Community Forum features trio of powerpoints

Constable Charles Denault speaks during a powerpoint presentation on Saturday at a Community Forum at the Lebanon Elementary School. (Harrison Thorp photo)

LEBANON - The town’s final Community Forum of the spring comprised powerpoint presentations put on by town constable Charles Denault, Ryan Domenic of Lebanon Fire and Selectman Ben Thompson.

Denault briefed residents on his work getting vehicle registration scofflaws who live in Maine but register their vehicles in New Hampshire to abide by the law and register legally in Lebanon.

He showed how new registrations of cars have gone up since he began his effort in January and estimated that some $14,000 in increased excise tax revenue had been realized compared to just $4,000 expended by the town for his salary and expenses.

Denault urged a continuation of the program in some form in the coming years.

Dominic asked residents to approve the referendum question that would allow purchase of a new attack pumper. He said Engine 1 is antiquated and unsafe, with no heat in the cab which makes it tough during a long winter.

Dominic showed slides of where rust is spotting on the body of Engine 1, how the ladders are fastened too high on the truck and how crumple tests show that the older engines like Engine 1 do not fare well in cab occupant safety in rollover tests. He said the cost will go nowhere but up and that replacing Engine 1 will prolong the life span of Engine 2.

Thompson provided an indepth look at the financial and operational status of the town Rescue Department and urged voters to approve the referendum items that would wipe out the former Rescue Dept. debt.

He said leaving the debt on the books is injurious to the town’s credit rating and interest rates it would pay on bonds for large purchases. He said the money would go into the general fund.

He also said operationally that the department had made great strides since January and that response time and percentage of calls fielded by the town’s volunteer Rescue Department had gotten steadily better after a shaky February when only eight of 17 calls were answered by the department.

He said the $40,000 subsidy asked for in a referendum question is necessary to ensure the funds are there to make an annual ambulance payment.

The forum attracted about 20 residents and lasted about two hours.