Saco City Council Meeting - November 10, 2025
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Saco City Council Meeting - November 10, 2025
The Saco City Council met on Monday, November 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. with Councillor Johnston excused. The meeting covered routine approvals, public comments on proposed amendments to the administrative code regarding conflicts of interest, first reading of updates to Chapter 4, Article 5, a public hearing on General Assistance appendices, and updates on grievance review committee recommendations.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of minutes from October 20, 2025 (passed 5-0).
- License to operate Bingo for BPOE 1597 and council schedule for January–March 2026 (passed 5-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sandy Gay (52 Cumberland Ave., resident and attorney) spoke against proposed amendments to Administrative Code Article 4-34, arguing they are an overreaction, likely unconstitutional (equal rights violation), and unnecessary given existing recusal rules and the city's code of ethics. She urged the council not to adopt the amendments.
- Kelly Archer (185 Bradley Street, retired real estate broker and co-filer of the grievance) spoke in support of the amendments, stating that real estate brokers should not serve as planning board chair or vice chair to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. She suggested technical language changes, including removing the word "brokers" and using "Maine real estate license" instead.
Discussion Items
- First Reading of Administrative Code Chapter 4, Article 5 Updates: Councillor Hatch moved to approve the first reading and schedule a public hearing on November 24, 2025. He noted that his September 4th suggested edits were mostly incorporated and asked that Councillor Johnston's emailed recommendations be reviewed by staff. The motion passed 5-0.
- Public Hearing on Amendments to Saco Code Chapter 112 (General Assistance Appendices): Council opened the public hearing (5-0) and closed it with no public testimony (5-0), scheduling the second and final reading for November 17, 2025.
- Follow-up on Grievance Review Committee Recommendation #1 (Administrative Code Section 4-34): The council discussed the proposal to prohibit licensed real estate brokers and active developers from serving as planning board chair or co-chair. Councillor Hatch (ad hoc committee member) explained the recommendation aims to address the appearance of conflict, not exclude professionals from the board, and cited legal costs from the Lincoln Village project. Councillor Hewitt opposed a blanket ban, noting that Maine law already provides recusal mechanisms and that excluding professions would limit board expertise. Councillor Berman expressed skepticism, stating existing safeguards (occupation limits, recusal, appointment process) are sufficient and that the change is a response to a temporary situation no longer present. The item was assigned to Councillor Johnston and will return at a future meeting.
- Supported Entities Request Procedure Update: The city administrator presented a draft application form for requesting supported entity funds, modeled after Biddeford’s process. Councillor Berman suggested simplifying and merging redundant questions, and clarifying terms like "client eligibility" and "unit of service." Councillor Hatch opposed the use of tax dollars for nonprofit donations, proposed reducing the de minimis threshold from $5,000 to $1,000, and recommended expanding the collaboration question to include the general assistance office. Revisions will be brought back to council.
Administrative Updates
- Community resource list launched due to the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefit uncertainty; resources available at Saco’s general assistance webpage.
- Veterans Day parade on November 11, 2025, will close streets temporarily.
- Exit 35 on the turnpike opened November 3, 2025, improving traffic flow.
- Deputy Fire Chief Robert Martin retired October 30, 2025, after 37 years of service.
- Solar permit applications may not be processed by the December 31, 2025 deadline if submitted after November 9, 2025, due to high volume.
- Ferry Road and Seaside Avenue Resiliency Improvement Project bids received.
Council Comments
- Councillor Hewitt thanked the Elks for their community contributions, including fundraising for children’s cancer programs and donating facilities.
- Mayor McPhail thanked the city clerk’s office for a successful election day and congratulated new councilors Jeff Owen (replacing Councillor Berman) and Will Gale (replacing Councillor Hatch), who will be seated on December 1, 2025.
Key Outcomes
- Minutes approved (5-0).
- Consent items approved (5-0).
- First reading of Chapter 4, Article 5 updates approved (5-0); public hearing scheduled for November 24, 2025.
- Public hearing on General Assistance appendices closed (5-0); final reading scheduled for November 17, 2025.
- Discussion on Section 4-34 amendments continued; no vote taken; item to return at a future meeting.
- Supported entities request procedure to be revised and brought back.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m. (5-0).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Sarko City Council meeting for Monday, November 10th, at 630 p.m. with the exception of Councillor Johnston, who was excused this evening. Thank you. Moving on to item number four under general. We do not have anything this evening. Item five, committee correspondence to council. Are there any committee members wishing to speak? Councilor Hewitt? Um, first, the arts committee would like me to let you know Sacco has a new colorful edition that we would look forward to sharing with you. The Sacco Arts Commission is a in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department, hired an artist to install a mural on the side of the parks maintenance building on Franklin Street. Local artist, Spencer McLeod made a playful, colorful piece that is sure to make visitors of every age smile. Spencer should be finished with the installation at the end of this week, and an unveiling event will be planned soon. Also, the Dyer Library asked me to share. They will be hosting the Festival of Trees again this year. There will be a preview tea tea Saturday, November 22nd from one to three tickets are 25 dollars. The Festival of Trees Gallow will also be November 22nd from 6 30 to 8 30, tickets $25. And the festival will be open to the public from November 28th to December 28th. Thank you very much. Councillor Edwards. Thank you, Mayor. Aid friendly SACO would like me to remind people if you need a sand bucket to help with ISIS winter. Uh this uh the November 15th, State Friendly Sacco and Thornton Academy students will be delivering sand bucket to anyone that wishes to have one. If you would like to have a bucket delivered to you, please call the office at 20710 5029 to be added to the list for delivery. And please note that these are only delivered to people that are 55 years old and above. Also, from Sacco Main Street, November is a busy month. There'll be three things happening on Saturday, November 29th. Socco Bucks Saturday. You can come down and get Socco Bucks and spend money locally here on Main Street. Um it's always appreciated by the business owners as well as folks here. So and they go quick. Last year, I think they sold through 500 of 500 worth of Socco Bucks. Um on the next day, uh November 30th, which is a Sunday, there's Main Street Market, which will be in the Thornton Academy Gym. It's always a popular event, and it's presented by renewal by Anderson. And December 5th, there's a holiday tree lighting, I believe, at the train station. And I'll be there and other notables will be there as well. So if you want to see us or just see a Christmas tree lit up, show up on December 5th. Great. Thank you. And yes, so Saturday, the 29th is small business Saturday. If you are not in Socco to get your Socco Bucks, no matter where you are, remember to shop local. Thank you, everyone. Okay, moving on to item number six, that is public comment. If there are any members of the public wishing to speak, please step forward, state your name and address for the record, and you will have three minutes to address the council. Good evening. Thank you, Madam Mayor, members of the council. Um my name's Sandy Gay. I am a Socco resident, 52 Cumberland Ave. Excuse me. Um I'm here to speak tonight about um the proposed um amendments to Administrative Code Article 7434. I know you're not taking action on that tonight, but I still wanted to just um come and speak to the board about that.
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