Selectmen approved a warrant article for the annual town meeting Tuesday night that would combine the fire and rescue departments.

Town Manager Richard Chick explained that a chief for the new combined department would be determined at a later date. Fire Chief W. Ballard Nash Jr. is retiring this summer.

“I think we are going to be looking for an acting chief for the interim from the time Nash gets done until we hire a permanent chief,” Chick said.

– John Plestina
Auburn:

Mayor cheers

for EL team

Mayor Norm Guay celebrated the Edward Little hockey team’s success Monday before donning a shirt declaring the team state champions.

Guay and the Auburn City Council honored the team at the beginning of their regular council meeting, applauding the team for its Class A championship season.

“You’ve demonstrated that to succeed you have to be part of a team,” Guay said. “You were a team this season, and I was in the stands watching you. You played tough, you played smart and you deserved to win.”

The team defeated North Yarmouth Academy on March 8 to claim the state Class A title.

Guay awarded each player a commemorative hockey puck with the city’s seal on a brass plate on one side.

– Scott Taylor
Lewiston:

City rewards lifesavers

Three Lewiston firefighters were awarded a commemorative plaque Tuesday for saving City Councilor Mark Paradis last month.

City Council President Renee Bernier and the rest of the City Council applauded the firefighters for saving Paradis on March 1 after an early-morning heart attack.

“Very often, the work that you do goes unrecognized,” Bernier said. “You are our unsung heroes, and we wanted to take a moment to notice the work that you do.”

Firefighters George A. Merrill, Richard Dostie and Jerry Rioux responded to Paradis’ house and were able to help keep him stable. The councilor was transported to Central Maine Medical Center via United Ambulance and then airlifted to Portland’s Maine Medical Center.

– Scott Taylor
Lewiston: Violations Bureau stays put

The Maine Violations Bureau will continue to operate out of the old District Court building at the corner of Park and Ash streets in Lewiston.

City councilors unanimously approved a $300,000 bond to pay for renovations to the 85 Park St. building. They also approved a 15-year lease on the property.

“Ever since District Court relocated to their new building, we’ve been working with the state to use this property,” Finance Director Dick Metivier said.

But the building is set up for court, not for the kind of administrative uses the bureau has planned, he said.

According to the lease, the bureau will pay $85,707 per year to rent the property.

– Scott Taylor
Auburn:

Sewer extension needs support

Sewer District trustees discussed a proposed sewer extension on Summer Street Tuesday.

One of nine capital improvement projects for this year, the Summer Street sewer extension project carries an estimated price tag of $160,000. It would extend sewer service to a 2,500-foot section of the street. The cost of all nine projects would be about $660,000.

Superintendent Norm Lamie said there is interest from residents of Summer Street in building the sewer. At least 75 percent must be willing to pay for a share of the project for it to proceed.

Those not participating could continue to use septic systems as long as their existing systems are in good working order.

The state plumbing code requires hooking up to a sewer line once a septic system fails if the sewer is within 200 feet, Lamie said.

– John Plestina
Leeds:

Town sets spring cleanup day

The new Leeds town office will open for business at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 12, said Jane Wheeler, the town’s administrative assistant. Further, she said, Leeds will hold a spring cleanup day on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. People can bring various items to the transfer station that day.

But, Wheeler said, the transfer station will not accept tires or auto parts on that particular day. It also will not accept leaves.

There will be no charge for mattresses or furniture brought to the transfer station on spring cleanup day.

Residents need to show transfer station stickers when they come to the station, Wheeler said.

– Seth Golden