June 11 Election Approaches, Including Bond Question | |
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This year's State Primary, Municipal Budget Validation Referendum, and Special Referendum Election takes place on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, when the polls will be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Thornton Academy's Linnell Gymnasium (438 Main Street). This year's ballot will include a bond referendum question. Details on this referendum can be found further below, with information provided by Saco Schools.
Absentee ballot applications are open now. The absentee ballot request process can be completed entirely online through the State of Maine's Absentee Ballot Request Website. You can also request an absentee ballot in person through the Saco City Clerk's office on the first floor of City Hall (300 Main Street) or by calling (207) 284-4831. For more information on absentee ballots in Saco, visit the City Clerk's absentee voting webpage.
Absentee and sample ballots will be available around May 13th, and in-person absentee voting will begin then.
Effective January 1, 2024, Maine has transitioned from a closed primary system to a semi-open primary system. This means that unenrolled voters (those with no registered political party affiliation) may choose to vote in one party's primary.
Please help spread the word about the upcoming election by sharing information with other Saco voters and make a plan to vote absentee or on Election Day June 11th.
FROM SACO SCHOOLS: BOND QUESTION EDUCATION
The Saco City Council voted unanimously on Monday, April 29, 2024, to place a referendum question on the June 11 ballot for Saco citizens to vote on school construction investments for a need that has been discussed for two decades.
This multi-year new school construction process has included citizen input on site selection and school consolidation for a project consisting of $101 million in state funding to help offset vital school infrastructure improvement costs. Saco's share of the total project cost is only 28%, and 72% of the required funding comes from the State of Maine. Saco's share would be a financial contribution of about $39 million vs. the State share of $101 million. According to Superintendent Jeremy Ray, this local project cost is less than the construction costs of other school systems in surrounding communities.
A few considerations that the school construction committee was able to prioritize through this proposed project include:
- Pre-Kindergarten (PK) for all Saco students in a single location.
- A single school campus for PK - grade 5 students, enabling enhanced coordination in curriculum resources, more consistent student school schedules, and more efficient transportation routes.
- Capacity for 12 classrooms per grade PK-K and 11 classes per grade 1-5, with an expandable footprint of 10 additional classrooms, to address current and future elementary school infrastructure needs.
- Modern technology access in all classrooms with adequate unified arts spaces for STEM, robotics, and vocational programming.
- Multiple outdoor spaces for learning and recreational use.
- Fiscally and environmentally conscientious features, including heating, cooling, and electrical systems that reduce energy costs and create a comfortable learning environment for students.
- School safety and security features to keep the building secure during school hours.
- Accessible spaces for all students, including larger hallways, handicap-accessible bathrooms, and classrooms designed for all students with age-appropriate fixtures and features.
Please watch the discussion at Monday's City Council meeting here if you are interested in the Council discussion and vote to send this referendum to Saco voters.
Helpful links:
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Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Public Hearing Next Week | |
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Now that Saco’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget presentation process has come to a close, it’s your turn to participate through the budget deliberation and public participation phase.
During the next City Council meeting, Monday, May 6th, there will be a Public Hearing on the entire budget. The Public Hearing offers community members the opportunity to let their voice be heard regarding how the City will allocate resources. If you can’t attend, you can always e-mail your City Councilor or the City Administrator using contact information found on our website at www.sacomaine.org.
After the Public Hearing, Saco City Council will deliberate on the budget materials and prepare for adoption of the FY25 budget, which is scheduled for Monday, May 13th.
View the City Administrator's FY25 proposed budget, departmental presentations, and more information about this annual process on our website at www.sacomaine.org/budget. If you have questions, please reach out to us at budget@sacomaine.org.
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Traffic Advisory: Sewer Work on Elm Street Downtown in May | |
Saco has scheduled sewer repairs along Elm Street in downtown Saco between May 7th and May 10th and between May 13th and May 15th. This work will involve temporary road closures and detours. We appreciate your patience while we complete these critical infrastructure improvements.
