Traffic Safety Committee Meeting - Route 112 Project Update |
The Saco Traffic Safety Committee is meeting on October 8th to review the Draft Preliminary Design Report from the Maine Turnpike Authority in response to traffic challenges in the Route 112 Corridor.
We value your feedback and comments. As such, we will host a virtual public hearing for the proposed project. During the meeting, city staff will review the Maine Turnpike Authority project, the project timeline, and open the discussion for questions and feedback. City staff will share our community members' feedback with the Maine Turnpike Authority and Maine Department of Transportation.
Zoom Meeting Information
Saco Traffic Safety Meeting
October 8, 2020, 6 PM
Webinar ID: 817 7810 0066
Dial-in number: (646) 558-8656
Passcode: 048352
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Open Office Hours with
Saco's City Administrator
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Each month, Saco's City Administrator, Bryan Kaenrath, will host an "Open Office Hours" session to provide citizens with an opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns, or share feedback regarding municipal services. The first session is on Tuesday, October 27th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the City Hall Auditorium. If you'd like to speak with the City Administrator outside of these office hours, please call (207)282-4191. |
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November Election Voting Information |
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Wow - the City Clerk's office has already received more than 5,750 requests for absentee ballots!
Our City Clerk anticipates that absentee ballots for the November election will be available beginning this upcoming 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.
Ballot-tracking is also now live for voters in the state of Maine!
This service allows you to see if your absentee ballot request was accepted, when it was delivered, and when the City Clerk receives your completed ballot.
Once you receive your ballot, you can return it using the election drop box outside City Hall (pictured), which will be set up on Cutts Avenue when ballots are issued. Alternatively, you can mail the ballot. Be sure to follow all instructions.
Finally, in-person early voting will begin on Oct. 5 at City Hall during normal office hours, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Monday to Thursday and 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM on Friday.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for further informational updates between now and the election.
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Bond Project Complete as Public Works
Moves Into New Facility This Month
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Our Public Works Department has been working hard to get their new facility ready for an official open date of Tuesday, October 13th. Voters approved the new facility as part of a bond question in 2017.
While the staff transfers operations to the new facility at 15 Phillips Spring Road, you can still reach them using our online reporting tool (www.sacomaine.org/iworq) or by calling (207)284-6641 and leaving a message.
Our Communications Department is working with the Public Works Department to develop a virtual tour of the new facility, and we will be offering in-person tours. If you’d like to visit the new facility, please contact John Wentworth at JWentworth@sacomaine.org.
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Saco Bay Trails finishes a summer upgrade |
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Horton Woods received the improvements.
At Horton Woods, volunteers installed the steel-beam bridge with brand new decking and railings this month.
The trails there are worth checking out for several reasons:
First – it's enormous. The 100-acre wildlife preserve was obtained by the City of Saco in 2007 and is a meeting place for many different ecological habitats.
Which brings us to point #2 – it's diverse. You'll find upland softwood and hardwood forest, marsh, stream, vernal pools, bogs, and fields. These ecosystems are fragile, so please stay on the trail and do not remove any plants or flowers. Porcupines are also common in the area, so exercise caution.
Lastly – you'll find one of Maine's largest Red Maple trees on the aptly named Red Maple Trail.
The list could go on, but we'll leave the rest for you to discover.
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Directions to Horton Woods Trailhead: From Main Street in Saco, travel west on North Street (which becomes Route 112 or Buxton Road). Follow this for 5.9 miles. Turn left onto a dirt driveway at 464 Buxton Road. Turn right immediately into a dirt parking lot, and you'll see the trailhead kiosk.
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Saco Officer Makes Connection
Through Stolen Gum
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You may have seen the headline this month – "Saco police officer replaces 6-year-old's stolen gum."
After Jana Mailman Keegan was the victim of a car break-in, her daughter was sure the thief had also made away with a few pieces of her gum. One week later, a package arrived on their doorstep with a letter and three gum packs from the investigating officer at the Saco Police Department.
Officer Allen deserves recognition for this compassionate act, but she would try and brush it off if you thanked her.
"It's not just me, anyone at the Saco PD would have done this," she said after visiting with the family on September 10th, on her day off.
Keegan said that receiving the card with replacement bubble gum impacted her daughters, and that they won't forget.
"I mean, what a good impression for my kids," Keegan told WGME. "Here, this cop takes her time to let my girls know she's thinking about them still, like how sweet."
The Saco Police Department's values are Professionalism, Accountability, Compassion, Trust (PACT). Officer Allen is exemplary in her commitment to the department's values and the community in general, as demonstrated through her professional and compassionate handling of this investigation. We feel fortunate to have community-oriented police officers like Officer Allen serving Saco.
We want to thank Mrs. Keegan and her family for sharing her daughters' interaction with the Saco PD, which spread across social media and then made it to the news with this story.
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Local Spirit of America Award Recipients Honored With Private Ceremonies |
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The Spirit of America Foundation Tribute recognizes community members in municipalities across the state for their commendable community service.
In Saco, Mayor Doyle awarded two community members with this year's Spirit of America designation: Alejandra Herrera and Nick Scontras.
You may recognize Alejandra from her restaurant Quiero Café Maine or the many community events she has participated in or sponsored. Alejandra volunteered her time to help feed local seniors through the meal program during the pandemic's early stages. Alejandra is always willing to help those in need and always greets her customers as if they are old friends. We are excited to try out Alejandra and (her husband) Carlos's newest fine-dining restaurant, Pacifico, when it opens this fall. Congratulations, Alejandra!
