Board: Lisbon Town Council

Met: Tuesday

Island offer

Scoop: In a 7-0 vote, councilors recommended that the town offer its 4-acre island in the Androscoggin River to the Androscoggin Land Trust rather than selling it. It will be referred to the Conservation Commission and the Trails Commission for review and a recommendation and brought back to the council for a final decision.

Appointments

Scoop: Fern Larochelle and Norma Wells were appointed to the Audit Committee representing the Town Council. Still to be appointed is one private citizen.

Development loan

Scoop: Following an executive session, councilors approved a $10,000 economic development loan to the Lisbon Falls Florist Shop at 5 percent interest for seven years. The shop will reopen before Valentine’s Day.

Ethics report

Scoop: The Ethics Panel reported on its recent meeting to address a conflict-of-interest allegation lodged against Council Chairman Mike Bowie because his wife is employed by the Police Department and he votes on the police budget.

The panel found “no improprieties in the past” and noted that Bowie had informed fellow members of the relationship and not voted on the salary line in the budget.

Town manager’s report

Town Manager Steve Eldridge reported he is “looking at” several health insurance companies in an effort to cut costs and that two companies will be making a presentation at a workshop meeting in February, date to be announced.

The server upgrade in the town office has been completed and is running smoothly.

If the Lisbon work in the federal stimulus program is approved, two projects benefiting Lisbon will be done: 6.7 miles of Route 9 from Route 196 to the Sabattus line will be rebuilt and another section of the river trail will be completed.

Maurice Bonneau’s Sausage Kitchen on Main Street, Lisbon Falls will have its grand opening on Saturday at noon.

-Connie Footman