By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

Several Auburn town departments are pulling stored items out of the old Raymond Road fire station building after recent vandalism.

Auburn Police Sgt. Gary Bartis said last month’s vandalism appears to be the work of a youth or youths, and a short investigation didn’t yield any arrests.

Bartis said someone appears to have smashed and entered through a window in the rear of the building, found some paint, and decorated some of the building’s exterior with graffiti.

“I don’t know if the graffiti was a forethought or an afterthought after they found the paint,” said Bartis.

Town Administrator Bill Herman said the graffiti has since been painted over and removed.

Some stored items, like police bikes and computer paper from various town departments, were thrown around the inside of the building, but nothing appears to have been stolen.

“I think it was just some kids goofing,” said Bartis. “We don’t really have gangs in this town.” The break-in has caused some concern for departments using the building for storage, which has been its primary use since the Eaton Hill Road safety complex opened several years ago.

“We are getting stuff moved out of the building as a result,” said Herman.

The building has housed police bikes, the town’s voting booths, Griffin library artifacts, and miscellaneous items from the fire and highway departments.

It’s been a tough year for the old white building.

First, engineers hired by selectmen reviewed the structure, and determined that refurbishing it would be a considerable drain from the town’s pocketbook.

Auburn resident Norm Bouley hatched a plan for the aged firehouse, and submitted a petition asking to raise $190,000 to convert the building into a community center.

Selectmen estimated that far more than $190,000 would be needed to properly convert the building for community use, and Bouley’s petitioned warrant article was indefinitely postponed at Town Meeting due to unclear wording.

While the future for the outcast building is unclear, its fate could emerge as Auburn planning officials commence on a comprehensive update of the town’s master plan.

“There really isn’t a lot of use for that building right now without a substantial investment,” said Herman.