collins stated that the e mail mentioned two specific location possibilities, either the Town Office property or at the Transfer Station property, both town owned parcels of land.
Selectman Thompson requested more details, including how big the proposed tower would be, or how long they expected it to need it.
Selectman Nadeau stated that he wanted more details in writing, and they would review the request and get back to him, questioning again what the tower was for.
Collins read from the e mail that the tower would be to assist in State Police Communications within the town.
Heath echoed the other Board members asking for more information, and adding that there were already two other towers in town.
Thompson and Collins both told Selectman Heath that the other towers in town were cell phone towers, and this would be specifically for State Police use.
Collins stated that she would have the man write up more information regarding his proposal.
Ms. Collins presented the Board with appointment papers for the Lebanon Cemetery Committee. Paperwork was presented for Paula Mills Busby, Elaine Goodwin Baker, Mary McCarthy Lane, Dana Coull, Danielle Cone, Becky Beach Romero, Conner Romero and Deborah Dorey Wilson.
Selectmen Thompson and Nadeau both signed the paperwork. Selectman Heath asked if all of the people seeking appointment were Maine residents, and LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson answered that all were Lebanon Maine residents with the exception of one, Dana Coull, who was a summer resident on Sewell Shores Road.
After reviewing all the names on the pages presented, Heath turned the paperwork back over to Collins. The Selectmen's Assistant reviewed the paperwork and asked Selectman Heath if he was going to sign them, to which he replied only, "No".
The warrants requiring the Town Clerk to order the town's ballots, and to post the election date were both presented and signed.
An e mail from State Representative Karen Gerrish was presented asking for a moment of time at the Town's upcoming Public Hearing. Selectman Thompson agreed, while both Nadeau and Heath stating they "didn't care".
Several property abatement forms were presented. Selectman Thompson asked for more information on one property, and then stated that the Board would have to go and look at the other two.
It was noted that March 18th, 2016 was the deadline for property abatement requests to be received at the Town Office.
An Maine Municipal Association financial survey was given to the Board, with a deadline of March 21, 2016. As this was not a requirement, Thompson suggested that it be put in the "round file" and both other Board members agreed.
An application for a Tree Growth tax exemption was presented along with all the supporting documentation. No decision was made and the Board agreed to look the situation over.
A Hubbard Road resident wrote requesting to join two adjoining lots together for assessment purposes. There was discussion of talking to the homeowner and no action was taken.
At 5:40 pm, Lebanon resident Ashley Allen arrived to discuss with the Board, their thoughts on Great Brook Road (off of Upper Guinea Road) becoming accepted as a Town Road, thereby being maintained by the Town.
Selectman Thompson had all the paperwork in hand regarding Great Brook subdivision, and reading from those plans, Item #17 states that Great Brook Road was being created as a private road, and that it would always remain as a private road. The plans also stated, "See Road Maintenance Agreement for more information."
The Board waited as Thompson went to the Town Office Lobby in search of the "Road Maintenance Agreement" and when he returned, he read from the agreement regarding the creation of a Road Association in order to help the residents pitch in and pay for maintenance and plowing of Great Brook Road.
Thompson also noted that the "Agreement" did not contain a signed copy of that agreement, and he stated that he had looked for a signed copy, but wasn't sure that it existed. He stated that he didn't know if Jenn Griffin had one filed for the Planning Board, but he would ask.
Thompson told Ms. Allen that because the development was a sub-division, that these plans had been approved by the Lebanon Planning Board, and that any and all changes to sub-division plans must be approved first by the Planning Board.
Thompson further cautioned Ms. Allen that the Planning Board would call the Road Commissioner in to speak on the condition of the road, and that they could require residents to pitch in and pay for tests to determine road stability.
Ms. Allen was provided with copies of all the paperwork and left the building at 5:53 pm.
Selectman Thompson discussed with the Board the cost associated with printing of deeds for assessing, abatements, and foreclosures, stating that that line of the budget was already over for this fiscal year.
Thompson stated that he didn't want any more printed unless the Board changed some money around, or decided on another line to charge the deed copies to.
Sue Collins stated that in January she had been given 500 free copies to use for the year, and in her thought, it would be used up in making deeds between now and June, 2016.
The Board had discussion about O'Donnell's, the company that creates the tax maps for Lebanon, paying for the deed copies, as he thought it was part of their contract, and a small discussion ensued about which would cost more money, to have O'Donnell's do them as part of their fee, or to pay an additional charge to go over on the printing costs.
Select Board Chairman Thompson stated that he had seen the representative from Port City Cleaning, who holds the current contract for custodial services at the Town Office. Thompson stated that he had regained the Town Office keys from the company and that they would be cleaning twice more, and would need to be let into the building.
LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson questioned the Board on the toilets in the Ladies' Room, as the bowls are a horrible brown color and have an oily residue floating on the top of the water.
Thompson stated that there was a current problem with the water filtering system in the Town Office and that they would have to have it looked at.
Wilson suggested a temporary solution of "Lime Away" to keep the bowls clean.
Thompson then brought up the service contract that supplied large bottles of water for the water cooler in the Town Office. Thompson stated that there were always 4 or 5 bottles in reserve that the town was charged for, but that he didn't think that it was necessary to have so many large bottles of water left in reserve.
Selectman Heath stated that they may need the bottles for Lebanon Clean Up Day, but LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson reminded Selectman Heath that she personally provided single serving bottled water for all participants and did not use the Town Office bottled water for that event.
LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson questioned the Board of Selectmen regarding the upcoming Gun and Craft Show scheduled for March 19 & 20 at the Tri-City Expo Center (formerly Stateline RV), and asked if the Board had ever received a permit application from the company.
Selectman Thompson asked when that event was planned and Wilson reminded the Board that she had spoken to them about this event back in January.
Thompson stated that he would have to speak to Code Enforcement Officer Mike Beaulieu about that permit, and Wilson told the Board that she had spoken to CEO Beaulieu last week and he had stated that he would stop by the Tri-City Expo Center to have a discussion with them on the permitting process. No answers were given until the Board could speak with the Code Enforcement Officer.
