He will be able to work in Auburn for two hours per day for a maximum of two weeks.
By Jody Goodwin
Special to the Sun Journal

TURNER – One of the first examples of a new regional concept being explored by officials in Androscoggin County was approved by selectmen Monday when they agreed to lend Auburn the town’s code enforcement officer.

According to Town Manager Jim Catlin, Auburn is currently without a code enforcement officer. City officials said they expected it would take about two weeks to fill the position.

Since it’s winter and demands are low for permits to be issued and inspections to be made, Turner officials agreed to share Code Enforcement Officer Roger Williams. When needed, he will work in Auburn for two hours per day for a maximum of two weeks.

“This is what regionalization is about. This is our chance to help someone out,” Catlin said. “Someday we may need something, and Auburn may be able to help us.”

In other business, selectmen and Catlin discussed a new Safe Route Grant program and whether the town should apply it. The grants are designed to help towns make it safer for children to get to and from school.

Officials have had concerns for several years about the number of students who walk on Route 117 in Turner Center, going from one school to another or to playing fields. There are no sidewalks from Lower Street through the town center to Upper Street and then to the Cobb Road by the Primary School where many athletic fields are located.

“There are kids on the street regularly, and regularly there are great numbers of them,” Selectman Ralph Caldwell said. “It is unsafe.”

Other board members agreed, but thought that it would make the most sense and be more financially responsible if the sidewalks were built when Route 117 is rebuilt.

That work is scheduled for the next few years but no final decision has been made, Catlin said. The road is owned by the state and the rebuilding goes forward on its time schedule, he said.

Selectmen directed Catlin to gather the necessary information and plans, along with evidence of need, so a package could be put together for an application.

However, they also asked Catlin if he could contact state officials and see if timing on the two projects could somehow be coordinated. Any grant money would require a 40 percent local match. The matter will be discussed with the Budget Committee and the Road Committee.

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