Welcome to the first Lisbon Online Newsletter. The Town of Lisbon has a lot of information to share with its citizens and businesses. If anyone would like to include local events please submit them to rbradley@lisbonme.org. Be sure to include as much information as possible. Ideas and suggestions for this communication tool are also welcome.
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| Did you know.....Lisbon got its name after Lisbon, Portugal? |
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From the Manager's Desk
In efforts to keep the Lisbon citizens in touch with their local government the municipal staff is very excited to begin the Town of Lisbon Quarterly Newsletter. There is a tremendous amount of activity going on in Lisbon that should be of interest to all ages, including people that work and play in our community.
Lisbon is a passionate community that offers its residents a wide variety of services with a staff that is committed to public service. For those of us that are discovering Lisbon it is apparent that citizens can be proud of the areas such as the Paper Mill Trail, Beaver Park, the numerous recreation programs, schools and many other wonderful assets. These assets are the result of committed school and municipal staff and the long list of volunteers that put in hours that benefit everyone.
As we head into the fall season department heads and I are beginning to look at our upcoming budget process. We have started to examine our Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which includes town infrastructure such as roads, buildings, parks, and vehicle and equipment replacement. We are looking to extend the use of all vehicles and equipment. The CIP will be delivered to the Town Council and Planning Board in December. I am working with the Lisbon School Superintendent, Dr. Shannon Welch to create a town wide infrastructure assessment which will include all school and municipal needs.
Dr. Welch and I are also working with Tracy Austin, School Board member and Gina Mason, Town Councilor to explore ways to save money by sharing of services, etc. We are confident that we can find and identify opportunities for savings while maintaining and improving the necessities and addressing the desires of the community. Look on our website www.lisbonme.org in November for the upcoming budget process schedule.
The budget process will be very difficult this year given these financial difficult times. The cost of material, energy and insurances continues to climb. Municipal staff is working on ways to reduce and track costs and discover ways to improve how we operate. Revenue from the state is expected to be less this year with the recent dramatic change in the economy. Everyone is affected and it will have an impact on all of us. We have our work cut out!
Staff continues to plan and push forward. Expect to see upcoming reports from the Department Heads. Mark and staff at the Recreation Department and Verla at the Parks Department are already into their fall programs and winter is just around the corner and they will offer additional seasonal activities. Don't forget it is never too late to start an exercise program. Rosie from the Economic and Community Development Department has visioning sessions planned to accommodate citizens and collect their ideas for the future of Lisbon. She has dusted off the 2000 Downtown Study and it will be interesting to look to the future and what it holds for Lisbon.
Police, Fire and General Assistance are active and have new programs to assist those in need this winter. We held the Energy Forum that was well attended and was very informative. Judy Goddard, GA Director and I are attempting to raise funds and collect donations for fuel assistance to assist those that don't qualify for GA. Officer Stanton, Lisbon PD is creating a list of those citizens that want to be checked on regularly this winter. If you would like your name on the list, contact Officer Stanton through the Police Department. Mark Stevens has an open door at the MTM Center for people that just want to get together with friends and stay warm.
Staff throughout the municipal departments is working on grants to help fund specialty projects such as the trail system extensions, MTM programs, Fire, Police and Economic Development activities. These are always very competitive and especially now. We have a number of staff that has had good success at acquiring grants. We will keep our fingers crossed.
I would like to recognize Twila Lycette, Town Clerk, and her numerous election staff for a job well done. This was a record year for absentee ballots and new voter registrations. The Town Office has been a very busy place. Look for our report on the web every quarter.
Sincerely,
Steve Eldridge
Town Manager
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| Did you know.....Stephen King graduated from Lisbon High School? |
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Thank You Charlie Smith |
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Charlie Smith is a remarkable man that has given unselfishly to the Town of Lisbon in some capacity for the past sixteen years. Those of you that know Charlie know he is a man of integrity, common sense and fairness. He has been an asset in every capacity he has served, which have been many.
Public service is not an easy task. There are many meetings, committees, time away from family and the frustrations that go along with it all. It can also be very rewarding when you realize all that can been accomplished and the positive impact you can have for your community. Charlie has certainly experienced all of these and has made great strides during his tenure.
It is difficult to find volunteers to fill the necessary positions and very rare that one is found that will dedicate so much time and energy to their community. It is for these reasons and more that Charlie will be greatly missed. We truly are grateful and appreciate all you have done. Thank you doesn't seem adequate, but thank you Charlie for sixteen years of dedication and commitment to the Town of Lisbon.
Below are Charlie's Comments that he read at his last Council meeting.