At 5:00 pm, the Board entered into Executive Session with Lebanon Treasurer Jeanette Lemay, stating personnel issues.
Executive Session was adjourned at 5:14 pm with Thompson stating that they had adjourned to pursue legal counsel on the matter and that the Executive Session would resume at a later, undisclosed date.
Selectman Thompson stated that the first meeting of the year for the Lebanon Festival Committee had taken place on Thursday, March 10, 2016 at the Martha Sawyer Community Library.
Discussion was held regarding the Meeting Table for the newly renovated Selectman's Meeting room in the Town Office. Thompson showed the other Selectmen a choice of two 12 X 4 X 29 inch high tables in cherry or mahogany.
Thompson noted that even with the purchase of the table, the total cost was still under the $5,000 that had been budgeted from the town's contingency fund for the project.
There was no decision made on whether to purchase the cherry (lighter) or the mahogany (darker) until the Board members could ride over to the office and take a look at the choices in person.
Selectman Nadeau made a motion to purchase one 12' X 4' X 29" meeting table from Northeast Office Furniture in Dover NH for the price of $899.00 plus $75 delivery and set up charge.
Motion was seconded by Thompson and all were in favor.
Board Chairman Thompson stated that he had received an e mail from the Prospect Hill Cemetery Board in Milton, New Hampshire stating their willingness to split (50/50) the $3,000 legal cost needed to research the trust issues with that property, with the Town of Lebanon.
Selectman Nadeau questioned why Lebanon would take someone else's responsibility and Thompson explained the situation to him, Prospect Hill Cemetery actually being in the Town of Lebanon, and therefore, legally, Lebanon's responsibility.
The Cemetery discussion was interrupted by Selectman Heath's cell phone ringing. Lebanon Fire and EMS Chief Daniel Meehan was calling.
The Chief related to Heath that he had just received an updated quote for a Fire Truck, and that the price would be $454,897.00.
Chief Meehan offered three different lease / buyout plans as options to be considered by the town. The first was a 7 year lease with a total yearly payment of $73,891.00.
The second was a 10 year lease with a total yearly payment of $54,572.00
And the final was a 12 year lese with a total yearly payment of $49,777.00
The Board began discussing the options and which would be better to put in front of the voters at the May 10th, 2016 Town Election, and opted to place a return call to the Chief and have him come into the meeting.
The Chief agreed to come from his home to have a discussion with the Board.
At 5:30 PM, Tim from T&M Landscape (of Rochester) came in to discuss with the Board, the payment schedule for his winning bid on the Town Properties mowing contract.
Thompson told the landscaper that the Town processed AP on a bi-weekly basis, and that he should submit his invoices each Friday.
Further discussion was had regarding how much the company should charge the Town on each week's invoice.
Thompson asked the landscaper to return later in the week so that he could discuss the options with the Town Treasurer, and he agreed to return Thursday or Friday to finalize the discussion and sign the contract.
The landscaper asked Selectman Heath when the Cemetery Mowing bid would be advertised and Selectman Heath stated he had "No idea".
LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson told the young man that the Cemetery Mowing bid had been already been bid and opened and awarded to J&S Masonry of Brownfield, Maine.
At 5:48 pm, the Board returned to discussions regarding Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Selectman Heath stated that he wanted to see paperwork with details and numbers regarding the total on how much it was going to cost for the town to resume the care of the cemetery.
Selectman Nadeau questioned why Lebanon had to resume care of the cemetery, stating that he didn't want to vote to do that.
Selectman Thompson explained to both men that, as had been discussed in many meetings over the past year, it was nearly impossible to determine in detail what the total dollar amount would be in taking control of the cemetery from the Town of Milton, NH, but reminding the other Board members that this was, by law, Lebanon's responsibility as the cemetery was within our town's borders.
Heath and Nadeau both discussed that they would like to find a way around having to take over responsibility and care of the property, however, Thompson once again told them that according to Maine State Law, it was the town's responsibility.
Heath felt that the taxpayers of Lebanon would not be happy if they signed the agreement to begin this process without a clear and detailed answer as to the total cost of the project.
Thompson stated that the project would probably have to be approved in several stages as the cost associated with each step of the process was determined, but that this particular agreement was for 50% of $3,000 (or $1,500) which was to research property deeds and actual "ownership" of the trusts and properties.
Selectman Nadeau asked Thompson if he had any general idea how much it would cost, to which Thompson stated he had no idea, and that he hadn't been out to the cemetery, adding that he had heard it was "rolling down the hill".
Nadeau asked if the people buried there were in vaults, and Thompson answered that he didn't know, but that there were still active burials being held there.
Heath questioned the town's liability, stating that if the cemetery were on town property, and there were active burials, would Lebanon be held responsible legally for anything happening there. Again, Thompson stated he did not know.
Heath seemed aggravated, stating that Milton had used the property to bury their dead, and now when the money was running out, they conveniently wanted to give it back, saying that they owned it all this time, why give it back now?
Thompson reminded Heath that possession is not always ownership, but Heath countered by stating that possession is 9/10ths of the law.
Once again, Selectman Nadeau stated that he wanted to know, in detail, how much it was going to cost, and once again, Thompson stated there was no way of knowing.
Nadeau told Thompson to go to Milton and find out more information and give them more details to the cost associated, and they would review it and make a decision.
Resident Dana Coull spoke up, wondering why the town would have to pay any costs associated with Milton turning the cemetery back to Lebanon. Coull contended that if Milton had taken possession of the cemetery and the trust money that were not theirs to begin with, they should have to pay the money associated with giving it back.
Selectman Nadeau finally made sense of the discussion by stating that the most important thing out of the entire discussion was to get this cleaned up as best as possible rather than leaving a mess for a future Board to have to deal with. He asked for a project outline, detailing the expected timelines and actions that would happen in order to turn the cemetery over to Lebanon, and some notes on what the current costs were to the Town of Milton for it's care in the present time.
