Saco City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Saco City Council Meeting - August 11, 2025
The Saco City Council met on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM at City Hall. All councilors were present except Councillor Edwards, who was excused. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by two special recognitions, public comments, approval of minutes, consent items, action items, new business, administrative updates, council discussion, and an executive session.
Recognitions
- Thornton Academy Lacrosse Team: The council recognized the boys' varsity lacrosse team for a successful season, including players Drew Mackey, Jack DeLeo, Carter Pennell, and others. Coaches were also recognized, notably Coach Ryan Hersey, named Coach of the Year, leading the team to Class A state titles in 2018, 2019, and 2025.
- Citizen Heroism Award: Tyler Johnson was honored for rescuing two children, their grandfather, and a family dog from a burning home at 22 Cleveland Street on July 29, 2025. He made three trips into the smoke-filled home before it became engulfed in flames. The City of Saco and Saco Fire Department presented him with a plaque.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the council schedule for September, October, November, and December 2025, with item A (appointment of interim treasurer) removed to action items. Motion passed 6-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Roz Anton (6 Shannon Lane): A local realtor of 30 years, she commented on the grievance petition regarding planning board members. She argued that limiting real estate license holders from serving on the planning board is unnecessary, as conflicts of interest are narrow and real estate professionals bring valuable expertise. She urged the council to focus on existing ordinances rather than excluding a profession.
- Angie Presby (10 Elijah James Drive): Speaking as a member of the Saco Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, she expressed strong support for forming the Pepperill Park Ad Hoc Committee. She described the park as a historic green space designed by the same landscape architect as Central Park, now a rare opportunity to restore it to a public park benefiting the downtown community.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Minutes:
- July 14, 2025 Minutes: Initially tabled at a prior meeting, the council voted to untable (6-0) then approved the minutes as presented with changes requested by Councillor Hewitt (5-1, Councillor Johnston opposed). Councillor Hewitt had requested inclusion of her opposing comments on the grievance petition, which were added.
- July 28, 2025 Minutes: Councillor Hatch moved to amend the motion to approve minutes as originally presented without singular councilor comments. The amendment failed (3-3 tie, Mayor voting no). The original motion to approve the minutes as presented then passed (4-2, Councillors Hatch and Johnston opposed). Debate centered on whether minutes should include verbatim comments of individual councilors or remain summary-based, with procedures for recording comments to be addressed in a future rules and order of business review.
- Appointment of Interim Treasurer: Councillor Hatch moved to appoint Ryan Panero as interim treasurer effective immediately, citing the need for segregation of duties and on-site availability during the search for a new finance director. Ryan has been with the city since 2013 as IT director and is experienced with the Munis accounting system. Judy, a part-time interim, is not available full-time. Motion passed 6-0.
- Pepperill Park Ad Hoc Redesign Committee: Councillor Hewitt introduced a motion to create a nine-member committee (Mayor, one councilor, one Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member, one Conservation Committee member, and five at-large members appointed by the Mayor) to develop a final park design and budget. The committee would dissolve after presenting its final design. Councilor Berman noted the council has not yet approved a plan, budget, or land dedication. Motion passed 6-0.
- Ambulance Special Revenue Fund: Radio Communication System Upgrade: Councillor Hatch moved to appropriate $89,132.69 from the ambulance special revenue fund committed fund balance to upgrade the fire department's radio system from VHF to 800 MHz for interoperability with neighboring agencies. Motion passed 6-0.
- Temporary Construction Easements for Saco School Project: Director Prescott presented a request to accept the format of temporary construction easements for the school project, to be signed by property owners. Property owners have been notified; questions remain but no outright refusals yet. The form will be brought back for a one-reading process on August 25. Councilor Johnston will serve as council resource. No vote taken; item is ongoing.
- Budget Amendment for Beach Management Plan (Phase 1): Public Works Director Travis Moore requested a $46,000 budget amendment for phase one of a comprehensive beach management plan, which includes inventory analysis and initial public outreach. Subsequent phases (2 and 3) would be funded by a state Community Action Grant. Councilors expressed support for consolidating existing scattered policies. No vote taken; item is ongoing.
Administrative Updates
- City Administrator John Bohanko reported:
- RFP for Ferry Road box culvert (8'x15'x50' pre-cast concrete clamshell) due August 20, 2025.
- Tax commitment scheduled for the week of August 11; tax bills to be mailed in early September. Completed commercial/industrial revaluation for the first time in 20 years; residential measurement list (not a revaluation) ongoing, expected to affect 2026-27 billing.
- First of new wayfinding signs to be installed this week.
- Praise for Harbor Fest held on August 10.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on July 14 minutes: Approved 5-1 after untabling.
- Vote on July 28 minutes: Approved 4-2 as presented.
- Appointment of Ryan Panero as interim treasurer: Approved 6-0.
