[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6272565,"mediaKeyId","3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104","parentId",3027431,"title","Council restores some festival funding after debate over event cuts; manager to confirm final figures","audioSeconds",1205,"startMs",9083000,"endMs",10288000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104&start=9083&end=10288","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104/thumbnail_9083000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272565/Auburn/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Council-restores-some-festival-funding-after-debate-over-event-cuts-manager-to-confirm-final-figures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272565-2a529fa909a452d53b1e8253951c1b38/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950661&Signature=M9ftlX2L3H5bqWS8rUeIQt~2VfbCRkDZfm~9lh~vShOxns1w~gDSk7WlrsHtU9HfdWvVC8yE2IbSahx1eskiwZn8CfAeRCF4Q5nx6wG8z7Zme62DYt8ZlbxOjhtcmckuwLUWUMUinWMMUzd5qCKQY8ObAnsu1ouVrIkWdDg4Dl7dyvsmzHZ4mI~J2NXtTWioGoZ-nVNqonb0ojO8MKl8KgfMaU-YLqBzupgVZKrvSQuDsA-~DgZeX3pe0M9uoPIKsjjoXz0jD~~Q~fiJG7NSs8xqIwt3Ih2kRrNBjYr77a8YIR9KMMeTuEP50uonQcDvA-gbVtZRDAnO9iV~CKJCFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-16T00:32:42Z","article","Auburn City Councilors moved April 15 to partially restore proposed cuts to the communications and special-events budget, directing staff to retain funding for the Lobster Festival and a small holiday event while the administration confirms final figures.

What happened: The manager said a proposed $38,000 reduction to event programming could be trimmed: councilors asked to keep the Lobster Festival and the holiday hangout. The manager reported the departmental reduction would decrease by about $12,000 if the council restored those events, and staff expected to recover roughly $5,000 in sponsorship or revenue tied to the events. The manager said the net departmental reduction would move from $111,000 to about $99,000 after accounting for the restorations and the revenue adjustment.

Why it matters: Councilors described downtown events as quality-of-life assets and a draw for local businesses. Some members cautioned against treating event funding as equivalent to core municipal obligations, but others argued small investments produce economic activity for downtown restaurants, small vendors and hotels during larger festivals.

Operational note and next steps: Staff said police, fire and public works costs associated with public events had already been included in the event-budget modeling and would not require separate added appropriations if the events were restored. The manager said the administration would confirm the revised totals and exhibit the change in the Thursday workshop materials. Councilors who spoke in favor noted events often include vendor and nonprofit participation and can serve as local fundraising opportunities.

Bottom line: The council's direction reduces the proposed event cuts but still leaves the communications department with a reduced budget; staff will return with final accounting and sponsorship projections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Auburn, Maine, City Council Workshop, April 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Auburn City Councilors moved April 15 to partially restore proposed cuts to the communications and special-events budget, directing staff to retain funding for the Lobster Festival and a small holiday event while the administration confirms final figures.","taxTitle","Auburn , Androscoggin County, Maine","taxId",68143,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6272570,"Council pauses city-funded bulky-waste program and debates recreation fee increases",1236,5082000,6318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104&start=5082&end=6318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104/thumbnail_5082000.jpg","/articles/6272570/Auburn/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Council-pauses-city-funded-bulky-waste-program-and-debates-recreation-fee-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272570-669dd28e202d698d850fd3159ad89c43/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950661&Signature=Pk08RiA8XGPl~CK1qvLlCx3iTrCmXU-Wy2lDV7NvOECOfu98QNxR8VaUWSSjl9LZjh2GR~kD-h4-FxpnOYENlwnytvG5gXbQ93jsXCksZGeOctcQlwO1I26YpWNVhQV1ZIIOLTdOwKapZVDOHIYcH7~JbYAJ~WXjZHWsgKJtqkbDUKpuAxXCgDw2KPU6ztmtF2jI0bB9I~JbrYvEHxFgUCixP5XQy6BvpAH6UG3Vg81r1xCiAb9F6S~cwJb8Qn44LGtSoJdgL7lx5XEXGZuI7VwWX5-fad01a5Gpn8Lb2IFaHDTdFYBEZsOe9vz8PBgvmv6P1fDDwBc8zOmh-zNffQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 15 budget workshop, councilors agreed to pause Auburn's city-funded bulky-waste program after June 30 and asked staff to prepare a plan for how the service could resume in the next fiscal year with clearer rules for eligibility and collection.