Selectman Thompson made a motion for the Board to pay 50% of the $3,000 cost associated with the first step of researching land and trust ownerships for Prospect Hill Cemetery. Neither of the remaining two Selectmen would second the motion.
Issue will be brought up again at a later date.
LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson mentioned to the Board that while she had been outside the Town Office during the Board's Executive Session, she had noticed that the Town Office American Flag was still lowered to half staff, noting that the half staff order by President Obama and Governor LePage in honor of First Lady Nancy Reagan, had expired on March 11th, 3 days ago.
Wilson asked why the flag was still flying at half staff.
Selectman Thompson stated he did not know.
Wilson asked who was responsible for restoring the flag to fly at full glory.
Thompson stated that the Town Clerk would have received the notice from the State.
Wilson asked if the Town Clerk were responsible for raising and lowering the flag, but got no answer.
Resident Dana Coull asked who was responsible for Lebanon Station 2 flag and if it were raised from half staff. Wilson answered that the Lebanon Fire and EMS was responsible for that flag, and that she had noted it flying at full glory on her way to meeting that afternoon.
Selectmen Heath and Nadeau had a discussion regarding which of them would have to take on the job of being Sergeant at Arms, but in the end, no one ever left their seat to go and raise the flag.
When LMTS left the Town Office, the flag was still flying at half staff with no one willing to perform the job of raising it.
The Board turned their attention to the question of offering voters the opportunity to purchase a new fire truck for the Lebanon Fire and EMS Department.
Selectman Thompson stated that he felt that it was a valid question to put before the voters on the May 10, 2016 Town Election.
Selectman Nadeau questioned why the proposal was so late in the year, adding that he was not personally in favor of the purchase of a fire truck.
Thompson reminded Nadeau that the question before them was not whether or not to purchase the truck, but whether or not to place the question before the voters of Lebanon.
Nadeau stated that he thought the Board should wait another year or so before proposing that to the voters.
Discussion continued with Thompson saying that this truck was one that would replace the now out of service Engine 1, and that former Fire Administrations had been trying to replace this truck since 2009, and that the current Chief had been working on this proposal for months, working with three different companies and talking back and forth in an effort to give the best price possible to the town's taxpayers.
Selectman Nadeau stated that he would vote to put it on the ballot if he didn't have to vote to recommend it to the voters, to which Thompson answered that if the question were on the Town Ballot, that it was Maine State Law that the Board had to vote one way or another to recommend, or not to recommend, however, Selectman Nadeau always had the option of abstaining.
Selectman Heath asked how much money per year this proposal would cost the taxpayers of the town, and Thompson stated that if the total price were $454,8987.00 the total cost would result in less than $1.00 per thousand being added to each tax bill, but that if it were broken into a 10 year plan, at $54,572.00 due each year, the cost to the taxpayers would be between 13 cents and 15 cents per thousand each year.
Selectman Nadeau stated that Fire Station 1 (Depot Road) was in poor condition, and that he wasn't sure it would keep the investment of a new fire truck safe, adding that there ought to be work done on the station before considering a brand new truck.
Thompson agreed that work needed to be done on the Depot Road Station, but added that if Nadeau's house were on fire, the fire station wouldn't roll down the street to put out the fire.
Thompson stated that the truck the Chief had submitted a proposal for was a 2017 TONY, which carried a tank capable of holding 1,500 gallons of water. The truck is a pumper / tanker, so it also has pumping capabilities of pumping from nearby ponds.
It was also noted that the contract states that it takes 300 days to build and deliver (almost a year), and that this was the same truck that former Fire Chief Skip Wood had been asking for over the past several years.
Thompson stated that if the town had voted to purchase the truck 2 years ago in 2014, the price tag was $22,000 less than today's price. Due to inflation, the price would continue to rise for the same piece of equipment the longer the town put off the purchase.
Selectman Heath stated that if the town voted to purchase a new fire truck, the firefighters would think that the town had plenty of money, and would ask for higher wages, and possibly bring the Union into the Lebanon Fire and EMS station if higher wages were not approved.
LMTS Deborah Dorey Wilson told Selectman Heath that she highly doubted that the members of the Lebanon Fire and EMS were looking to join the Union, and if they were treated fairly, and kept safe, it probably wouldn't be an issue.
Heath answered that they never thought the Town Office workers would need a Union either, and yet, there was a Union in place in the Town Office.
At 6;25 pm, Lebanon Fire and EMS Chief Daniel Meehan entered the office and the meeting.
Selectman Nadeau asked the Chief why he had waited so long to put a fire truck question before the Board for inclusion on the ballot.
Chief Meehan answered that they had started out with three bids with a high price tag, over $584,000.00, but that working with the companies they had managed to shave over $113,000.00 off of the original bids to come up with a total they felt was fair to the town.
Meehan stated that he could have waited to propose the truck, but that with Engine 1 down the town was down to having only one fire truck, Engine 2, a pumper / tanker truck, currently housed at Station 1. The Chief went on to say that with it's smaller tank, the truck was considered more of a support truck than a "first in" response engine.
Meehan also stated that the town had invested a lot of money in cross training Fire and EMS members and that the town was rising on their mutual aid lists and if they were called out of town to a mutual aid event, the town would be left with no apparatus here in Lebanon.
When questioned by Selectman Nadeau on why he couldn't repair Engine 1, Meehan stated that the apparatus was no longer even good enough to take a State Inspection Sticker, and that it had recently failed the pumps pressure testing. Meehan added that the truck would require over $6,700.00 worth of work to even begin thinking about being operational, and the aging truck only had a value of $5,000.00.
Again Nadeau questioned the need for this truck stating that he didn't think it necessary to purchase another pumper truck, however, Meehan answered that in a town with no pressurized water supply, (hydrants), the availability of water was key to extinguishing a fire, saying that the truck was capable of pumping from its own tank and then pumping from a nearby water supply as soon as one was established.
