AUBURN — The City Council may decide to move some polling locations out of city schools in response to a steady stream of concerns over student safety and disruption on election days.
City Clerk Sue Clements-Dallaire, whose office has fielded many of the concerns, will ask the council Monday to consider moving the Ward 2 polling location from Auburn Middle School to the Hasty Community Center, as well as moving the Ward 1 polling location from Washburn Elementary School to the Norway Savings Bank Arena mezzanine.
In a memo to the council, she said concerns regarding using Auburn schools as polling places “have increased over the last few years,” in particular during the 2016 presidential election.
“I have received calls from parents who have expressed their concerns for the safety of the students on election days relative to strangers in the schools and vehicular traffic,” she said. “Some parents opt to keep their children home from school on Election Day because of those concerns.”
She said the Auburn School Department has also asked the city to look into alternative locations. On March 15, the School Committee voted unanimously to ask the City Council to put an item on the agenda to address the issue.
The council will also be asked to consider consolidating polling locations next year, she said.
Finding a suitable location in each ward outside of schools could be challenging. Each location must meet certain requirements, including adequate parking for voters, and for voters with disabilities.
Clements-Dallaire said in order to change the location of a voting place, the clerk’s office must submit an application at least 60 days before a statewide election and must certify accessibility.
On Monday, the Auburn City Council will also discuss coming up with a draft work plan for the remainder of the year. City Manager Peter Crichton said now that the fiscal year 2017-18 budget is in place, the council and staff should prioritize the various staff and council projects.
As part of the process, he said, he’s recommending having professional mediator Craig Freshley “facilitate a discussion among the department directors and key staff to set the stage for a workshop with the mayor, council, and department directors.”
Freshley also facilitated a workshop on roles and responsibilities during Crichton’s first day as city manager in April. Hiring Freshley would cost about $3,000.
The workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Auburn Hall.