WEEK 1: Tuesday 5/7/2024 Through Friday 5/10/2024
The City of Saco has scheduled sewer repairs on Route 1 (Elm Street) beginning at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 112, starting at 7:00 AM Tuesday, May 7th through Friday, May 10th. Elm Street will be closed to traffic during construction activities between the intersections of Scammon Street and Route 112 due to road width and utility locations.
In addition, traffic detours will be in effect where south bound vehicles will be detoured onto Main Street. Traffic will still be allowed to use Elm Street from Main Street to access Route 112 only.
Northbound traffic on Elm St will be detoured at Scammon Street.
Please expect traffic congestion and seek an alternate route if possible.
View a PDF of the detour map here.
WEEK 2: Monday 5/13/24 Through Wednesday 5/15/2024
The City of Saco has scheduled sewer repairs on Route 1 (Elm Street) beginning at the intersection of Route 1 and Scammon Street, starting at 7:00 AM Monday, May 13th through Wednesday, May 15th. This section of Elm Street will be closed to traffic during construction activities due to road width and utility locations.
In addition, traffic detours will be in effect and south bound vehicles will be detoured onto Main Street. Traffic will still be allowed to use Elm Street from Main Street to access Route 112 only.
Northbound traffic on Elm St. will be detoured at Lincoln Street and Storer Street.
Please expect traffic congestion and seek an alternate route if possible.
View a PDF of the detour map here.
| Saco Conservation Commission Celebrates No Mow May 2024 | |
Saco's Conservation Commission is kicking off another year of No Mow May! This initiative encourages participants to limit lawn-mowing in May, allowing wildflowers to grow and help our pollinators thrive when nectar is scarce in the early warm season. When lawns grow wild, bee habitats flourish. This individual act can help combat the decline of wild bee populations.
Saco Parks & Recreation Department, which manages City-owned green spaces, leaves dozens of acres unmown for the month of May, including:
- 68 acres of Prentiss Park, located just before the Saco River/Dayton town line on Route 5
- Diamond Riverside Park, 20 feet from the edge of the river into the park
- Foss Road Athletic Complex, several large unmown areas not used for sports
- Surrounding sections of the Eastern Trail
- Dozens of acres of City trails
- And other smaller City-owned parcels, like Clark's Hill on Ferry Road, which will be cut in the fall to maintain for winter sledding
On May 2, 2022, the City Council declared Saco a Bee Friendly Community. Learn more on the Conservation Commission's website: www.sacomaine.org/bees
| Jenkins Road Signal Project To Be Completed This Spring | |
Saco Public Works continues to make progress toward the addition of a traffic signal at the intersection of Jenkins Road and Buxton Road/Route 112, with signal activation now on the horizon.
The week of May 12th, a contractor is scheduled to mill the roadway, complete utility structure adjustments, pave, and perform line striping. These necessary final steps will lead into a two-week period where the lights will be put into a flashing pattern to allow road users to become accustomed to the coming traffic pattern change.
All work is weather and paving temperature dependent, therefore subject to change. As currently scheduled, following the two-week flashing pattern the signal would become fully operational in early June.
Thank you for your patience as we work to finalize and implement this improvement.
| Introducing Saco's City Historian | |
Earlier this year, Saco City Council appointed the City’s first-ever City Historian, Peter Scontras.
The City Historian is a new volunteer position with a three-year term that will provide advisory and informational assistance to the City Council, City staff, and City advisory bodies when appropriate. They’ll also be responsible for educational outreach efforts to the public and Saco schools. They will work with the City Administrator to develop these programs annually.
Peter is well known in Saco for his decades of community involvement. A second-generation Saco native, he attended Saco Schools in his youth and taught English Language Arts at Saco Middle School for 33 years. His passion for history has been evident throughout his life.
Peter began operating the historic Way Way Store, a National Register of Historic Places landmark, in 2011, and authored “Saco, Then and Now: A Diverse Heritage” in 1994. He is also currently working on a new series of historical nonfiction focused on Saco and the surrounding area. Peter is a former chair of the Saco Conservation Commission and a former member of the Planning Board and Coastal Waters Commission, among other volunteer roles he’s served in both inside and outside of municipal government.
