PEPPERRELL POST
NOVEMBER 2017
A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Dear Saco Citizens,

We hope you find the information included in this letter to be informative and helpful about three local bond questions included on the November 7th election ballot in Saco.

Question 1 - Improvements to City Facilities, Roads, Drainage, and Infrastructure: Ocean Park Road Area Drainage System Replacement, Police Station Roof Replacement, City Hall and Parks & Recreation HVAC Systems, Saco Middle School Baseball Field, Foss Road Recreational Site Improvements, Lincoln St. Utility, Sidewalk, & Roadway Reconstruction, and Camp Ellis Area Coastal Erosion Protection.

These seven projects would result in an annual bond payment of $130,000.   My promise to Council was that if approved, the Capital Plan Committee would submit a Capital Program budget that is reduced by $130,000, which is equal to a net zero impact on the tax rate. 

If this is not approved, these projects will increase the budget by $400,000 for the next five years to cover these needed costs, an increase of nearly $40 to a home valued at $213,000.

Question 2 - Relocation of the Public Works Facility and Redevelopment of the Existing Site along the Turnpike:  If approved, this bond, along with the proceeds of the sale of the property, would be used to move the Public Works facility to the industrial park.  The current location is not adequate to handle today's staffing level or the size of our equipment, plus the existing site would make an ideal taxable commercial property.

There is nearly $500,000 of annual debt service payments ending in the next two years.  The new facility would require slightly less than this.  When the payments end, they could be replaced with the bond payment for the new facility - again, no impact on the tax rate.  This does not take into account the future tax value the current site could generate.

If the bond is not approved, these projects will increase the budget by $800,000 for the next five years to make repairs and modifications to the current building.  This, plus the retiring debt would show an increase of just over $30 to a home valued at $213,000.

Question 3 - Route One Utility and Sidewalk Improvements: Sidewalk Construction & Pedestrian Safety Improvements and a Sewer Extension to Incentivize Commercial Development for a total of two and a half million.  If approved, the City would not look to borrow money until we knew we had business interested in the area.  Any future growth / tax value would offset the annual debt payment.

If this is not approved, these projects will increase the budget by $100,000 for the next five years to cover the sidewalk portion, an increase of nearly $10 to a home valued at $213,000.

To reiterate, approval of the three bond questions will allow the City of Saco to move forward with some much needed repair and enhancements to our growing community with a zero increase on the tax rate.  If you have any additional questions about this topic, please visit www.tinyurl.com/SacoBonds2017 or call (207)284-6641.
VETERAN'S DAY 

City offices will be closed on Friday, November 10th in observance of Veteran's Day. 

The City of Saco thanks all of those who have served and sacrificed in order to protect our liberties and our country. A Veteran's Day parade will take place on November 11th from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. 

The ceremony is at Biddeford's Veterans Memorial Park, and the parade route goes from Biddeford's Pool/Alfred Streets, turns right on Alfred St., turns right onto Main Street, crosses over the bridge into Saco, up to Saco's Main Street, then right on Beach, and ends at Burns School on Middle Street.

CITY NEWS AND UPDATES

Closure of Bearbrook Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)

In 1995, the City of Saco entered into a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) master plan agreement with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that developed a road map to abate and eventually eliminiate the discharge of combined storm water and municipal sewerage to the Saco River and the surrounding brooks. 


No Wipes Down the Pipes

Please click here to view a flyer about what is and what is not flush-able. 

WRRD Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to view the Water Resource Recovery Department Billing FAQ sheet. 
Absentee Voting

Absentee ballots for the November 7th Election are available in the City Clerk's Office until Thursday, November 2nd. 

Please click here to read more about absentee voting. 
Storm Cleanup and Emergency Information 

Please click here to read the City Administrator's letter regarding storm cleanup and power outages from the storm earlier this week. 

For anyone who needs water, a public water spigot has been turned on across from the Way Way Store on Route 112. You will need to bring your own water containers

The Saco Transfer Station will be accepting tree limbs and storm debris until November 11th (free of charge for Saco residents). As you are cleaning up from this storm, please keep the brush and storm debris off the sidewalks to avoid creating additional hazards for pedestrians. The Transfer Station is open Tuesday-Saturday from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

The Sanford Memorial Gym on 890 Main St in Sanford will be open on 11/1/17 from 8pm - 8am on 11/2 for any York County resident.  Please bring your own bedding.  If there are questions feel free to call Sanford Regional Communication at 324-3644. 

For information about power outages, please contact CMP

Thank you to the staff at the Public Works, Police, and Fire Departments for all your efforts during the storm and cleanup. 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Age Friendly Saco Volunteer and Wellness Fair

Please click here to view the flyer for the Age Friendly Saco Volunteer and Wellness Fair on November 4th at the Saco Community Center! 
Dog Park Celebration

Please join us at the grand opening celebration for the Saco Dog Park on Saturday, November 4th at 11:30 AM at the Saco Dog Park located on School Street (near Fairfield School). The creation of the dog park in Saco was made possible by many community volunteers and donors who generously invested in the park. Please join us in thanking the volunteers for their hard work and recognizing their success. Please bring your canine companions to enjoy the event as well! 
Historic Preservation Lecture Series

The Historic Preservation Commission has organized a series of lectures and workshops for residents, owners, and appreciators of historic properties. 

The next lecture is on November 9, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Dyer Library about  Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings presented by Les Fossel (Restoration Resources) and Andy Meyer (Efficiency Maine). 

Festival of Trees at the Saco Museum 

Festival of Trees: Winter Celebrations
The 13th Annual Festival of Trees
November 24 - December 30, 2017

Be part of this magical community event to benefit the Dyer Library and Saco Museum. The Festival opens at noon on Friday November 24th! Come visit the Festival and indulge in the joy of Christmas. Enjoy a forest of beautifully decorated trees, festive wreaths, raffle items of all kinds, and holiday room vignettes. If your family or business would like to sponsor a tree or wreath, email croy@sacomuseum.org. 

Please click here to visit the Saco Museum and Dyer Library website. 
Saco Main Street Holiday Festival and Parade of Lights

The Saco Main Street Holiday Festival  & Parade of Lights will be held this year on Saturday December 2nd. 

Please click here for more information about the events that day
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Don Roth is a Saco native who cares very deeply about this community. If you need
  help, Don is always the first to respond and lend a hand. Don is integral in the Facility and Maintenance Department here in the City of Saco and keeps all of our facilities functioning smoothly. 

Don is the newest member of the Saco Main Street Board of Directors and volunteers at many community events, such as Mary's Walk. 

In addition to being active in the community, Don enjoys spending time with his family and exploring all the beautiful parts of Maine on his bicycle. Luckily for his coworkers, Don is also a fantastic baker who loves to share. Thank you for all you do! 
Pepperrell Post | City of Saco | (207)282-4191 | Info@sacomaine.org | www. SacoMaine.org
STAY CONNECTED: