Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

Parking in the snow

Issue: In the past, the city has banned parking from midnight to 7 a.m. between Nov. 15
and April 15. That ban is designed to make
it easier for the city’s snow plows to clear the roads during heavy
snowstorms. It amounts to a complete ban on overnight parking for more
than 150 nights each winter.

Police Chief Phil Crowell told councilors last month that’s no longer necessary. He suggested declaring individual snow emergencies, and banning parking only for the duration of that storm. It would help downtown residents
with limited parking available, requiring them to move their vehicles
an estimated 25 nights each year.

The scoop: Councilors approved the change on first reading at the Oct. 6 meeting. They also approved strengthening the rules that keep residents from dumping snow cleared
from their driveways into plowed city streets. People caught doing it
would face a warning from the city the first time they did it, a $50
fine the second time and $100 fines each time after that.
Up next:  Councilors agreed to all of the changes a final time Monday.

Junkyard permits

Issue: City ordinances tightly regulate the way property owners are allowed to keep junk and bulky waste. The city reviews each registered junkyard annually, making sure they meet state and federal environmental standards and keep the area screened from neighbors.

The scoop: Councilors approved permits for six automobile graveyards or junkyards;
M&P Auto Inc., 227 Merrow Road; Buck’s Auto, 249 Merrow Road;
Morris Auto Parts, 940 Washington St.; Isadore T. Miller Co., Old Hotel Road.; Maine Metal Recycling, 522 Washington St.; and Randy’s
Auto Parts, Inc. 899 Broad St.

Liquor licenses

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

The scoop: Councilors renewed a special amusement permit for Rack M UP Billiards, 128B Center St., pending an inspection by the city fire department.

Next meeting:  A virtual Town Hall meeting is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in Auburn Hall.
The next City Council regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 9.

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