Programs for the inaugural City Historian term are in development now. The scope of this community outreach and education could include connecting students to Saco’s history, partnering with staff to develop digital historical content for distribution on the website, through newsletters, and on social media, developing and implementing varying historic walking tours, working with the City Administrator to advise boards and committees, and answering questions from individuals and institutions regarding the history of Saco in moments big and small.
Peter said he hopes that strong collaborations with local organizations, such as Dyer Library/Saco Museum, can connect people of all ages with our history and use those lessons to inform and improve the future.
Peter said he wishes to be out and about Saco as he believes access is important for a City Historian. Being the “people’s historian” is an exciting responsibility, which he says he relishes.
As City Historian programs are rolled out, we’ll share information here in the City newsletter, on social media, on our website, and through local news coverage.
| Parks & Rec Earth Day Cleanup a Growing Success |  | |
Thank you to the more than 120 community members who participated in the Saco Parks & Recreation Department Earth Day Park Clean-up! More than 450 pounds of waste was collected throughout Saco, roughly 3.75 pounds per volunteer.
We’re so proud to see our community come together to restore our natural spaces and beloved city parks each Earth Day. Locations for this year’s event included Diamond Riverside Park, Pepperell Park, the Riverwalk Trail, Haley Park, Cascade Falls, Saco Community Center, Memorial Field, and Jubilee Park. Volunteers spent time collecting litter, weeding, and raking storm debris.
Ecomaine also conducted a waste audit, weighing all trash and separating samples into categories to determine where it could have gone if disposed of properly, such as compost or recycling.
Thank you again to the individuals of all ages who dedicated their time today to cleaning up Saco’s beautiful natural spaces. We invite you to take part in this activity any time of year at an outdoor location you love, whether it’s in your neighborhood, at the beach, or on your favorite trail.
|  | City Council Recognizes May as Bike Month in Saco | |
Exciting News Alert: Saco City Council has officially endorsed May as National Bike Month!
In a unanimous decision, the Council passed a resolution brought forth by Saco's Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. This move aligns us with the League of American Bicyclists and underscores the significant benefits of biking. From reducing traffic congestion to promoting a healthier planet, biking has a profound and positive impact on our community, a testament to our collective efforts.
Here's what's on the agenda for Saco's Bike Month:
- May 5th: National Ride a Bike Day
- May 13th to May 19th: Bike to Work Week
- May 17th: Bike to Work Day
We invite everyone to join in as they're able. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just dusting off your wheels, there's something for everyone. And remember, whether you're biking, walking, or driving, let's all do our part to keep our streets safe for everyone. Even if you aren't a bicyclist or pedestrian, drivers have a crucial role in following the speed limit, obeying traffic lights and stop signs, and keeping their cell phone out of their hands when behind the wheel.
For more details, check out the full resolution in the April 29th City Council packet: www.sacomaine.org/councilagendas
| Video: Meet Saco's Mayor & City Council | |
Saco's Mayor and City Council are the community members who have been elected to represent the seven wards of Saco. Through this video, we introduce you to each of them.
You can find out which ward you reside in through the City Clerk’s ward map.
And find the Mayor and City Council’s contact information, agendas, and minutes on Saco’s website: www.sacomaine.org/council.
| Seasonal Activity Begins on Saco's Coastline |  | |
After a tough winter on Saco’s shoreline, infrastructure is being rebuilt, lobster traps are being baited and set, seasonal businesses are preparing to open, and the coastal community will soon be buzzing with the renewed commercial and recreational activity that comes each spring and summer.
The inaugural Bags at the Beach Cornhole Tournament is set for Saturday, May 4th, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Huot's Seafood Restaurant in Camp Ellis. This new event is hosted by Huot’s and the Camp Ellis General Store & Lobster Pound, two beloved seasonal businesses, in support of Camp Ellis HarborFest.
Try your luck in the tournament, and if you strike out you can still enjoy live music, a famous Huot’s clam cake, a raffle for custom cornhole boards, and the fresh ocean air.
Registration is open now! Find more information here or reach out to Huot’s with any questions.