Selectman Thompson stated that Engine 1 had been purchased on a 10 year lease / payment plan and had served the town for 30 years.
Selectman Heath questioned if the truck would come complete with hose and all equipment needed to fight a fire, and Meehan stated that it would not, however, the department had enough hose and equipment and that it had all passed pressurized testing this summer and would continue to have yearly pressure testing.
Meehan stated that he had been hoping to go one more year with Engines 1 and 2 both in service, but that the unsafe conditions of Engine 1 had put that apparatus out of service and expedited his search for a new engine to replace it.
Selectman Heath questioned the use of the fire truck currently housed in Blaisdell Station (Station 2) on Route 202. Meehan stated that that tanker was currently responding to every town event, however, it was a split shift manual transmission and not every certified responder could drive that vehicle. Meehan stated that to completely update that apparatus would require a $30,000 to $40,000 transmission replacement.
Once again Selectman Nadeau stated that he felt Meehan should have finished this proposal earlier and made a better presentation to the Board, and once again, both Meehan and Thompson contended that they had only received the final lower dollar amount on the truck that evening, just prior to Meehan's phone conversation with Selectman Heath.
The Fire and EMS Chief also offered to Nadeau that the Ambulance Service had been generating and collecting more money than ever, and that all that money now went into the town's General Fund, not into the Fire and EMS Department budget.
Thompson agreed that in the current year, (2015-16) the Ambulance had so far brought in over $86,000.00 in revenue, which is up over $20,000.00 from any other previous year.
Thompson also added that there were more houses and developments in town and after assessing of the waterfront was completed this year, he expected that the yearly cost to the taxpayer for this truck would only be about 10 cents - 15 cents per thousand.
With most questions already having been asked, Selectman Thompson motioned to put before the voters of the Town of Lebanon, the purchase of the 2017 Tony Fire Pumper Tanker for a 10 year lease / purchase term at a rate of $54,578.00 per year, at a total of $454,897.00. Selectman Heath seconded the motion. The Board voted 2 in favor, with Nadeau voting against. The question will appear on the May 10, 2016 Town Ballot.
Selectman Thompson questioned Chief Meehan as to whether the Chief had utilized a member of the Highway Department to move the Fire and EMS boat at any time over the past week. Chief Meehan stated he had not moved the boat, or used a member of the Highway Department to move any piece of Fire or EMS equipment.
Selectman Thompson showed a time sheet to the other two Selectmen stating that the entry noted that the employee had "Moved a Boat from T.M. Wentworth Road".
Thompson stated that they would look into that line of information prior to signing the time sheet.
LMTS was given no indication on who's timesheet the Board was viewing.
Chief Meehan then left the building.
At 7:10 pm, the Board of Selectmen entered into another Executive Session, citing the reason as "Labor Negotiations".
At 7:25 pm the Board exited Executive Session stating that no decisions had been made during the 15 minute session.
At 7:28 pm, Selectman Thompson motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Selectman Heath and all voting in favor.
Selectman Nadeau left the building and Selectmen Heath and Thompson remained in the meeting room.
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
Lebanon Loses a Trusted Super Hero and Gains a "Secret Society" at Tonight's Budget Committee Meeting.
Is this an "OPINION" piece??
I'd like to say it was, but it's not. It's the facts, with a little personal emotion thrown in because I'm still in shock and disbelief...........
LMTS returned home from the Lebanon Budget Committee Meeting at 9:17 pm. At the time of this writing, it is just shortly after 10 pm, and for the first time in a long time, I think I am truly afraid of what is happening in the little nooks and crannies of the Town's Boards and Committees. If you like a great horror story, read on. If you're a little squeamish and have nightmares easily, it might not be the best article for you to read before bed.
On this evening's Budget Committee agenda, was the Lebanon Road Commissioner, Tom Torno.
To be honest, I expected a hard line of questioning, however, what I was handed has me completely aghast. YUP, I actually used the word "aghast". For those of you not brought up by a family of English Professors and Librarians, let me help you out a bit with that word.
I'd like to say it was, but it's not. It's the facts, with a little personal emotion thrown in because I'm still in shock and disbelief...........
LMTS returned home from the Lebanon Budget Committee Meeting at 9:17 pm. At the time of this writing, it is just shortly after 10 pm, and for the first time in a long time, I think I am truly afraid of what is happening in the little nooks and crannies of the Town's Boards and Committees. If you like a great horror story, read on. If you're a little squeamish and have nightmares easily, it might not be the best article for you to read before bed.
On this evening's Budget Committee agenda, was the Lebanon Road Commissioner, Tom Torno.
To be honest, I expected a hard line of questioning, however, what I was handed has me completely aghast. YUP, I actually used the word "aghast". For those of you not brought up by a family of English Professors and Librarians, let me help you out a bit with that word.
a·ghast
əˈɡast/
adjective
filled with horror or shock.
"when the news came out they were aghast"
You will all have to excuse me for using such an odd expression when writing an article about a Budget Committee meeting, however, that's the feeling that you're left with when one of your personal "hometown hero" takes 5 minutes of his time and dashes everything you believed to be true of them.
A few minutes into the "old business" portion of the meeting, Budget Committee member, Chris Gilpatrick, requested that the Committee enter into "Executive Session". If you know anything about "Executive Session" a board or committee will use their rights of Executive Session to speak about such thing as an employee reprimand, personal and private records of a town resident, personnel files, or similar things which are covered under State Law.
Selectman Thompson asked Gilpatrick what the grounds were for entering Executive Session, and Gilpatrick stated that he had something to say to his fellow committee members that he didn't want anyone else to hear. Thompson related to Gilpatrick that he had to state the reason for Executive and that it had to fall into the guidelines set by Maine State Law. Gilpatrick then called for a legal ruling and Thompson whipped out the smart phone and called Town Attorney Ann Freeman, of Bernstein, Shur Law Firm, the Town's legal advisors.
