City of Saco Newsletter
April 2020
|
|
While city facilities remain closed to the public until further notice, please remember you can do a lot online. Visit our website at
www.sacomaine.org
to learn more. As a reminder, our Transfer Station is open to residents and Saco businesses on Tuesday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
City Departments have been delivering their budget presentations throughout the month, with a few more departments and local agencies presenting on April 21st. The public hearing for the budget process is scheduled for April 27th. To learn more about the many ways you can watch and particpate in our City Council meetings, please visit
www.sacomaine.org/watchmeetings
. If you have any questions throughout the budget process, then please email us at
[email protected]
. We are happy to answer your questions!
For more information about our budget process, please visit
www.sacomaine.org/budget
. We update this page regularly with new information.
You can watch the latest council meeting on our
YouTube channel
or using the video below.
If you are experiencing hardship during this time, please continue reading to learn more about the resources available to our residents and businesses in the community. You can call our resource hotline (207)294-2436 to learn more. Remember, we are here to help.
|
|
|
|
We're here if you need us
|
|
|
|
We are continually impressed with how our community has come together to support each other during this pandemic. While we must continue to encourage social distancing and urge you all to stay home if you can, please know that we are here for you if you need us.
Watch this video to see some of the ways our community has demonstrated strength, resiliency, and kindness during a time of such uncertainty. We are certainly proud to be part of the Saco community.
|
|
Information from the CDC on COVID-19
|
|
|
|
We have a public health page on the city website that we will update with information from the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). City staff will continue to monitor COVID-19 and communicate with state and federal agencies. Please visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date information.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) and 211 Maine announced today a new option for Mainers to get answers to questions about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at any time. This service is available by dialing 211 (or 1-866-811-5695), texting your ZIP code to 898-211, or emailing
[email protected]
.
|
|
The Saco Parks & Recreation Department
has shifted gears quickly in response to the COVID-19 crisis and has launched a new
Food Distribution Program for Seniors.
Saco residents age 50+ can sign up to receive a free hot meal for pick-up at the Saco Community Center each Friday for the foreseeable future. The meals are free for all eligible community members.
Not only does this program help connect our seniors with a good meal, but they serve as an opportunity to highlight our local businesses, who need our support. Weeks 1 and 2 were done in partnership with Golden Rooster Restaurant, and Week 3, with pick-up on 4/17, features Quiero Cafe.
So far, the program has served more than 250 meals in its first two weeks. See full details for how to sign up in the flyer below.
And please help us realize the full potential of this program by spreading the word to those who might be in need of these meals.
Other food resources are available for people in need. Click the buttons below to learn more about the Saco Food Pantry, Age Friendly Saco, and the Saco Parks & Recreation Food Distribution Program for Seniors.
|
|
Above:
Saco Parks & Recreation Staff prepare meals for pick-up and delivery.
Top Right:
The first week's meals waiting for pick-up. These meals were provided by Golden Rooster Restaurant.
Bottom Right:
Saco Police Department School Resource Officer Morgan Royle helps prepare meals, which she helped deliver.
|
|
|
The Saco Food Pantry is still open and operational. Their Facebook page is a great resource for the most up-to-date information on accessing their services or supporting their mission.
|
|
Learn more about the Food Distribution Program for Seniors on the Saco Parks & Recreation web page.
Please share this web page with any Saco resident age 50+ who might be experiencing food insecurity.
|
|
Age Friendly Saco has always been there to support and enhance the lives of our area seniors. They have stepped up their efforts during the pandemic.
Visit their web page and get in touch with them for more information.
|
|
School Board Nomination Extension
|
|
The Nomination Paper deadline has been extended for the Ward 1 and Ward 3 School Board Seats.
TERM OF OFFICE:
Until 12/6/21.
DEADLINE:
5/15/2020 at 4:00 PM.
TO QUALIFY:
Be a resident of either Ward 1 or Ward 3, and collect 35 signatures of registered voters in your respective Ward.
Due to the Governor’s Executive Order moving June elections to July 14th, the nomination paper deadline has been extended. Nomination paper signatures that were already gathered by prospective candidates based on the June 9, 2020 election schedule starting on March 2, 2020 with a due date on April 10th, will still be considered valid. If a candidate qualified during that time period, their name will appear on the July 14, 2020 municipal ballot.
For more information, click the button below to visit the City Clerk web page.
|
|
|
|
Visit our
web page
for a complete list of help available
|
Saco's Planning & Economic Development Department is committed to helping our businesses during this unprecedented time. On this page, you'll find a list of resources that may help your business and employees. Please contact
Denise Clavette
, Planning & Economic Development Director or
Jessa Berna
, Economic Development Specialist with any questions.
|
|
Recycling Tip of the Month
|
|
|
|
Earth Day 2020
In Celebration of Earth Day 2020, we will be sharing a recycling tip on our Facebook page each day!
Like and Follow our page using the button below, and be sure to visit our page next week!
|
|
Tips for Catching a "Phish"
|
|
Our Information Technology Department has provided the following helpful tips.
- Keep personal information out of emails. Revealing information such as personal or financial information can increase your chances of being social engineered or phished. If you get an email asking for personal identifiable information do not respond.
- Use extreme caution with email attachments. Malicious documents are on the rise trying to take advantage of the COVID-19 situation. Scrutinize every email that has an attachment, even if you trust the sender.
- Avoid clicking links. Many bad actors are attempting to entice people to click on a link that seems legit. Ensure you are not tricked into clicking on these malicious links. Some may disguise themselves as Trusted Medical Resources, its best to not click on the provided link and navigate to the website yourself.
- Verify the organization you are making a donation to is authentic.
- Update your operating system and antivirus.
|
|
|
|
The City of Saco was awarded a KnowBe4 Sharky award for "Best Phishing Campaign" on April 16. The campaign, managed by Saco Systems Engineer Henry Pelletier (pictured left), was aimed to better prepare all city staff to recognize and avoid phishing attempts. This crucial work has dramatically reduced risk to the city's cybersecurity over the last several years.
KnowBe4 CEO Stu Sjouwerman said, "“The Sharky Awards were created to recognize and celebrate the organizations that are embracing KnowBe4’s security awareness platform and implementing it creatively and successfully.”
Congratulations, Henry, on this well-deserved award!
|
|
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week
|
|
|
|
Our public safety dispatchers are essential members of the public safety team, and we appreciate the vital service they provide to our community members.
We want to take a moment to say thank you to all of our emergency communication team members in honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
We are thankful for each of you and your dedication to our community.
|
|
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 [email protected]. 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
