A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR
Dear Saco Citizens, 

Camp Counselor Kaylee and her summer campers 
Due to the collaborative efforts of Age Friendly Saco and the City of Saco, Bayview Beach now has beach mats improving accessibility for all ages. 

Age Friendly Saco was successful in securing funding for the beach mats through AARP's community challenge grant program. The Parks and Recreation Department installed the beach mats.  At the ribbon cutting on August 15th, one of the  Parks and Recreation Camp Counselors named  Kaylee (pictured here) was able to join her campers on the beach for the first time. 

The Saco Bay Rotary has also generously donated a beach wheelchair and walker that will be available for public use, free of charge. Just ask one of the lifeguards on duty and they will happily assist you! 

The beach mats will be in place until Columbus Day Weekend. They will be re-installed next summer. 

Age Friendly Saco Volunteers and AARP Maine Representative, Rich Livingston. 
Thank you to Age Friendly Saco, AARP, the Saco Bay Rotary, and all the city staff who  collaborated to make this possible. Increasing accessibility for all ages in our community is an important initiative. We are thrilled to improve access to our beautiful beaches for everyone to enjoy.

Sincerely,

Kevin L. Sutherland
City Administrator 

CITY NEWS AND UPDATES
Camp Ellis - Section 111 Project 

At the City Council Workshop on September 10, the City Council will be learning more about the history of the Camp Ellis Section 111 Project, what the current status is, and our options moving forward. A public meeting with be scheduled for later this month. 
Recycling Tips from Saco Public Works and EcoMaine

Surprisingly, even though swords are metal, they cannot be recycled! Check out EcoMaine's Facebook Post below and some of their recycling tips.


Ranked-Choice Voting 

The November 6, 2018 General Election will use ranked-choice voting (RCV) for the federal offices of U.S. Senate and U.S. Representative to Congress, in which there are more than two candidates.

Governor, State Senator, Rep. to the Legislature and county offices will be tabulated as plurality contests, as they were prior to Ranked-choice voting. A Constitutional amendment would need to be passed in order for ranked-choice voting to be held in a General Election for those offices. 

Visit the State's RCV Resources page for more information about ranked-choice voting, including Frequently Asked Questions and sample ballots.
Saco's History

The City History section of the City of Saco website offers a wealth of information about Saco's history. Thomas Hardiman, former curator at the Saco Museum , has prepared "An Introduction to Saco History" and "A History of Factory Island" , both of which would be great places to begin reading.
Dog Licensing for 2019 

All dog licenses expire on December 31st. Starting on October 15th, you can license
your dog for the upcoming year.

New Licenses - If this is a first-time registration, and the dog has been neutered or spayed, please bring in the certificate showing the dog has been altered as well as the rabies certificate. New licenses need to be processed before the dog turns 6 months old, or if the dog is over 6 months old, then within 10 days of taking ownership, otherwise a $25.00 late fee will be assessed.

Renewal Licenses - For renewal registrations, please bring in a current Rabies Certificate.                                
Municipal General & Referendum Election
November 6, 2018 

Currently, the City Clerk's office is working on issuing and certifying Nomination Papers for School Board seats in Wards 1, 3, 5, & 7. These seats are elected for 3-year terms.
 
Candidates are required to have 35 valid signatures from residents in their respective ward.  The deadline to turn nomination papers in is September 7th by 4:00 p.m.
Absentee Ballot Information 

Absentee Ballot applications are now available in the City Clerk's Office. The actual absentee ballots will not be available until around October 5th.
Do you have Unclaimed Property?

State Treasurer Terry Hayes has asked municipalities statewide to reach out to residents to let them know about the $200 million in Unclaimed Property currently being held by the state.
 
Local and national businesses turn over these assets to the state and they hold onto them until they are claimed by the owner or heir.
 
These are just a few examples of assets being held:
  • Refunds
  • Rebates
  • Saving & checking accounts
  • Group policy benefits
  • Credit balance receivable
  • Wages, payroll & salaries
  • Proceeds - policy endowment annuity
  • Vendor checks
  • Dividends
  • Warrants
  • Misc. outstanding checks
  • Accounts payable safe deposit box contents
  • Funds held in fiduciary capacity
This is a free service where you can go online to the Office of the State Treasurer and search for your name or names of family and friends and initiate a claim.
  