Tonight's meeting concludes my involvement in town government representing the citizens of the Town of Lisbon. This activity has lasted for sixteen years and for the most part has been a positive and rewarding process. During this time I have had the pleasure working with many very talented and dedicated individuals which serve to carry out the day to day requirements involved in operating municipal government.
Since first starting I have seen many positive changes within the Town of Lisbon. These include the construction of the building we are sitting in, a new elementary school, a new form of government, many new and improved businesses, and a wide variety of utility infrastructure projects.
I have seen many changes in personnel. I have worked with two Town Managers, three Fire Chiefs, three Public Works Directors, two finance directors, and many others who have come on board or left.
I have served on a wide variety of committees. including The Building Needs Committee, Site selection committee for the Lisbon Community School, The Fire apparatus committee, and most recently the RSU committee just to name a few.
I came here with no agenda or special interest and have maintained that approach throughout. I have always tried to be fair and open to all concerns. I called things like I saw them and have no regrets for my decisions.
The past summer brought with it a new challenge for Lisbon Town Officials. The negative atmosphere displayed during this past summer and fall which obviously was driven by personal agendas, special interest, and misinformation, resulted in additional expense for all Lisbon citizens.
This coupled with the challenges of the extreme economic times makes progress within local government impossible and clearly places us at a huge disadvantage when competing for new business with other cities and towns.
Lisbon is a great community, and in my view is poised to prosper in the years to come if we as citizens support the many sound economic opportunities which will be offered to us. I realize that in view of the current state of the economy that is difficult to believe tonight, but by maintaining a positive attitude by all citizens, and by Town Officials keeping the towns best long term interests in mind, we all will share the rewards .which the future will bring.
In closing I would like to thank the citizens of the Town of Lisbon for the opportunity to serve you. Thank you.
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The Revitalization Committee
Wants You to
The Lisbon Revitalization Committee is an energized, working group that is fun to participate on. Their goal is to make Lisbon the best place to live, work and play.
The committee is planning to hold three Community Visioning Sessions. One will be held on a weekday morning, one on a weeknight and one on a Saturday to ensure an opportunity for everyone to attend one of the sessions. All three sessions will be the same. The first session is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9th from 7pm - 9:30pm at the Lisbon Community School.
These session are to gather input and data from the citizens and businesses of Lisbon, which will be used to create a strategy for Lisbon. This tool will be the roadmap of where Lisbon wants to be in 5 years, 10 years and 20 years and how to get there.
This is an opportunity for everyone to have a voice and be creative and think outside the box. All ideas and suggestions are welcome. These will be positive sessions to spotlight Lisbon and focus on its future.
Once all the data is collected the committee will compile it and bring it back to the citizens for one large event to unveil the findings. At this time the information will be prioritized by the community and a mission statement will be created.
Separate subcommittees will be created based on the information collected (i.e. recreation, housing, transportation, economic development etc.). These subcommittees will create strategic plans with specific details to move the agendas forward.
The committee needs the community to participate in these sessions. This is your town. Get involved and help shape the future for the generations of tomorrow.
This is an invitation for anyone that wants to participate and be a constructive participant in shaping the future of Lisbon. We are open to ideas and suggestions. Just imagine for a moment what your community could be at its very best! |
| Did you know.....Lisbon had a semi-pro baseball team called the Worumbo Indians? |
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Upcoming Events
November -Wreath classes
at Beaver Park Lone Pine Lodge - Cost $8.00
November 22 9am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm
November 23 1pm - 4pm
November 29 9am - 12pm & 1pm - 4pm
November 30 1pm - 4pm
Registration is required contact Verla at 353-9075
November 21
Logo & Slogan contest Deadline
The Lisbon Revitalization Committee is holding a contest with $50 prizes for each winner. Submit entries by the deadlilne. FMI contact Rosie Bradley at the Town Office.
November 27
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
11:00am - 1:30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Frost Hill Avenue, Lisbon Falls. Pie Donations are needed. For more information or to register contact Rosie at 353-3000 ext. 122 or email rbradley@lisbonme.org.
Community Visioning Session
7:00pm - 9:30pm at Lisbon Community School, Mill Street, Lisbon. This is the first of three sessions. Attend to help plan the future of Lisbon. Have your ideas and visions be heard. Help create a roadmap for Lisbon. For more information contact Rosie Bradley at the Town Office.
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Did you know....On February 20, 1802 the Town of Thompsonborough was officially changed to the Town of Lisbon because of "the inconveniency in the length of the name".