To learn more about Camp Ellis HarborFest, scheduled for August 4th, visit our website at www.sacomaine.org/harborfest.
| Household Hazardous Waste Collection Information | |
Spring cleaning season is here, and the City of Saco is partnering again with the cities of Scarborough and Biddeford to facilitate proper disposal of hazardous waste in your household. Household hazardous waste collection events will take place in our cities throughout the year.
These events are the perfect opportunity to dispose of any chemicals and materials you have in your home or garage that you may have been holding onto. Some materials collected include oil-based paints, paint thinner, pesticides, herbicides, gasoline, degreasers, wood stain, pool chemicals, drain cleaner, cleaning agents, and solvents.
Saco Public Works (15 Phillips Spring Rd) will be hosting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection on Saturday, July 27th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Residents of Saco are also welcome to participate in our neighboring communities’ collection events:
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Collection in Scarborough (20 Washington Ave) will take place Saturday, May 11th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
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Collection in Biddeford (371 Hill St) will occur Saturday, September 14th, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Please provide proof of Saco residency, such as a driver’s license, at any event you may participate in.
For a full list of accepted materials for disposal, visit our website.
| Saco Parks Division Seeks Seasonal Grounds Worker | |
Do you or someone you know have a passion for outdoor maintenance and beautification?
Saco Parks and Recreation Department is offering a full-time, nine-month seasonal Grounds Worker position in their Parks Division this year. Saco’s Grounds Workers are responsible for maintaining city parks, school grounds, recreation fields, and urban forest.
This role offers a wonderful opportunity for folks who enjoy working outside and are passionate about plants, landscapes, or athletics. No two days are the same at this job that helps keep Saco’s diverse open spaces beautiful and accessible. A typical week could include work ranging from the ocean to the woods and from downtown to open fields.
If you’re looking for an active, fulfilling job where you improve the community, apply today on our website: www.sacomaine.org/apply
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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.
Ribbon Cutting Roundup:
Recognizing Small Businesses in Saco
The City's Economic Development team celebrated two more Saco businesses on April 12th alongside Saco Main Street, the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry, and Ward 1 City Councilor Marshall Archer! Read about each here and join us in celebrating these local entrepreneurs:
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CATRAMEX RESTAURANT
CatraMex Restaurant is freshly renovated and under new ownership and management. Located at 27 Elm Street, they offer a wide variety of Mexican and Honduran cuisine in a bright, clean atmosphere.
New owner Carlos Maldanado told us the meaning behind the restaurant's name, saying that Latin Americans refer to a person from Honduras as "Catracho" or "Catracha." The name CatraMex combines part of this slang name for Hondurans (Catra) with Mexico (Mex).
View their menu and hours online at www.catramexrestaurant.com..
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DRIFTLESS SAUNA
The deep cedar smells and top-notch handiwork are evident the moment you step inside the doors of the Driftless Sauna space on Portland Road. Co-founders Rich and Karen Gadbois established their sauna sales and mobile rental service to bring the benefits of woodfired saunas to Maine.
You can rent by the day or by the week, with rates available online. They bring the sauna to you, along with two bundles of firewood, essential oils, and add-ons like a cold bath tank or smokeless fire pit. You can also purchase one of their expertly crafted permanent saunas or a portable outdoor sauna tent.
Read an FAQ, view pictures of the saunas in use, and book your rental today at www.driftlesssaunas.com.
If you would like more information about Saco’s Economic Development programs, visit their website at www.sacomaine.org/economicdevelopment.
| Meet and Greet Scheduled with New Dyer Library/Saco Museum Director | |
Stop by the Dyer Library Reading Room (371 Main Street) on Tuesday, May 21st, between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM for an open house, light refreshments, and a chance to share what YOU love about your community and your library with incoming Executive Director Sophie Smith.
| Camp Ellis HarborFest Vendor Applications Open: Secure Your Spot Today | |
Food and arts & crafts vendor applications are open now for Camp Ellis HarborFest 2024!
The festival will take place on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, on the Camp Ellis Pier surrounded by the Saco River and the Atlantic Ocean. This locally grown community festival celebrates our working waterfront and the rebuilding effort to bring the beach back to Camp Ellis, all while having family fun and great food!
