Board: Auburn City Council

Met: Monday night

One Way Main Street?

Issue: The city has made Main Street one way between Mechanics Row and Court Street for the duration of a paving project there. Making it a permanent change creates five additional on-street parking spaces and could make the area safer for walkers.

The scoop: Councilor Bruce Bickford said the work provided a golden opportunity to add in bike lanes, but Councilor Mike Farrell said the changes would give drivers a reason to speed in front of the parking garage. State transportation officials have supported the change, however.

Up next: Councilors will vote on the changes at a September meeting, after a public hearing.

Assessing software

Issue: The city began using a computerized assessing package in 2005 to figure values of homes and properties in the city. It lets the city update values regularly, instead of waiting for years at a time.

The scoop: Those values were updated this year. The department fixed a two-year old error in the way values were figured in homes with forced hot water heat. It increased values – and taxes – on those homes.

Up next: Assessor Cheryl Dubois said residents should expect updates in their property values every year.

Ingersoll Arena

Issue: Councilors approved $500,000 worth of work for the Ingersoll Ice Arena this year, including $300,000 for a new compressor for the rink’s ice surface.

The scoop: The building is still only usable six months out of the year. Expanding to a year-round schedule would be allow use by skaters who travel to Augusta now. The building would need better ventilation and a full-time coordinator to expand, however.

Up next: Councilors said it is worth investigating. Staff will bring it back later this year.

County issues

Issue: City government is ruled by a charter but county government is not. Councilor Ron Potvin wants to schedule a meeting with municipal neighbors Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland to discuss creating one for Androscoggin County. Those four communities make up the county’s second district.

The scoop: His council colleagues said it was an idea worth exploring. But Councilor Bob Hayes said he would be more comfortable if all communities in the county were invited or if the county started the discussion itself.

Up next: The city will agree to host the meeting, but will ask the county to schedule it and set the agenda.

Passenger air

Issue: Airport managers are hoping to study the costs and benefits of making Auburn’s municipal airport a passenger destination.

The scoop: Airport managers are asking for up to $20,000 to evaluate passenger service, split evenly between Lewiston and Auburn. The airport is the third busiest in the state, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Expanding to include passenger service would require as much as $10 million in investment, however.

Up next: The Lewiston council voted to fund its share of the study last week, and Auburn agreed Monday. Work on the study should begin this fall.

Contact government reporter Scott Taylor via phone at 689-2846 or via E-mail at [email protected]