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More questions
... than answers
photo by Harrison Thorp
Ernie Lizotte of Emery Mills Road voices his concerns regarding the proposed expansion of power lines by CMP during Monday night's Referendum Ballot meeting at the Lebanon Elementary School.
In a tightly controlled, often contentious meeting that restricted debate and gave selectmen the option to ignore direct questions from budget board members and residents, moderator and town counsel Attorney Alan Shepard on Monday night led townspeople through the 37 referendum questions that will be presented for town vote on June 12.
The acrimony surfaced early as budget committee members fumed over selectmen’s attachment of what some thought an inflated $93,000 salary for a proposed town manager position, which was voted in by residents. When a resident asked how selectmen arrived at such a high salary, selectmen Bob Frizzell, Ronal Patch and Karen Gerrish had nothing to say, and Shepard moved to the next question.
Selectmen have voted unanimously to revoke the town manager position, while the budget committee voted to keep it, but felt the nearly six-figure salary too high.
Another referendum that drew a lot of comment was the Fire Department’s proposal to buy a new firetruck at a cost of $375,000, which some thought too expensive, while others felt it was needed. A Fire Department spokesman said the current Engine 1 is constantly breaking down and out of service. Others felt the price tag too high and a cheaper alternative could be found. Still others questioned if it was needed at all.
Despite Central Maine Power’s preliminary agreement to move proposed expanded transmission lines some 500 feet away from
Town Hall and the Hanson and Lebanon Elementary School, the utility drew strong criticism regarding their substation and expansion plans. John H. Carroll, a manager of public affairs, said the expansion would mean fewer and shorter outages across town.
The most scrutiny of the night fell upon making Laverne Lane off Heath Road a town road as planning board and budget committee members as well as selectmen all seemed to agree the road specs originally drawn up by the developer had not been properly executed and a turnaround on the cul de sac wasn’t up to town and state guidelines. Since there was no specific appropriation connected to the question, selectmen said they had not voted on it, and had also stricken the budget committee 10-0 vote against it being made a town road. A member of the committee, however, made it clear the entire panel was against the measure. A resident queried selectmen as to why they didn’t vote on it, since if the town had to snowplow and pave the road, did it not have monetary impact on the town. Again, selectmen deigned to address the concern.
Selectmen were again on the defensive on Question 36, which would authorize the board to waive tax lien foreclosures on properties where it is deemed to be in the best interest of the town. One budget board member expressed concern that it would allow selectmen too much leeway. He said some form of oversight and accountability measures were necessary to prevent abuse of the system. “What if they have some old friend … you know,” he added.
Meeting style stifled debate, explanation
From left, Town Counsel Alan Shepard, Selectwoman Karen Gerrish and Selectmen Chairman Bob Frizzell following the conclusion of Monday's meeting. See Opinion Page for editorial.
Many townspeople in attendance at Monday’s referendum ballot hearing said Tuesday they were angry with the meeting’s format and the abrupt departure by some selectmen at its conclusion.
“Usually after the meeting they stay and answer questions,” said one resident who asked not to be identified. “They obviously didn’t want to stick around.”
While Selectwoman Karen Gerrish stayed a few minutes Selectmen Chairman Bob Frizzell and selectman Ronal Patch both left quickly.
Budget Committee Chairman Nancy Neubert said today people may have problems with the meeting’s format, but it’s been the same for years. “It’s not a place to bring up specific grievances with selectmen. It’s a hearing on the ballot questions.”
Format irks some