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LISBON PD RAISES MONEY FOR KIDS PLAYING NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Lisbon PD DARE Football Team
To the Citizens and Businesses of Lisbon and surrounding communities who contributed to the 2008 D.A.R.E. fundraiser:
The sixth meeting of the New England Patriots Alumni vs. the Lisbon D.A.R.E. All-Stars is now history. The Patriots won on the field but the real winners are the kids who receive from and take part in our D.A.R.E. Programs. This event is the only fundraiser our D.A.R.E. Program promotes and monies raised will finance D.A.R.E. Program activities for the next two (2) years.
The Lisbon D.A.R.E. Program is in its twenty-first year. All Lisbon sixth and eighth graders participate in the D.A.R.E. curriculum. Detective Bernard McAllister, our original D.A.R.E. instructor, along with School Resource Officer's Darin Estes and Renee Bernard continue to provide a quality program curriculum at the Lisbon Community School and Sugg Middle School.
D.A.R.E. goes beyond just school curriculum. The D.A.R.E. Program sponsors numerous activities and trips throughout the year that include ski trips, white water rafting, bike rodeo, roller skating, swimming at the YMCA, fishing club and Amtrak trips to Boston to tour the Science Museum AND to see Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus.
The D.A.R.E. Program is very active and incurs expenses. This one fundraiser, every other year, allows D.A.R.E. to have hundreds of Lisbon kids to learn from its curriculum and have fun taking part in its activities.
The Lisbon Community, police, school and recreation departments are committed to D.A.R.E. and it continues to be a wonderful program for our kids.
To date, this year's D.A.R.E. fundraiser has brought in over $16,000 for the program.
Thank you for the many years of supporting D.A.R.E. and helping in providing a good life experience for our youth. And a special thank you for your generosity in making the 2008 New England Patriots Alumni vs. the D.A.R.E. All-Stars flag football game a successful event for our D.A.R.E. Program.
Sincerely,
David T. Brooks
Chief of Police
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Municipal Meetings
Town Council Meetings
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month
7:00 pm at Town Office, 300 Lisbon St., Lisbon
School Committe
2nd and 4th Monday of each month
7:00 pm at Town Office, 300 Lisbon St., Lisbon
Water Commissioners
2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
2:45 pm at Water Department,
Library Governing Board
1st Wednesday of each month
7:00 pm at Library on Main St. Lisbon Falls
Planning Board
4th Thursday of each month
7:00 pm at Town Office, 300 Lisbon St., Lisbon
Board of Appeals
3rd Monday of each month
7:00 pm at Town Office, 300 Lisbon St., Lisbon
Conservation Commission
2nd Tuesday of each month
7:30 pm at Beaver Park, Pinewoods Road, Lisbon
Recreation Committee
1st Monday of each month
Lisbon Trail Commission
4th Thursday of each month
Technology Committee
2nd Tuesday of each month
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DEPARTMENT REPORTS & UPDATES |
| PUBLIC WORKS
Elwood Beal - Director |
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Throughout the summer the Public Works Department was busy with preparing and working the Moxie Days Festival. With all the rain we had, we also had many washouts that needed to be taken care of on High St., Potter Rd., Canal St., Mill St., Littlefield Rd. and the Walking Trail to name a few. We did many hours of work along the Walking Trail doing shoulder work and trimming brush and limbs.
Before any paving could get done we had to prepare the manholes. Those areas included the following list of streets: Irene, Bartholomew, Royal, Vining, Pleasant, Patterson, Reid and Zamore.
We tried to get all the street sweeping and crosswalk painting done before school started but with all the rain delays it wasn't completed until after the start of school. We replaced quite a few culverts, graded roads, filled potholes, did roadside ditching, cleaned catch basins, replaced street signs that were either faded or vandalized and mowed, trimmed and pruned the many Town garden areas.
BEAVER PARK
Verla Brooks, Park Ranger
WREATH CLASSES AT
BEAVER PARK
Make your own Christmas wreath at Beaver Park Lone Pine Lodge on Saturday, November 22 from 9 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday November 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will also be a wreath-making workshop on Saturday November 29 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday November 30 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please contact Verla Brooks at Beaver Park (353-9075) to register for a class to make a Christmas wreath, to order one made, or to have any questions answered. Space is limited and registration is required. There will be an $8.00 charge per wreath made at the workshop. Payment is due at time of registration. Please make checks payable to the Town of Lisbon.
Groups are invited to schedule special evening classes. All funds derived from the classes and sale of wreaths support projects at Beaver Park
ECONOMIC/COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Rosie Bradley, Director
The ECD office has been very busy with many projects being undertaken. The Revitalization Committee is still looking for a few more members. This is a fun, exciting working committee that will help shape the future and direction of the Town of Lisbon.
