By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

AUBURN – A new city government watchdog group will pay attention to more than tax bills, according to organizers.

Instead, the group hopes to educate itself about all aspects of city government and provide a citizens’ point of view, said founder and co-chairwoman Deana Chapman.

“Right now, we’re organized around the revaluation and property taxes,” Chapman said. “But in the long run, we’re going to look at all of it, the budget, the boards and the charter.”

The group formed in the wake of property revaluation notices mailed to property owners earlier in November. The group’s first meeting, set for the American Legion Post 153 in New Auburn on Nov. 14, drew hundreds of interested people. They spilled out of the bar and crowded South Main Street, changing an organized meeting into a rally.

The group met again Sunday night, elected officers and picked a name for its effort – United Citizens of Auburn. The group had been calling itself a taxpayers association, but Chapman said that was too limited.

“We didn’t want to restrict ourselves to just taxes and property revaluations,” Chapman said. “We wanted everyone that lives in this city to know that we represent them. That’s why we picked a name that was a little more open.”

The group voted in Ed Desgrosseillers and Chapman as co-leaders, and Walter Reed as vice chairman. Reed designed the group’s Web site at www.reformauburn.org.

The group also elected a board of directors: Gary Baillargeon, Robert O’Connor, Jim Berube, Bill Lake and Jonathan LaBonte. Their next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at Andy’s Baked Beans on Broad Street in New Auburn. Chapman said she expects the group to discuss bylaws and create subcommittees for specific city functions at that meeting.

The group hasn’t set a date for its public meeting yet, she said.