Meeting Highlights:

Recreation Department:

• The recreation budget was reviewed (I arrived late so i don’t have all the detail )
• The recreation department purchases about 150 discounted movie passes that are available annually. The passes save about .50 a ticket.
• The Recreation Department has many activities and services but most residents are unaware. The schedules and services should be posted better.
• A certain portion of the funds used by the Department are matched by the others.

Schools:

• The schools have done an good  job of cutting by managing the continued downsizing of services and people in a way to impact the children the least.
• The anticipated effect to Lebanon at this time is an increased cost of about $90,000 over last year. This increase is really more caused by how the “share” is calculated between the three towns. this calculation is explained in detail during the meeting.
• The early budget forecast was for a much more significant increase, but this was able to be curbed.
• One of the creative measures being used at the school was using some bus drivers also as also custodians. they used similar approaches in other areas to maximize use of people.
• A survey was conducted online and the trends captured were reviewed, such as where people preferred cuts be made, and potential changes to the school year and it’s schedule.
• Mr Andrade stepped through his budget and fielded questions from the Budget Committee. Joanne Potter, our school board representative, was also in attendance and provided insight on the process.
• Mr Andrade explained the potential plan to add a public library addition to the Hanson School. This would provide residents with a year-round library and construction could be funded by grants and the trust monies set aside by the town. The library would have it’s own entrance so the public would not enter the school.
• Having a Library open year round would allow Lebanon to participate in grants and programs that have been unavailable to us in the past.
• I placed a scanned copy of the handouts provided here in PDF. The Library Blueprint and the Town Sharing ratio worksheet are near the very end of the document.
• Of course there was more…..

The video below picks up the meeting in process at the start of the School discussion.

(Video: Watch this video on the post page)

The Lebanon online video archive is available Here.

The students watched as a fellow student in each group was back boarded and collared and then placed on the ambulances stretcher. “We do this so students see it in a controlled environment so that they aren’t scared when someone needs to do it for real. The students were great, they all wanted to see how it was done and touch the equipment. “ Chief Samantha Cole stated.

After having an education session inside, the students followed the rescue volunteers outside where the ambulance and first response vehicle were located. The students took tours of the ambulance and saw the equipment commonly used at emergency scenes.

“The students asked a lot of great questions and seemed to have a really good time learning about the various safety topics. Several students have been transported in the ambulance and seemed to enjoy being in the back learning about safety, and not as a patient.” Chief Cole added.

Rescue volunteers then ate dinner at the school with some of the students. “Kids kept coming up to us and telling us how cool the ambulance was and several said they wanted to be on the rescue when they get older.” Chief Cole added.

“The best part of the day was when I responded to a medical emergency call on Friday evening and one of the students from the days safety classes was riding his bicycle on Center Road. The student was wearing his helmet. After the call, I stopped by his driveway where he was standing there waving. He came up to the rescue truck and said I never wore my helmet before. He thanked us for going to his school and the “cool” stuff he got.” Assistant Chief Jason Cole added.

Each student that attended the safety fair was presented with a bag of safety materials and goodies. The bags contained an activity book for all different types of safety and learning about ambulances, a first aid guide for children, stickers, a temporary “EMT” tattoo and a Lebanon Rescue plastic helmet.

“We have always focused a great amount of time on public education programs. By going into the schools and teaching the students about several different safety programs, we hope to reduce serious injuries to the children. The students all seem to really enjoy the programs and we have noticed when we have had to transport children that have gone through these safety fairs, they are not as scared and quickly become friends with the EMT’s. We seem to gain their trust and when we see them around town, they say that they know us. The children make it worth it. We have also attended several daycares and senior events this year.” Chief Samantha Cole added. “We will do about 15-20 community education classes a year including school safety, CPR Classes, senior safety classes and more. One of the biggest events we hold each year is the EMS Open House and Halloween Safety Night held at the rescue station the night before and Halloween night. This past year was the 5th Annual and we had over 300 people attend. The volunteers love doing the education and safety details.”

Last year Lebanon Rescue volunteers donated over 14,000 manpower hours to the community with emergency response and community events. Volunteers stand by at sporting events, recreation events and large gatherings to make sure everyone is safe.

Today’s volunteers included Chief Samantha Cole, Assistant Chief Jason Cole, Lieutenant Diane Elliott, EMT Marie Frizzell, Annette Thibodeau, Neil Bailey and Sam Roper.

We would like to thank Principal Thomas Ledue and the staff at the school for allowing the rescue volunteers to come into the school and teach the safety lessons.

Mrs Maloney and Mrs. Beal's class pose for a picture after taking a tour of the ambulance.

EMT Marie Frizzell talks to some of the students from Mrs. Maloney's 1st grade class about the equipment inside the ambulance.

Rescue volunteers and some student helpers strap down 1st grader Teigan Cole to the backboard.

Assistant Chief Jason Cole, Chief Samantha Cole and EMT Marie Frizzell show the students what it is like to be on a backboard and stretcher.

