Comments on: Budget Committee 02/23/10

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:37:00 +0000

*Internet Explorer
My apologies for the typo

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 25 May 2010 18:35:56 +0000

We pay for the town’s website? Really? I use Internest Explorer, and I still get the Error 404 Not Found all the time. None of the sports are current. There was a notice in the Hanson school when soccer sign-ups would be, but nothing on the town’s website. It seems whatever we are paying for this website, we are paying too much.

By: jasoncole

jasoncole — Mon, 24 May 2010 03:20:51 +0000

Jr,

I totally agree that our town needs a town manager. I have always been for a town manager as I see many great things that can come from a town manager, especially grants and costs savings. I will be the first to admit that I do not do everything right, and have made mistakes. But I will admit them, learn from them and try to make sure they do not happen again.

I have worked in a town managers office for a couple years and was amazed at what they can do.

I think the more the community works together, the better things will work. We cannot have people always trying to break things. Yesterday was a perfect example, the town had an amazing day and over 1000 people came together to celebrate Lebanon. Hours later, someone destroyed the new lawn for the Civil War Memorial. So we went from good to bad.

Jr, I appreciate your post and always hope that if you have any ideas or suggestions, to please pass them on. Things can’t change over night, but things will get better – I really hope we can find who did that to the town hall – they took pride away from a lot of people who did a lot of work to make a nice memorial.

By: Jr.

Jr. — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:47:09 +0000

also strive, if you are using firefox like I do, i get the same error screen try using the regular internet explorer. i hope this helps.

By: Jr.

Jr. — Sun, 23 May 2010 22:43:03 +0000

let me say it was never my intent to come to this forum to trade blows. I believe many people my self included have lost sight of what my message was that this government needs an overhaul and sitting idle doesnt solve anything. I applaud selectman Cole for responding and showing his side and taking ownership for his comments. I feel we are both in the same boat, trying our best to right this ship but going against the tide. We are all frustrated by the goings on in this town from road work to the budgeting of the town hall but lets not go after each other, we are the solution and should work together as such. If the residents have responded well to Facebook than I am all for it though I do believe the town site could use serious attention. I also commend selectman Cole for his efforts in volunteering, I never meant to question his ethics or devotion to our town. I was only stating to Progress (who obviously doesnt have the stones to respond to my comments!) that there are people who could sway public opinion to their benefit. I never said any of the selectmen have or will do this i was only saying it could be done. I also say that progress and all the other Chris Matthews wannabes with their pseudo intellectual rants and half cocked political theories need to clam up because they are part of the problem, people standing in the shadows complaining yet doing nothing but talking poorly about people who try to benefit the town. I agree with selectman Cole that there is a need for better communication and that we as a town put too heavy of a burden on our selectmen who have other careers and families to take care of. I feel and believe Mr Cole will agree, that a town manager will solve these problems and give the government ears to the people, not just the ones that are fortunate enough to have the internet. Also it will ease the burden on the selectmen allowing them to make more informed decisions with out the strain and research. So lets all work together to set this ship on the right course and let the naysayers speak in the shadows because I know that if we work together we can all make our home town the place we know it can be!!!

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Sun, 23 May 2010 15:25:20 +0000

Town website needs work? I think it should be deleted all together. We pay tax dollars for that website and when I have looked at it many of the departments haven’t been updated in several years. There needs to be a better system for the tax bills and the tax maps. It looks good on the main page but when you go to the different sites where are they? Some say Error 404 Not found. Puzzles me. Didn’t the person that installed that program get paid big bucks? Let me know if I am wrong about that. I don’t want to start any rumors.

By: jasoncole

jasoncole — Sun, 23 May 2010 13:34:02 +0000

Mr. Gilpatrick Jr,

I make the same as the other rescue volunteers, who actually make less then other town volunteers because they share less money as a group, there are more volunteers and they have double the manpower hours.

I don’t think any volunteer does it for the money, and if they do, I don’t think they are in it for the right reasons.

