Pet evacuation policy

Issue: What to do about people’s pets during natural disasters has been a concern of many towns and cities since Hurricane Katrina when many pets had to be abandoned as owners were evacuated.

Scoop: The Town Council adopted a federally-recommended policy presented by local Emergency Management Agency Director P. Sean Galipeau for the care and placement of pets when owners are forced to leave their homes during floods, hurricanes or other disasters.

Contracts awarded

Scoop: The contract to replace the Fire Department’s Squad 3 truck was awarded to Quirk of Augusta for $45,635.

Scoop: Bob Strout of Lisbon was awarded the contract to replace two entry doors and construct a handicapped ramp at the MTM Community center for $8,002.15. The work has been recommended by the Maine Municipal Association Risk Pool.

Scoop: A one-year contract with the two-member Police Sergeants Union, represented by Teamsters Local 340, was approved. It includes a 2 percent pay hike retroactive to July 1; another 2.5 percent increase Jan. 1; and caps the buyback provision on health insurance for members who do not participate at $3,000.

Announcements

Scoop: Recreation Director Mark Stevens reported that $20,000 has been received from the Sunshine Hill Fund for senior recreation programs, and $1,200 has been received for tree planting at the MTM Park.

Scoop: A formal policy for the sale of tax-acquired property was adopted.

Scoop: A zoning ordinance in the Aquifer Protection District in the village zone was approved.

Scoop: David Bowie, a former selectman who has been active in town affairs for years, was named chairman of the Ethics Panel.

Manager’s report

Scoop: Town Manager Steve Eldridge reported that the idea of four-day, 10-hour workday at the town office was been dropped.

Scoop: The council will meet Thursday, Nov. 6, instead of Election Day, Nov. 4.

Scoop: Eldridge reported on his meeting with representatives of the University of Vermont, which will do a transportation study in Lisbon and a few other Maine communities for free.

Scoop: Eldridge looking at health care proposals in an effort to save money.

Scoop: Eldridge is reviewing the town’s fee schedule for making copies of town documents for the public.

– Connie Footman