Nick Scontras is very active in the community, from working at the Saco Hannaford to being a Thornton Academy alumni and volunteering at a local church. Starting in 1985, Nick participated in Special Olympics Maine Winter and Summer Games as an athlete, volunteer, and fundraiser. Nick is known for his positive attitude and sense of humor. Congratulations, Nick, for this well-deserved community service award!
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"Incredible" and "Innovative" Saco Volunteer Earns Recognition From State Group |
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Last week, the Maine Council on Aging recognized Saco community member Lynn Steed for the work she has done during the pandemic to address food insecurity.
Steed received the Trailblazing Award, which recognizes and celebrates community members' contributions who, in the face of COVID-19, have responded through actions and advocacy in incredible and innovative ways to make Maine a safer place for us all to age with dignity, health, purpose, and security. She was nominated for her inspiring work, ensuring older people in Saco and the surrounding area had access to food during the pandemic.
Lynn organized a group of over 40 volunteers to help deliver food to our older residents that were self-isolating. Through a grant from the AARP for $3,000 and Lynn's efforts, Age Friendly Saco, in collaboration with the Saco Food Pantry, delivered over 300 food boxes to our seniors, all thanks to Lynn's collaborative efforts.
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Saco Parks & Recreation distributed more than 3,000 meals over 13 weeks to 460 separate Saco residents in spring 2020. Local restaurants received $20,107.36 through SPR funds, donations from community members, and sponsorships from local businesses and non-profits. Together, we moved forward into a pandemic-changed world.
This month, Mayor William Doyle recognized the volunteers and staff who made this program a success. See the video to get a glimpse into the small ceremonies he held and the work behind the recognition.
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Code Enforcement Leader Retires After Dedicating 35 Years to Developing Saco |
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Dick Lambert has been a Code Enforcement professional for 39 years, 35 with the City of Saco.
As the Code Enforcement Director, he oversees the Code Enforcement staff, issues permits, and ensures compliance with the city's code of ordinances. He has served on many boards during his career, including the International Code Council (ICC), Maine Building Officials and Inspectors Association (MBOIA), and Eastern States Building Officials Federation (ESBOF).
In 2018, the ICC recognized Dick with the John H. Flanigan, JR President's Award for outstanding service and dedication. The day before his retirement, we learned that the Code Enforcement of the Year Award from the MBOIA, which Dick Lambert was the first recipient of, will be named after him in honor of his outstanding career.
We are thankful for Dick's mentorship, leadership, and friendship over the years. Sept. 11, 2020, was his last day as the Director of Code Enforcement, and we will miss him, but we hope Dick will find other ways to stay involved with the city he has served for more than three decades.
Thank you, Dick, for your years of dedicated service. Congratulations, and we wish you the best as you enjoy your well-deserved retirement.
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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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Age Friendly Saco Continues Work to Bridge Digital Divide for Aging and Isolated |
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Connie Boutet is the first to admit she is not the most tech-savvy person.
But as COVID-19 has forced seniors like her into isolation, she saw an opportunity to learn new things that might help her stay connected.
“I know a gal who keeps her cell phone in the closet,” she said. “I want to join the party.”
A new Age Friendly Saco program will address the digital divide by offering eligible older residents the opportunity to purchase a subsidized tablet. Pairing with the organization’s Technology Handy-Helpers program, they will also provide full training to make sure participants get the most out of their new devices.
Age Friendly Saco Director Jean Saunders said COVID-19 has brought into full view the issues some of our older residents are experiencing in their inability to access the internet.
“In many communities, as has occurred in Saco, the only access that some of our older residents had was the local computer room at their local library,” Jean Saunders of Age Friendly Saco said. “This room has been closed indefinitely due to the pandemic, and this program aims to find an alternate solution to provide that valuable resource for our community members.”
David Steed, an Age Friendly Saco technology volunteer, answered the call when Connie initially needed help with her cell phone.
“We don’t know what they need until we get there,” he said. “We ask: What’s the problem, what do you need help with? But we keep all of it from being overwhelming.”
Connie and David have installed a smart plug, and David helped Connie set up and understand her tablet and cell phone. A week before we spoke, Connie and David installed an Echo Dot. Now she asks Alexa to play some music, usually Lawrence Welk, and she’s learning new functionality by the week.
“I’ve been asking Alexa for phone numbers lately,” Connie said, “and I’m going to ask about spelling, too.”
Beyond the technology, this program is ultimately about increasing connection while remaining physically distant to keep everyone healthy.
When Connie reflected on what it was like to meet with David for the first time and make the decision to learn new things, she said it wasn’t so hard.
“I just thought of him as a friend," she said. "And now I have a friend.”
David smiled and agreed.
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Saco Crossing Guards Hit the Streets |
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You may have seen Saco's crossing guards on the roads this month, as they continue their work of helping our children travel to school safely.
You'll typically see them between 7:00-8:30 AM and 1:00-2:30 PM. Use caution when driving in the mornings and afternoons, watching closely for children walking or biking to school.
The hybrid school model Saco Schools has adopted will have crossing guards on the roads on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. The schools will be closed for a deep cleaning every Wednesday. These days are subject to change if there are adjustments to the school schedule during the year.
Thank you for driving safely and cautiously!
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Winding down
at the beach
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The beach accessibility mat at Bayview Beach will be removed for the season on Friday, October 2, 2020.
Our Facilities Department will also be closing the Bathrooms at Bayview Beach and Camp Ellis on October 14, 2020.
Summer always goes by quickly, but be sure to enjoy the autumn colors that have started to creep in around town.
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Saco IT Encourages You to Take a Look at Your Cybersecurity This Month |
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) has officially begun!
Join us in spreading cybersecurity awareness and encourage everyone to own their role in protecting Internet-connected devices.
“Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.”
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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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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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