Bulky-waste pause: The manager explained the decision to remove funding for bulky waste in the FY26 municipal proposal, noting that the program cost about $145,000 the previous year and the city's accounting systems cannot easily verify whether all users were Auburn residents. Councilors asked staff to design a restart that could include a sticker system, stricter verification and possible user fees; the manager said the city will still run the spring cleanup and will publicize the final June 30 collection opportunity.

Recreation fees and rentals: Recreation leadership briefed the council on program and facility changes proposed to close a budget gap. The department has consolidated special-revenue accounts into the operating budget and is projecting a 35% price increase on some program fees. Recreation Director Donna (recreation director) told the council that summer camp registration ' currently $900 ' would rise by 25% to approximately $1,125 if the proposed increases hold. She said the department will use existing CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) scholarship funds and payment plans to avoid turning away participants, but that the CDBG pool is limited (about $2,400 currently) and may not cover demand.

Facility rentals: The draft would limit evening rentals at the senior/community center and tighten after-hours operations because after-hours staffing is charged to part-time accounts. Daytime rental and programming would continue. Councilors asked staff to consider charging market-based rates or shifting rentals to special-revenue funds so the general operating budget is not increased by facility rental demands.

Why it matters: The bulky-waste pause and the recreation fee changes affect household services and youth programming costs that many residents use. Councilors asked staff to return proposals and eligibility rules so the council can evaluate alternatives for FY27.

Next steps: The manager and recreation director will come back with a plan for a restructured bulky-waste program (sticker or fee model) and with more detail on scholarship capacity and program pricing to avoid excluding low-income participants.","At the April 15 budget workshop, councilors agreed to pause Auburn's city-funded bulky-waste program after June 30 and asked staff to prepare a plan for a restructured program.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6272574,"Council asks Public Works for scenarios after proposed reductions; manager to return impact options",1443,7104000,8547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104&start=7104&end=8547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104/thumbnail_7104000.jpg","/articles/6272574/Auburn/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Council-asks-Public-Works-for-scenarios-after-proposed-reductions-manager-to-return-impact-options","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272574-7a81299fe9bda717a727409b4c173972/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950661&Signature=fCTs99Gr2wbp8DmmnPP6XI~YamqJooyjnX8xiD7lqanMUH3Fl2SVXbhCDlatYomvNq1ibhxZK94wfGrZVz-1nwwePxnLwQ~Sc07Dj~rVRUlEue8UhyCtPtuu0uBLrAHNgkIAk0m~jGbAs4y1V9PrOJKDTzM3K15ocNVSqXPwKUXQrqFJQJm-5yIPUuvpiAv6f56Nckd0xQ~B-Sa4kkHTpW3xgymusrz2lA-QA-KgRvabG~VjqPnouZwnF3u8C5x~05wC6EOKMTMPDNDmnScO9LMxpf9-Jzqbe3E8GwVoYud8MxpVKX5ZA1acj-oM2JcVLMX2el-gaCl0FfSbHP59vQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors pressed Public Works staff at an April 15 workshop for concrete effects of proposed budget changes and asked the manager to return Thursday with two modeling scenarios: (a) what would change if the council imposed an additional $50,000 cut, and (b) what services would be restored if $75,000 were added.

Public Works'presentation and concerns: The director told councilors the department had budgeted salt for an average season and is already over budget this year because the city had experienced many more storms than normal: \"We're at number 30 right now,\" the Public Works director said, explaining that the department's winter materials and overtime costs had been driven higher by mixed-precipitation storms and icing events. The director also said the department has been operating short-staffed in several crews and that proposed staffing and equipment-operator reductions would shift work away from preventive maintenance (ditch work, sweeping, mowing and field maintenance) into reactive repairs.

Why it matters: Councilors pointed to deteriorating road and sidewalk conditions and constituent complaints and asked for clearer trade-offs before endorsing additional cuts. One councilor noted Auburn's unusually large road mileage per capita compared with other Maine communities as context for operational demands.

Next steps: The manager agreed to prepare models showing the service and material impacts of both a $50,000 additional cut and a $75,000 addition. The manager said the figures would include effects on staffing deployment, winter-materials consumption and preventive maintenance tasks so councilors could see the operational trade-offs.

