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Auburn staff reports rollout of Lake Auburn septic-inspection program; 57 properties in year 1 cohort
Summary
City staff and the Lake Auburn watershed commission coordinated a new inspection program requiring owners in designated areas to submit certified inspection reports; the council discussed reimbursement assistance, inspection providers and the notification schedule.
City staff updated the Auburn City Council on May 19 about the Lake Auburn Watershed subsurface-wastewater inspection program adopted in July 2024, saying the first-year inspection area covers 57 property owners and that the full watershed includes roughly 615 properties subject to the ordinance.
Mister Hedick, who presented the report, said the city sent notices in mid-April and set July 1 as the inspection-report deadline for the year-1 cohort; the watershed commission has a separate reimbursement program that may reimburse up to $400 for eligible inspections, and the commission is coordinating outreach and a June workshop for affected property owners.
Hedick told the council the ordinance requires annual inspections for properties in mapped zones and limits new residential development in the watershed to no more than three dwelling units per calendar year; he said only one new house has been built in the district since the ordinance took effect on July 1, 2024.
Councilors asked practical questions about inspectors and the reimbursement process. Councilor Adam Platts asked how many contractors are on the commission’s preapproved list; Hedick said the commission had identified about four participants for the reimbursement program but stressed property owners are not limited to that list and can hire any certified inspector from the state roster. Hedick said the state maintains a long list of certified inspectors and the city’s ordinance requires certification but does not constrain owners to the commission’s assistance list.
Councilors also raised timing concerns. Several members noted LawPAC’s (the assistance program appearing in meeting discussion as LawPAC/Lawpack) reimbursement program came online later than the ordinance’s inspection schedule, leaving some year-1 property owners waiting for financial assistance. Councilors urged staff to send reminder notices to the first cohort if reports are not submitted by the June 30 deadline and to issue one-year notices for the year-2 cohort on schedule in July so owners have 12- and six-month notifications as required by the ordinance.
Hedick confirmed the commission’s reimbursement program currently lists funding through December 31, 2025, because it operates on a calendar-year budget; he said Auburn Water and Sewer District and Lewiston Water Sewer Department intended to provide ongoing funding to LawPAC, but ongoing funding beyond calendar year 2025 is not guaranteed and depends on those agencies’ budgets. Hedick also said the program’s state inspection form will be used to verify pass/fail status and eligibility for reimbursement.
Hedick and councilors discussed private sewer lines and lift stations; the presenter said the ordinance and state form encompass private lines and related components (for example, lift stations) that could be inspected when present. The council and staff agreed that better frequently asked questions and clarifications may be needed and that staff may return with amendments to improve clarity and operations.
The council did not vote on an action; staff said they would send reminder notices for overdue inspections in the first cohort, proceed with notices for the second cohort in July and continue coordination with the watershed commission and LawPAC on reimbursement details.
