LEWISTON – Cost estimates for the demolition of a rental house owned by the Lewiston-Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority were requested by the board Friday.

The LAWPCA board reached a consensus that the best alternative might be to demolish the older cape on Penley’s Corner Road in Auburn.

The authority has owned it for more than a decade. The alternative would be to invest several thousand dollars to replace the roof and electrical fuse box, paint the exterior and repair the furnace and septic system.

The house, located on a parcel adjacent to LAWPCA’s compost facility, was purchased following the settlement of a lawsuit by the home’s former owner, who objected to the opening of the compost facility in 1992.

The compost facility is located on part of what was once Roger Gauthier’s farm. LAWPCA Superintendent Clayton “Mac” Richardson explained that Gauthier was given a life estate allowing him to remain in his home after the sale.

He has an agreement to insure and maintain the rental house in exchange for using it to house farm workers.

Richardson said that Gauthier’s insurance carrier is requiring that the authority replace the fuse box with a breaker box.

“The house is a marginal house and now it’s 10 years later,” Richardson said before the meeting. “The question is, does the board want to invest a significant amount of money into it?”

“I don’t think we want to be in the rental house business,” said LAWPCA Board Chairman Chris Branch.

He asked Richardson to obtain estimates from demolition contractors. A decision is expected at the next board meeting in March.

Before demolition, LAWPCA will also have the house inspected by a contractor specializing in asbestos removal to determine if asbestos is present.