By Connie Footman

Special to the Sun Journal

Government at a glance

Lisbon Town Council

Met: Tuesday

Issue: Instead of automatically renewing its worker compensation insurance with Maine Municipal Association the town sought competitive bids.

Scoop: Three bids were received for worker’s comp insurance, and the contract for the 2009 policy was awarded to Champou Rogere, resulting in a saving of $19,000 over last year. The town is also looking into employee health insurance now with Maine Municipal Association risk management.

Issue: The town charter requires that the municipal capital improvement budget be presented before January first each year.

Scoop: Following a public hearing and graphic presentation on updates to the CIP through 2015, a proposed capital improvement budget of $496,000 for the 2009-10 fiscal year was presented.

Scoop: Councilors approved upgrading the sewer department pump station alarm system by switching over to digital at a cost of $5,000.

Issue: The town owns an island on the Androscoggin River and has received an inquiry from someone interested in purchasing it.

Scoop: It was referred to the Conservation Commission and Park Ranger Verla Brooks. Both opposed selling it. Jonathon Labonte, executive director of the Androscoggin Land Trust was invited to the next meeting to discuss the possibility of donating it to that group for preservation.

Scoop: Elwood Beal, public works director, explained policy on snow plowing and how the roads are pre-treated. Additional information is available on the town Web site.

Scoop: Town Manager Steve Eldridge commended the Fire Department, public works, police and general assistance director Judy Hardy-Goddard for their work during the recent ice storm.

He reported on a $600,000 HUD neighborhood stabilization program of which $106,000 may be available for energy efficiency projects; said Maurice Bonneau’s Sausage Kitchen on Main Street will have a grand opening at its new quarters on Main Street in January; and that town department heads are working on their budgets for the next fiscal year.