Saco's Fiscal Year 2025 City Budget Available for Review

Federal Aid Applications Open for January Storms

On March 20th, President Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for York County, allowing for Individual and Public Assistance for residents who sustained damages from the January 9 to 13, 2024, storms. If you were affected by the January severe storms and flooding, you may qualify for FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance.

There are a few ways to apply:

- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, where help is available in most languages. The helpline is available daily from 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM ET

- Go online to www.DisasterAssistance.gov

- Download the FEMA mobile app, available in either Google Play or Apple App Store

Information needed to apply:

- A current phone number where you can be contacted

- Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

- Your Social Security number

- A general list of damage and losses

- Banking information if you choose direct deposit

- If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

FEMA recommends that if you have a homeowner's or flood insurance policy, you file your insurance claim immediately, before applying for federal assistance. The faster you file, the faster your recovery can begin. FEMA is unable to duplicate insurance payments. However, those without insurance, or those who may be underinsured, may still receive help after their insurance claims have been settled.

If you'd prefer to visit with someone face to face, FEMA has opened a York County Disaster Recovery Center, with hours from Monday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Wells Route 9 Fire Station (585 North Berwick Road, Wells). Drop in during their open hours to speak with an onsite specialist who is there to help walk you through the process and let you know what resources are available.

To learn more, check out these digital resource hubs...

- FEMA: www.fema.gov/disaster/4764

- Maine Flood Resources and Assistance Hub: www.maine.gov/flood

Fire Department Open House Returns Saturday, April 6th

Saco Fire Department's annual open house is just a few days away!

Community members are invited to explore the inside of your local fire station, enjoy some free, fire house-style food, check out our equipment, and interact with new and familiar public safety professionals!

Find us at Central Station (271 North Street, Saco) on Saturday, April 6th, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There will be demonstrations throughout the day, including a live fire sprinkler demonstration at 10:00 AM and vehicle extrications at 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.

We hope to see you there!

Piping Plovers Are Back on Saco's Beaches; Leash Laws Now in Effect

With the official beginning of spring, warmer weather is just around the corner! Even if it doesn't feel like it with this week's forecast.

We would like to remind dog owners that all dogs must be leashed and under control of their owners on Saco’s beaches from April 1st through September 30th.



Our beaches have the distinction of being a traditional nesting area for piping plovers, a small shorebird federally listed as a threatened bird species. To protect these tiny seasonal residents and their families, we ask community members to follow the City’s leash ordinance and please make sure to stay at least 100 feet from areas that have been roped off, fenced off, or posted as a protected area.

Thank you for doing your part to make sure these birds have a safe place to call home.

Local Senior Tax Assistance Program Deadline Approaches, Early Filing Recommended

Saco's Senior Tax Assistance Program application deadline is coming up. The City Council authorizes this program annually to provide a local match to the State Property Tax Fairness Credit. Applicants must meet the requirements below to apply, and applications are due by July 1, 2024.

We ask residents to complete applications as early as possible so we can contact you promptly regarding any missing documentation. If you participated in the Senior Tax Assistance Program at any point (including during the previous year), you must reapply to continue participating.

Applicants must:

• Be 65 years of age or older prior to the application deadline.

• Have been living in Saco for 10 consecutive years.

• Have been a recipient of a Maine Property Tax Fairness Credit for the 2023 income tax year.

• Have applied for a Homestead exemption.

• Have paid property taxes due through application deadline.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Saco Finance Department with questions at (207) 283-3303. Age Friendly Saco, a local non-profit and city-supported entity, also assists residents with preparing applications for both City and State tax programs and can be reached at (207) 710-5029.

For more information and to apply today visit our website.

Maine Department of Transportation Work Begins on Saco Park-and-Ride

MaineDOT’s construction project at the Saco park-and-ride lot on Industrial Park Road resumed on March 25th. The lot is closed while work is completed, and a temporary lot is available a half-mile north of the current park-and-ride location, also on Industrial Park Road. MDOT signage directs users to the temporary lot location.

