Comments on: Selectmen Workshop 12/01/09

By: jr

jr — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:59:19 +0000

I liked the idea of a capital improvement fund to purchase a new fire truck in the coming years or as someone else said look for grants. As far as greed if you dont ask people wont know you need something. yes the fire truck didnt pass this year but now people are aware that yes a fire apparatus are becoming outdated and need to be replaced so i see no fault in the LFD asking at this time. If people had voted for the fire truck then a message would have been sent, we need a new fire truck. You are right this year the people said we didnt need it but the topic is still out there and the town understands the need for next years ballot.

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 23:21:34 +0000

Thanks Pat that was my point I was trying to get across.

There’s been alot of talk about the flyer that went out at the last minute. I also got it and read it. Whether it be legal or not legal what I have to say is, when you present an image of yourself you had better be able to uphold to that image. In other words, walk the walk just not talk the talk. Some of the things that I am aware of just made chuckle. Arrogance comes to mind!!!!!

This past year I have written many many articles, NOT just to complain but I truly wanted the citizens to become aware of situations that were happening here in town. I think we did just that. Now comes the time to pick a problem and work on it. There is so much crap in the world can’t we all just get along?

By: pat

pat — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:36:11 +0000

I also agree with you strive that it was greedy to ask at this time when they said it could wait. some one got laid off because the budget was bad, but lets ask for a fire truck THEY said we dont need. I am not anti-fire dept, but i am anti-needless spending. Maybe that is why the selectmen, glen stadig and chris gilpatrick and others voted against it

By: pat

pat — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:34:12 +0000

strive, i think if you talk to them, they work together fine – my family members and friends work on the depts and they do get along – it seems to be people like jr who tries to cause crap

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:30:10 +0000

I have to agree with you jr. I know I was not so nice towards the fire department, but my ONLY concern was I thought it very greedy to ask for a $400,000 fire truck when they just got $20,000, back in November, to have another one fixed, I believe? Not to mention the fact that they don’t have enough members to drive the vehicles that they have already. I didn’t want my taxes going up because of this.

I don’t think we will EVER find out what the real contention is between the fire and rescue. I am sad that it was brought out here on this website, and it should not have been.

By: pat

pat — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:25:05 +0000

I have friends and relatives on both departments. The funny thing is they work together great and these issues seem to be people outside of the dept. I went to the community day and saw them work together, glen posted on here they worked together great at a call – it seems that the only ones who say they dont are the outsiders – are you trying to cause rifts?

I noticed that jason wasnt the only selectmen that voted against the fire truck and it looks like he gave his reasons. It looks like Mr Gilpatrick voted against it too. Is he anti- fire department because he simply voted against a truck he felt they didnt need?

I agree, I have watched this site go from a good site to a bunch of women nagging about how bad things are. Guess what, they just had an election and people kept almost everything the same. So maybe the 4-5 of you should get together and have a sob festival about how sad your lives are.

By: jr

jr — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:17:43 +0000

That’s what Im trying to get at, maybe someone from one of these departments can shed some light on the whole situation because as of now I have no idea where the tension is coming from?

By: Me

Me — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:07:48 +0000

There does seem to be a lot of hatred between the two departments. Is there a reason I do not know about or should that reason stay a secret?I’m not saying it a secret to imply anything and if it is going to start a fight then keep it a secret. Out a everyone these people should be able to work together better than anyone. A lot of people and lives depend on their ability to do just that.

By: jr

jr — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:43:51 +0000

I was just wondering why everyone posting on here is attacking the FD. I know the voting is over but all this babble about shutting down the LFD is ridiculous. I saw a few posts about what the LFD is doing with their corporation monies. I understand where the FD is coming from when they decided not to disclose the numbers. then someone from the rescue said that the LFD were hiding numbers and lacked the transparency that the rescue department had and stated they had the numbers on their website. Where? I looked through their website and found no information as to what was in their corporation fund only their budget from the town. I think this whole thing with rescue and Fire has gone on long enough. I’d like a reason why there is a rift? So as for all of the people posting on how the Rescue shows where their corporation money goes or the balance on their corporate account is online, I would like to see it, we’ll call it “transparency.” the same reason all of you threw the FD under the bus and shouted about nixing their budget. So let’s compare apples to apples next time we call up the lynch mob shall we? I think both our FD and rescue do a fine job, but whats good for the goose….. maybe the FD needs a website, weekly interview with the media or cute pamphlets to hand out as to why they need to update their fleet? Or maybe we should all start treating these two organizations the same as an extension of our town and praise BOTH sides. Id like to thank all of those who serve on these two teams and thank them for all they do.

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Fri, 28 May 2010 01:19:32 +0000

did you follow all the budget committee meetings ?perhaps,you missed the road budget where the road commissioner didn’t want a salary but the selectmen MADE him take it so he could have health insurance.where’s the town complaining on this?or how about the dump department head/selectman who’s allowing our town to pay thousands of dollars in bills for lebanon n.h..maybe we don’t need a budget committe and let our selectmen and department heads spend whatever they want and we can give them all blank checks on july 1st.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 27 May 2010 20:38:03 +0000

thats floors me that the budget committee recommended a fire truck when they say we dont need one and they are laying off at the town hall?

i guess the budget committee does have special interests. I thought some of the selectmen issues were bad, doesn’t even come close to the actions of this budget committee.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 15 May 2010 17:02:44 +0000

so every one is cutting and the budget committee recommended buying a new $400,000 fire truck? dont we already have more fire trucks then all the other towns??

