City Councilors last Tuesday agreed to forgo as much as $15,000 in dump tipping fees for Hope Haven Gospel Mission as it works to tear down a neighboring building.

The mission, at 209 Lincoln St., hopes to expand onto land at 39 Cedar St. and is working to demolish the building there.

Paul McLaughlin, executive director of the homeless shelter, said it would cost an estimated $12,000 to dispose of leftover asbestos and building material from the building.

“That’s money that we cannot afford to spend, and continue offering services,” McLaughlin said. He urged councilors to forgive the tipping fees for the debris.

“This is money to cover our costs of disposing of that material,” City Administrator Jim Bennett said. “So councilors need to know that there is a cost.”

But Bennett suggested councilors do it anyway. Lewiston benefits from having the privately run shelter. The city would have to provide shelter if Hope Haven did not.

– Scott Taylor
Lewiston: Intersection to get work

A land-swap will let state road crews clean up a troublesome intersection where Pine and Sabattus streets meet.

The city will trade part of the intersection to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center for a small portion of land less than 100 feet west.

Currently, Pine Street merges into Sabattus Street. It’s a high accident location that gives Pine Street drivers a limited view of oncoming Sabattus Street traffic

The state plans to relocate Pine Street west of the intersection, giving it a sharper left-hand angle to meet Sabattus Street.

“It’s going to become a 90-degree angle,” said Lewiston Public Services Director Dave Jones. “It will give drivers a much better view of both directions of Sabattus.”

– Scott Taylor
County Commission: Patrol vehicle options considered

Sheriff’s Capt. Raymond Lafrance told the County Commission Wednesday that he will have to think outside the box to find ways to pay for needed patrol vehicles with a budget that is stretched to its limits.

He was reacting to the Budget Committee voting in December to limit the department to $30,000 for vehicle purchases in 2005. At that time, Budget Committee member Michael Bowie of Lisbon told Lafrance that leasing could be an option for future sheriff’s vehicles.

Besides leasing, Lafrance said he is considering replacing four vehicles with two cars and two four-wheel-drive, extended-cab pickups. Trucks that are currently in service have performed better at the same mileage with less maintenance costs, he said.

Trucks also have higher resale values. On average, the resale value of trucks is about $1,000 more, Lafrance said.

– John Plestina
County Commission: Witness’ airfare approved

In another matter related to budget cuts, the commission approved $748 for air travel for one trial witness for the District Attorney’s Office. The commissioners discussed witness travel expenses, which are expected to exceed the $10,000 annual limit for the second consecutive year. In December, the Budget Committee was unwilling to increase that figure, despite 2004 expenses that exceeded the limit by about $3,000. County Treasurer Robert Poulin said the money approved came from the contingency fund.

– John Plestina
Auburn: School Committee OKs contract

The Auburn School Committee voted unanimously to approve a new contract for more than 100 teaching assistants and school secretaries.

The old contract expired Sept. 1, Assistant Superintendent Tom Morrill said. The school system and Auburn Education Association had been negotiating since fall.

The committee on Wednesday approved a contract for this year and a new, three-year contract that starts next fall. Under the agreement, teaching assistants and secretaries will receive a 3 percent raise this year, 2 percent raises each of the next two years and another 3 percent raise in 2007-08. Health insurance will not change this year, Morrill said, but some employees will have to pay a greater share of insurance costs starting next fall.

Also under the agreement, teaching assistants will start working a seven-hour day starting next fall. They currently work six and a half. In 2006-07, they will also work two additional workshop days a year, and in 2007-08 will work one additional workshop day a year. Morrill said the changes will allow teaching assistants to better meet student needs and receive more training.

Because union members have already approved the contract, it goes into effect immediately.

– Lindsay Tice
Auburn: School budget meetings set

School Superintendent Barbara Eretzian will present her proposed school budget to the school committee during a workshop March 16.

The committee will work on the budget during workshops March 23, March 30 and April 6. They are expected to vote on a new budget April 27.

All budget workshops will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in Auburn Hall.

– Lindsay Tice