When all else fails, lower your standards. This appears to be the mantra of Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque and his four seemingly handpicked city councilors.

As a former Auburn city councilor, Auburn Water District trustee, and charter member of the Lake Auburn Watershed Commission, I have sat through dozens of meetings and listened to developers who purchased gorgeous, inexpensive acreage around Lake Auburn hoping to subdivide the land and cash out.

We listened as developers indicated they had the soils tested for septic approval based on state of Maine criteria before making their investment. However, they were unable to get their subdivision approvals or building permits because the Auburn watershed has much stricter septic rules to protect the drinking water for 60,000-plus Auburn-Lewiston residents.

These rules have successfully protected our drinking supply for over 50 years. Consequently, the investors now own beautiful, inexpensive land overlooking Lake Auburn that is meant to remain that way.

Now Mayor Levesque and his cohorts are going to save the investors by changing septic rules, zoning, and watershed boundaries. When all else fails, lower your standards.

I believe no amount of development dollars will be enough to pay for the damage that can be inflicted on our lake and drinking water supply. We should stick to what has worked well for over 100 years and do everything possible to protect Lake Auburn from development.

Our grandchildren and future generations will forever be thankful for our diligence.

Bruce Rioux, Auburn

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