By: Average Joe

Average Joe — Thu, 13 May 2010 22:32:29 +0000

I am still confused why people who are supposed to be looking out for the best interest of the taxpayers would recommend a new $400,000 fire truck that is barely used and they even said they didnt need this year because its got all brand new equipmetn on the old one, and not recommend an ambulance used almost daily, costs nothing to the taxpayers and brings in money?

Whose pocket is the budget committee in>?

By: Curious One

Curious One — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:31:03 +0000

I was reading the article about calls for service in the newspaper and it says lebanon fire department has 7 calls for assist to police. When you read their log, they have 1. They have some logs for issuing permits at the station and mopping the floor, does the fire department now count the issuing permits as a “call”???

Seems like they are trying to blow smoke up ours to think we need a new truck? Maybe its so when they sit at the station and write burn permits, they can see the shiny new $400,000 truck just sitting there?

By: Lebanon Resident

Lebanon Resident — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:58:28 +0000

SPREAD THE WORD:

WE CANNOT AFFORD A 4TH PUMPER WHEN MOST TOWN HAVE LESS. WE ALSO HAVE A FORESTRY, 2 SQUAD TRUCKS AND A BOAT AND PAY FOR THE FIRE CHIEFS PERSONAL VEHICLE.

NO NEW FIRE TRUCK!!!

By: Jason Cole

Jason Cole — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:49:52 +0000

Chris and all,

I just had a chance to log on and was very surprised to see all the discussion, not only on this one, but several other posts.

The two departments work very well at the scenes together. I am not sure who the firefighter is, but they seem passionate about their fire truck.

This should not be a “us vs. them” thing – hopefully we can find a way to get the things the town truly needs.

Also, I saw a post I wanted to correct above from someone. The ambulance is paid for by revenue it brings in, and does not effect the tax rate – wanted to clarify that!

Each department puts together a review committee that spends a lot of time getting info and looking at trucks. We sent several people to the Chiefs conference to look at ambulances in June. We have been researching and trying to get this ambulance for a few years, so we have really good info built up. We also have been having various companies bring ambulances over for us to look at.

In the end, its the taxpayers that get to chose what they can afford that year. The selectmen and budget committee offered support to put it on the ballot and will carefully review the truck and then make their recommendations. Either way, residents are smart and can make their own decision!

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:15:26 +0000

chairman is dan roy who is a fire department member.i believe the department puts together a committee when they are looking to put a request before the residents for a truck.this is how they research the truck they are requesting and how its been done in the past.

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:58:15 +0000

I have a question? You said Chairman of the Truck Committee. Who is Chairman of the Truck Committee, Skip Wood? Is this committee something that was thought of internally? Should the town’s people been allowed to vote on who is on the Committee? A committee is a good idea but seems logical to me that it should be someone that doesn’t have an agenda. Do they have enough people in the fire department to form a COMMITTEE? Boy thats a scarey thought. I know someone who has his own corporation, which he is the president and his wife is the vice president. No other parties involved lol…….boy this town sure has some problems. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life, and the two biggest problems are the (Do Nothing Duo)…….

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:47:15 +0000

ALL the departments should be open and honest.the chairman of the truck committee stated that the departmen could get by with this truck however,we need to look toward the future to replace this truck.this decision should be upto the voters.not our selectmen.lets vote on these articles and get on with the decisions voted on.the fire department could hold a presentation for the town but who would show up?one or two people?!how busy were our selectmen that two couldn’t make it to the meeting that the budget committee attended?does this show their interest on a new truck when they couldn’t be bothered?maybe these two will listen to their “constituents” and the truck won’t be on the ballot.(stranger things have happened with these two)just my thoughts.

By: taxpayer

taxpayer — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:28:40 +0000

i agree chris, we are lucky to have volunteers. I just think whatever department needs to give us facts and back them up. Reading the above comments, it looks like he was caught in a lie and then said he forgot?

Our departments must be open and honest, right?

By: taxpayer

taxpayer — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:23:18 +0000

Chris, I am not a member of either, and I don’t think the other people posting are as I read them. I do think that people are turned off because the postings that included false information and scare tactics. We are just concerned citizens and when this kid keeps posting false statements to scare us, I think we deserve better!!

This is not the year to raise taxes, either for a fire truck or an ambulance

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 22:18:29 +0000

why all the figer pointing,bitching and complaining on this issus.if i was from another town reading these posts i’d say what the hell kinda town do they run there.let the fire present their case and have the residents vote on it.same for the ambulance issue.where were all the people who are posting the other night to have most of these questions answered?lets work on cutting the waste in this town so when the truck is voted for we’ll have the money available to buy it.supporting both these departments should be what this town should be doing because we can not get a bigger bang for our dollar.how does these two departments get along at s scene when this is how they act posting??just curious.

By: taxpayer

taxpayer — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:51:45 +0000

I guess whoever he is, is the chairman of some new truck committee and an officer of the FD??

Maybe your parents could drive you down and ask them?

He apparantly stated they did NOT need to replace it this year.

Again, when you get old enough to pay taxes, we will listen!

Maybe, you should call your friends at the fd and confirm what you say before you say things – you are making yourself and the FD look ridiculous!!

By: :)

:) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:47:11 +0000

First there is no Chairman to the FD there is a chief and so on . They need all four trucks they have said this time and time again if you do not do the job then you cannot be expected to understand.

By: taxpayer

taxpayer — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 21:28:49 +0000

I think that it is wrong to compare us to Sanford, Biddeford and Rochester, they have about 200 million more in taxable property.

When you get old enough to pay taxes on your own, you will understand!!

Thats a joke, saying because Rochester and Sanford have ladder trucks, we need it, even though the fire chief said we didn’t need it!!

From reading the comments from above, it also seems like we DONT need a fire truck, according to the Chairman of the FD, “We Do NOT really need this truck????”

Stop wasting my taxes!