Council Resolution Affirms Saco as a Safe, Welcoming, and Diverse Community
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“Considering the recent events across our country involving bias, racism, and hatred, we must take measures to denounce such actions while educating ourselves to facilitate a better future for all of our community members,” said Mayor Doyle at the July 13 City Council Meeting.
“As a community and nation, individuals of different ethnicities, sexual orientations, and religious ideologies will forge our path forward. We must have the philosophy of inclusion when discussing the way ahead on any subject matter, especially the eradication of racism.”
At the July 20 meeting, the City Council unanimously affirmed this resolution:
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WHEREAS, equality, inclusion, and safety for all persons is a core value in the City of Saco; and
WHEREAS, a safe community requires open communication, diverse perspectives, and foundation built on trust; and
WHEREAS, we know that communities succeed and achieve their best potential when all persons are welcome; and
WHEREAS, we celebrate our community’s diversity, and welcome all who live, work, or visit here regardless of their national origin, color, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity, race, age, disability, or financial or socioeconomic status.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, William Doyle, Mayor of Saco, on behalf of the City Council here by resolve: All residents, visitors, and guests, are entitled to be treated with compassion, respect, and dignity; and Any individual exhibiting discriminatory behavior, overt or subtle, will not be tolerated by the City of Saco, its employees, or officials in any form; and The City of Saco encourages employees, board and committee members, and elected officials to identify their implicit and explicit bias to ensure the ideals of fairness and equality are upheld; and We commit to building an environment and a community, in which everyone is valued, respected, and welcomed. We encourage the citizens of Saco to likewise affirm these values of inclusion.
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July Primary Election Results, School Board Nomination Papers Details
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Our City Clerk and her team of full-time staff and election workers have, once again, ensured a smooth election for Saco citizens.
Through the pandemic challenges, the City Clerk's office made voting easy and accessible through absentee voting as well as in-person voting, ensuring it was safe for both citizens and poll workers.
Here are the highlights of the contested state races, local races, local school budget referendum, and state bond referendums –
- Democratic Senate primary - Sara Gideon (68%), Betsy Sweet (16%), Bre Kidman (9%)
- State Bond Issues - High-Speed Internet, YES vote (78%), Infrastructure, YES vote (81%)
- School Budget - YES (75%)
- Ward 1 School Board Seat - Christina Shea (54%), David Precourt (39%)
- Ward 3 School Board Seat - Jeffrey Richard (uncontested, 93%)
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We are proud to introduce Saco's newest school board members,
Christina Shea
in Ward 1 and
Jeffrey Richard
in Ward 3. Both are filling vacancies in the school board and their term of office is set to expire on December 6, 2021.
They were sworn in by
City Clerk Michele Hughes
at City Hall on July 22
.
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Looking forward,
there will be three school board seats - Wards 2, 4, and 6 - on the November 3, 2020, ballot.
Nomination papers for these seats are available
as of July 27 in the City Clerk's Office. Successful nomination papers will include 35 signatures of registered voters in the ward for which you seek office and are due back to the City Clerk's Office (300 Main Street) no later than Friday, September 4, 2020, by 4:00 PM.
Office hours for the City Clerk are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM and Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
For more information, visit the City Clerk online using the button.
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Thank you to all election workers. If you'd like to get involved in the November election, contact the City Clerk using the button below.
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Refresher on City Hall Re-opening
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City Hall has been open again for a month now, and we are so appreciative of everyone's willingness to adapt to new procedures, keeping both visitors and staff safe.
As a reminder, for all business at City Hall, you will access the building using the entrance on Cutts Avenue.
We have mostly seen fewer and fewer long lines for vehicle registration and transactions with our finance department as we reopened the doors to City Hall this month. We appreciate your patience as our clerks assist each customer when there is a wait.
If you visit City Hall to do business with a department outside of finance, please call
(207) 282-1032
and select the department you are there to see. These other departments (
Assessing, City Clerk, Code Enforcement, Planning & Development, etc.
) are still scheduling appointments when possible to avoid having customers wait in line. A representative from the department you are meeting with will escort you into the building for your appointment.
Thank you for your ongoing patience, friendliness, and compassion, as we navigate through these changes.
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A Message From the Mayor on the Beach
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When visiting Saco's beaches, please practice social distancing.
We recommend wearing a mask when entering and exiting the beach because the pathways are narrow.