I think if you count the money I spend on the rescue, I probably make about negative $5.00 per hour. I donate a ton of stuff and don’t log most of my time. I do it to help the neighbors i live by.

Yes, my family is fortunate, we have great jobs and thats why we do as much as we can to help the community.

I agree, the town website needs work. Until I can find out how to fix it, I did something instead of sitting back. Now over 425 people get daily updates, which is better then before.

By: jr

jr — Sun, 23 May 2010 09:59:09 +0000

i would just like to ask selectmen cole if he know what happens under his nose? this is 2010 is it not? look at my slip and then look at a truck on a comperable route, thats all I’m saying. and as far as the rescue all of us did know your status in that department before the election. and i love how people make it sound like you are in the bread line because you dont make enough money working on the rescue department. I dont see how you are any different from any of the other countless volunteers in this town who donate their time and effort to local organizations. so dont go tooting your horn or crying poverty because from the looks of things you are doing alright. and im not saying the rescue isnt doing a great job because they are, your wife does a great job. and you really cant compare when i made 15,000 and you made three. last time i checked i had, liability insurance to pay for, fuel, breakdowns, a 44,000 dollar truck, so its kind of comparing apples to oranges is it not? and dont get me started back on facebook, all im saying is why dont the selectmen fix the webite, updating vendor lists, and other things that facebook doesnt offer. facebook is great but i dont think i can look up bid specs or updated tax maps, do you know what im saying? in the end this wasnt meant to be a personal attack, just a wakeup call to a few individuals who should look at the whole scope of things not just what they want to see.

By: jasoncole

jasoncole — Sun, 23 May 2010 00:16:01 +0000

Chris, I don’t think anyone would ever say that you don’t speak your mind I totally know when you feel something is wrong, you share it!

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Sun, 23 May 2010 00:14:49 +0000

i believe my plow truck sat in the door yard last year the same place it’ll be this winter.that was ’08 we are in 2010.

By: jasoncole

jasoncole — Sun, 23 May 2010 00:09:54 +0000

And thank for bringing the tractor today, the kids liked climbing on it and lots of kids took pictures.

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Sun, 23 May 2010 00:09:44 +0000

it would be nice if people read who is posting what.my son,who is a taxpayer and resident of this town definately doesn’t need me to tell him what to write on this site.some of his views mirror mine and others we are at different ends of the spectrum.my dad always told me if you have something to say,say it if that’s what you believe and don’t be afraid to put your name to it.unfortunately uninformed people post on here to stir the pot and post under different names because they don’t want people know who you really are.the fire truck issue is the best example.why keep bitching about it over and over again?let the voters vote on how they feel.as far as lossing faith in me,could care less!!!!!i know where i stand and ain’t afraid to say it,whether it’s here,public hearing,selectmen meeting or any other place i am and everybody knows it except a select few apparently.my FIVE cents.

By: jasoncole

jasoncole — Sun, 23 May 2010 00:08:15 +0000

I am looking at the town report from last year which would be the 2008 FY – it says a little over $15,000.

As I stated, I did not say you nor Jr. did a bad job, I simply stated that he made 5 times more then me at a rate 50 times more then me

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Sat, 22 May 2010 23:44:38 +0000

jason to clearify your numbers.i made $0.00 from the town of lebanon because i did not plow for the town last year . as a selectman perhaps you should look at past time slips where i would put in for time plowing and sanding and most one tons recieved almost double what i made for the same storm.some of us who have and still do work for the town do our jobs and go home whereas some trucks sit at the salt shed or corner store with the meter still running.or better yet go home to sleep ’til dawn then finish there plow route while others have been out all night,putting in for hours not worked.trust me i’ve seen all the backdoor deals,back scratching,over paid time slips and anything else you want to call it.maybe your fellow selectman can tell you about SHINAGANS that has occured past and present.i believe he can tell you the story about how three selectmen and a road commissioner all became suddenly ill and resigned or didn’t rerun for office.i wonder what was dug up back then???huh!!

