Group: Lisbon Town Council

Met: Tuesday

Bonds

Issue: The School Committee is seeking a $500,000 bond for an assessment of the high school to determine if the building is structurally sound for renovation and design work. The town is seeking a $2 million bond for road work, matching funds for the Lisbon Trail completion and Upland Road reconstruction, and other capital items.

The scoop: Councilors voted to accept the bond proposals, and applications were filed Wednesday.

What’s next: The issue will go to a referendum after public hearings.

Eldridge contract, raise

Issue: Town Manager Steve Eldridge had a review of his first year’s performance.

The scoop: Councilors voted to extend his contract for a year and give him a 3 percent raise of $2,400, instead of $5,000 allowed in his contract. Eldridge said because of budget constraints the town is facing, he felt taking the lesser amount was “the appropriate thing to do.” He agreed to reduce his transportation budget by $1,000 starting July 1.

Revenue shortfall

Issue: Eldridge said he anticipates a revenue shortfall of “close to $1 million,” which includes state revenue sharing and excise tax if a proposal to reduce the excise tax is approved by voters in a statewide referendum in the spring.

The scoop: He has held a second meeting with department heads, who are working to bring in lower budgets.

Announcements:

Fuel bids for the coming budget year are being solicited and will be brought to the next meeting.

The new town Web site is expected to be online by March 1.

The resignations of Don Barter from the Technology Committee and Steven Miles from the Budget Advisory Committee were accepted.

Ron Potvin discussed the need for a county charter and asked for the council’s support. A decision is expected at the Feb. 17 council meeting.

The town will use Concentra of Lewiston for occupational health care for employees. Concentra, which is affiliated with Central Maine Medical Center, was one of three companies making proposals.

The council voted 6-1 to spend up to $33,849 to equip the new firetruck cab and chassis. Councilor Roger Cote was the dessenting vote, arguing this is not a good time to be spending the money.

Appointments: Audit Committee, Richard Douglass; Conservation Commission, Nathan Gould and Calvin Beaumier; Appeals Board, Calvin Beaumier and Laura Hinton.

– Connie Footman