Jack-o’-lanterns are set to adorn Gracelawn Road in front of K&K Excavation for three days this month, a benefit for the Maine Children’s Cancer Society.

On Monday, Auburn councilors approved a temporary sign permit for the annual Parade of Jack-o’-lanterns.

Organizer Helene Ouellette plans to fill the sides of Gracelawn Road with donated pumpkins, cornstalks and other Halloween decorations from 5-9 p.m. on Oct. 21, 22 and 23. Black and orange signs will go up around town to direct drivers to the parade.

Volunteers will be taking donations to benefit the cancer society. This is the fifth year for the event.

– Scott Taylor
Auburn: Council fills empty positions

Auburn’s new Finance Director Ron Farris will serve as city treasurer, councilors agreed Monday.

Councilors also tapped the city’s planning director and assistant city manager to act as alternates to the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Committee. Mayor Normand Guay and City Manager Pat Finnigan are full members of the committee. Councilors made the appointments by position only. Currently, Laurie Smith is assistant city manager and David Galbraith is planning director.

Councilors also appointed Economic Development Director Roland Miller as the city’s representative to the Androscoggin Valley Pine Tree Zone. That’s a committee that governs the state’s Pine Tree Zone economic development program.

– Scott Taylor

Mechanic Falls:

Workers seek union

Seven central-office employees are applying to the Maine Labor Relations Board so they can start a union.

The School Union 29 School Committee, which oversees schools in Poland, Minot and Mechanic Falls, formally accepted the group’s plans to start a union but voted against a recognizing the union, school officials said. That means the group must file paperwork with the Maine Labor Relations Board and allow potential members to vote on the formation of a union. If a majority votes against the union, it cannot legally form, according to one potential member.

Potential members include secretaries, finance and payroll workers, and operations people.

– Lindsay Tice