We ask our community members to help us keep the beaches safe by following CDC guidelines and being courteous of others.
Additionally, the piping plover is an endangered species that nests on Saco's beaches. I am sorry to report that there was an incident at Kinney Shores this month with the disturbance of one of the plover habitats.
The Endangered Species Act makes it unlawful for anyone to "take" a listed animal, its eggs, or significantly modify its habitat.
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When visiting Saco's beaches, it is essential to avoid touching the plovers, eggs, or nests to help this species recover.
We appreciate our community’s willingness to partner with us to work through the challenges of the pandemic. We are all in this together, so we must work collaboratively to ensure our beaches and natural amenities are safe for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Be well, and stay safe.
- Mayor Bill Doyle
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Chamber of Commerce's First Pandemic
Ribbon-Cutting at AAA Detailing in Saco
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We are always happy to welcome new businesses to the Saco community, but it is especially nice to see a ribbon cutting amid the pandemic.
The detailing company offers top-of-the-line service for both vehicle exteriors and interiors, with more than 30-years of experience in the business between owners Jason and Tori Burnell.
The unique 10 Mill Brook Road property has been developed with the support of the Saco Planning & Development Department, and offers the opportunity for business owners to buy their individual units. This allows small businesses to establish themselves while achieving ownership. David Smaha and Anthony Barbano of Baha LLC have developed 16 flex-space units at the 10 Mill Brook Road commercial condo complex.
Please join us in welcoming AAA Detailing to Saco! Visit their website and Facebook page, or the Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce, using the buttons below.
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Walking and Rolling with SBPAC
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Hello Saco!
Were you aware that you now have a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC)?
Appointed in 2020, there couldn’t be a more important time to begin the work of improving the situation for cyclist and pedestrians in our city.
As the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed more and more people out onto the streets and sidewalks, people have been gravitating toward running, walking, and cycling in greater numbers and for different purposes. Whatever the reason is that brings you out – re-establishing a forgotten pastime, looking to get much needed fresh air and exercise, or just looking for a safe and solitary form of transportation, it is important that everyone is aware of and respects the rules of the road.
One key piece of the SBPAC mission is to educate everyone on bike or foot, of both their rights and responsibilities. We look forward to getting out and engaging in with the public on this, but the pandemic prevents us from getting out and doing so in a public forum at the moment. For now we will be providing a monthly column (starting with this one) to the City newsletter. It will include details about what we are up to, safety tips and other helpful information.
We have also posted links to rules of the road for both cyclists
and
drivers on the city’s BPAC web page, found at the button below. If you are new to cycling or just getting back out there after a long time away, please take a minute to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road – for your safety and for that of everyone around you. Be safe, be kind, and give a smile or a wave to your fellow cyclists and pedestrians.
We always welcome your participation in our meetings which are held on the first Wednesday night of each month at 6:30 pm. Details are posted on our committee web page.
We look forward to working with you to make our community better for everyone looking to enjoy its beauty from outside of a car!
-Saco Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
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Last July we gathered on Main Street for the 10th Annual Classic Car Show, hosted by Saco Main Street.
To keep up with how Saco Main Street is supporting our community during the pandemic, visit them on
Facebook
or at their website below.
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Choosing and Protecting Passwords
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Our Information Technology Department wants to remind you to choose good passwords and protect your personal information.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), "Passwords are a common form of authentication and are often the only barrier between you and your personal information. There are several programs attackers can use to help guess or crack passwords. By choosing good passwords and keeping them confidential, you can make it more difficult for an unauthorized person to access your information."
Visit CISA's website at cisa.gov to see tips regarding choosing and protecting your passwords.
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Committees Focused on Inclusion
and Coastal Resiliency
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The Council established the
Intercultural Competency & Awareness Committee
in July.
This new ad hoc committee will bring together members of the community, Councilors and staff to address inequality and bias issues in our community.
The Intercultural Competency and Awareness Committee will be composed of up to 21 members, to be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. Each Commission member shall be a resident of the city, or a City staff member, shall be persons qualified to perform the duties of such office, and shall serve without compensation.
If you would like to submit yourself for membership consideration on this new committee, use the tool on our webpage and select the “Mayor’s Ad Hoc” option. The website can be found at the button below.