When the project is complete, the existing park-and-ride lot will have expanded capacity and other improvements.

Residents or visitors with questions should reach out to Maine Department of Transportation.

Arts Commission Announces New Public Art Displays

Saco's newest public art displays have been revealed!

Mayor Jodi MacPhail, on behalf of the Saco Arts Commission, shared information about the winners of the 2024 Traffic Signal Cabinet Renovation project during the March 18th City Council meeting. The new installations will expand on this existing program, which began with student-designed utility box installations along Main Street in 2022.

Amelia In-Young Hwang and Larry Zitong Zhou are this year's talented winners. At the City Council meeting tonight, the Thornton Academy seniors were both recognized for their winning artwork.

In Amelia's artist statement, she said that art has always been her true passion. "It's a way for me to express myself, to tell stories, and to capture the beauty of the world around me," she wrote. "Art allows me to explore my imagination and bring my ideas to life."

Amelia's artwork was selected for the Thornton Academy location at the intersection of Fairfield and Main streets and Larry's artwork was selected for the Ocean Park Road location at the intersection of Ocean Park Road and Main Street. Installation will occur this spring, adding more beauty and color to our city.

Please join us in congratulating both students on their contributions to the Saco community! And thank you to the Thornton Academy Visual Arts Department for its collaboration on this project.

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Saco Arts Commission was founded in 2021 to bring together members of the community, City Councilors, and staff to improve the aesthetic quality of the City's public spaces. Learn more about the commission online at www.sacomaine.org/artscommission.

Maine Water Begins Work on Jenkins Road on April 8th

Beginning Monday, April 8th, Maine Water will be installing a new water line from the north end of Ryan Road to the new Amari Springs subdivision, just before Sullivan Lane. Construction is expected to last for three weeks. Throughout that time, this portion of Jenkins Road will be reduced to one lane of travel. 

During work hours, flaggers will be on site directing the flow of traffic. Throughout non-work hours, overnight, and on weekends, there will be temporary traffic lights at each end of the work zone to facilitate safe travel. 

Please drive safely and use an alternative route if possible. 

Two Centenarians Honored in Cane Presentation Ceremony

Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail continued a long tradition this month, presenting custom-made canes to two local centenarians with the support of Ward 5 City Councilor Phil Hatch at The Wardwell, a downtown senior housing and assisted living facility.

The canes, made and gifted by Saco local Ernie Merritt, are custom and unique creations that come with a branded engraving and the City of Saco seal, historically presented by Saco's Mayor.

EDRICE BATES

Edrice Bates turned 103 on Oct. 18, 2023. She was raised in Aroostook County and met her high school sweetheart, Herschel, on the basketball court when she was a sophomore in high school. They were married in Biddeford.

Edrice was a stay-at-home mom to their son, Erwin. During World War II, Edrice was a part-time nanny and eventually began work at the water company. Then, beginning in 1963, she worked for the State of Maine at the DMV full time, staying there for 18 years before retiring on July 3, 1981.

Edrice and Herschel loved to travel and made several trips to Hawaii and Bermuda. She enjoys summer visits with her family, and the whole family comes to Maine to visit during the month of July.

She also enjoys playing bridge, is a part of the Friends of Libby Library, and is a member of the Blue Point Church. Edrice was joined by her son Erwin today.

The secret to a long life according to Edrice? "Simply good living."

JOHN POLI

Saco's newest centenarian, John Poli, turned 100 on January 2, 2024.

John was born in Biddeford, son to Michaelangelo Poli, an Italian immigrant, and his mother Idelina, and grew up on lower Main Street in Biddeford with two brothers and two sisters. During World War II, John served as a medic in France, Germany and Austria.

He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono with a BA in business and, after college, went to work at his family’s grocery store at Five Points in Biddeford, where he worked until he retired.

After retiring, John would walk from his home on Graham Street to downtown Saco and back with one of his many friends. After his sisters passed and John could no longer live on his own, he wanted to live at Wardwell Assisted Living. He always considered Biddeford/Saco his home and didn’t want to live anywhere else, according to his niece, Rita, who joined us today.

