Two city councilors and two city staffers will meet with local community groups to distribute $28,978.

Mayor Normand Guay said the new committee will put together a spending plan and report back to councilors.

The committee will replace the old process, which was part of the city’s annual budget review. Groups would come to councilors to make a pitch for funding. Last year, councilors trimmed the total amount earmarked for those groups from $43,250 to $28,978.

“But we left that unfinished, sort of,” Guay said.

Councilors Belinda Gerry and Bethel Shields will serve on the committee, as will Social Services Director Dot Meagher and Community Relations Manager Laurie Smith.

– Scott Taylor

Auburn: Parking banned along Hazel Street

Councilors made Hazel Street a no-parking zone Monday while they consider a permanent fix to problems there.

Councilor Joe DeFilipp said on-street parking along the cul-de-sac had gotten so bad that a firetruck had been blocked last week. He urged city staff to come up with parking regulations that would ease some traffic there.

“I think we can post the area for no parking in the meantime,” DeFilipp said.

Councilors agreed, voting 5-0 to temporarily ban on-street parking there.

– Scott Taylor

Auburn: Nadeau tapped for panel nomination

Councilors will leave one nomination open for a spot on the Androscoggin County budget committee this year.

Councilors nominated Bruce Nadeau to the committee. County commissioners are scheduled to select names from around the county to review county finances and help draw up the budget.

The county will then select a ballot of nominees to municipalities.

The city usually nominates two people to the county board. City Manager Pat Finnigan said other Auburn residents willing to serve on the committee could contact her office. Auburn officials would nominate them to the county commissioners next week.

– Scott Taylor

Sabattus: Forming a charter commission

The town office will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. effective Monday, May 23, except for the first and third Tuesdays. On those Tuesdays, the office will be open until 6 p.m.

Selectmen are seeking volunteers to serve on two new town committees. The first will study the Palesky tax cap proposal on the November ballot and the second will consider a town charter. Each committee will require between nine and 12 people. Applications are available at the Town Hall and must be submitted before Sept. 7.

– Nick Angelides