The festival returned in 2023 after a long hiatus, and it came back with a bang. The 2023 event was attended by more than a thousand people who saw live music performances, took charter boat trips, ate from a variety of food trucks, participated in a crab derby, and more.
Vendor spots are limited. Learn more and apply today by completing the application on our website at www.sacomaine.org/harborfestvendors.
| Saco FD Reminds Residents of Updated State Burn Permitting Laws | |
As of October 2023, Maine State Statute has been updated regarding burn permitting. Two major changes should be recognized:
- All fires exceeding three feet in diameter at the base or three feet high require a burn permit. This includes campfires, outdoor grills, and outdoor fireplaces. Previously, recreational fires of this size did not require a permit if they were in an enclosed fire-pit.
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No burn permits will be issued when red flag warnings are in effect, which indicate there are high, very high, or extreme wildfire danger conditions in your area. To determine if a red flag warning has been issued, visit mainefireweather.org or call the fire station directly.
Please also note that fires on Saco beaches are always prohibited.
For more information about Maine’s open burning laws, you can refer to the Maine Forest Service website: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_protection
To apply for a burn permit, visit the Maine Forestry website: www.maineburnpermit.com
(Photo from Thornton Academy's October 2023 Homecoming Bonfire, lit and managed by the Saco Fire Department)
| Mayor MacPhail Recognizes New Eagle Scout at Council Meeting | |
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At the April 1st City Council meeting, Mayor MacPhail recognized Patrick Coltrane Young for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout as part of Boy Scouts of America Troop 310.
Patrick has held several leadership roles, including Den Chief, Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. He earned 22 merit badges and carried the American flag during parades as part of the Troop 310 Honor Guard.
Earning the rank of Eagle Scout represents years of hard work. Patrick capped his efforts with his Eagle Scout Project focused on improving the trail system at Horton Woods here in Saco, in support of Saco Bay Trails. He and other volunteers raised more than $1,200 for lumber and other materials. Then, they repaired 100 feet of bog bridging and constructed and installed 100 feet of new bog bridging on the trail. A total of 197 service hours were spent on this project.
"I really couldn't have done it without any of the help that I received from my parents, volunteers, really just everyone and part of the community that donated bottles, pledged donations of just cash itself," Patrick said during the meeting. "It's really a big project that I couldn't have done without the help, so thank you to everyone that helped me."
| Saco Main Street Summer: Full of Family-Friendly Events | |
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The next several months is packed with Saco Main Street events! There's something for everyone. Here’s a sample of what we have to look forward to, hosted by the downtown nonprofit:
- Biddeford-Saco Memorial Day Parade: Monday, May 27 at 10:00 AM, Main Street
- Pride in the Park Color Run: Saturday, June 1 at 12:00 PM, Foss Road Sports Complex
- 53rd Annual Saco Main Street Arts Festival: Saturday, June 22 at 9:00 AM, Main Street
- Music Mondays: Mondays from July 8 – August 12 at CK Burns
- 15th Annual Saco Car Show: Saturday, July 27 at 8:00 AM, Thornton Academy
- Bark in the Park: Saturday, September 14, Pepperell Park
Find more information and RSVP on Saco Main Street’s Facebook events page.
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Click each item for more information, if available.
City Council Meetings
Planning Board Meetings
Other Advisory Body Meetings
Saco Parks & Recreation Programs
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Visit www.sacorec.com for a full list of upcoming SPR programs for all ages!
Mayor's Office Hours
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Weekly on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 7:00 PM on the second floor of Saco City Hall. Please check our calendar for any cancellations before attending.
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Receive E-mail Notifications for Council, Planning Board, and More Through E-Notify | |
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Would you like to hear from us more than once a month?
Sign up for e-notify to receive custom e-mail notifications on important City happenings, such as the release of new City Council and Planning Board agendas, RFPs, and more.
If you encounter any issues with this system, please reach out to the Saco Communications Department at sacotv@sacomaine.org.
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Apply Today to Join Our Team | |
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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.
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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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