Please join us in celebrating Saco's oldest and newest centenarians!

Construction Begins on Wastewater Plant Upgrade

In mid-March, Saco residents began to see construction activity at the Saco wastewater treatment plant, the Water Resource Recovery Facility, located on Front Street beside the Saco River.

The project at the Water Resource Recovery Facility was part of a bond question in November 2021, and voters gave it overwhelming support. The construction phase of the project is expected to take three years (ending in spring 2027). This month, truck activity will increase as initial work includes soil removal and preparing the site for H-piles and concrete. Work this season could also include activity around the City-owned Front Street garage and boat launch.

The city has worked with contractors on a traffic safety plan to minimize effects on vehicle flow and give safety directives to drivers traveling through Saco and surrounding communities. The treatment plant, an essential piece of Saco’s utility infrastructure, will remain fully operational throughout the project.

“We are proud to see work beginning on this project that will protect Saco’s treatment plant and local environment for generations as climate impacts continue to worsen,” said Water Resource Recovery Department Director Howard Carter. “This January, we saw extreme flooding at the facility during the storms, further proof that Saco voters chose to take the right action at the right time.”

The City will work to provide seasonal updates as construction progresses.

Residents, businesses, and visitors with questions are welcome to contact the Saco Water Resource Recovery team through the form on our website. We also have detailed background information you can find online: www.sacomaine.org/resiliency

The Business Buzz...

Welcome to the City of Saco’s Economic Development Department’s “Business Buzz.” Each month we will feature information about programs, opportunities and highlight Saco’s business sector. 

2024 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit

On behalf of the Saco Economic Development Department, we would like to recognize and celebrate Saco’s small businesses. Below is a press release from Washington announcing the 2024 National Small Business Week and the opportunity for you to take part in a Virtual Summit.

Remember if you have any questions about opening a business or looking for resources, please contact Saco’s Economic Development Department.

March 28, 2024, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced the 2024 National Small Business Week (NSBW) co-sponsors and educational session topics for the Virtual Summit, taking place April 30-May 1. This year’s NSBW Virtual Summit will feature educational workshops presented by event cosponsors, access to federal resources, and networking opportunities. The two-day online event is free of charge, but registration is required. To register, visit National Small Business Week Virtual Summit registration.

“SBA’s National Small Business Week recognizes entrepreneurs and small businesses who are leading the way in building our economy from the bottom up and middle out,” said Han Nguyen, Associate Administrator for the Office of Communications and Public Liaison. “This celebration is made possible through the SBA’s partnership with SCORE and the support of all of the SBA’s generous co-sponsors. With the right tools and support anyone can achieve the American dream of business ownership, and the SBA is excited to connect with entrepreneurs nationwide during this National Small Business Week and Virtual Summit.

“National Small Business Week is a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs to hear from industry experts, connect with other small business owners, and tap into expert advice from SCORE mentors,” said SCORE CEO Bridget Weston. “We encourage entrepreneurs to take advantage of this free event and learn more about the resources available to help their small businesses launch, grow, and thrive.”

The exciting two-day Virtual Summit includes sessions hosted on everything from writing your business plan to using technology to elevate performance.

If you would like more information about Saco’s Economic Development programs, visit their website at www.sacomaine.org/economicdevelopment.

Watch a Recording of Saco's Climate Plan Info Session

Thank you to everyone who joined us in-person and online for last month's Saco Climate Plan Information Session, led by City staff from Planning, Public Works, Water Resource Recovery, and Energy & Sustainability Committee with support from Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission. As the City of Saco moves forward with the climate adaptation and action planning process, input received through these community engagement opportunities is critical to forming a plan that is representative of our City.

Watch the information session here.

The final draft of Saco's first climate plan is now being completed, to include feedback from last month's engagement activity where participants ranked strategies from five categories: Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Buildings & Energy, Natural Environment, Transportation & Land Use, and Leadership & Capacity.

