AUBURN - The city officially supports the idea of the federal government managing some local sites related to Harriet Tubman, officials declared Thursday.

Members of the Auburn city council unanimously approved a resolution imploring the U.S. Department of the Interior and National Parks Service to designate four Auburn sites as part of the national park system.

The council included the Tubman Home site on South Street, Thompson Memorial AME Zion Church, the Seward House and Tubman's grave site in Fort Hill Cemetery.

According to City Manager Mark Palesh, the city's historic legacy is worth maintaining.

“This is a major project for the city and a boon to our economy,” Palesh told the council before they approved the resolution.

The National Park Service has been considering a Tubman park and released a study on the concept last month.

If a park was established, it would include sites in both the Auburn area and Maryland.

Last week, about 40 people attended a local public hearing, where federal officials said it would take congressional approval before the sites become part of a national park.

In other news:

#&149; The Auburn Police Department will have to wait for new, unmarked patrol cars.

Council pulled a resolution that would have authorized the department to lease five new cars and replace some worn vehicles.

According to the proposal, the department would have leased the vehicles for a total of $23,000 per year for three years, after which it would own the cars.

The new cars would replace vehicles that have between 57,000 and 88,000 miles on them and that are in overall poor condition, according to the department.

After the meeting, Councilor Matthew Smith indicated that the measure does not currently have the support it needs among the council to pass.

#&149; Council rescheduled next week's meeting from 6 p.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The change was made because one member had a schedule conflict, according to Palesh.

Council will also meet on Dec. 23 instead of Christmas and Dec. 30 instead of New Year's Day.

Both meetings, which each take place on Tuesday, will begin at 4 p.m. instead of 6 p.m.

#&149; Council unanimously voted to sell two city-owned properties to a private resident. John Mortimer will purchase 62 and 68 Franklin St. for a total of $64,800.

Mortimer will demolish the building on 68 Franklin St. and convert the property for parking, Palesh said.

Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.