AUBURN – Water District improvements in New Auburn have been on par with other sections of the city, according to General Manager Norm Lamie.
Two people who live on Cook and Bolster streets had complained that New Auburn has received less than its fair share of improvements.
But Lamie presented an itemized list of improvements in New Auburn between 1993 and 2004, showing that 6.41 percent of funds spent went to New Auburn. The total spent for improvements in New Auburn since 1993 was $335,646. The systemwide total was $5,233,008.
“I don’t think there is an argument that New Auburn hasn’t had its fair share,” Lamie said.
The board voted unanimously to hire Wright-Pierce of Topsham as an engineering consultant to investigate water quality concerns at one residence on Bolster Street. That contract is for $1,800. The property owner brought the issue to the board at the public hearing April 20.
Lamie said representatives from Wright-Pierce will meet with the homeowner.
The general manager also reported that the district and the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission are contacting all property owners whose land lies within 500 feet of the lake in both Auburn and Turner to conduct sanitary surveys and inspect septic systems.
District Engineer John Storer told the board that turbidity in the lake has increased. “We are testing the lake every day,” he said.
Storer also said a possible cause is heavy rainfall. He reported 8.73 inches of rain at Lake Auburn in April. “That’s more than double the 4.1 you would expect,” he said. There has been 18.94 inches of precipitation at the lake this year.
“We took advantage of April being as wet as it was. We took extensive samples throughout the watershed,” Lamie said.
In other business, the trustees ratified acceptance of a bid from Emerson Chevrolet for the purchase of a one-ton, four-wheel-drive truck for $27,000. The sticker price is about $37,000.
Storer also told the board that the district has investigated recent reports of low water pressure on Cook Street. There were no results to report at the meeting.
Comments are no longer available on this story