Local Elected Offices Nomination Papers Deadline Approaching

Take Our Climate Survey Today

Saco's Climate Survey has launched!

Please provide your input on Saco’s first Climate Adaptation & Action Plan by taking this survey – less than 2 minutes to complete! Here is the link: https://sacomaine.typeform.com/climatesurvey.

This grant-funded initiative is a collaboration among the Energy & Sustainability Committee, Planning Department, Conservation Commission, Water Resource Recovery Department, Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission, and others.

Almost daily, there are news stories about climate impacts to our neighboring communities. Saco is investing millions of dollars to combat climate change impacts to its Water Resource Recovery Facility, and the City is diligently working toward assessing other opportunities to plan for our shared climate future. Learn more about Saco’s Climate Adaptation & Action Plan by visiting www.sacomaine.org/climate.

Climate policy is usually best approached on a regional level. This initiative is timed to coincide with Climate Plans in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, and Biddeford. Saco will look to align its climate goals with the regional context.

We value your input on the following questions to help better align our shared community goals. Please take this survey today, and share with friends, family, and neighbors.

City Hall Closed Labor Day

City offices will be closed on Monday, September 5th, in observance of Labor Day.

Trash and recycling collection will not be affected by the holiday, so please put your carts out following the normal collection schedule.

Remember, you can still do City business online! We offer a variety of online services, including registration renewal, property tax payment, parking permit sales, ambulance bill payment, and more!

We hope you enjoy the long weekend.

WATCH: City Hosts Housing Ordinance Revision Info Session

On August 14^th, the Planning Department hosted an informational session about LD 2003 proposed housing ordinance revisions.

We want to thank all the residents and city staff who made this info session happen! It was well-attended, and a great opportunity to speak with others about the State’s new law.

The Planning Department provided ward fact sheets at this session, and you can access your ward’s fact sheet and a recording of the session by visiting our dedicated webpage: www.sacomaine.org/housing.

Next Steps on this revision process? The Planning Board is asked to submit its report to the City Council, and the City Council is then asked to host its public hearing on these revisions.

City Clerk Updates:

Absentee Ballots and Dog Licensing

ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION

The City Clerk is currently taking absentee ballot applications for the November 7, 2023, election:

• Voters can apply in person right now in the City Clerk’s Office through October 6th, and starting on Tuesday, October 10th, in the 1st floor City Hall Conference room from 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM. You can also apply online at Maine Absentee Ballot Request: https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl.  
• Absentee ballots will be available on Tuesday, October 10th.  
• State Referendum and Municipal General Election sample ballots will be available for review on October 10th at City Hall and on the City Clerk’s Elections & Voting page: https://www.sacomaine.org/departments/city_clerk/absentee_voting.php

2024 DOG LICENSING BEGINS OCT. 15

You can license your dog(s) in person at City Hall or online at State of Maine Dog Licensing: https://www.maine.gov/online/dog_license/faq.html.

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, you just need to bring in a current Rabies Certificate. 

The fees are as follows:

• $6.00 for altered dog
• $11.00 for unaltered dog
• $42.00 for a Kennel with up to 10 dogs (Kennel means dogs used for breeding, hunting, show, training, field trials, sledding, competition or exhibition purposes). If more than 10 dogs in a Kennel, an additional fee of $42.00 will be charged.
• New Service Dogs - No Fee (A Service Dog Verification Form for Waiver of License Fee will need to be completed by applicant and a licensed Practitioner). These forms are available in the City Clerk’s Office or online at State of Maine Animal Welfare Applications: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ahw/animal_welfare/forms.shtml
• Renewal licenses processed after January 31st will incur a $25.00 late fee.  
• $5.00 to have a rabies certificate faxed to City Hall.

Note: Online licenses cost an additional dollar to cover postage for mailing the license and tag out.

You must present the following at the time of registration:



• A current Maine rabies certificate - If you need to have a rabies certificate faxed to City Hall, there will be $5.00 fax service charge in addition to the license fee.
• A neutering or spaying certificate if the dog has been altered.