Now, just saying, there was not one mention of the $265.00 an hour figure that is usually tossed about whenever someone asks for a legal decision..........Thompson was on that smartphone and the number was dialed faster than you can manage the words "LEGAL DILEMMA".
Thompson spent 17 minutes on speaker phone with Atty Freeman where the Attorney outlined the handful of reasons under which a committee could enter Executive Session and Gilpatrick's reason of "I want everyone here to know what's really going on here in town before they open their mouths," was not one of the valid reasons.
I personally questioned Mr. Gilpatrick as to why he didn't do what he was always saying others should do, and just get it out in the open. Put it out there. Tell the truth. Speak your mind.
But Mr. Gilpatrick used the same "tactics" that others have used to keep me quiet and told me I didn't have the right to speak.
There it went.
My respect for Mr. Gilpatrick, who wears his surname emblazoned in bright yellow across his chest like a great big SUPERMAN "S", my personal hometown hero, who says what he means, and means what he says, who I believed had no "hidden agenda", and who I thought would never hide behind a "public participation policy" to keep residents from asking a question, went RIGHT out the window.
And to make things even better, he took things a step further, calling for the Budget Committee members to leave their seats and head out into the parking lot with him for a "private conversation".
Budget Committee members stared at him blankly for a few minutes, Ms. Harris-Howard wondered aloud how they were going to keep the entire conversation out of the Committee minutes, and then as Gilpatrick left the building, unbelievably, three of the Budget Committee members left their meeting and followed him out into the parking lot. Laura Bragg, Skip Wood, and Bettie Harris-Howard dutifully followed outdoors into membership of the "secret society".
Could I have followed?? You bet. It's a public parking lot owned by the taxpayers of Lebanon. But thinking about it for a minute or two, I decided that my own call for transparency and an end to secrecy would be compromised if I followed. So I stayed put.
Other residents in attendance, Dana Coull, Jim Durgin, and non-resident Jeanette Lemay, exchanged a few glances with obvious nervous disbelief, and the remaining Budget Committee members, Corinna Cole, Jeri Brasko, and Nancy Neubert seemed to twist just a bit uneasily in their seats. Ms. Lemay's video camera remained rolling for the unscheduled break in the budget discussions.
I felt bad for Tom Torno, Road Commissioner, who was only in attendance to discuss his budget and was now somehow sucked into the drama that he tries so hard to avoid.
Selectman Thompson stated that if the missing members were out of the building more than 5 minutes, he was going to close the meeting and lock the doors, preventing the small group from returning, and Secretary Nancy Neubert went to the door to relay the information. Selectman Heath seemed to be non-plussed by the interruption to the meeting.
When the group returned, there was no further discussion, but the damage had been done. No more Superman in town government for me. AGHAST!!
I guess at that point, Tom Torno could have asked for a $20 million dollar cell phone stipend and it would have been okay with me. There was no more Budget Committee. There were the "secret society" and the few who were above the rumors and secret discussions and remained in their seats. Two totally separate groups. The ones I still had respect for, and the ones I no longer do.
There have been a lot of discussions regarding people who volunteer for the town, not getting paid to put in hours of their own time for the greater good of the Town of Lebanon, but not all those who volunteer feel the need to feed into the drama. And what about the residents? The residents sitting in disbelief that they had voted in a group of people and yet, are denied a voice. Our time at the Public Hearings listening to the "secret society" telling us how they are different and worthy of our vote, our time in heading to the polls to vote, all our volunteer hours were apparently not worth a minute's thought. The time several residents take to sit, listen, watch, and try and help figure out why the finances of Lebanon are spent the way they are, we mean nothing to them. For they are the Budget Committee, and we.......well....we are not.
I do have to say that Road Commissioner Torno did a good job of presenting his budget. Sure, he leaves a few questions in my mind, but then again, I'm not allowed to ask them. I'm only a resident.
While I sat listening to Tom answer questions regarding how many more years were left on the Town's backhoe, how much money it cost the town to operate and maintain the traffic lights at the corner of Depot Road and Rt. 202, how motor grease purchases could be listed under "office supplies", and how many times the Champion Street sign has been stolen in the last year, it all seemed so irrelevant. What difference do those things make when your personal super hero has turned out to be as scared of the truth as many of the others?
Questions regarding why the Town is paying to repave people's driveways were met with Selectman Thompson revealing that the practice is completely illegal, but "that's the way we've always done it in Lebanon", didn't even have me batting an eye.
Maybe I just need to accept that there is no one. Not one person, in our town government who I can count on 100% to tell it like it is.
There was a glimmer of hope when Committee member, and newly voted in Committee Chair, Jeri Brasko began sounding like a TRUE champion by asking the hard questions regarding the town's use of independent contractors at $60 an hour, and what the savings would be if the town operated a small fleet of trucks for work like cold patching, ditch digging, and picking up gravel, but when she began to question the practices of the Road Commissioner in his monitoring of independent contractors, Selectman Thompson gave her "the warning", telling her she needed to end that line of questioning. I guess even in the Budget Committee there are places you just don't go. Trying to figure out how to better budget taxpayer dollars is a very taboo subject these days.
I wish I could tell you that there were members who knew right away that the $28,800 of "voted savings spent" were the same $28,800 that Selectmen Heath and Nadeau gifted to the young Road Commissioner in the little "out of the back pocket" motion that had so many residents angry when it was the first order of business conducted by newly elected Selectman Paul Nadeau, but while another resident and I discussed it on the sidelines, the Budget Committee members took a 20 minute question and answer session trying to figure out where that money came from. Here's the answer. The Town voters had been convinced to fund a brand new backhoe for the Road Crew by being presented with the figure of $28,000 in savings to the Road Budget which, we were told, would go back into the General Fund at the end of the year. However, only a few weeks prior to the end of the fiscal year 2014-15, the team of Heath and Nadeau blind sided Selectman Thompson and the duo voted to give that $28,800 in promised "savings" to the Road Commissioner for his use. Torno then used the "savings" to pave less than a half a mile of Center Road. But it doesn't end there. The project was over budget, costing a whopping $37,000 and change, but no one even questioned WHO gave the authority to spend the additional money, or where that money was drawn from. Not even one Budget Committee member questioned that.
