Council Creates Two New Committees
Focused on Arts and Coastal Resiliency
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This month, the Saco City Council approved the creation of two new Mayor's ad hoc committees: the WRRD Coastal Resiliency Committee and an Arts Commission.
The purpose of the WRRD Coastal Resiliency Committee is to facilitate and support meaningful conversations between the Water Resource Recovery Department and community members. Together, in partnership with the US EPA, the committee will identify goals and priorities related to the wastewater utility and coastal resiliency.
The Arts Commission will act as an advisory body to the City Council and city staff, focused on improving the aesthetic quality of public spaces, cultural enrichment through art, and improving the quality of life for our community members.
To join either of these committees, please visit this webpage and complete a board application. You can also email the Mayor at BDoyle@sacomaine.org to participate.
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November Election Absentee Voting Information |
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Wow - the City Clerk's office has already received more than 2,000 requests for absentee ballots! That's about 10% of Saco's population.
Our City Clerk anticipates that absentee ballots for the November election will be available beginning the first week of October. Until we receive those ballots, the best way to request an absentee ballot is by using the State of Maine's online link.
The City has received an influx of absentee ballot requests since the State Absentee Ballot Request Service opened on Aug. 17th, and we are diligently processing them. You will receive confirmation from the State when your request is submitted. Then, once we enter your ballot request, you will receive another email stating that the application was accepted or rejected. This may take a couple of days. If the request is approved, you will receive your ballot around the beginning of October. Any rejections will include a note advising you of the issue and how to fix it. We will mail these ballots once issues are corrected.
Once you receive your ballot, you can return it using the election drop box (please note: the dropbox will not be set up outside City Hall until ballots are issued). Alternatively, you can mail the ballot.
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Downtown Façade Grant Program Launches |
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The City of Saco has recently initiated a Downtown Façade Grant Program to support our businesses with façade improvements within the Downtown TIF District.
The program offers matching funds for various façade improvement activities, including painting, window or door repair or replacement, signage, awnings, and storefront restorations.
While exploring this program on our site, be sure to check out the resources available for Saco businesses using the resource tab.
For more information, please call the Planning & Economic Development Department at (207) 282-3487 or email Jessa Berna, Economic Development Specialist, at jberna@sacomaine.org.
For a map of the Downtown TIF District, see the map at this link.
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Playground Work Complete at
Shadagee Woods
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Located at the end of Juniper Lane off Route 5, the park also features a basketball court and a pond with vibrant wildlife.
Please follow the Maine CDC physical distancing guidelines when visiting any recreation area in Saco. If it looks crowded, please consider choosing another location.
Learn more about the Saco Parks & Recreation department online.
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Saco PD: Hercules "brought people together" on Community Day at SPR and The Landing |
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Saco Community Resource Officers Condon and Royle spent a day in August with Gerry Scott, his horse Hercules, and his dog Molly.
Gerry, Hercules, and Molly have been forming partnerships in the area by visiting senior homes, local businesses, summer camps, and beaches. Hercules is a stunning 17.3 hands Friesian Gelding with the most gentle personality.
"It was amazing to watch how gentle, kind, and patient Hercules was with the kids and our elderly community members," said Officer Condon. "He brought people together, fostering interactions and conversations between our youth and elders that might not happen otherwise."
Gerry, a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel who led one of the Army’s three-horse units, is a Saco resident and offered to have a community day. They spent the morning with different Saco Parks & Recreation Department camps, letting kids meet and learn all about Hercules. The day wrapped up with a visit to The Landing, a senior living home here in Saco.
“To see the joy Hercules brought to these residents was amazing,” said Officer Royle. “We will be planning another community day with more visits to senior homes, a walk down Main Street, and hopefully a beach walk (and swim) to finish off the day.”
If you or your organization want to participate in a future community outreach day, please call (207) 282-8214.
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Walking and Rolling with SBPAC |
In Saco we are extremely fortunate to have some of the most beautifully diverse roadways in the country. In less than 10 miles one can go from riding along the coastal beaches to getting lost in the rolling farm lands and river valley.
In the months and years ahead the SBPAC will be putting together route guides and maps to help make people aware of all the city has to offer in terms of scenic and low stress bicycling so be on the lookout for that.
In our riding, running, and walking around the city and surrounding towns over the last few months, members have noticed signs – both neighborhood and personal – asking people to SLOW down when passing through. Excessive speeds have always been a danger to cyclists and pedestrians but that seems to have been amplified over the last several months and is statistically a larger problem in Saco than in any other town in York County.
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine is running a statewide campaign called Slow Me Down to address this very issue. They have put together statistics on crashes and how excessive speed impacts the lethality of auto/pedestrian crashes. For example, did you know that the chances of survival for a cyclist or pedestrian hit by an automobile is 93% at a speed of 20 mph but that percentage plummets to 55% at a speed of 40mph?