By: My 2 Cents

My 2 Cents — Sat, 22 May 2010 23:40:53 +0000

Strive, i agree. jason works his butt off for this town and i have lost some faith in chris gilpatrick. jason is honest, hardworking and cares for the community. what a cheap shot at saying he is in our cookie jar when he gets like a buck for a call. wow, call the FBI, he may ask for a soda with his chips that he can afford to buy.

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Sat, 22 May 2010 23:36:14 +0000

I had to go back and read what Jr said. After reading Jason’s.
Gosh, Jason Cole is one of the most transparent people I know. He only wants what is best as well as chris does for this town. He didn’t employ his wife. He does NOT hand in mileage to and from the meeting like Mr. Frizzell does. As far as I am concerned Jason is the best of the three selectmen we have. The two other selectmen, however?????????

By: jasoncole

jasoncole — Sat, 22 May 2010 23:14:36 +0000

Oh yes, I forgot the part of me having my hands in the town departments for money, I make far less an hour working for the town then you do. My $1.20 an hour for rescue is more of re-imbursement for gas, wear and tear, etc. Last year I got like 3,000 and you received over $15,000 from the town and your dad over $15,000 from the town? So, for me going out for about 2000 hours a year helping people thats digging into town funds? You plow snow a few months out of the year and you make $15,000? I am not saying that you do not do a good job, but to say that I am a person in “OUR” cookie jar, I think its important for the people to see you made 5 times more then me and you make like 50 times more then me an hour?

By: jasoncole

jasoncole — Sat, 22 May 2010 22:18:50 +0000

Mr. Gilpatrick Jr,

First, the townspeople elected me knowing my wife was the rescue chief and I was the asst chief.

2nd, the facebook page was done to enhance communications and that is why I think over 400 residents have signed up for updates in one week, compared to the town website that only like 12 signed up for.

Are you saying that government shouldn’t try to communicate in effective ways with its residents?

Have you noticed how many towns use facebook. Our rescue was one of the first town agencies in the state to have one, and now has nearly 900 people that follow it.

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Sat, 22 May 2010 13:02:22 +0000

There are a few here in town that just kill me. Progress has NOT come on here since their statement about chris. People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
I’ve noticed when people like chris, glen, and others are honest and try to do good for the community, the ones that are used to the old way of life here in Lebanon lash out. They feel threatened that their old ways will be no longer, and are afraid they might have to go out and get a real job instead of lining their pockets with taxpayers money.
Way to go chris with your steadfast ways in persuing the truth on many aspects of town government!!!!!

By: glen stadig

glen stadig — Sat, 22 May 2010 02:07:03 +0000

Well put Mr. Gilpatrick Jr.!
I believe anyone who knows your father knows the truth, but you certainly cleared the waters for those that don’t.

It is easy to get mad, be upset, complain, and cast stones from afar and in anonymous ways.
It is another when one takes some time, attends meetings, pays attention, and gets involved as Mr Gilpatrick does.

Mr. Gilpatrick Sr. is a steadfast advocate for residents of this town and sets an example of involvement and participation few others will commit to. He is a straight shooter and has spent plenty of his hard earned money paying for reports and other information from the Town Hall.

Progress applauds the changes to the Ballot only showing a recommendation, then wants to know the votes?

Progress believes things are more open in Town yet the Selectmen repeatedly failed to answer questions during the Town Meeting, even the simple ones.

It Just doesn’t make sense…

By: Jr.