And of course, I can't. I'm not allowed, according to Mr. Gilpatrick.
By 9 pm the meeting was winding down.
I waited.
I waited for the motion to be made for the meeting to be adjourned.
And then I asked if residents were allowed to speak yet?
No one answered me, so I figured "No Comment" was better than a denial of my rights.
So I spoke.
I looked my fallen town government super hero in the face, noticing that the bright blazing yellow name looked just a little more faded and unimpressive than it usually does, and I told him just what I thought of him.
I won't say it here, as with all the crazy law suit threats that happen whenever a Lebanon resident speaks their minds, well........the word I used is not a nice one. Not at all nasty, or foul mouthed, but fitting for the circumstances, I assure you.
How can you call Selectman Heath nasty foul mouthed names for not speaking publicly, or for doing things behind the scenes when he is an elected official of Lebanon and then coerce others into joining you in a little "secret society" of your own?
How can you tell the Board of Selectmen that they have no right to silence you, and then use your elected position to silence me?
How can you tell me that you will stand up and say whatever it is you have to say, and not be afraid of others opinions, and then walk out of the Town Office doors with your little following to have "secret conversations"?
There are people in this town who have begged me to give up on Lebanon Town Government. Walk away. Stop trying to change things for the better.
Every once in a while, I begin to think they are right.
"This is the way it's always been done in Lebanon"
I truly thought there were people out there like me, who want to see the truth be told and have an end to "secret missions". A town where "secret meetings" containing statements passed on regarding "the truth of what's happening in this town" which are garnered from "secret private messages" from people with no name, are laughed about, until such time as they can be proven or disproven.
So I'd like to challenge Mr. Gilpatrick to do what he calls on others to do. Why not show us how much "gut" you really have, Chris Gilpatrick. Why not tell the residents what's "really going on in this town". Because I, for one, as a resident, would like to know. Finally. Once and for all. What the HECK is going on in this town???
No Guts, No Glory.
AGHAST!!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Selectmen's Meeting Agenda Released for Monday, October 29, 2015
SELECTMEN’S MEETING
Monday October 29, 2015
AGENDA:
4:00 PM Juliette Lamb – Taxes, 43 Kennebec Dr
4:15 PM Sue Collins – Paperwork/discussion
4:30 PM Code Enforcement Budget
5:45 PM Highway Budget
6:30 PM Ken King – Variance – 35 Caroline’s Way
7:30 PM Marcy Polletta – Library Budget
Other business
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meeting Monday 10/19/15 in 6 (six) Parts.
LEBANON MAINE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING
MONDAY 10/19/15
I walked into the Lebanon Board of Selectmen's Meeting on Monday evening at 3:50 pm. Usually a safe bet to be 10 minutes early, but instead, I found the 4:00 pm meeting already in order with Treasurer Jeanette Lemay addressing the Board.
If I had actually been on time for the meeting, I would have missed the fact that Mrs. Lemay was speaking to the Board regarding 13 separate Right to Know requests that had come in via fax machine from one Jason Cole requesting information and time sheets on ambulance runs in Lebanon.
We were also in plenty of time to hear about "something that happened on Friday" comments that left Sandy and I gawking at one another and wondering just WHAT happened on Friday?? (See Part 6 for the Answer to that question.)
Ms. Lemay left the meeting but returned a few moments later with a Purchase Order for the Lebanon Recreation Department for Candy for the upcoming Trunk or Treat event (this Friday, October 23 at the Lebanon Elementary School).
Selectmen's Assistant, Sue Collins discusses openings in the agenda for the swearing in of the new Cemetery Care Committee. All interested people who wish to sit on this Committee should be at the Town Office on Monday, October 26th, 2015 to be sworn in as part of the Committee. If you have questions, please message Deborah Dorey Wilson. Thank you.
Selectmen's Assistant Collins addresses the Board with some requests for tax abatements.
At 4:00 pm, the scheduled time for the start of the meeting, Road Commissioner Tom Torno arrives to address the Board regarding a call from a Duell Lane resident (off Center Road) regarding a big dead tree in the middle of a small cemetery on their property. Torno states that he has been in discussion with Abbott Tree regarding the removal of the dead tree, but Abbott Tree states that they will need a crane to properly remove the tree at a rate of $3,400 for a day. Torno states that he's talked to Abbott Tree about possibly combining with another small job in the area, but that Abbott didn't seem interested in doing that. According to Torno, the cemetery in question is a small one, only 10X10, but he can't recall if there were any veteran's markers. The dead tree is in the center of the cemetery and is easily 3x3.
Select Board Chairman Thompson asks Torno to respond to last week's requests from several Godding Road residents with regards to some attention to their road.
Discussion is had regarding Bog Road and some gravel being left at the end of the road. Torno states it is already taken care of and that A Grade Above, the Town's new road grading contractor, has finished with their first scheduled grading of the dirt roads in town as identified in their contract.
LMTS Sandy Adams speaks to Torno regarding the drainage that is ditched from Dixon Road and still running into her Carriage House doors, thus into her home. Torno says he will speak to her with regards to this.
Adams also speaks to Torno on the paving of Upper Cross Road when Torno's father had promised the residents of Shapleigh Road that they would be having some paving work done to their road. Torno answers that Shapleigh Road is on his agenda for the Spring of 2016, and that he will not be removing the corner that had been part of the previous plan thus saving over $45,000 from the original estimate and he thinks that the project will cost the Roads Budget about $130,000.
There is discussion on seeing paving crews resting on their laurels, but Torno assures her that they are paving contractor employees and that the paving company is paid by the ton, not by the hour, so if they're wasting time, it's not on his dime.
Torno exits and Selectmen's Assistant Collins continues on with discussions on assessments and abatements.
