AUBURN — Borrowing plans to pay for Auburn’s share of the second phase of a water treatment plant at Lake Auburn moved forward easily Tuesday night.
Councilors voted 5-0 on final reading to approve three separate bond issues totaling $5.46 million.
The first refinances $2.16 million worth of current debt at a lower interest rate, saving the district $600,000 in interest payments.
The second looks to borrow $2.8 million to pay for a water meter replacement program throughout the city and to help pay for an expansion of the ultraviolet water treatment plant at Lake Auburn.
The district broke ground on the first phase of an ultraviolet treatment plant last year. The district hopes to build an office, lab and storage building nearby in the second phase. The cost of the $3.5 million building would be split with the city of Lewiston. Auburn’s share, $1.75 million, would come from the bonding package.
Tuesday’s final bond package borrowed $500,000 to build a chemical chlorine and ammonia treatment facility between the ultraviolet treatment plant and the Central Maine Community College campus.
The water district’s charter requires City Council approval of any district debt. The bond package also needs to be approved by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.
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