This coming November’s election will have the utmost importance for the residents of Lisbon. The charter that they will vote for has been rushed and not clearly thought out in its planning.

With the littlest of ads in the newspaper to notify of this important process and the lack of representation by the school board on the committee, there is no wonder that the school department’s attorney stated that if this new charter is passed, significant legal expense to the town will occur.

One week prior to the last public meeting, the final copy of this charter was presented to the residents. Many areas of concern were considered and the standard reply from the committee members was if changes were needed, it could be changed by referendum. Upon reviewing the new charter, it is difficult to find any way at all to make changes.

As a school board member, I eagerly awaited our attorney’s opinion on the proposed charter. I was then very concerned with such a negative report. I was even more concerned when the school board asked the committee members that were at this meeting to make the recommended changes and was told it is going to the voters as is.

I have been a resident of the town of Lisbon for over 43 years. I have been involved in the town’s betterment for more than 20 of those years. I am urging Lisbon voters to vote against the proposed charter in this upcoming November election.

Herbert L. Reed, Lisbon Falls