Mayor suspends engineer's payment
By Jim Butler
Mayor Bob Morris has suspended the monthly fee payment to Aucoin & Associates engineering firm.
In a letter to the City Attorney, and copied to the engineering firm, the city council and the media, Morris said he took the action on the advice of the Legislative Auditor's Office.
Morris' letter said he would not pay the monthly fee until "substantial legal questions are answered" or a court orders the payment to resume.
Morris has been at odds with Karl Aucoin, referred to at council meetings as the city engineer, for several months. His discontent stems from questions regarding the wastewater treatment plant.
According to city records, the firm is paid $555.13 monthly. It also bills the city for services rendered on a variety of projects under taken at the city's request.
Aucoin is out of town today and, according to his office, unavailable for comment.