At
the last Special Town Council meeting, five of the six Councilors
present voted to approve the Municipal budget for 2014-2015.
Councilor Pesce
was the ONLY councilor to vote NO.
In
August/September, when the taxpayers of Lisbon receive their tax
bills; who is to blame for the estimated 5% - 7% tax increase? It
would be unfair to place the entire blame on the Councilors. Several
of the Councilors asked for cuts to the approved budget but
Chairwoman Ward would not bring the issue before the council. Part
of the problem is that the Councilors do not make the suggestions as
motion to be put before the entire council.
Instead Chairwoman Ward asked for suggestions, instead of motions,
and then totally ignored them because it was not presented as a
motion.
Second,
when the people made suggestions to the council no council member
took it and put it in the form of a motion. Because it was NOT made
as a motion, there was no action taken on any suggestions by the
people. Remember,
the people can only make suggestions and cannot make a motion.
Chairwoman Ward also ignored the suggestions by the people to reduce
the Municipal budget.
Third,
Chief Brooks made absolutely no attempt to keep his budget the same
as last year.
In fact, Chief Brooks increased his budget by $78,268.00 which puts
the Police Department’s budget at $1,376,120.00 this year.
That’s right
the Police Department’s budget is over a MILLION tax dollars. On
top of that, Chief Brooks has included in his budget the replacement
of three (3) vehicles; one which had a new engine installed last
year. Chief Brook’s budget includes two (2) Detectives; two (2)
part-time secretaries and a full time Administrative Assistant. The
Police Department has two (2) vehicles that sit at the schools all
day long. The vehicle count right now is nine (9) and we only have a
maximum of two (2) patrols at one time. Chief Brooks stated that the
small community of Lisbon normally uses one patrol; so why do we need
all the vehicles. A side note, Chief Brooks does not have a “life
cycle management” program to replace fewer vehicles each year.
Last year we replaced two vehicles and this year we are replacing
three vehicles.
As
you can see, Chief Brooks made no attempt to help the taxpayers out
this year. Instead, he teamed up with Chairwoman Ward (who does not
pay Real Estate taxes in Lisbon) to stick it to the people.
Chairwoman
Ward even went so far as to not allow the people to speak prior to
the vote on the Municipal budget at the Special Town Council meeting.
This is a gross abuse of her position.
How are the
Councilors going to know how the people feel if the people are not
allowed to voice their concerns?
Every
time you see Chief Brooks and Chairwoman Lisa Ward thank them for
your increase in your taxes.
Larry
Fillmore
Well said Larry.
ReplyDeleteI wonder; do the councilors know that they need to make their suggestions into a motion, to be voted on by the council?
If not than Town Attorney Roger Therriault is not doing his job of properly informing the councilors how to do theirs.
Councilor Chair Lisa Ward could have made the suggestions into motions herself, but that would not have made Chief Brooks very happy. Got to keep Brooksie happy.
High and higher taxes do not affect either, as Chief Brooks income from the Town of Lisbon alone is over $74,000 per year. Plus his MMA retirement. Well over the income of most taxpayers, and Lisa Ward does not pay any! ! ! ! ! !
Thank you Mr. Pesce for keeping your head up high and doing what is right by the people. You are then only one who hears us and listens to us. I'm appalled at the way the other councilors are handling themselves. They are behaving as though they have no power and no brain and can only do as they are told by Ms. Ward. If the councilors are unable to be effective and creative in their decision making and problem solving skills, it is time for them to go. My advice to the councilors...."If you are occupying a seat in order to be somebody’s string puppet it is time for you to go". "Stand up, grow a spine and think for yourself". “Make a change”.
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