Operational note: Public Works described trade-offs between plowing, salting and sidewalk clearance: trucks that move between plow and salt runs lengthen cycle times and can delay treatment of lower-priority routes. The director said some routes are intentionally single-sided for plowing and the department annually adjusts priorities based on complaints and past performance.

Bottom line: Councilors signaled they would weigh the models when they return Thursday; several members indicated reluctance to deepen cuts that would reduce snow and road maintenance or take apparatus out of service elsewhere in the public-safety system.","Councilors questioned proposed Public Works cuts and asked staff to return at the next workshop with two scenarios: the effect of an additional $50,000 cut and the effect of adding $75,000 back into the department. Public Works warned cuts would reduce materials and service levels, and staff cited high recent storm counts and staffing shortfalls.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6272583,"Council restores $50,000 to avoid fire apparatus brownout; third-ambulance pilot left for further review",1062,3518000,4580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104&start=3518&end=4580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104/thumbnail_3518000.jpg","/articles/6272583/Auburn/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Council-restores-50000-to-avoid-fire-apparatus-brownout-third-ambulance-pilot-left-for-further-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272583-2554d8f5f4835785ae68f34ca86c8724/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950661&Signature=HYnV7Aqc6Uac3qbrMDQySedq8zTSw6-Bm1P291y1H-zDN7kGw33LmNV-zsSnn70HaeRbPcT921TPIvt0wIjxyfUgvMGXoYdsOAYSMs82WnaJ83lc1fq1V8dqEaopdYnxLgDEoW~edcKmYgGmF9jTeq5XE~y~rNtEMPQOglzogpZirVUTTCyh3xuPD75dswcrEjya99KeeDRcDq9O-ft4ohowtz8N4KsYTs5K90MRdtP0QmS5uA1NdltAcS4ym3L~8mlt-9aTK2aMMWMfjbjM3M3hxD1giPzZGym~NTzPPd43HSnnbP95O3-ZL-vYIYEOlT-Og2aCT6ajLjSF4CHrRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auburn City Councilors signaled consensus at an April 15 budget workshop to restore $50,000 to the public-safety budget so the city would not take a fire apparatus out of service at times this year, a move councilors said would preserve baseline emergency response capacity.

Why it matters: Councilors framed the restoration as protecting public safety levels rather than expanding services. Fire leadership told the council that reducing apparatus availability would lower response capacity and that maintaining baseline staffing should take precedence over pilot expansion.

Details of the discussion: The fire chief said maintaining current service levels \"would absolutely take precedent\" over augmenting staffing to pilot a third ambulance during peak hours. He described the pilot as a data-gathering effort begun in March to staff a third ambulance 40 hours a week during peak demand, and said continuing the pilot would help the department evaluate whether shifting to longer-term staffing is warranted. The chief cautioned that taking an engine or other apparatus out of service would \"drop us below response levels that the department hasn't seen in 3 decades.\"

Council response and next steps: Several councilors said they supported restoring the $50,000 so the city would not reduce the number of days an apparatus is in service; some members favored keeping the pilot in place, while others asked the manager and chief to return to the April 17 workshop with scenarios that scale the pilot (for example, fewer hours per week) so the council could weigh costs and operational impacts. Councilor Walker said he supported a continuation of the pilot at the amount the chief deemed appropriate but opposed taking apparatus offline: \"I support having the third 1 with with whatever time the chief feels that is the right amount to put there... but I don't want an apparatus taken out of service.\"

Fiscal effect: Restoring the $50,000 changed the municipal operational percentage slightly in the manager's model; the manager and staff said they would provide Thursday's workshop with updated scenarios showing the budget effect of (a) restoring only the apparatus funding, (b) restoring apparatus funding plus some ambulance hours, or (c) both restorations and different hour levels for the pilot.

