Auburn council rejects license plate reader ordinance, sends it to voters

The Auburn City Council voted 4-1 against adopting a citizen-initiated ordinance restricting automated license plate recognition systems, sending the measure to a special election. Earlier, the council heard a workshop update on the city's solid waste program, including a plan to have Casella collect bagged leaves this fall, and approved two union contracts and several other items.

Key points

• The council voted 4-1 to reject the ALPR ordinance as written, with Councilor Randall in favor; the city attorney warned the ordinance's broad definition could block police access to outside plate data and even some camera evidence.
• Councilors cited unintended consequences for investigations, while Randall and student representative Brendan Edwards said residents and students oppose the cameras; the measure now heads to a special election no sooner than 120 days out.
• Solid waste staff reported recycling tonnage rose 261% from April to August, while trash tonnage fell, and said enforcement will increase as the education phase ends.
• Staff proposed ordinance changes to pick up trash at one-to-four unit buildings without owner-occupancy proof and to stop pickup at five-to-seven unit buildings, affecting roughly 550 units.
• The council approved a $18,337 Edward Byrne grant for a mobile speed radar message board, two collective bargaining agreements, and a first reading removing the four-employee limit on sawmills in the agriculture zone.
• Resident Wynton Chapman criticized the city's needle exchange and Housing First approach during public comment.

Next steps

• The clerk will bring an order setting a special election date for the ALPR initiative, no sooner than 120 days and no later than six months from the meeting.
• Staff will follow up with Casella on the recycling contamination rate and its effect on future EPR reimbursements.
• The Planning Board continues comprehensive plan deliberations September 23, with a public hearing set for October 14.
• The city manager will proceed with fall leaf collection by Casella, with the roughly $42,000 cost absorbed in the solid waste budget.

Read the full transcript