Sacco City Council Meeting - April 13, 2026: Budget Presentations, Awards, and Approvals

The Sacco City Council met on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 6:30 PM, with all members present except Councillor Arnon (excused). The meeting included a life-saving award presentation, approval of minutes and consent items, two public hearings for action items, seven departmental budget presentations for fiscal year 2027, an update on the Affordable Housing Task Force, and an administrative report. The meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM with a 5-1 vote.

Consent Calendar

• 2026-2028 Election Clerk Nomination: Approved unanimously (6-0) to appoint election clerks for the term.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public comment period or during the two public hearings.

Discussion Items

• Life Saving Award Presentation: Katrina Welch was recognized by the Sacco Police Department for rescuing a two-year-old child walking in a busy lane of Main Street on January 19, 2026. She received the Police Department Life Saving Award and a challenge coin.
• Committee Correspondence: Councillor Johnston announced the Traffic Safety Committee meeting rescheduled to May 21; Councillor Hewitt highlighted a volunteerism exhibit at the Dyer Library Museum from April 7–24.
• Approval of Minutes (April 6, 2026): Approved 6-0.
• Public Hearing & Action: Repeal of Credit Enhancement Agreement with Baxter and Cutz LLC: The agreement, originally from October 21, 2019, was terminated because the company vacated the facility. The council voted 6-0 to approve the termination agreement.
• Public Hearing & Action: Renewal of Special Entertainment Permit for Biddeford Sacco Country Club: The permit was renewed concurrent with the liquor license, with no concerns from city departments. Approved 6-0.
• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Presentations:
  • Code Enforcement (Director David Toomey): Proposed budget of $592,603, a 22.9% increase ($110,568) primarily due to adding a full-time electrical inspector (to replace retiring part-time inspector). The department issued 1,799 permits, performed 1,995 field inspections, handled 185 complaints, and reviewed 635 plans. Revenue is projected at $700,000 (down $70,000 from FY26 due to conservative estimates). Goals include transitioning to the full-time inspector and improving permit processing efficiency.
  • Planning (City Planner Charles Tettelman): Proposed budget slightly lower than FY26, with a small increase for COLA and a decrease in overtime (now salaried staff). The department manages 26 active planning projects, approved over 1,000 dwelling units since 2024, and staff attended 60+ public meetings. Accomplishments include the SACO Community History Project (22 informational signs installed). Goals for FY27: enhance development review, integrate climate action strategies, and improve long-range planning accessibility.
  • Finance (Interim Director Belancher and Deputy Director Samantha Bryant): Proposed budget of $1,174,118, a 14.1% increase ($144,000) due to personnel adjustments and software maintenance. The department processes 22,000 motor vehicle registrations, 12,000 invoices annually, and 280–380 biweekly payroll checks. Goals: adopt new accounting software modules, improve year-end purchase order tracking, streamline year-end closing, and enhance electronic payment options for residents.
  • Water Resource Recovery (Director Howard Carter and Deputy Director Stacey Thompson): Proposed budget increase of 3.3% (0.3% from interest, 3% from user rates). The department has 10 staff plus 3.5 positions at DPW, serves 5,112 residential and 418 non-residential connections, treated 739 million gallons of water, and moved 2,100 tons of biosolids. Major upgrade project: substantial completion set for February 2027, final completion May 2027. Savings from UV disinfection (reducing chemical costs by $60,000). Capital request includes a resiliency study for Camp Alice and cybersecurity software.
  • Information Technology (Director Ryan Pinero): Proposed budget includes a new position (elevating to principal systems engineer) and $54,182 increase in operating expenses for software licensing and cybersecurity. The department handled 1,831 support requests (15.94% increase), supports 761 devices, 74 applications, and blocked 120,742 malicious clicks. Goals: expand cybersecurity (Zero Trust), implement micro-learning platform, and consolidate permitting/plan review system (budget-dependent).
  • Fire Department (Chief Hamill): Proposed budget of $5,798,702, a 0.8% increase ($46,206). The department has 50 staff, responded to 4,573 emergencies in 2025 (3,474 ambulance calls, 2,553 transports). Goals: add a life safety officer (third quarter FY27), renovate North Saco Station, replace 2003 ladder truck, and replace 17 expiring air packs. Revenue from ambulance billing budgeted at $822,000 (actual $1.3M in FY26). Emergency management goals include updating the city’s emergency operations plan and building a regional CERT team.
  • Administration (Deputy City Administrator Emily Cole Prescott and City Administrator Ryan Pelletier): Proposed budget reflects a 11.6% increase due to personnel changes (new deputy city administrator and mid-year hire). The department oversees 220 full-time employees and coordinates major infrastructure projects (schools, water resource recovery, downtown gateway, Camp Ellis). Goals for FY27: improve economic development through public-private partnerships, invest in workforce culture, and continue fiscally responsible infrastructure investments.
• Affordable Housing Task Force Update: Deputy City Administrator Cole Prescott announced the task force will reconvene, focusing on the Housing Action Plan strategies and funding recommendations for council consideration.
• Administrative Update: Administrator Pelletier announced a Lafayette Trail Marker dedication on April 21 at 2 PM at Riverfront Park; Public Works awarded MDOT grant for rapid flashing beacons; City Hall closed on Patriots Day (April 20); upcoming council meetings on April 27, May 4, and May 11.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of April 6, 2026: Approved 6-0.
• Consent Item (Election Clerk Nomination): Approved 6-0.
• Action Item A (Termination of Credit Enhancement Agreement with Baxter and Cutz): Public hearing opened and closed; termination order approved 6-0.
• Action Item B (Special Entertainment Permit Renewal for Biddeford Sacco Country Club): Public hearing opened and closed; renewal order approved 6-0.
• Budget Presentations: All seven departmental budgets were presented and discussed; no votes were taken on the budget as a whole (part of ongoing budget process).
• Adjournment: Motion passed 5-1 (Councillor Parks opposed) at 8:33 PM.