The
Town Council met last Tuesday for a Workshop to find ways to reduce
the tax burden on the people of Lisbon. However, the Council’s
efforts are being blocked by the Chairwoman Lisa Ward, who
by the way pays NO Real Estate Taxes in this town.
Councilor Lunt suggested at the last council meeting to NOT replace
any police vehicles this year. Chair Ward passed the suggestion by
without taking any action on it. Chairwoman Ward’s primary mission
is to approve the police budget without any cuts.
Roger
Cote, during Tuesday’s workshop, asked why the department that cost
the taxpayers the most was not asked to cut spending. In fact, the
Finance Committee did not recommend any cuts in the police budget.
Once again, the Chairwoman
of the Finance Committee does not pay Real Estate taxes in this town.
Also, five of the committee members are former town councilors who
for years supported Chief Brooks’ budget year in and year out.
Chairwoman Ward tried her best to cut Mr. Cote off during the
workshop but Roger Cote held his ground wanting an answer which never
came. Instead, Chairwoman Ward order Mr. Cote to leave the workshop,
never having to provide an answer to his question.
It
is obvious that the police department could cut a minimum of
$100,000.00 out of their budget with no impact. Chairwoman Ward
during the workshop asked Department Heads to try ay Lnd help reduce
their budget and Chief Brooks sat there like a bump on a log. Chief
Brooks has one full time Administrative Assistant, and two part-time
secretaries; he also has two Detectives and has included over a 5%
increase in pay for Dispatchers. Chief Brooks wants to replace three
vehicles this year; one had a new engine put in last year and does
not need to be replace and the other ones can wait a year. There is
no way Chief Brooks will allow any reduction in his police budget
because he is not and has never been a team player. He does not care
about how much the taxes go up in Lisbon as long as he can retain his
empire.
It
was spot on when our four
real councilors
voted down the municipal budget but unfortunately I do not believe
that they can make changes as long as Chairwoman Ward refuses to
listen to their recommendations. Chair Ward has recommended
approving the current budget, with no cuts to the police budget for
this year and then the council will work on next year’s budget.
This is all well and good but it is the same every year and the
police budget continues to grow and nothing is done about it and our
taxes continue to rise every year. Our four real councilors have the
right idea. The
people have suffered enough and this is the year to put a stop to it.
I urge the
council NOT to pass the budget until $100,000.00 dollars is cut in
the police department’s budget.
A
Public Office is a Public Trust! Stick to your guns.
Larry
Fillmore
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