Legislature Repeals LD290, Property Tax Stabilization for Seniors

In their most recent session, the Maine Legislature voted to repeal LD290, the Property Tax Stabilization law. As it existed, the program would have disproportionately favored higher value properties without recognition of a resident’s ability to pay. Because of this, the program’s costs would have ballooned out of control.

Although the City of Saco’s Assessing Department administers the Property Tax Stabilization process, it is a state program that can be changed by the Legislature. We encourage residents with questions or concerns to reach out to your local representative.

In LD290’s place is now LD130, which expands both the Senior Property Tax Deferment program and the Property Tax Fairness Credit program:

-      Senior Property Tax Deferral program

o  The State Property Tax Deferral Program is a loan program that covers the annual property tax bills of Maine residents who are ages 65 and older and meet income requirements or are permanently disabled. The loan program requires repayment of the loan once the property is sold or becomes part of an estate. Applications must be submitted between January 1 and April 1 to the Assessor’s office. More information about this program can be found at: www.maine.gov/revenue/sites/maine.gov.revenue/files/inline-files/DeferralApplicantGuide.pdf

o  Administered by the Maine Revenue Service.

o  New: Residents over the age of 65 with an annual income of $80,000 or less and liquid assets of $100,000 or less will qualify.

-      Property Tax Fairness Credit Program

o  Eligible Maine taxpayers may receive a portion of the property tax or rent paid during the tax year on the Maine individual income tax return whether they owe Maine income tax or not. If the credit exceeds the amount of your individual tax due for the tax year, the excess amount of credit will be refunded to you. More information can be found at: www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/income-tax-credits/property-tax-fairness-credit

o  Applied for on your income tax form.

o  New: Maximum benefit expanded from $1,500 to $2,000.

Saco has sent mail notifications about the repeal of LD290 to all residents who are current enrollees in the Senior Property Tax Stabilization Program, are working with partners for direct outreach, and will continue to update our website at sacomaine.org/seniortax with any new information.

Many other property tax relief programs are available to Saco residents, outlined below:

Homestead Exemption: The Homestead exemption reduces the property tax bill of all Saco resident homeowners who apply for the exemption by April 1st and who have owned and lived in their house for the prior 12 months. The exempt amount of $25,000 is deducted from the property’s total taxable value.

Veteran Exemption: Any Saco resident who was in active service in the armed forces of the U.S during a federally recognized war campaign period and, if discharged or retired under honorable conditions, may be eligible for a $6,000 reduction in taxable value. The veteran must have reached the age of 62 OR be receiving a pension or compensation from the U.S Military for total disability.

Widow/Widower of Veteran Exemption: Any Saco resident who is a non-remarried widow or widower of a veteran who would have been entitled to the Veteran exemption, may be eligible for a $6,000 reduction in valuation.

Blind Exemption: Any Saco resident who is certified to be legally blind by their eye care professional is eligible for a $4,000 reduction in taxable value.

Applications for the above programs can be picked up at the Assessor’s Office or downloaded from the City of Saco’s website – http://www.sacomaine.org/assessing.

HarborFest Thank Yous

Camp Ellis HarborFest 2023 was a huge success!

The rain mostly missed us on the pier as crowds came down to Camp Ellis earlier this month and experienced Saco's working waterfront with a day of family fun, marine experiences, and community.

Thank you to our 2023 sponsors:

City of Saco, SOS: "Save Our Shores" Saco Bay, WMTW-TV, Chadbourne's Lobsters, Shepard & Read, GoNetspeed, Camp Ellis General Store & Lobster Pound, JD Stewart Financial, Inc, Saco House of Pizza, Broad Reach Adventures, Sherwin Williams, Garside's Ice Cream, Saco Bay Tackle, Bob & Mike's Mini Mart, Copy-It Biddeford, Houle And Sons Painting And Construction, Houle's Handyman Services, Huot's Seafood Restaurant, Representative Lynn H. Copeland, Maine Celtics, Maine Mariners Hockey, and University of New England.

And special thanks to:

Camp Ellis HarborFest Committee members, festival volunteers, Saco City departments (Administration, Communications, Dock Stewards, Economic Development, Fire, Saco Parks & Recreation, Saco Police, and Public Works), supporting organizations (Age Friendly Saco, BSOOB Transit, Camp Ellis Rod and Gun Club, Saco Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and Saco Schools), and Designer/Illustrator Victoria Gordon - Fine Art and Illustration.

