• Based on sources and actions that have occurred at other towns Lebanon Residents should brace for a significant tax increase this coming year. Due to the lack of state funding in schools and many key areas including grants there will likely be a shortfall. Based on happenings at other towns,  guesstimates place the increase in the $2 – $6 dollar area. Many towns have cut town hall staff and drastically limited hours on not only in administration but other departments as well.  Towns that have been proactive in these measures are still feeling a significant pinch which doesn’t bode well for Lebanon since we haven’t done anything significant to prepare. Obviously nobody knows with certainty, but the forecast doesn’t look good.
• Police coverage in the form of Sheriff and State Police is looking to take another  potential turn for the worst depending on how the final county budget goes.  The Selectmen still have not taken on researching a co-op solution or the potential for hiring a sheriff to work our town.  The letter the group submitted with ideas fell on deaf ears.
• The York County budget office will be having a budget review meeting Feb 24th at 7pm at the York County Courthouse. This would be a great meeting to attend and provide feedback to the committee. particularly on the Law Enforcement issue.
• The past month there was a meeting with a State Official over the conduct of the Board of Selectmen.  The Official heard the concerns of several residents and stated they would look into what may be done to help get things corrected and improved.
• There was discussion over the town budgets. Residents asked if the road funds are designated to specific to projects? Chris Gilpatrick explained in the past budgets come to the Budget Committee and would for example indicate the paving or repair of certain roads. However when the Budget is placed on the warrant it is placed as a total only, leaving the usage and management to the Road Commissioners discretion.  In the past what got approved and what actually gets done is two different things. There was concern over this and the hope that this year it could improve by having the monies more specified and better controlled by Selectmen.
• Road Commissioner’s term is up this year…
• In general there was a lot of dialogue around town spending and how the focus needs to be on cuts and maximizing the monies we do spend. Avoiding waste and unnecessary expenses should be paramount. Someone mentioned looking into reducing the scope of town employee benefits and or benefits participation by making only available to full-time people as an example. Someone mentioned the closing of the town hall 1 day a week was done to save the hours, but instead the hours were extended on other days. Thus not only NOT providing a savings, but allowing 3 day weekends and a days less access for residents.  The Administration at the town just doesn’t seem to get it, the longer things aren’t changed the more drastic and painful the changes will be in terms of cuts and staffing. It would appear things cannot continue as they are.
• Concerns were raised over the amount of “Executive Sessions” being called by the Selectmen in recent weeks and the fact they are during the day.
• Of course there was more…

The action items from the meeting were to brainstorm ideas to employ our Selectmen to take affirmative action when requested to do so. Some people will check with agencies to see what action may be taken.

To follow-up at the next Selectmen Meeting on the idea to make payments for other items via online methods.

To continue to share with residents the dire need to get a Town Manager, and Town Charter in place in our town.

Video was not recorded of this meeting do to the fact the meeting was held in the Gymnasium and a large fan was in operation which would make the background noise in the the recording next to impossible to hear the conversation.

I want to thank all those who attended and participated…see you next month

Next meeting October 7th, 6:30pm at the Lebanon Elementary School.

Maybe even ask the Selectmen to explain the complexities of why we can’t do some of the simple things that seem as though they should be so darn easy to do.

It seems simple but unfortunately it didn’t happen.

I am considering going it alone and that is where You come in.  I am soliciting people who know solid sound information on topics that might apply. I have the equipment in the case of Laptop, Projector, screen, website etc. I just need to knowledge and or the speakers. If you are one of these kind of knowledgeable people with a yearn to share perhaps you can help.

To expand this thought, a person resurrected the idea once again of a Citizen’s Round Table or Workshop. Perhaps these efforts could go hand in hand. Meet regularly say at the school with the dates published in the paper to residents, have a presentation or two by speakers with Q & A, and record it for all those who can’t attend. We could invite Selectmen so they can provide input and or answer questions. Finally post the recordings online so people can view on their own schedules.

The clock is ticking and we have less than a year before the next election, and only a few months if there is desire to get signatures for a referendum that would be relevant. We need to move reasonably quickly to get things in the works. What are your thoughts??

I floated a similar idea last winter, but due to work could not commit the schedule. I need some active volunteers to help drive this…If we do it, this will be your meeting, not mine, a meeting by the people for the people.  Lets hear your thoughts and see where it goes….Like, Dislike, Format Style, Topics, Meeting Frequency, The Works…. It’s not my voice it’s OurVoice.

I am soliciting input from residents and putting together an agenda. Please let me know if you have any particular topics you would like to explore by commenting this article or via email. I believe this will be a fairly free form and informative meeting. More information will be coming soon, Please spread the word and save the date.

I personally love our town with all it’s unique personality and timeless character. I am sure many of you feel the same way. With each day that passes I am worried we operate at risk of losing a piece of that character to new development, mismanagement and or by simply making usual decisions because it’s the way we always have. I believe we need more dialogue and resident involvement in town.

Selectmen Churchard mentions the need for a Comprehensive Plan. Others speak of worries of not having a more formal Zoning Plan. The need of a Town Manager has been raised,  perhaps an Accessor part-time or under contact.

Now don’t get me wrong I am not in favor of spending any money. Understand though there is a cost for doing nothing and for not acting as well.

I am in favor of protecting our Town’s character and learning more detail about these issues and others. I also favor maximizing the return on spending we presently do in regards to town expenses. Based on history You can’t simply place an item on a warrant article and see if it passes or expect one night of discussion at a town meeting to answer everyone’s concerns. These issues are important, complex and need discussion with more opportunity for resident involvement.

I propose we ” Citizens” hold a regular meeting to discuss issues impacting the present and future of our town. We invite our Selectmen and others, and delve into the Towns needs. We review the pros and cons of these issues and others, and where sensible and consensus is found, create referendums or warrants.

An agenda could be created through input on this website. I am also willing to use a webcam to record the preceding for residents who can’t attend and post it online on this site or perhaps YouTube.

You have heard the Selectmen at the recent meetings, they need our help, they want our help. A Citizen’s round table would seem to be a perfect forum. We could even invite guest speakers from other districts and the state or experts on specific topics to provide insight if needed to learn how others handle such things.

This is your town, and there is no better place to be heard or to vote than in your town. People get excited about Presidential elections but the fact is a single resident’s voice matters most and rings most loudly in your local town hall.

What do you think?   Do I schedule some space, call the papers to get notice out and send some invites?

Please comment as well as vote your will below…

In your comments please specify a night that works best..ie. 1st Wednesday, 2nd Thursday etc. also specify a frequency preference of monthly or bi-monthly We will take these into account for scheduling as well as trying not to impact other town meetings like budget, planning etc.