As part of the efforts to revitalize Lisbon, the ECD office is preparing an RFP for the redevelopment of the Worumbo Mill. This site is a great location and will be an excellent project that will affect all other downtown efforts.
There are two parcels on Route 196 that we are working on to attract new development opportunities to. The Longchamps property and the Huston property. We are anticipating these to be used as industrial/business parks.
The ECD office is working with General Assistance to plan the Lisbon Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This truly is a "community" event and the outpouring of donations from businesess and citizens has been remarkable. Contact Rosie to register for the meal (home deliveries are also available) or to volunteer.
The business database is being finalized. If you want to make sure your business is listed, please contact the office or send your information to Rosie by email. There is also a real estate database that is being completed. If you have any commercial property or land for sale or lease be sure to get your property listed in our database. I get several calls for site locations and it is vital to know what is available when we get those calls.
Soon merchants will be contacted to attend a meeting to revive a Lisbon Merchants Association. This will be to look at ways to find co-op opportunities to help businesses survive in this struggling economy and to create ways to bring people to Lisbon while working collaboratively on projects and events.
For more information on any programs or information please contact Rosie by phone 353-3000 ext. 122 or by email rbradley@lisbonme.org. LIBRARY
The following is the short version of services provided by the Lisbon Library Department:
Lisbon Library Department
28 Main St.
Lisbon Falls, Me 04252
207-353-6564
lisbonlibrary@lisbonme.org
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9-5, Tuesday 9AM-7PM & Saturday 9AM-2PM.
The Lisbon Library Department offers a wide range of library services to the residents and taxpayers of Lisbon. Services also available to Non Resident patrons for a $30 yearly fee.
Current bestsellers and new Non Fiction titles
Adult and Children Video & DVD collection
Adult and Children audio/books on tape
Daily newspapers
Circulating Magazines
Weekly Storytime for
ages 3-5
Weekly Toddler Time for ages 18 months - 3 yrs.
Internet Access on 3 library computers
Wireless Internet Access for patron computers
Tax Forms - Federal and State
Photocopies
Word Processing with Printers
On-line data bases for research & job searches & applications
It is the objective of the Lisbon Library to select, organize and preserve books and related materials in order to provide information, self-education and recreation for the intellectual and cultural development of all residents of the Town of Lisbon.
Library Governing Board meets the 2nd Wednesday of every month and invites the public to attend meetings. Please call the Library at 353-6564 for more information or questions.
The Assessing Department's function is to find, list, and add value to all real and personal property in Lisbon. We have the property tax assessing information on our website at www.lisbonme.org under Virtual Clerk. The Code Enforcement Office enforces the Lisbon zoning ordinance, conducts inspections, and issues building, electrical, and plumbing permits. This combined office also assigns street addresses and manages the functions involved with the E 911 addressing system. The staffing for both the Planning Board as well the Zoning Board of Appeals is also handled by this department.
TOWN CLERK
Twila Lycette, Clerk
DOG RENEWAL TIME!
Lisbon will hold a rabies clinic at the Riverside Animal Clinic on Main Street in Lisbon Falls from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM on December 6. The fee is $14.00 per pet. Please bring your pet's previous 1-yr or 3-year rabies certificate. Cats must be in a crate and dogs on a lease.
Dog Licenses expire annually on December 31. You may renew your dog's license by mail as follows: Send a current rabies certificate and the appropriate fee to the Town Clerk, Town of Lisbon, 300 Lisbon Street, Lisbon, ME 04250. Male/Female dog licenses are $11.00 each.
Spayed/neutered dog licenses are $6.00 each.
We can call your vet and verify your pet's rabies certificate if you enclose a $2.00 fee for each request and the Vet's name. For more information, call 353-3000 Extension 112.
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If you have any facts or tidbits about Lisbon that we could use for our "Did you know..." sections please submit them to the Town Office. |
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Positive Thinking
Positive Speaking
Positive Actions
Create Positive Results
BE POSITIVE!
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Town of Lisbon
Phone Directory
353-3000
Jody Durisko 102
Steve Eldridge 104
Ora Madden 107
NancyBosse 108
Twila Lycette 109
Mike Cote 111
Town Clerk 112
Geri Woods 113
AccountsPayable 114
Cathy Ricker 115
Ryan Leighton 116
Sean Galipeau 121
RosieBradley 122
Judy Goddard 124
David Brooks 212
Library 353-6564
MTM 353-2289
Public Works 353-3016
Transfer St. 353-3009
Water Dept. 353-3020
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We hope you enjoyed the information provided in this newsletter. We want to hear your feedback, suggestions or ideas to improve on this tool and any other tools that we can utilize to keep the citizens and businesses informed and up to date with relevant issues.
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Quarterly Newsletter 
