AUBURN — During a 10-minute speech that he called a return to tradition, Mayor Jason Levesque said the city has moved past decades of collective negativity — and even conflicts at Auburn Hall — and is thriving with “promise and opportunity.”
At Monday’s City Council meeting, Levesque also used the address to pitch new policy initiatives and tout the city’s progress during its 150th anniversary.
He asked local business organizations to help fund a new city marketing campaign, and urged the council to support the formation of a new communications department at Auburn Hall to help boost efforts to promote the city.
Levesque called on the community to support the new Edward Little High School and its associated local financial investment, but at the same time urged the School Department to pare down its operating budget going forward.
The mayor’s “state of the city” address was the first in decades, and is now among the few to be given by elected mayors in Maine.
The mayor of Portland has given an annual state of the city address since 2012, after a charter commission called for it when outlining the role for Portland’s popularly elected mayor.
Auburn did not recently change any charter elements, but Levesque said he wanted to bring back a “long-forgotten” tradition in Auburn, one that he said began with the founders of the city in 1869.
“In those early days, they understood how vitally important it was to deliver a seminal address outlining success and strengths, as well as lessons learned from failure,” he said in the speech.
During his introduction, Levesque said, “Rest assured, I don’t think I am the president or governor.”
The tradition likely faded during the early 1900s, when Auburn also changed to a council-manager form of government.
In his address, Levesque described Auburn as having recently regained community pride, following “a gloom of sorts, one that unfortunately lasted several generations,” where he said residents stopped “believing in ourselves and our community.”
“I’m pleased and proud to report that those days are well behind us,” he said, adding that in the past year, “we have moved past animosity between council and staff” and other conflicts, like leaving behind “the bitter merger debate.”
At a few points during the speech, applause resonated from the row of councilors.
Levesque also pitched the city’s ongoing efforts to modernize its large agriculture and resource protection zone, which accounts for roughly half of Auburn land.
While the effort has had some critics, Levesque said the ordinance changes going forward will “encourage small and large-scale agricultural growth, while protecting green space and our rural appeal.” He said it will encourage growth in “younger farmers working the land and adding to our community, and financial security for more established farmers who have worked the land their entire lives and wish to pass along that tradition to a new generation.”
But Levesque followed up by warning residents, “You will hear the voice of opposition, who advocate for maintaining the status quo and the failing policy of the last 55 years.”
When touching on the construction of a new Edward Little High School, Levesque said the city must build a “first-rate facility.”
“Yes, this will take financial investment, but it will also take the ability for all residents to believe in a brighter future,” he said.
However, he also urged school officials to “take a hard look” at its current budget and “consider consolidation of certain services and departments internally or with existing city departments.”
“The reality is that residents will not accept a new high school with the entire local cost shouldered by the taxpayer, nor should they,” he said.
The state is paying for the new high school, but any construction items on top of what is considered standard are paid for by the local municipality.
There are about $22 million in local costs being considered for items like a 1,200-seat performing arts center and competition athletic fields.
arice@sunjournal.com
Cougle, Fifield sworn in
AUBURN — Two promotions within Auburn public safety were made official Monday as Deputy Police Chief Tim Cougle and Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fifield were sworn in during a ceremony with city officials and family members.
Cougle, a lifelong resident of Auburn, is a 21-year veteran of the department. He has served as a detective, patrol sergeant and lieutenant. He has served as commander of all three divisions of the department: patrol, support services and, most recently, criminal investigations.
Cougle was promoted to deputy chief following the retirement of longtime Chief Phil Crowell, who was replaced by Chief Jason Moen.
Fifield, of Poland, is a 17-year veteran of the Auburn Fire Department, and was recently named the city’s deputy fire chief.
Prior to coming to Auburn, Fifield worked at the Windham and Oxford fire departments, and United Ambulance. He’s a member of the Androscoggin County HAZMAT team and has more than 20 years of experience working for the Mechanic Falls Fire Department where he’s the deputy fire chief and fire inspector. Since 2016, Fifield has also been responsible for facilities management of all three Auburn fire stations.
The deputy chief position had been vacant since Bob Chase was named chief in April 2018.
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