You may also contact the City Clerk's office to get a printed copy of the application and mail or drop off to the City Clerk, 300 Main Street.
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At the City Council meeting on August 3, 2020, Mayor Doyle will also recommend the creation of a
WRRD Coastal Resiliency Ad Hoc Committee.
The purpose of this ad hoc committee is to bring together members of the community, City Councilors, and city staff to identify a set of community goals to guide future investment and priorities for the Water Resource Recovery Department.
The WRRD and Communications Department are partnering with the US Environmental Protection Agency to convene this community stakeholder group and facilitate and support meaningful conversations between the anchor institution and community members.
If you would like to submit yourself for membership consideration on this new committee, use the tool on our webpage and select the “Mayor’s Ad Hoc” option. The website can be found at the button above.
You may also contact the City Clerk's office to get a printed copy of the application and mail or drop off to the City Clerk, 300 Main Street.
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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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Parking Changes near Saco's Beaches
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As you visit the beaches in Saco, you may notice several new "no parking" signs. This follows a decision made by the Traffic Safety Committee at their July 23rd meeting in response to several concerns regarding safety and visibility.
Parking is not allowed on both sides of Seaside Avenue from the Old Orchard Beach line to Outlook Avenue and from Pond Avenue to Sylvan Avenue to enhance visibility and safety. Parking is still allowed from the walking trail at Anthony Estates to the Bayview Road area. Also, there are new "no parking" signs on King Avenue, Surf Avenue, and Lighthouse Lane, as well as increased signage near the public beach accessways reminding beachgoers to practice physical distancing and take safety precautions.
We appreciate our community members' and visitors' willingness to partner with us to ensure our beaches are safe for all to enjoy. As a reminder, you can get a beach parking passes to use in our public parking lots at Bayview Beach and the Camp Ellis pier lots. For more information about beach parking passes or how to pay a parking ticket online, please visit
www.sacomaine.org/parking
.
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The Facilities Division welcomed two new staff members this month.
Nicole fills a newly-created custodial role, expanding the Facilities team to four staff members. This will help the city continue to keep its buildings safe for visitors and staff, while handling the increased workload caused by the city's growth. Seen here carrying a box of supplies in the basement of the
Saco Police Department
, she joins the division with more than 12 years of custodial experience.
This new custodial position is funded for six months by a grant the city earned from Keep Maine Healthy. The state program reimburses municipal costs associated with public health education and prevention activities. $23,000 in total is being reimbursed in the Facilities division alone, and a total of $36,000 of expenditures city-wide.
Also joining the Facilities Division is Kyle, seen below filling his backpack disinfectant sprayer at the Saco Community Center. He is an internal transfer from the Department of Public Works.
John, pictured with the electrostatic cleaning gun below, has helped train the new hires along with their supervisor and Facilities Manager, Don Roth.
Thank you to Don, John, Kyle, and Nicole for your important work.
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Covid-19 Emergency Loan Fund
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In early April, Saco’s Planning & Economic Development Department launched a Covid-19 Emergency Loan Fund to help our local businesses with Covid-19 impacts during this challenging time. The program provided low interest loans of up to $10,000 to small businesses, half of which may be forgiven after 5 years.
We are pleased to announce this program was extremely popular and was able to help a wide variety of businesses – As of July, we have nearly exhausted our fund balance and issued loans to 19 small businesses here in Saco! Thank you to the Economic Development Commission and Southern Maine Finance Agency for helping us make it happen! To learn more contact Denise Clavette (
dclavette@sacomaine.org
) or Jessa Berna (
jberna@sacomaine.org
) in the Planning & Economic Development Department.
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North St. Construction - Maine Water
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Maine Water
's evening construction on North Street between Elm Street and Scammon Street will finish this week. However, the remainder of this project will be completed during the daytime, beginning on Monday, August 3, 2020. As such, motorists will encounter delays. Traffic is encouraged to find alternate routes during this phase of construction. We appreciate your patience as this project continues. For more information about the project, visit Maine Water's project page at
https://www.mainewater.com/construction/current-projects/saco-north-street
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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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- City Planner: Applications due by August 10, 2020.
- Code Enforcement Director: Applications due by August 19, 2020.
- Street Supervisor (Public Works): Open until filled.
- Truck Driver (Public Works): Open until filled.
- Patrol Officer: Open until filled.
- Dock Steward (Seasonal): 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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