Pan Am Railways Track Improvement Projects 

Beginning on September 8, 2018, Pan Am Railways will begin a series of track improvement projects on the railroad between Portland, ME and Dover, NH. This will have an impact on the train schedule at the Saco Transportation Center. Visit the Downeaster Construction page for more information.
Amendments to Chapter 64 - Animals

During the month of August, the City Council reviewed the proposed amendments to two ordinances, "§ 64-8 Running at large" and "§ 64-3 Horses prohibited on beaches" to follow the language within the Beach Management Agreement that was signed in June 2018.  The Beach Management Agreement was the first step in the process to ensure sand dredged from the river this upcoming winter season is placed on the beach in Camp Ellis. 

Under the previous ordinance "§ 64-8 Running at large", dogs must be on leash on the beach from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for the months of July and August. Under the amended ordinance that was approved at the September 4th City Council meeting,  dogs are required to be on leash at all times  from April 1 through September 30 on beaches where piping plovers or least terns are present or have traditionally nested.

Under the previous ordinance "§ 64-3 Horses prohibited on beaches", no person shall ride or drive any horse upon the public beaches of the City or upon any beach to which the public has access between May 1 and September 15. Under the amended ordinance, the dates are between April 1 and September 30. 

These amended ordinances will go into effect in October of this year; however, this will not be applicable until April 2019.

The ordinance language can be found in the September 4th Council Packet on page 8. 
School Bus Safety Initiative 

With the start of the school year, the Saco Police Department will be conducting  speciali zed
enforcement details aimed at improving school bus safety.  At random times during the school week there will be a Saco Police Officer riding on a school bus with a patrol unit in very close proximity.  The purpose during this enforcement will be to stop and ticket drivers observed passing stopped school buses that are displaying red flashing lights and signage.    
UPCOMING EVENTS AND MEETINGS

Check out the Community Calendar for upcoming meetings and events. 
Upcoming Committee Meetings

City Council Meetings and Workshops
September 10 and September 17 at 6:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers

Coastal Waters Commission
September 11 at 7:00
Train Station Conference Room

Conservation Commission
September 10 and September 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Train Station Conference Room 

Planning Board Meeting
September 18 at 5:00 p.m.
City Hall Conference Room

Saco Bay Trails
September 12 at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Conference Room   

School Board Meeting
 September 26 at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Auditorium

Shoreline Commission
September 12 at 7:00 PM
Ferry Beach Park Association

Traffic Safety Committee 
September 12 at 6:30 p.m.
City Hall Conference Room 
4th Annual Saco River Trash Drive
September 9, 2018
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
 
The Saco Salmon Restoration Alliance and its network of partners and volunteers will once again round up the trash and debris in the lower Saco River and a number of its tributary streams to dispose of it properly. SSRA is currently seeking volunteers to participate in this 4th Annual Trash Drive.


 
RiverJam Festival
September 14 & 15 


The Future of Healthcare: A Community Conversation
Wednesday, September 19th at 5:30 PM 
University of New England, Biddeford Campus 


Route 112/Exit 36 Area Transportation Study 
Public Meeting #2


EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
The Employee spotlight for September is a member of the City Clerk's Office. 
Name:  William Rankin 

Title:  Deputy City Clerk and General Assistance Director 

What he does to help Saco
As the Deputy City Clerk, Will supports and assists the City Clerk with managing vital records, business registration, and elections and voter registration. 

As the General Assistance Director, Will helps connect citizens (who meet income guidelines established by the state and approved by the city) with temporary assistance for basic human necessities. 

More about Will: 
Will has worked for the City of Saco for eleven years, beginning his career in the Finance Department. Will is recognized by his colleagues as being humble, kind, and thoughtful. He is always willing to listen and help others. 

Have a question for Will? Send him an email
City of Saco | (207)282-4191 | info@sacomaine.org | www.SacoMaine.org
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