By Ginger Kozlowski
Staff Writer

January
• Mount Zion Christian School, which had planned to build a school in Auburn, pulled back on its plans.

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• Auburn Fire Chief Bruce Phillips risked his life to save Squeeky, a dog that had gotten stuck on the icy Lake Massabesic. Owner Dan Busa was relieved to have his pet home safe and sounds.

• An Energy North delivery man sunk into mud and got stuck, requiring the help of Auburn firefighters to extricate him. He was embarrassed but unhurt.

• A robber made off with guitars and a recording microphone after robbing a home at 21 Dearborn Road on Jan. 14.

February
. Auburn Fire Chief Bruce Phillips asked for the town's first full-time firefighters funded by tax dollars, saying there are now too many calls for the all-volunteer fire department to handle adequately.

March
. There were no contested races for town or school offices. Harland Eaton won another three-year term as selectman and Elaine Hobbs another three-year term on the school board.

. Auburn selectmen were directed by voters to hire the town's first town administrator. They set the top salary at $45,000 for six months, with the position going into effect in July.

April
. The Auburn Lions Club installed a "Welcome to Auburn" sign near Exit 2 of Route 101.

. Auburn police solved an eight-year-old case and a recent burglarly with the arrest of William Osborne, 36, of Manchester.

May
. Auburn residents complained of noise from flights at Manchester Airport. The FAA said they were testing new departures.

. Auburn Village School's first all-female Destination Imagination troupe went to Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn., after tying for first place in the March regional finals in Goffstown and qualifying for Global by placing second in the April 9 state finals in Nashua.

June
. Longmeadow Congregational Church broke ground on an addition 135 years in the making on June 5.

July
. Selectmen approved hiring Auburn's first full-time firefighters in the department's 70- year history. Linda Wilking and Dennis Collins began work July 11. Until that day, the Auburn Fire Department had been an all-volunteer operation.

. Auburn School Board Chairman Elaine Hobbs said she hoped to announce possible sites for a new school building by fall to accommodate the growing number of students in town.

August
. Griffin Free Public Library raised almost $2,300 at its annual media sale.

September
. Auburn hosts its first town parade in 10 years in conjunction with the annual duck race.

. Auburn Fire Chief Bruce Phillips allowed his head to be shaved to raise $2,600 for fighting cancer in children. He did not allow his famous handlebar mustache to be shaved, despite the many offers of extra money.

. Auburn debated the value of cluster housing to preserve open space.

October
. Someone stole $1,000 from a safe at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church.

. Sisters in Service host a fundraising walk at Lake Massabesic.

November
. Auburn's tax rate is reduced by 1 percent to $15.36 per $1,000 of property value. Though the rate dropped, the town's property values had increased, resulting in higher tax bills for most people.

. Selectmen delay approving acceptance of a conservation easement for a 40-acre wooded and wetland area near Nutt Road, despite a vote at Town Meeting to do so. Selectmen say they are trying to avoid restrictions on the land that would keep them from paving Steam Mill Road.

December
. Auburn Village School officials decide to stick with a ban on skateboards and bikes on school property.