Planning Board delays vote on PFAS treatment plant

Planning Board · Meeting of October 26, 2026

AUBURN — The Auburn Planning Board continued a hearing on a proposed PFAS water treatment facility after a peer reviewer flagged roughly 65 comments. Engineer Katie Carrera of Tate and Howard, representing the Auburn Water District, told the board PFOA and PFOS levels at the Church Street wells sit "just above the limit" under state and federal standards. Town Planner Rose Russell said most of the peer review comments resulted from the applicant submitting only a drainage calculation rather than the district's full stormwater report, calling it "a miscommunication on our end." The board voted unanimously to continue the hearing to November 10.

In other business, the board approved a lot-line elimination at 15 and 19 Southbridge Street for an accessory dwelling unit, and unanimously accepted the surrender of a special permit for a proposed car wash at 871, 873 and 879 Southbridge Street amid ongoing zoning litigation.

In the full story:

• 512 Washington Street continuance
• ANR plan: 15 and 19 Southbridge Street and Jerome Avenue
• 76 Church Street and Ridgewood Drive Rear: water treatment facility site plan
• Communications: surrender of special permit, 871, 873, 879 Southbridge Street and 16 Hill Street
• Meeting schedule for 2027
• Approval of minutes and discussion
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,139 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 26, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.