Met: Tuesday night

Good news on taxes

Issue: Earlier projections by town officials called for a tax increase of 2 percent for the coming year which would have added $1.60 per $1,000 valuation to the property tax rate this year.

The scoop: In a routine report to the council, finance director Rodney Moody reported an increase in school revenues, which is expected to keep the 2007-08 tax rate flat at $24.25 or it could even drop slightly, barring unforeseen circumstances. Officially, the new tax rate will not be set until the first Tuesday in August, according to assessor Gerry Sampson.

Fixing up public works

Issue: Last year voters defeated a $1.7 million bond issue to build a public works facility twice the size of the existing one.

The scoop: Architect Dan Moreno met with councilors to establish goals and review options that would address space deficiencies and accessibility issues. Once a new plan is approved that will be more acceptable to voters, it is expected residents will again be asked to approve a bond issue.

Crafts will return calls

Issue: Community Economic Development Director Dan Feeney left last week to take new employment in Topsham.

The scoop: Councilors met in executive session to discuss the process of finding a replacement, but no votes were taken. In the interim, Councilor Dale Crafts has volunteered to return all calls that may come into the Development Office until a replacement has been hired.

Conservation update

Issue: Each year various town boards appear before the council to report on their duties and goals.

The scoop: The Conservation Commission reported on the progress of its plans to extend trails. They expect that the trail on Paper Mill Road that will connect to Upland Road and to the Ricker Farm will be completed by early summer. The eventual goal is to connect the trail all the way from Lisbon Falls to the sidewalk on Webster Road in Lisbon Village. In a review of the goals and objectives of the Conservation Commission, it was reported they are working on how to better communicate with the community and establishing priority.

Ethics action tabled

Issue: Since the town changed from town meeting to a town council, work has been ongoing to enact changes to bring ordinances into conformity with the changes.

The scoop: In its first vote on a proposed Ethics and Conflicts of Interest Ordinance, it was decided to table action until it can be reviewed by the town attorney.