Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

Hampshire Street lot

Issue: When Habitat for Humanity proposed to build its next project at 133 Hampshire St., neighbors complained. The lot had been vacant since a building there burned and was razed in 2002, and neighborhood children used the space as a backyard playground. Neighbors Patrick and Joanne Luizzo, of 131 Hampshire St., said they maintained the lot. The Luizzos made a counter offer, agreeing to pay the city $5,000 to purchase the lot.

The scoop: Councilors agreed on Jan. 6 to sell the lot to the neighbors, but wanted some controls to make sure it stayed as open space and was not turned around and resold for a housing lot. They tabled the matter while they worked to guarantee the lot remains open, considering a permanent deed restriction on the lot requiring it stay vacant.

Up next: Councilors on Monday reversed themselves, voting 4-3 to sell the lot to Habitat for Humanity for $3,108.

Storage shed

Issue: Normand Vallee has kept a small storage shed across the street from the Village Inn Restaurant on High Street for years. The land is actually owned by the city, and staff recently discovered that.

The scoop: City Manager Glenn Aho suggested the city lease the land under the shed to Vallee for $250 per year.

Up next: Councilors agreed, signing the lease for the next two years.

Appointments

Issue: City government relies on several support and advisory committees. Most have limited authority to make or interpret city rules and decide policy.

The scoop: Councilors named Larry Marcoux, of 37 Northern Avenue Heights to a post on the Lewiston Auburn Health Committee. They named Kenneth Sonagere, 483 West Auburn Road, to the Zoning Board of Appeals through Jan. 2012

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 a share of $2,350 in seizures stemming from two arrests last fall. That money will go to Auburn police.

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 new liquor license and a special amusement permit for the Babylon, 34 Court St.

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