Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

Budget committee

Issue: Councilors will enlist the help of seven residents in reviewing the fiscal 2009 budget. Councilors appointed Jonthan LaBonte, Brian Demers, Larry Comeau, David Burke, Arthur E. Wildes, Christopher Aversano and Richard Kendall to the committee.

The scoop: The group will get the same information councilors receive during their budget review and will be able to ask questions from city staff and others during the budget discussions. At the end of the process, they’ll make recommendations of their own to the City Council.

Up next: Councilors and committee members should begin budget discussions at the March 17 meeting.

Electrical codes

Issue: The city relies on nationally written standards to manage electrical installations in new homes. Those codes must be approved by the City Council.

The scoop: A new version of the National Electrical Code was adopted by the National Fire Protection Association in July 2007. Auburn uses the 2005 version, and the latest draft includes 400 substantial changes to that code. Among them are tougher rules calling for the use of special circuits to cut down on electrical fire hazards.

Up next: Councilors approved the new code on final reading.

Public health

Issue: Neither Lewiston nor Auburn have a health department. Officials from both cities and area hospitals are proposing a health committee to deal with public health issues more effectively.

The scoop: The committee will coordinate response to health crises between the city, hospitals and social agencies but will not have the authority to spend city money. Lewiston Deputy City Administrator Phil Nadeau will act as the administrative support for the group.

Lewiston councilors approved the agreement at their Feb. 19 meeting.

Up next: Auburn councilors approved the agreement Monday. Now, committee members will begin taking names to fill spaces on the committee.

Drug bust money

Issue: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency shares the proceeds from drug busts with the other police agencies involved.

The scoop: Councilors on Monday accepted $813 seized from a drug arrest. That money will go to Auburn police.

Dog licenses

Issue: Dog-owning residents are required to register their pets and prove vaccination by the end of the year. The registration costs $6 for neutered animals or $11 for unfixed males and females. A $15 late fee is added for dogs registered after Jan. 31 and it increases to $25 fee for dogs that remain unlicensed after Feb. 5.

The scoop: The city issues a dog warrant each spring. It’s a list of unlicensed dogs and their owners in an effort to get those animals registered and collect fees and fines.

Up next: Councilors approved the warrant Monday night.

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