Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

Mall buffer

Issue: Residents and trustees of Auburn Mall Apartments, hoping to see their property taxes reduced, asked the city to rezone their lot to multifamily suburban zoning. About 3.5 acres of their property, at the corner of Turner and Plummer streets, is zoned for general business and is subject to higher taxes. Councilors passed the idea on to the Auburn Planning Board for a review.

The scoop: Planners saw no problem with the idea, saying the change would create a permanent buffer between the mall-area development and residential areas south along Turner Street.

Up next: Councilors approved the idea 7-0 on first reading and will take it up again March 26.

Widening Turner

Issue: Councilors agreed to take 27 different slivers of land along Turner Street and Mount Auburn Avenue. The city plans a massive road project this spring, which includes new sidewalks, traffic roundabouts and wider lanes. That work requires several easements and rights of way.

The scoop: All but four of the 17 owners agreed to donate land rights to the city. Councilors agreed Monday to pay for the rest: Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust will receive $5,600; Lowe’s Home Centers Inc. will receive $220,025; Hannaford will receive $8,000; and Brown Street Inc. will receive $4,800.

Mayor pro-tempore

Issue: Councilors can pick one of their members to lead meetings and act if Mayor John Jenkins is absent.

The scoop: They selected Councilor Bob Hayes to fill the spot.

Meeting minutes

Issue: Each time councilors meet, they approve the minutes from their previous meeting. Last week, they considered creating a special last meeting with the sole purpose of approving the minutes of their final regular meeting. They approved the first reading of the idea by a 4-2 vote earlier this month, despite some saying the change wasn’t necessary.

The scoop: They all agreed Monday night that it was not needed and put the item on the table indefinitely.

Principal of year

Issue: Katherine Grondin, principal at Auburn’s Sherwood Heights Elementary School, was named the Maine 2007 Elementary National Distinguished Principal of the Year in February. Councilors congratulated her Monday night.

Up next: Grondin will be honored at the Maine Principals’ Association spring conference in April and by the National Association of Elementary School Principals in October in Washington, D.C.

Liquor licenses

Issue: Local restaurants and bars must reapply for liquor licenses and amusement permits each year. Liquor licenses let them serve alcohol; amusement permits let them play music, have a DJ or karaoke, or have games on site.

The scoop: Councilors approved a special amusement permit for the Uncle Troy’s, 34 Court St..

Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via e-mail at [email protected]