AUBURN – A request to look for Native American artifacts in the path of the Summer Street sewer extension project has placed that project on hold and could cost the Sewer District as much as $4,000.

Auburn Water and Sewerage District Superintendent Norm Lamie told Sewer District trustees Tuesday that the project is delayed because of a concern by the Maine Historical Preservation Commission that a small possibility exists that arrowheads and other artifacts could be buried in the area because of a stream nearby that would have made the site a desirable location for camps or villages.

No digging has been done so far. The Maine Historical Preservation Commission is doing a walk-by on properties in the area. They’re looking for “anything that could lead toward Indian artifacts,” Lamie said.

So far, the delay has added $764 to the cost of the $160,000 project and added costs could reach $4,000 if any artifacts are found resulting in a dig.

“I don’t expect them to find anything, but if we expect to get our environmental permit we have to do it,” he said.

While the odds that any artifacts would be found are slim, if they are, Lamie said, digging could be done on private property. However, property owners could decline to allow digging in their yards.

The sewer extension on Summer Street is one of nine capital improvement projects for this year.

It would extend sewer service to a 2,500-foot section of Summer Street.

In other business, Lamie told the trustees that 750 feet of a 75-year-old 12-inch diameter clay tile sewer line on Granite Street needs to be lined. That job, he said, should be completed before the street is repaved later this year.

The work on Granite Street is part of the Court Street project. The cost could be about $40,000, Lamie said after the meeting.

In another matter, Lamie informed the board that John Storer has been hired to take the position of district engineer for the Water and Sewerage District.

That position has been vacant since Chris Silke left it several months ago. Storer will join the Auburn district Aug. 11.

He has currently served as district engineer for the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Wells Water District for two years. Previously, he worked for Wright Pierce of Topsham for eight years.