AUBURN – A proposal to establish a Lewiston-Auburn downtown master plan was tabled Tuesday night at a joint meeting of the Lewiston and Auburn city councils at Auburn Hall.

Councilors of both cities raised questions about why such a plan is needed.

Brief discussion led to the decision to table until the next joint council meeting in September. Several councilors said they wanted more information and that they would benefit from hearing a presentation later in the meeting by L-A Joint Services Coordinator Steve Eldridge.

They also had questions about how the downtown plan would differ from or improve upon the cities’ comprehensive plans and other studies.

C. Ellen Peters, Auburn councilor-at-large, said, “I’m in favor of this as long as we’re maintaining identities of each community” and are “respecting our individual strengths.”

She questioned whether Auburn has enough staff capability to carry out everything required for the Joint Downtown Master Plan. Funding capability also was questioned.

Both Laurie Smith, interim Auburn city manager, and Jim Bennett, Lewiston city administrator, responded.

Smith said, “If you do not plan, things just happen to you.” She noted the importance of keeping all work on track, including the comprehensive plan. “I think we have worked out a way that we can implement with the comprehensive plan,” she said.

Bennett assured Lewiston councilors that funding usually can be found when necessary for projects such as this master plan. Auburn City Councilor Ray Berube voiced a special plea for attention to the downtown aspects of New Auburn.

“I don’t want to wait any longer for something to happen,” he said.

Lewiston Council President Renee M. Bernier said, “I think we’re continuing to put the cart before the horse.” She said she would like to hear Eldridge’s presentation on joint services, and added that there should be a chance for members of the community to comment.

Bernier said she was in favor of the basic concept, but she asked, “How many committees can we keep compiling together?”

Auburn Councilor Richard Gleason voiced strong concerns about the method of naming members to a Downtown Planning Advisory Committee.

“This entire council you’re proposing is really going to be decided by the two mayors and I think the city councils should have more input,” he said.

Auburn Mayor John Jenkins said he believed the process would assure that the council “is fully involved.”

Gleason responded, “That’s not what it says, sir.”

Auburn Councilor Bruce Bickford noted that the proposal should specify a time for completion of the joint downtown master plan.