DEAR SUN SPOTS: Is Spring Road on the west side of Lake Auburn open to foot traffic? Why was it closed? — Al St. Pierre, st.pierreal@yahoo.com

ANSWER: Sun Spots contacted Tracy at Public Works to see whom she should contact for an answer for this question and was referred to Auburn Water District Superintendent John Storer, who wrote the following and supplied the accompanying diagram.

(The diagram is in color and may not show up too well in black and white, but it can be viewed in color at sunjournal.com/sunspots.)

“Spring Road on the west side of Lake Auburn is indeed open to the public. The land is owned by the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission and access is allowed from sunrise to sunset. The only restrictions to LAWPC land can be seen on the attached map.

“There is a restricted area along the south side of the Lake, which we call the Intake Restricted Zone. If you were to launch a boat from the Route 4 boat launch, there is a line of buoys across the south side of the lake that delineates this closed area. Land within that area is restricted as well.

“But that leaves the remaining portion of the lake open for fishing and recreation, as well as all of the abutting land. There is a no-body contact provision with the water, which helps protect the lake as the public water supply for Lewiston and Auburn.

“The LAWPC commissioners have tried to fund a few items to encourage responsible recreation and use of the Spring Road. Walkers will likely notice that dog waste stations have been placed at the north and south entrance gates along Spring Road. It provides dog walkers with plastic bags for collection, and then there are waste bins for subsequent disposal.

“Hopefully people have also noticed a police presence. The LAWPC commissioners have hired the Auburn Police Department to conduct additional random patrols outside of their normal duties. This occurs at no cost to the city taxpayers and is funded through LAWPC operations money. The hope is that the police patrols will deter any type of unwanted activities and provide the general public with confidence to recreate in the area.

“LAWPC also maintains two porta-potties for the recreating public. One is located in North Auburn at the intersection of Lake Shore Drive and the North Auburn Road, while the other is at the Route 4 boat launch.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: It has saddened many parishioners of St, Joseph’s church in Lewiston that Central Maine Healthcare will be tearing down this beautiful structure to build a parking lot. Will bricks or other mementos be available for those who have worshipped in this blessed landmark with their families? — Grammie via email

ANSWER: Sun Spots emailed with Randall Dustin, who handles communications for Central Maine Medical Center. Randall said they will be arranging for mementos, but how and when has not yet been decided. Watch the Sun Journal for an announcement or check www.cmmc.org periodically.

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