- Creation of Pepperill Park Ad Hoc Redesign Committee: Approved 6-0.
- Ambulance radio system upgrade appropriation: Approved 6-0.
- Executive Session: Entered at 7:30 PM (motion 6-0) under MRSA Title 1, Chapter 13, Subchapter 1, Section 405(6)(A) for personnel matters. Exited at 7:57 PM.
- Authorization of consulting contract: Council authorized the Mayor and incoming interim city administrator to enter into a consulting contract with outgoing City Administrator John Bohanko for September 2025. Approved 6-0.
- Adjournment: Motion passed 6-0 at 7:58 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Sacco City Council meeting for Monday, August eleventh, twenty twenty-five at six thirty P.M. I would like to make note of all counselors present with our city administrator, John Bohanko, with the exception of Councillor Edwards, who has been excused for the evening. Would you please stand and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance? Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. We have two very, very special recognitions this evening. So bear with me, and I apologize if any names are misspelled, mispronounced. But we have Drew Mackey, Jack DeLeo, Carter Pennell, Corbin Poussard, Ben Knox, Will Edboard, Ben White, Will Marston, Landon Faulkner, Chase Poquette, Charlie LeMay, Grady Hersey, Jack Parity, Jake Skillings, Colin Pennell, Carter Cormier, Ryan Cosy, Jackson, excuse me, Nagan, Ben Watts, Sean Harder, Colin Jackmowitz, Casey Fornier, James Steves, Blake Budette, Daniel Howe, Brady Pacora, Carter Nelson, Landon Demurs, Matthew Faucher, Will McNaughton, Dom Martin, Jacob Pelton, Jackson Howard, and Max Howard. Players Grady Hershey and Jack DeLeo had been named to the Portland Press Herald's All State team. And Grady is a Thornton Academy sophomore who has been selected as their defense long stick midfielder. Jack is a Thornton Academy senior who will be attending Merrimack College next season. I would also like to recognize coaches Ryan Hersey, Chris Driscoll, Mike Hersey, Brian Doer, Wyatt LeBlanc, John Shapizon, Chad LeBrec, Aaron Scott, and Cody Duby for a very successful season. Coach Ryan Hersey has also been named Coach of the Year and has led the Golden Trojans to all three, 2018, 2019, and 2025 of their Class A take state titles since taking over the program in 2010. I, along with the members of the City Council, would like to congratulate these players and their coaches for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to the sport. And the community is very, very proud of you. Congratulations. While working at a paving site the morning of July 29th on Cleveland Street, a crew member had noticed that a home across the street from where they were working had caught on fire and was spreading fast. Tyler immediately had them call 911. And as he ran to enter the smoke-filled home, upon finding one child and their dog. I'm sorry. As he ran to enter the home, he found one child and their dog and removed them from the harm. And as he made a second trip into the home after learning from the child that there was another inside. After finding and removing the second child, he then made a third trip into the home to rescue the grandfather. And from what I understand, the dog knew that there were people left in the house and ran in a second time as well. Tyler also assisted in that second attempt with the dog. He selfishly, without a second thought to his own safety and acting on instinct alone, made three trips inside the burning home and was able to get the two children, their grandfather and the family dog out of the home and to safety just minutes before the home became engulfed in flames, and as the fire department arrived on scene. Because of Tyler's actions, four lives were saved that day, and a family is still together. This type of action and bravery is proof that heroes walk among us every day, and they will become known to us when we least expect it. On behalf of the city of Saco, the fire department, and all of the first responders who came to aid that day, we wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation for the quick and courageous actions of Tyler Johnson and wish to present you with a Citizen Heroism War award. Chief Ammo. Tyler, on behalf of the City of Sacco and the Socco Fire Department, we wish to present you with this beautiful plaque. On this plaque, we have engraved heroism ward presented to Tyler Johnson in recognition of your extraordinary courage and selflishness on July 29th, 2025, when you entered a burning home at 22 Cleveland Street in Sacco, Maine, and rescued two children, their grandfather, and their family dog from danger. Your brave actions save lives and exemplify the true spirit of heroism. With deepest gratitude, the City of Sacco and the Sacco Fire Department, August 11th, 2025. Chief, did you all say anything? Did you want to bring your family or thank you so much for all of that? Very, very special night this evening. Okay, next on the item agenda is item number five, and that is committee correspondence to council. Are there any committee members wishing to speak? Counselor Hewitt. Um, just want to let everybody know this uh Friday, August 15th from 6 to 8 is preview night for the library's book sale. There are tickets on sale for that event, and the book sale is going to continue from August 16th to August 30th at Dyer Library. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. Not seeing any other members wishing to be recognized. Moving on to item six, that is public comment. If you would like to address counsel, please step forward to the podium, state your name and address, and you will have three minutes to address the council. Thank you, Mayor. Welcome. Good evening.
openpublica.com