Sue Collins addresses the Board regarding Thanksgiving Baskets given to some residents of the town at holiday time, containing turkeys and other donated food goods. Selectman Thompson has a few issues with the collections and distribution of the baskets by the Selectmen's Assistant, but Collins says that she will come in and do the work preparing the baskets on her own time. Thompson continues, worrying about "who's getting what" and pointing to the fact that there's a food pantry right up the road. (Center Road at the Congregational Church). Selectman Heath interrupts to say that he has a question on an unrelated subject, but Collins is undaunted. She continues on saying that the town has "always done it" for as long as she has been here, but Thompson counters with "because it's always been done, doesn't mean it's the right thing to do".
LMTS Sandy Adams says "Where there's a will, there's a way," and offers to come in and help Collins with the basket preparations, volunteering her time. There's some banter back and forth, with Thompson ending conversation with Adams saying "I'm not going to sit here and argue with you!" Thompson states claims by Town Office workers that they don't have enough time to get all their work done, and states "It's nice to help the community, but we have to focus on business FIRST." at which time Collins states that she is volunteering her own personal time to come into the office and put the baskets together. Thompson leaves it up to Heath and Nadeau, who say, "Do it".......but they want to revisit the issue again next year, stating that they are allowing it this year as it is too late in the season to make other plans.
***LMTS note: IF the Selectmen are also designated as the Overseers of the Poor in Lebanon, it does seem only fitting that the Selectmen's Assistant be able to give holiday baskets to some of the neediest families in town, in our humble opinion.***
LMTS Sandy Adams speaks to Sue Collins with regards to getting in touch with the original man that created the Town Office sign. Collins states that the man had been in to the office, had spoken with her, had looked at the sign, and had stated he would get back to her with a quote. She has heard nothing back since that date. Adams questions Thompson what his intentions are, and asks if LMTS can form a committee to take donations at the Town Office, similar to the way we did for the flag pole at the Blaisdell Corner Fire and EMS Station. Thompson makes a motion to allow the "Town Office Sign Committee", seconded by Selectman Heath and all 3 men in favor.
LMTS question with regards to Purchase Order for more candy for the Rec Department's Trunk or Treat event. How much is the amount of candy needed for one event?? Another Purchase Order was quickly passed through by Lemay on Rec Dept Chair Georgie Allen's behalf only last week, stating the need to act quickly to save on shipping. LMTS would like to know the total dollar amount spent on candy. Thompson says, whatever it is, that the Rec Department Budget is approved by voters each year, but Wilson wonders if they realize they're not funding sporting events, but candy for Halloween. Neither Select Chair nor Treasurer have any idea as to the amount of money that has been approved for candy, but Thompson, asks the Treasurer to get the amount, treating it as a verbal RTK request. Wilson goes on to state that the amount is important as Board members have categorically denied $35 pizza bills to feed the Firefighters after a long fire event, so spending many hundreds of dollars on candy for Trick or Treat event is a problem, in her opinion.
Thompson questions a PO for a new lawnmower for the FD, but after some information exchange, the lawnmower PO is signed.
SEE PART 1 of the 10/19/15 LEBANON MAINE SELECTMEN"S VIDEO BY CLICKING HERE:
Paperwork being done opens the 2nd part of the Selectmen's Meeting video from 10/19/15.
LMTS Sandy Adams asks the Board a resident's question regarding when the Deputy Town Clerks position will be advertised, Selectman Thompson states that it should have gone out that morning, however, no one has received it yet (we DID get it in an e mail on 10/20/15 and posted it immediately).
LMTS Wilson asks Selectman Thompson for a copy of the current cemeteries included on the Town's contract with J&S Masonry for care. It is agreed to give Wilson the information, but it is never received.
The Board get's ready to begin work on the General Government budget proposal for 2016-17.
LEBANON MAINE SELECTMEN'S MEETING VIDEO PART 2: CLICK HERE:
Part 3 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Video shows the Board as they begin to work out a budget proposal for the 2016-17 Fiscal Year Town Office expenses.
Select Board Chair Thompson comes up with all the numbers, but makes an addition mistake that Selectman Nadeau catches. LMTS Sandy Adams and Deborah Wilson have some good hearted banter with Nadeau on a job well done, but Selectman Heath takes the opportunity to chastise Adams for "picking" on them all the time. Sandy is stunned, to which Heath states she has a "guilty conscience". Wilson reminds Heath to get over himself, Sandy has "better things to do".
Budget talks go along and a savings has been found in the Town's electricity bill, which has been under budget for 2 years, last year by about $900. Selectman Nadeau suggests RAISING that budget item to $4,000 for 2016-17 and when Wilson asks "WHY, if you are under budget consistently, WHY would you raise the budgeted amount?" to which Nadeau answers, "Just in case."
There is discussion on Building Maintenance, Heat (propane) which the Board bumped up even though gasoline and oil prices have been halved since last year.
There was a lot of talk about technology. The town has been putting off the purchase of some much needed new computers, including a new dedicated server. The Town Office computers are still operating on Windows 97 which does not even have the capability of being supported by most online programs. (MAYBE that's why our town website doesn't work correctly??) There is discussion of the need to place any server in a fire protected vault (like the one the town has at Lebanon Elementary School) however, Selectman Thompson has questions as to whether or not that vault is actually even fire protected.
SEE PART 3 of the LEBANON MAINE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING 10/19/15 VIDEO
BY CLICKING HERE:
As we watch part 4 of the 10/19/15 Board of Selectmen's meeting, more work is done on the FY 2016-17 Town Office proposed budget with regards to Janitorial Services, Office Equipment, Payroll Fees, Bank Fees and a discussion on preparing liens and the cost associated with that.
The Board now has to total the budget to come up with a total for the 2016-17 Town Office Budget. Thompson is going FAST on the calculator. Selectman Heath is using his calculator. Selectman Nadeau who ran on the fact that he had many years on the Lebanon Budget Committee is watching Thompson.......just watching........ After how many years on the Budget Committee?? Wilson asks Nadeau where his calculator is to which he replies, "I can't think of everything!".
