LISBON – The Lisbon Recreation Department has received an unexpected windfall of $11,000, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor who said he “wants to give back to the town.”

The gift will be used for scholarships for Lisbon children whose families can’t afford to pay the costs for them to participate in recreation programs. It also will buy a used pickup truck that will be purchased from Fern Larochelle, who has agreed to sell it at his cost; and two movie projectors, one for the Teen Center and the other for the MTM Community Center, formerly the Marion T. Morse School.

Recreation Director Mark Stevens said he met the donor, a longtime Lisbon resident, while shopping at L.L. Bean in November. At that time, the man expressed his interest in helping the town and asked Stevens to stop by to see him, and to bring along a list of Recreation Department needs.

With his “wish list, of sorts” in hand, Stevens met with the man, who looked it over and chose items he liked. Stevens said he was more than pleased when he found out the amount that was being donated.

Unpaid taxes

In other business:

• Selectmen formally presented Community Service Award plaques to Carl Huston Sr. and Al and Dorothy Smith in recognition of their efforts on behalf of the town over the years. The three have volunteered countless hours to community service over the years.

• The board reviewed a tax lien foreclosure list of 50 properties, representing $17,000 in unpaid taxes, presented by Tax Collector Betty Sigurdsson for the 2002-03 tax year. Selectmen agreed to enter into a payment plan with one property owner, and two bills were declared uncollectable. Of the liens, 27 were for mobile homes; the town waived its right to foreclose on nine of them because the town did not want them.

• After a public hearing, two automobile graveyard licenses were renewed for Carl Huston and Campbell’s yards.

• The auditor’s report was presented, and it was noted that the town is in excellent financial condition. The general assistance maximums for the coming year were updated.

• It was noted that the Charter Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Police Station.