Age Friendly Saco Transportation Survey

Age Friendly Saco was recently awarded a grant from AARP/Toyota Foundation to support the initiation of a new form of transportation, a shared ride service to help our older residents with rides beyond those needed for medical appointments. This new resource would be a shuttle service to provide rides to obtain groceries, go to social events, go to the community center, etc.

Take their survey today to give your input on the design of this new shuttle service, which Age Friendly Saco expects to implement by the Fall of 2023.

Historic Preservation Commission Needs Your Stories for Interactive Community History Project

Earlier this year, Saco’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) earned a $22,000 grant from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission to provide new public educational resources for the community.

The Certified Local Government Grant will help fund the Saco Community History Project, a self-guided walking tour that highlights landmarks on Saco Island and Downtown. Nearly two dozen signs will be installed, each exploring the rich history of Saco through stories about significant buildings, people, and events.

Saco’s HPC wants your stories! We believe in order to truly tell the full history of our City, community members with special connections to our past should contribute. If you have a historic home, know about the location of a significant business, or know the story of a great person of the past, we’d love to hear from you. Send an email to planning@sacomaine.org.

The Dyer Library will offer resources to assist the Saco HPC in weaving together the tales of Saco, and Saco Public Works will install the signs around the Downtown and Island. We’re proud of Shannon Chisholm, Saco’s Assistant Planner and HPC Staff Liaison, for authoring the grant application.

For more information about the Historic Preservation Commission, such as their recent Camp Ellis Architectural Study and Resiliency Report, visit sacomaine.org/hpc.

End of Season Beach Reminders

We hope you had another great set of warm months at Saco's beautiful beaches.

As the we approach the end of the summer season, we've rounded up some seasonal coastline updates for you to keep in mind.

Lifeguard Coverage

Lifeguards final day of patrol for the season is Sept. 3. Please be safe around the ocean, as always. And thank you to our team of lifeguards who kept Saco's beaches safe this summer.

Bathrooms*

Saco's beach bathrooms (Located at Bayview Beach and the Camp Ellis Pier) will close around October 11th for the season.

Beach Mat*

The beach accessibility mat at Bayview Beach will be removed around October 11th for the season.

*Dates subject to change if seasonal conditions require it.

Dogs

Dogs must remain leashed on Saco beaches through September 30th. From October 1st through March 31st dogs may be off leash if they are under voice control and sight control. Dogs must be on leash while entering or exiting vehicles at the beach.

Summer's Not Over Yet!

There's still plenty of time to get outside and enjoy Saco's many amazing trail systems.

The Ferry Landing Trail is a quick and beautiful loop located on Ferry Road, just shy of Camp Ellis.It begins as a dirt road that proceeds alongside the Ferry Landing subdivision before turning left into the woods. At this point the trail divides: Walkers can choose to stay left and continue following the Ferry Landing Trail loop, or continue onto Walther Pond Spur, which is a short trail that leads to a small vernal pool and two granite benches for resting.

The trail is just under a mile long and features a mixture of terrains, including forest floor, crushed stone, and boardwalk. Be sure to keep an eye out for the three large tupelo trees located along the trail, which are typically found in more southern climates! Two separate resting benches are also placed along the loop for walkers to stop and appreciate the stunning variety of plants, trees, and wildlife that can be seen. The trail eventually leads back to the point where it split, and walkers can follow the dirt road back to the trailhead.

A small parking area is located at the trailhead, on Ferry Road just past Landing Road if you’re heading toward Camp Ellis. The loop is open from dawn to dusk and is marked with white tree blazes for easy navigation. Pets are permitted, but they must be leashed. Please keep to the trails and stay off marked private property during your visit.

This trail is maintained by Saco Bay Trails and was created with the support of Saco’s Conservation Commission. The land the trail passes through was donated by Ferry Landing developer Diane Doyle in two parts in 2001 and 2002.

