Time’s up for the city’s unlicensed dogs.

Councilors approved $25 fines for Lewiston residents who have not licensed their dogs.

Dog license fees are $10 for a male or female dog and $6 for a spayed or neutered animal. The licenses are due to the city by Jan. 1 of each year. Residents who registered late incurred an additional $15 fine, if they completed the paperwork before Jan. 31.

Now it’s too late, City Clerk Kathy Montejo said the city issued warrants for all Lewiston residents with unregistered pets Tuesday night.

– Scott Taylor
Auburn: Agency budget debate looms

Social service agencies could walk away from the City Council empty-handed this year.

Councilors have been slowly trimming the amount of money they give to social service agencies each year. Last year, the city provided about $28,000 to groups like Head Start, the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project and SeniorsPlus. That amount was down to $8,000 in the current budget.

Monday, councilors split over whether they should keep the social service money at $8,000 or scrap this budget line item completely. Some councilors said they disagree with using tax dollars to support social service groups.

“It takes away a taxpayer’s right to donate their money to the social service of their choice,” said Councilor Bethel Shields.

Others said the agencies provide services that would otherwise fall to the city.

Councilors put off much of the debate until later on this year. Mayor Normand Guay suggested the 12 members of the new Budget Advisory Committee take up the matter and suggest some policies for the City Council.

– Scott Taylor

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