What effect will the cutbacks at Auburn Hosiery Mill have on the proposed wastewater line between Auburn and Russellville?

Auburn City Council members discussed this question at their October meeting, following the announcement that the mill was eliminating two shifts effective Dec. 13.

Mayor Dewey Roche informed the council that the mill cutbacks should reduce the wastewater discharged into the Auburn system by two-thirds. The mills discharges played a major role in Auburn's troubles with state regulators concerning noncompliance with the system's permit.

CIMA-- the Consolidated Infrastructure Management Authority-- seemed to be the answer. By pumping wastewater to Russellville, Auburn's beleaguered wastewater treatment plant would not require any upgrades if the water was piped away.

"Right now, we don't know what effect this will have on the pipeline," Roche said. "We may not need to run a pipeline from Auburn to Russellville but can handle the water here. CIMA is working on the numbers to find out what the best course of action will be."

In other business, the council discussed paving the corner of Bert's Auto Parts parking lot. Bert's lot sits at the intersection of KY 103 and Main Street. Many automobiles, school buses and commercial vehicles cut through the business lot rather than using the city streets.

Roche said that the advice of the city attorney was that the city could not undertake the paving of private property. "While I certainly understand the concerns of business owners, the city must do what is in the best interest of all the residents."

Groundbreaking for the first of the five new homes scheduled in the Wrenwood subdivision should be Nov. 1.

Unlike the previous five homes that were completed and then qualified buyers were solicited, Roche said that no home, in the second phase, would be built until an approved buyer is in place.

Final order of business was the first reading of Ordinance No. 2002-07 regulating construction, erection, alteration and location of transmission towers in Auburn. The ordinance contains standard wording accepted by other municipalities.

Although the city has not been approached by any potential builders, the ordinance is in place to cover the city's interests.