WATCH THE LEBANON MAINE BOARD of SELECTMEN MEETING from 10/19/15 HERE:
Part 5 of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's meeting opens as Selectman Thompson checks his addition 5 separate times, and finally after waiting for a few minutes, says the total is $355,539.00.
Heath says that's "pretty much" what his "first answer came out to be", and decides to accept Selectman Thompson's numbers, even though neither Heath or Nadeau checked the totals.
SEE PART 5 OF THE 10/19/15 LEBANON MAINE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING VIDEO BY CLICKING HERE:
Lebanon Festival Committee Chairperson Rebekah Thompson addresses the Board with her projected FY 2016-17 Festival Budget in Part 6, the final part of the 10/19/15 Selectmen's Meeting. Selectman Thompson tried to recuse himself from asking questions of his wife, but Selectman Heath says he has no questions, and Selectman Nadeau asks Thompson if she wants to "Bump up" the amount of money she needs for the Festival. Thompson states that she does NOT want to bump up the dollar amount on the 2016 May vote referendum question, as she would rather continue to rely mostly on donations and vendor fees.
Mrs. Thompson explains her budget, line by line, and then Selectman Nadeau asks Thompson, "Why are we doing this?"
Rebekah has to explain to Selectman Nadeau that it is a FESTIVAL, a place for the community to come together in a fun way and celebrate together.
There was discussion regarding Selectman Nadeau not attending the 2015 Festival, and when Selectman Heath stated he had gone, he said, "I saw a lot of smiles on a lot of people's faces, and that's all that matters to me."
There was a long discussion on the 2015 Festival, including the Bounce House that Lebanon Rec Department rented and then didn't man it or keep it supplied with gas so the Bounce House wound up deflating without the generator power to keep it up and running.
Discussion winds around to the white elephant in the room, the 13 unsigned Jason Cole Right to Know requests still sitting unsigned on the Selectmen's desk. When you send in Right to Know Requests, you are charged 25 cents a page for printed material, plus an hourly rate for any time expended researching your request past the 1 hour of free time allowed. All 13 of Cole's requests plus the ones that were signed at last Thursday evening's meeting are directed toward Chief Daniel Meehan and/or the Lebanon Fire and EMS Department.
The issue with filling the Right to Know requests is that they are bordering on excessive and the Board has to consider the employees of the town, bogged down in researching Right to Know requests for hours at a time.
Selectman Heath asks if they are required to allow them, and Thompson says "Yes, they are public information," but cautions that they must all be gone over several times to be sure no personal or personnel information is being disclosed. Selectmen Nadeau and Heath both look a little frustrated with the situation.
The second discussion was with regards to the "something that happened on Friday" statement that Treasurer Lemay had eluded to in the first part of the 10/19/15 video. According to Selectman Thompson, Jason Cole had entered the Town Office looking for his Thursday evening approved Right to Know requests. As agreed by the Selectmen, the Town Clerk, Mandy Grenier told him that the reports were ready, but that he had to pay an outstanding balance of $1 in order to access them. According to Selectman Thompson, Cole then erupted into a tirade, becoming argumentative with the Town Clerk over the $1 (YES< ONE DOLLAR) charge for two Right to Know Request that were ordered by Lebanon Maine Community News back in May, but never picked up.
More discussion is had regarding the fact that Cole wants to access the Right to Know information by having the requests broken up into a lot of smaller requests, and then rather than coming in and purchasing the copies of material he has requested, he comes in with his cell phone and takes a photograph of the material.
The Board decides that Cole must pay any past due balances, (Selectman Thompson thinks it may easily be as high as $15 or $16 total), prior to accessing additional Right to Know requests.
Wilson wonders aloud if the videos of the Lebanon Maine Board of Selectmen's Meetings belonged to LMTS as personal property, and Selectman Thompson says "Yes", they belong to the videographer. Interesting.
The meeting is adjourned and Selectman Nadeau heads out the door while LMTS Wilson is still waiting for a report of the dollar amount for candy spent by the Lebanon Recreation Department. Thompson adds the numbers and says that it is $465.00 from July to October for candy.
Selectman Heath gets ready to leave for the evening. Wilson reminds him of the Public Hearing on Tuesday evening at 6 pm, and Selectman Heath mumbles something under his breath regarding Wilson calling him names, and he didn't appreciate it. Wilson answers that she only calls him "Royce, No Comment, Heath" and he said that he didn't like it. As Heath turns to leave, he stops in the door and says to Wilson, "Now it's legal to go to these meetings armed."
Interesting statement to end a Selectmen's Meeting with don't you think??
SEE THE FINAL PART (part 6) OF THE LEBANON MAINE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING VIDEO BY CLICKING HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8cx-sm0VsM
OOPSIE. Hope he wasn't packing at the meeting. Even though there's no law against carrying concealed in a Public Meeting, OURS is held in a school, and that is definitely a BIG no-no!!!
Rules Chapter 1)
premises are posted. Note that even if there is no posted
OOPSIE. Hope he wasn't packing at the meeting. Even though there's no law against carrying concealed in a Public Meeting, OURS is held in a school, and that is definitely a BIG no-no!!!
The law does not otherwise change where a person may carry or who may
possess a firearm. It will still be illegal to possess a firearm in the following
places, with some very limited exceptions:
· Courthouses (17-A M.R.S. § 1058)
· State Parks (12 M.R.S. § 1803(6), (7) and Bureau of Parks and Lands
Rules Chapter 1)
· Acadia National Park (12 M.R.S. § 756)
· Schools (20-A M.R.S. § 6552)
· Federal buildings (18 U.S.C. § 930)
· State Capitol area (25 M.R.S. § 2904 & DPS Rule Chapter 41)
· Private property when prohibited by the property owner
· Establishments licensed for on-premises consumption of liquor, if the
premises are posted. Note that even if there is no posted
prohibition, it is illegal to carry on these premises while under the
influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. (17-A M.R.S. §1057)
1
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