Saco Bay Trails is an all-volunteer organization that maintains trails for public use around the Saco Bay area. They’ve planned their October Work/Walk Party for Ferry Landing Trail on October 14th – follow their social media, sign up for their newsletter, or see more information about Ferry Landing Trail on their website: www.sacobaytrails.org.

VIDEO: Saco PD - Grow With Us

The Saco Police Department is looking to add new patrol officers to their team, serving the Saco community with dedication, pride, and commitment.

The City of Saco offers a competitive wage, excellent benefits, and a challenging yet rewarding work environment that is conducive to personal growth.

Learn more, share, or apply today at www.sacomaine.org/police.

Planning Department Update

August was a busy month for the Planning Department!

Planning Board Updates:

• On August 1^st, the Planning Board granted preliminary approval for 3 new lots off Buxton Road with private road and proposed public water connections. The Board also issued approvals for a storage expansion to an existing distribution center along Buxton Road, and granted approval to move sand for beach erosion following DEP standards. The Board also continued review of other applications on that agenda and scheduled a site walk about a proposal for 25 lots off Jenkins Road. Want to learn more about the August 1^st meeting? You can view the information at this link: https://www.sacomaine.org/agenda_details_T11_R1515.php
• On August 9^th, the Board held a site walk to review the proposal for 25 lots off Jenkins Road.
• August 15^th was a video-recorded meeting! The Board conditionally approved the Saco Water Resource Recovery Project and issued conditional use approval for a catering business and event space on North Street. The Board held a public hearing about the LD 2003 proposed housing ordinance revisions and continued preliminary review of the 25-lot proposal off Jenkins Road. At this meeting, the Board also considered the application completeness checklist for final subdivision review of the Lincoln Village proposal, continuing that application completeness review to its September 5^th meeting. Please note: The Board must first find the application complete before scheduling a public hearing, so the September 5^th meeting is only an application completeness review, not a public hearing. The public hearing will be scheduled at a future date once the application is found complete. Want to learn more about the August 15^th meeting? You can view the information at this link: https://www.sacomaine.org/agenda_details_T11_R1525.php

Throughout this newsletter, you can also read about the following Planning initiatives:

• Launch of Saco's Climate Adaptation and Action Plan Survey
• Housing Ordinance Revision Info Session
• Historic Preservation Commission Community History Project

Please feel free to contact the Planning Department with any questions about these updates: Planning@sacomaine.org.

Funtown Opens New Ride

Funtown Splashtown USA's new interactive dark ride is open!

Whispering Pines Hotel needs your help removing curses from their halls. This spooky attraction equips you with a "Curse Eradicator" and tracks a point total while you and others in your car compete to remove the most curses.

We were proud to join Violet Cormier, who in 1960 founded Marvel Drive-in and Funtown in 1967, and Kim and Cory Cormier, for a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 3 alongside Saco Main Street and Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry.

Book your tickets today to experience this new, unique ride on Route 1 in Saco: www.funtownsplashtownusa.com.

Parks & Recreation Hiring Seasonal Recreation Counselors for Fall

Saco Parks & Recreation Department is hiring Seasonal Recreation Counselors for fall programs! They are filling positions for their School's Out program, with interviews soon.

There's never a dull day at Saco Parks & Recreation as they create engaging and exciting programs for people of all ages in Saco, rain or shine. Apply today at www.sacomaine.org/apply - or share this listing with someone who might be a good fit.

Have questions? Let's talk. Reach out to us at parksandrecjobs@sacomaine.org.

Click each item for more information, if available.

City Council Meetings

• September 11, 2023
• September 18, 2023
• September 25, 2023
• City Council agendas are available at www.sacomaine.org/councilagendas. Sign up for e-mail alerts when meeting materials are published at www.sacomaine.org/enotify.

Planning Board Meetings

• September 5, 5:30 PM
• September 19, 5:30 PM

Other Advisory Body Meetings

• Visit the City calendar here for more.

Saco Parks & Recreation Programs

• Visit www.sacorec.com for a full list of upcoming SPR events!

Saco Main Street Events

• Pumpkin Harvest Festival, October 21, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Main Street, Downtown. Rain date 10/28.

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.

Apply Today to Join Our Team

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.