Operational note: The chief described the pilot as staffed via overtime to limit long-term commitments while data are collected; he said the pilot's estimated net cost assumed some recovered revenue from calls that would otherwise go to mutual-aid agencies during peak hours. The council asked the manager and chief to present multiple funding/hour scenarios for the pilot at the next meeting so members could choose a level consistent with both public-safety needs and budget constraints.","Councilors voted by consensus at an April 15 workshop to restore $50,000 so Public Works/Fire would not take a piece of apparatus out of service on weekends; discussion continued about whether to extend a pilot adding a third ambulance during peak hours, with the fire chief urging preservation of core staffing first.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6272585,"Auburn council trims homeless-services budget to $200,000 after weeks of debate",2815,753000,3568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104&start=753&end=3568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027431-7431cfb291a525b9dce5ff0df78d1104/thumbnail_753000.jpg","/articles/6272585/Auburn/Androscoggin-County/Maine/Auburn-council-trims-homeless-services-budget-to-200000-after-weeks-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272585-924795ad332205943554028f597354f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770950661&Signature=MMaJJuoR9YgeA2eJ89NpZTMwEmlmRzhF5wZzMwFEjEETsUGjXJtlujhEhglLMkQWTAT0uSurLsTm65klzK4M4o9BbW3d3mjCpZeS~e3vQN0Qrwc1UWgDQa8S7kW5VPYzvsKeQHaFHUMP1fGwYMv3esBEacIaOPfNNHtxonj7y3RONWzY8ZjQK6bac0jXAFEtqmJEj5lg63odd3yBbef-EIICW0XuJ5yBQA5XND8f-nobkPXX43NCr2HYoYgMH1bPNXg3vXk5cGFKUMM4ashRLnz74rL5o-SvZu5zgNnu2Sd-TFgEUu~8nHiKyf-O~YG3jCJWj-T0e6daIMiHxLjjPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Auburn City Council members agreed by consensus at a workshop April 15 to reduce the city's proposed FY26 homeless-services operating allocation to $200,000, down from $250,000 in the manager's draft.

The move came after extended discussion about a planned emergency shelter for the Lewiston'Auburn area, state grant funding and the costs of running a temporary warming center if the shelter is not ready. City Manager (referred to in meeting materials as the manager) told the council the state awarded $2,500,000 in capital funds to stand up a regional shelter and that operating costs for a full shelter were estimated at about $1,600,000 a year, with a proposed municipal share of roughly $650,000 between the two cities. The city manager said Auburn's proposed contribution in the draft budget had been reduced from $250,000 to $200,000 for the council's consideration.

Why it matters: Councilors framed the allocation as a contingency to ensure the city has money available if the regional shelter timeline slips and the city must run or support a local warming center. Members said they wanted to avoid repeatedly dipping into the city's fund balance and to set a consistent operating line in the FY26 budget rather than relying on one-time funds.

Discussion and details: Councilor Walker proposed lowering the item to $150,000 but said he would not support the $250,000 figure, noting a willingness to compromise: \"I'd be willing to ask that we do 150,000, but I'm not willing to vote on the 2 50,\" Councilor Walker said. Councilor Cowen and others pressed for caution about cutting too far because recent warming-center costs had been near $239,000 when run locally. The manager described two likely scenarios: (1) participation in a regional 'housing-first' shelter financed in part by state capital and operating grants, or (2) if the regional shelter is delayed, a city-funded warming center for part of the winter. The manager said the Lewiston plan includes a $2.5 million capital award and that municipalities would be expected to contribute to annual operating costs and seek grant/philanthropic funds to close remaining gaps.

Councilor Gary, Councilor Weisner and others said they supported leaving a meaningful operating allocation in the budget because the city had repeatedly funded emergency responses in recent years and would likely face the expense again if the council did not budget for it. Councilors also emphasized the expectation of additional non-municipal partners (nonprofits, churches, state) to share costs.

What the council decided: Without a formal roll-call vote, councilors signaled consensus to set the homeless-services operating line at $200,000 for the FY26 budget and asked the manager to reflect that change in the budget model and return updated numbers at the Thursday workshop. The manager also said staff would return with additional detail on partner commitments and on the superintendent's response to a requested $500,000 school-budget reduction referenced earlier in the meeting.

Looking ahead: Councilors asked for more concrete cost estimates and timetables from partner agencies at the next workshop. The manager cautioned that final tax-levy impacts depend on assessor valuations and other pending adjustments.","At an April 15 workshop, Auburn City Councilors signaled consensus to reduce the city's proposed FY26 allocation for homeless services to $200,000, down from $250,000 in the draft budget. The council discussed regional shelter plans, a state capital award, and a winter warming-center contingency as it weighed the change.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council restores some festival funding after debate over event cuts; manager to confirm final figures

Council pauses city-funded bulky-waste program and debates recreation fee increases

Council asks Public Works for scenarios after proposed reductions; manager to return impact options

Council restores $50,000 to avoid fire apparatus brownout; third-ambulance pilot left for further review

Auburn council trims homeless-services budget to $200,000 after weeks of debate