Jr. — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:24:07 +0000

Let me start by saying that my name is Chris Gilpatrick Jr. and I live at 424 Upper Guinea road. I have been a resident of this town since I was 3 years old. I read a comment on this site that really stuck in my craw and all day I’ve been stewing about it. I don’t normally let politics bother me but when someone questions my families ethics that is something else. (If people don’t believe me they can ask Selectman Patch.) I’d like to respond to Progress. I don’t know if you’ve been under a rock but what progress are you speaking of. At every meeting I have ever been to two of the selectmen are sleeping while the other one plays on his cell phone. And town officials on facebook give me a break!!! Do you really think local vendors interested in performing services for this town are going to check someones facebook wall? What I think would be “awesome” is if the selectmen got off their duffs and fixed this broken thing they call a government. And I would also like to know who this relative of mine is that owns a bookstore, or sells fire trucks. You know the one my old man is attempting to make a back door deal with to sell the town a new fire truck and supply their books. I really hop that progress isn’t talking about me because I’m the only family member I can think of with ties to the town. And I know I’m no the one reaping the benfits of my fathers actions. Progress or anyone else can check it out, I made 5,000 dollars from the town last year and 3,000 was spent on repairs. So don’t question my fathers intentions because I’ll tell you what he may be abrasive and speaks blunt and to the point but this town is a better place because of people like him. Also I love how He becomes the lightning rod for ridicule yet everyone turns a blind eye to the interests of our selectmen. Patch who is head of the transfer station which employs himself and his wife; Frizzell who’s company is contracted by the public works department, supplies the sand, and built the town hall; or Cole who is assistant chief of Lebanon Rescue which also employs his wife. So let me ask you progress who has more political motivation my father who runs a successful business and receives no income or financial benefits from the town? Or the three stooges with their hands in OUR cookie jar, All of whom hold key positions in various aspects or our towns infrastructure and ALL of whom receive monetary benefits from Town departments. One last thing progress, you know my fathers name to give him grief and now you know my name and where i stand. What say you? whats your story? how long have you lived in town, how long have you seen the corruption and backsliding? You can hide under your anonymity but talking from the shadows only gives so much truth. If you are going to call someone out at least have the humanity to put your name on it and stand behind it!!!!! He does, I do, and you should too. And i encourage all of the people in this town, if you want to see real progress vote Stadig for Selectman and Torno for road agent. Then we can start to repair both our roads and our government the right way!!!

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:25:36 +0000

We DO need a budget committee, but members who DON’T have a personal agenda. That is difficult to do with a small town. Won’t having a town manager in place help with this kind of situation? Why waste our tax dollars?
I wonder what the motive is for pushing the $400,000 on us is? What it TRULY is?

By: Frechette

Frechette — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:01:55 +0000

I am glad you shared that you didn’t vote for the new fire truck they say we really dont need this year. I would like to know the names also who did, obviously they dont care about the town, they voted for a $400,000 fire truck when we don’t need it and people are getting laid off? Come on – seems like we don’t need a budget committee.

By: striveforchange

striveforchange — Thu, 20 May 2010 02:05:38 +0000

People who know chris know that he only has the interests of the town at heart. He has NO personal agenda like SOME on the committee might have.
I could not get over how uninterested and irritated Mr. Patch and Mr. Frizzell looked sitting at the head table as representatives of our town and the taxpayers. I wonder how much Mr. Frizzell is going to charge in mileage to and from the public hearing as we had the gull to make him come out for the interests of the citizens.
My husband made the comment that Selectmen Cole looked like a rose between two thorns.

By: chris gilpatrick

chris gilpatrick — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:31:25 +0000

do you really know what your talking about?maybe you should put your name in next year for the budget committee then you would get some facts right.i proposed cutting the book budget because we were told the school could purchase the books roughly 50% cheaper than the town could.thus buying twice as many books for the same amount of money.i actually voted against the fire truck but recommended a capital improvement fund to start saving for a truck.people are having financial difficulties but i do support our rescue and fire departments 100 % and members know this.family members? who am i related to that i favor in my decision making?? please enlighten me ’cause i may have a family member i didn’t know i had but would like to meet.progress with the selectmen?were you at the public hearing when only one selectman did the talking?i believe the other two may have fallen asleep due to lack of interest!!when repeatedly asked for the other two to answer questions there was no response(good representitives for the taxpayers).