Assistant Jason A. Cole
Public Information Officer
Lebanon Rescue Department
Rescue Chief’s Office
323 Depot Road
Lebanon, Maine 04027

(207) 457-9269 Chief’s Office
(207) 608-5615 Cell Phone
(207) 339-9488 Central Station
Emergency Dial 9-1-1
www.lebanonrescue.com

• Selectmen review minor changes in the personnel policy.
• A vote was taken on the discontinuance of a portion of Old Center Road. It passed unanimously to be closed and an article will be presented to the public to vote on to accept in June.
• The Conflict of Interest / Ethics Policy was reviewed and voted into effect starting 04/07/09. There was some public discussion as to the timing of the policy’s implementation and concerns over equal application to ALL departments, boards, officers and committees. It was explained the policy has been in effect informally for some time and that it simply defines things in more certain terms and also provides a process for the public to bring issues forward to hearing.  The policy is also based upon elements of municipalities of about the same size and nature as Lebanon. A copy of the policy may be viewed here
• Superintendent of MSAD#60 Paul Andrade presented the preliminary school budget for 2009-10. The budget highlights a cut of $484,421 in total which amounts to Lebanon’s share of expenses reducing by $221,670. Although preliminary this was welcome news as well as the indication there is potential for some additional cuts.  (please see Audio and Video excepts for details on how budget was changed)
• Superintendent Andrade also suggested exploring working with the Town to open the Hanson School library evenings and perhaps combining collections with the Town Library to expand services to residents.
• The wording of Warrant Articles have been completed except for Transfer Station and Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) they will be presented to the Budget Committee for review tomorrow night. The Selectmen also stated that they will be mailing a sample ballot out to residents explaining what each of the articles are and any impact they may have. There would be no Selectmen or Budget Committee recommendation on this mailing. It is simply going to be an informational piece to help residents be better informed.
• Residents are needed to fill available positions. Papers have been taken out by by one candidate for Selectmen and two candidates for Budget Committee. We need more residents to get involved in helping the town. Please consider pulling papers and helping as Selectmen, Budget Committee, Rec Dept Head, Planning Board etc.
• Tax abatement’s reviewed and signed.
• Laura Bragg requested having the parking lot at the Town Hall swept of sand. They considered renting equipment but found a person who would do it for $100. The Selectmen authorized her to proceed.
• As always there was more….

Video of the meeting may be downloaded directly here (right click “save as”) and is 238mb and 1 hr 04 min long. The Audio only MP3 file may be downloaded here 59mb (right click “save as”). You may also view the 5 min preview below and watch the entire video online by clicking links below the preview. This link also takes you to the online video library. Official Minutes can be viewed here when available.

Watch 04-07-09 Lebanon Maine Selectmen Meeting in News |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

You may listen to Mr. Andrade’s presentation Here (excerpt from selectmen meeting) in MP3 26.2mb or view video Here 106mb 29 minutes.  A copy of the handout he provided  may be viewed and printed  here in PDF format to follow along with the discussion. Bear in mind this budget is subject to change and that there will be a public meeting at the Noble High School gymnasium on May 7, 2009 at 7pm. The meeting will be Town Hall style and this meeting will actually set the final official budget for vote on by the Towns.

There is also potential for greater cuts should the Governors Laptop program not be instituted.

Watch 04-07-09 Lebanon Maine – School Budget Review in News |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

It appears the district is facing roughly a $378,000 short fall in 2009. This is due to normal cost increases and a further lack of State Funding. However, if the Federal Stimulus package is approved as expected the district would not only see the short fall eliminated, but monies could be available for needed projects and or staffing. The Superintendent provides details about the situation and shares his thoughts on what appropriate actions could likely be taken if the monies arrive and if they don’t. The Budget Committee asks questions on the shortfall, current spending, as well as the raises recently approved by the school board..

The webcam video of the meeting may be downloaded directly here (right click “save as”) and is 268 mb and 1hr 13min long. The Audio only MP3 file may be downloaded here 50mb (right click “save as”). You may also view the 5 min preview below and watch the entire video online by clicking links below the preview. This link also takes you to the online video library. Official Minutes Of Meeting

Watch Lebanon Budget Committee Meeting 02/03/2009 |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

• Christine Torno explains the benefits and return on investment of purchasing Trio Payroll software to manage and process payroll internally. (Selectmen approved purchase and implementation)
• Port-o-let rental for the recreation department fields, cheaper if town contracts directly.
• Cover, format and due date for the cover designs of the town report
• Town has received an offer (about $120,000 ?) for sale of the Old Town Hall, Selectmen believed this was a fair offer.
• Who can update the Town Website / Training to do so
• Animal Control needs a back-up person for ample coverage
• Job Descriptions handed out for review
• Bog Road residents discuss Selectmen decision to stop maintaining road. They present maps and documents, appealing to Selectmen to do the right thing and leave road maintained to end of orchard.
• and much more…..

The webcam video of the meeting may be downloaded directly here (right click “save as”) and is 285 mb and 1hr 17min long. Audio only MP3 file may be downloaded here 51mb. You may also view the 5 min preview below and watch the entire video online by clicking links below the preview. This link also takes you to the video library. Official Minutes will be added HERE upon release by the town..

Watch Selectmen Meeting 01-27-2009 in News Online |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com