LEWISTON — City councilors will consider a resolution Tuesday that if approved would launch a city-led assessment of the needs and financial burdens of those affected by the Oct. 25, 2023, mass shooting. 

The resolution, submitted by Ward 2 Councilor Susan Longchamps, authorizes city staff to coordinate with community partners to develop a survey or similar assessment of individuals impacted by the shooting. Efforts would be voluntary and conducted in a manner that is “respectful and mindful of the privacy, dignity and well-being of all participants,” according to resolution language. 

The goal of the assessment is to gather enough information to guide future discussions and collaboration within the community to ensure available resources align with ongoing shooting-related distress, the resolution states.

The proposal comes after much public scrutiny of how $6.6 million for victims’ families, survivors and those impacted by the shooting was raised and distributed in the aftermath of the shooting. Of the total, $4.7 million went to those directly affected and $1.9 million went to community nonprofits.

“The facts are clear and the process was transparent,” Mayor Carl Sheline said Friday. “Maine Community Foundation offered two options to donate: either to the victims or to the community. Donors made their choices and the funds were dispersed accordingly.”

Some residents have asked the city to investigate how fundraising was conducted and funds allocated, claiming donors were misled and money intended for those directly affected instead went to community organizations. 

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey’s office reviewed early complaints and said in October 2024 that there was no evidence of wrongdoing or mishandling of donations by the Maine Community Foundation.

The foundation is a well-known 43-year-old nonprofit based in Ellsworth that distributes millions of dollars in grants and scholarships each year throughout the state. It was asked to help with distribution of money for those impacted by the shootings. An explanation of the fundraising effort and distribution is on the foundation’s website.

Organizers of the fund, which was called the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response fund, said from the outset that proceeds would be distributed to victims’ families, survivors and those affected by the shooting, and also to nonprofit organizations that provided services to the broader community. 

Despite the group’s transparency, which included input from a host of local residents, claims have arisen in the years since that donors were not aware money would go to organizations and that they assumed all proceeds would go to the families and survivors. 

“Neither myself nor the city were involved in the decision to include community nonprofits as a donation option,” Sheline said, adding that questions as to how funds were disbursed are best directed to the Maine Community Foundation.

The language of the resolution does not call for a formal audit or investigation of the fund, but focuses on assessing current needs among those affected by the shooting. 

“I’m not sure what this resolution is trying to accomplish,” Sheline said. “We have no legal authority to conduct any investigation or recall any money. I’m also concerned that we could be duplicating efforts as the Resiliency Center and the Victim Compensation Program at the Attorney General’s Office have been providing support to the survivors and victims.”

The City Council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The meeting is available live on Channel 7 or via livestream on the city’s YouTube channel.