Twin Cities landlords can get financial help and training to cut down on lead poisoning through their local governments.

Under to a new program operated jointly by the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, landlords can qualify for free testing of vacant units, educational consulting on keeping properties lead-safe as well as clearance testing and record keeping help.

The program will also offer lead training and free programmable thermostats or payment of dues to the Lewiston/Auburn Landlord Association for the first 60 landlords to sign up for the program.

The program is being managed by the cities of Lewiston and Auburn with financial help from the Maine Center for Disease Control.

For more information, contact Mark McComas at the city of Lewiston at 513-3000, ext. 3232, or Gail Phoenix at the city of Auburn at 333-6601, ext. 1336.