At their last March meeting the Auburn Select Board held discussions with the Department of Public Works who were requesting authorization to apply for grant funding for Leesville Pond under the Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Grant and Funds Program. The program is administered by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and provides grants that support the completion of designs and permit applications to repair or remove dams, etc. The scope of the grant application will be for funds to complete preliminary investigations, field investigation, and final design and permitting for rehabilitation of Leesville Pond Dam. The scope of the rehabilitation was identified in the most recent structural inspection of the dam performed in October 2025. In 2018 Auburn received $188,800 under this same grant program for construction of repairs around Leesville Pond Dam. This grant application builds off of that work by investigating and addressing issues that pose a longer-term risk. The request of approximately $250,000 in this grant application would fund all design and permitting of the project. A match of 10% is required. It is anticipated that match funds will come from in-kind services such as review of design and permitting support. All Select Board members voted to authorize the DPW to apply for the grant funding. 

Proclamations and recognitions were also given to members of the Auburn Police Department and the Auburn Fire Rescue Department for their responses as part of the Central Mass Law Enforcement Council (CEMLEC) in assisting the Spencer Police Department with an active and dangerous situation involving an armed suspect who had inflicted serious injury and engaged in gunfire with responding officers. Several Auburn public safety officials were deemed to have gone above and beyond the call of duty during a live shooter incident in Spencer. Deputy Chief Kenneth Charlton served as CEMLEC SWAT Team Commander, providing leadership, coordination, and command presence during a rapidly evolving and high-risk operation. Officer Randy Hawley responded as a member of the CEMLEC SWAT team to assist in the containment of an armed and dangerous suspect believed to be barricaded within the structure. Officer Matthew Laskes’ technical skills deployed and operated a tactical robot within the building while also attempting to communicate and de-escalate the situation involving the armed suspect. Officer Brandyn Geldart responded as a member of the CEMLEC drone unit and provided specialized support and aerial resource skills during the operation. Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Davis rendered advanced medical care in the hostile environment while under active threat. 

Select Board members accepted and approved the Edward J. Burn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $18,250 to purchase six license plate recognition cameras and also approved a grant for a municipal speed feedback signage program through Mass DOT for three pole mounted speed signs and one speed trailer. 

Additionally, the Board voted on recommendations for the May 5, 2026 Annual Town Meeting Warrant including recommending approvals for authorizing sale of tax title foreclosure properties, establishment or renewal of revolving funds for town and school programs, appropriating Chapter 90 funds, if available, for repair and maintenance of town roads, appropriating $314,000 for the purchase of a new generator at Auburn High School, requiring building permits before land disturbance activities and triple fees for violations, and accepting Nancy Drive as a public street. The Annual Town Meeting will be on May 5 at 6 p.m. in the Auburn High School Auditorium, 99 Auburn Street. Additional topics of discussion will include Operating and Capital Budgets for fiscal year 2027. For a complete list of Town Warrant articles, please visit the town website and/or attend the town meeting.