We here at SBPAC plan to work with the City Council and the Mayor’s office to support and raise awareness of this campaign locally so that we can continue to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians of all types to get out and enjoy those beautiful roadways we are so lucky to call ours.
-Saco Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
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In 1999, in response to an increase in the boating population, the Cities of Biddeford and Saco joined forces to provide enforcement action on the tidal waters of the Saco River. Both cities have assigned one permanent police officer to the program, and utilize other trained officers to provide full-time patrol on the waterways.
In conjunction with the Maine Marine Patrol and the United States Coast Guard, the members of the Biddeford & Saco Harbor Patrol enforce marine laws within the Saco River, Saco Bay, and the Biddeford Pool area. Our mission includes ensuring the safety of all boaters, the protection of coastal property, and the enforcement of marine laws. In addition to this, we also respond to rescue calls, vessels in distress, illegal fishing complaints, endangered or injured wildlife, and we work closely with our local Code Enforcement Offices to ensure compliance with shoreland zoning laws and to monitor coastal conservation.
Please recreate safely on our waterways, make sure everyone has a properly fitting US Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and travel at safe speeds.
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Planning Department Seeks Input for Business Development Strategy Through Online Survey |
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What is your favorite thing about living or working in Saco? What can the city do to better support your business? What types of companies would you like to see added to the community? Please take a few minutes to help us plan for the future by completing this survey. At a time of economic uncertainty, economic development in Saco is more crucial than ever.
The Planning & Economic Development Department and the Economic Development Commission are creating a strategy for future business development, and your voice is essential to the process. We need your help – whether you live here, work here, or own a business in Saco. We want to know your experiences, your desires for the future, and your advice.
Please complete this survey by September 14th to have your feedback incorporated into the strategic planning process.
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Trash and Recyling Collection |
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We have received a few inquiries regarding Pine Tree waste picking up trash and recycling in the same vehicle. Pine Tree waste added a dual compartment truck to its fleet several months ago, which allows them to pick up both carts at the same time. The driver pushes a button in the cab separating the items to either the left or the right, depending on whether the cart contains trash or recycling.
You may have noticed trucks entering neighborhoods at times earlier than usual. This change is due to staffing and route changes and the new collection enhancements in their vehicles. As a reminder, the best way to ensure you do not miss the truck – all carts should be placed curbside by 6:00 AM, as referenced in City Ordinance § 149-4. Waste collection.
Carts must be at least one foot apart and at least two feet from any obstacle that could prevent the arm from fully lifting and emptying the cart (this can include cars or mailboxes).
We hope this will help answer any lingering questions about the curbside collection. Recycling continues to be a top priority with both environmental and financial benefits for our community.
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Parks & Rec Wraps Up 2020 Summer Camp |
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Summer Camp went by in a flash.
These seven weeks have been packed with activities, fun, and new friendships, all while adapting to new health and safety procedures to keep our campers and staff safe.
Looking forward, in light of circumstances regarding COVID-19, we are following all recommendations from the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and guidance from the Maine Principals Association, as well as feedback from our recent community survey for future programs.
We are thrilled to offer a fall sports season and have adopted changes this year to offer programs safely, including smaller divisions, modified play, and COVID-19 prevention protocols. Registration for programs is open through September 4th, or as space allows per program. For information on all programs, visit sacorec.com.
This year’s School’s Out program includes services designed to complement the school's hybrid model and set up to accommodate those that need full-time care. Information about the program and enrollment instructions are available on our news page here.
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Public Works Continues Paving Projects |
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The Department of Public Works continued its paving projects this month, plowing ahead before the snow-plowing season.
The Department completes annual inspections of the City's road network and puts each road into one of six categories based on the Pavement Condition Index (PCI).
Public Works staff use this index to determine both the timing and the paving treatment for each roadway. The inspection of utilities occurs during the paving process to prevent the excavation of the road after paving.
Over the years, focused pavement management has helped the Saco DPW to improve the overall PCI of the City's road network. The City's goal is to have an overall PCI of 85 or greater for 75% of the City's roadways. In the last decade, the DPW has raised this percentage from 59% to more than 80%.
To learn more about what the Department of Public Works does, visit their webpage here or use the button below.
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Municipal Career Opportunities |
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The City of Saco currently has several open positions in a variety of departments. See the list below, but visit sacomaine.org/careers for the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of career opportunities.
Know someone who might be a good fit? Pass the listing along!
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Human Resources Director: Applications due by September 18, 2020.
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Code Enforcement Director: Applications due by September 9, 2020.
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Patrol Officer: Open until filled.
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Truck Driver: Open until filled.
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We are always looking for ways to improve communication with our community members. As always, if there is anything we can do to better communicate information, please let us know by emailing ERoy@sacomaine.org. Be sure to check out our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages using the buttons below. You can also see news and updates on the City of Saco website at www.sacomaine.org. |
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