This summer, heavy rains caused a sewer back up in our daylight basement doing extensive damage to our bathroom and family room.

Both Auburn Sewer and Auburn Highway verified that sewer and storm drains run through the same pipe. When there are heavy rains, this single pipe is not large enough to accommodate the flow. City of Auburn told us they have a 14-year plan to install separate pipes but could not tell us what year this would happen.

After numerous contacts with the city, including discussions with Norm Lamie, Bethel Shields, Pat Finnigan and Norm Guay, Auburn’s insurance refused to pay a claim for damages, stating the city was not negligent. How can they not be negligent when they know the problem exists?

Our homeowners policy covered only a percentage of the loss. Since it could take up to 14 years to rectify this problem, we could be faced with the same situation again.

A survey with residents of East Bates Street shows we are not the only family that has experienced this problem. Seven years ago, a petition was signed requesting the street with its multiple problems be taken care of – seven years later the problem still exists. As Auburn taxpayers, we deserve better.

I understand that the canopies for the Festival Park cost $170,000. Couldn’t our taxpayer’s money be put to better use?

Heather Carpenter, Auburn

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