Auburn board rejects reopening town meeting warrant over fire engine

Select Board · Meeting of September 14, 2026

Auburn Select Board declines to reopen town meeting warrant after fire engine scare, hears hours of rent control testimony. Fire Chief Coleman told the board Engine 4, damaged in a Sept. 4 fire, likely won't need town-meeting funding since it appears repairable and insurance is expected to cover most costs beyond a $1,000 deductible; the board's motion to reopen the warrant failed on a voice vote. Whispering Pines resident Kathleen Charbonneau said "we can't afford to have the rent go up every month," while smaller park owners argued they shouldn't be grouped with corporate-owned properties like those managed by Parakeet Communities.

The board also approved a Motor Vehicle Class 1 license letting TASCA Automotive Group take over the Hyundai dealership at 735 Southbridge Street, licensed Eversource to store 243,411 gallons of transformer fluid, and reviewed a $941,217 mid-year budget adjustment as the town's chief financial officer reported free cash growth of only about $300,000.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,118 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.