Almost two years ago, the Auburn City Council understood its need for an updated understanding of how to protect Lake Auburn water. The report was very specific, recognizing the fragility of the water supply for Lewiston, Auburn and parts of Poland. It specifically said no changes should be made to the zoning around the lake.
Yet, the Auburn council took up discussion of the subject at its last meeting. Seven Auburn citizens spoke against the change, with a time restriction of three minutes each. No one spoke for it. The first three councilors appropriately voted against it, but the last four voted yes.
There have since been very strong and capable letters in the Sun Journal from Pam Rousseau and Neria Douglas with powerful arguments against the council’s terrible choice, and no letters favoring it.
The March 17 paper described the meeting of the Auburn Water Commission where Steve Milks — also an Auburn councilor — led a move to support that shameful decision that was against the clear recommendation of the lake study that Auburn taxpayers paid for, and to move ahead with zoning changes in the watershed area next to Gracelawn, which former councilor Douglas had written a clear review about the different pollutants endangering the safety of the water supply.
The cost of filtration which Milks votes would seem likely to require is a bit more than $40 million. A second “yes” vote by the City Council will cause this tax and rate increase for all who depend on Lake Auburn.
Jim Wellehan, Auburn
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