If you missed the event and would like to give input, we have a feedback form on our website, where you can also learn more about Saco's climate planning process and sign up for e-mail updates: www.sacomaine.org/climate

Engaging with Saco's Youth

Saco's elected officials value opportunities to get into the community and meet with people of all ages. Last month, Councilor Phil Hatch, Ward 5, had an opportunity to read to a classroom of students at Fairfield School, where he also answered questions about what it is like to be involved in local government. If you or someone you know wants to take part in keeping our City moving, we encourage you to submit an application today to serve on a local board or committee.

Fire Department Celebrates Historic Promotion at Central Station

On March 22nd, we had the immense honor of welcoming our newest Firefighters/EMS Providers, Alex Morin, James Mack, and Mitchell Havu, to the Saco Fire Department. We also celebrated Sarai Briggs' promotion to Lieutenant.

At the badge-pinning ceremony, Sarai was officially recognized as the newest Fire Lieutenant. Since joining the Saco Fire family in December 2009, Sarai has exemplified dedication, skill, and unwavering commitment to serving our City. Currently serving as our EMS Coordinator, Sarai's expertise is indispensable in ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. Not only does Sarai bring years of invaluable experience to our team, but she also holds an impressive array of certifications, including Paramedic, Fire Officer, Field Training Officer, and Fire Instructor Certifications.

This marks a historic moment as Sarai becomes our first female career officer. Her outstanding leadership and professionalism set a shining example for us all. As Lieutenant, Sarai is pivotal in supporting the Captain in day-to-day operations and training our staff, which, due to her experience, will be a seamless transition.

Fire Chief John Duross welcomed Sarai into the new role during the ceremony attended by friends, family, and colleagues.

"Sarai, your achievement today is not just a personal milestone but a testament to your hard work, passion, and resilience," said Chief Duross. "Thank you for your service and dedication over the last fifteen years. Here's to many more accomplishments and milestones in your remarkable journey with the Saco Fire Department!"

Please join us in welcoming Alex, James, and Mitchell to Saco and congratulating Sarai on her promotion to Lieutenant!

Parks & Rec and Age Friendly Saco Host Sock Hop Dinner Dance

Saco Parks & Recreation occasionally holds themed dinner parties as part of their SENIORity programming. On Saturday, a stylish crowd gathered at the Saco Community Center for the Sock Hop Dinner Dance, complete with '50s outfits, music and dancing, and a classic meal of burgers, fries, and a float.

Thanks to Age Friendly Saco for their partnership with Saco Parks & Recreation Department to make such a lively event happen. Find more great programming offered by our local recreation department on their website at www.sacorec.com.

Click each item for more information, if available.

City Council Meetings

• April 1, 2024
• April 10, 2024 (Wednesday Meeting, Joint Meeting with School Board)
• April 15, 2024
• April 22, 2024
• April 29, 2024
• City Council agendas are available at www.sacomaine.org/councilagendas. Sign up for e-mail alerts when meeting materials are published at www.sacomaine.org/enotify.

Planning Board Meetings

• April 2, 2024
• April 16, 2024

Other Advisory Body Meetings

• Visit the City calendar here for more.

Saco Parks & Recreation Programs

• Visit www.sacorec.com for a full list of upcoming SPR programs for all ages!

Saco Fire Department Open House

• April 6, 2024, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Central Station (271 North Street). RSVP and learn more online.

Mayor's Office Hours

• Weekly on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 7:00 PM on the second floor of Saco City Hall. Please check our calendar for any alterations to this schedule before attending.

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If you encounter any issues with this system, please reach out to the Saco Communications Department at sacotv@sacomaine.org.

Apply Today to Join Our Team

The City of Saco has open positions.

We encourage you to take a look at the job opportunities currently available with the City of Saco on our Careers page. There is so much important work that goes in to keeping the City running, often behind the scenes.

If nothing is a great fit for you, consider passing the listings along to friends and family who might be looking for a satisfying and important career.