Auburn City Council Workshop and regular meeting
March 21, 2016
Auburn Hall
Fire Grants
What it means: The city could get four additional firefighter/paramedics if it gets a federal grant.
What happened: Councilors took their first step Monday toward endorsing an application for a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Response, or SAFER Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If the city gets the grant, it would cover salary and benefits for four firefighter/paramedics for two years. The city has to pay for uniforms, equipment and physical screenings but would not have to pay any other matching money. The city would also not be required to keep the four employees once the two-year grant ends.
What’s Next: Councilors approved the application on first reading and will vote on it at their next meeting. If the city applies for the grant, they’d expect FEMA to make a decision on the grant after June.
Junker parking
What it means: Residential property owners with junked, unregistered and uninspected cars on site may want to get them fixed or moved.
What happened: The city’s zoning code currently lets residents store one inoperable car on-site, but city staff said the code is vague and difficult to enforce the way it’s written.
Councilors voted on first reading to change the language from “inoperable” to “unregistered or uninspected.” If the car is not registered or inspected, it needs to be stored in a building or garage.
What’s Next: Councilors will vote on the new wording again before it becomes a city code.
St. Dom’s Girls Hockey
What it means: The players may hail from around central Maine, but Saint Dominic Academy girls hockey team is based in Auburn — and that was enough reason for the Auburn City Council to celebrate Monday.
What happened: Councilors recognized and applauded the team for their Feb. 13 State Championship win at Lewiston’s Androscoggin Bank Colisee.
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