Saco City Council Meeting – May 18, 2026
Saco City Council Meeting – May 18, 2026
The Saco City Council met on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 6:30 PM. All councilors were present except Councillor Doyle (excused). The meeting featured recognition of the Thornton Academy Drama Club, public comment on the 2027 municipal budget, approval of the OASIS Club lease, authorization for an enhanced project scoping initiative, and updates on traffic safety projects and speed studies.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of the May 11, 2026 meeting (6-0).
- Approved three consent items: a combined massage therapist and establishment license for Melissa Angelo, a massage therapist license application for Ann Quinlan, and the council meeting schedule for July–September 2026 (6-0).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bob Hamblin (347 Ferry Road) expressed support for two amendments to the 2027 municipal budget: a transfer of $300,000 from unassigned fund balance to an affordable housing account, and a transfer of $200,000 to the committed fund balance for infrastructure supporting active transport, transit, and human-powered projects. He thanked the council for these actions.
Discussion Items
- Recognition of Thornton Academy Drama Club: The council congratulated the drama club for winning first place in a one-act play competition at the Maine Drama Festival (March 20–21) and for participating in the New England Drama Festival (April 30–May 2). The club performed The Dancers by Horton Foote. Co-directors David Hanwright and Katie Betrazi led 25 students. The mayor invited the students to the dais for a photo.
- Committee Correspondence: Councillor Edwards (transcribed as "Redwoods") announced an age-friendly SACO luncheon at the Elks Club on June 11 and highlighted the 25th anniversary gala of Saco Main Street, expressing appreciation for community support.
- OASIS Club Lease (Action Item A): Councillor Hewitt moved to approve a one-year lease renewal for 63 School Street at $100/year. Councillor Hewitt questioned the benefit to taxpayers. The city administrator explained that the OASIS Club provides community programs (AA, Al-Anon, NA, etc.) and pays all utilities, insurance, snow removal, and upkeep, so the lease costs the city nothing. Councillor Johnston suggested adding a 60-day notice requirement for renewal or termination, which was accepted. The motion passed 6-0.
- Enhanced Project Scoping Initiative (Action Item B): Councillor Gale presented a request to enter into an enhanced project scoping initiative for the I-95/Ocean Park Road feasibility study, following a council resolution that removed support for the previously studied through lane closure at Exit 2A. The initiative will not study that exit. Saco’s local match is $7,500 (20% of $37,500 total local match, with Old Orchard Beach paying $30,000). The motion passed 6-0.
- Safe Streets for All Temporary Demonstration Project (New Business A): Director Moore presented a plan to install temporary traffic calming measures on Main Street from Beach Street to Water Street, including a squared-up crosswalk at Cutts Avenue, a pedestrian refuge island at Storer Street, and delineators at the Rapid Rays crossing near Water Street. The project is low-cost, high-impact, and will be installed in late June through late October. Traffic data and a user survey will be collected. The project will go to the Traffic Safety Committee for approval.
- Authorization to Request Speed Studies (New Business B): Director Moore and Chief Clements requested council approval to ask Maine DOT for speed studies on Jenkins Road (entire length) and Route 112 (Foss Road to the middle school). Additionally, they noted discrepancies between posted speed limits on Route 1 and DOT’s records (e.g., 25 mph posted vs. 30 mph DOT on Main Street; 30 mph vs. 35 mph on Eastman Park to Ross Road; 35 mph vs. 45 mph from Goose Fair Brook to Millbrook). The request will come back for a final vote at the next council meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Approved OASIS Club lease (6-0) with modified renewal language requiring 60-day notice.
- Approved entering into the enhanced project scoping initiative for the I-95/Ocean Park Road feasibility study (6-0), with a $7,500 local match from Saco.
- Public comment recognized the council’s budget amendments allocating $300,000 for affordable housing and $200,000 for active transport infrastructure.
- Speed study requests for Jenkins Road, Route 112, and Route 1 (discrepancies) will proceed to a second reading and final vote at the next meeting.
- Administrative updates: Transfer station closed May 19 (11:30–1:30) for employee appreciation; Bike Rodeo June 13 (10–12) at Thornton Academy; Traffic Safety Committee meeting May 21 at 6 PM; City Hall closed May 25 for Memorial Day; Memorial Day Parade May 25 (9:55 AM start); Beach Street sewer lining project May 20 (1:30 PM overnight); Age-Friendly SACO’s $300 affordability check program.
- Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM (6-0).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Saco City Council meeting for Monday, May eighteenth, twenty twenty-six at six thirty PM. Would like to make note of all members of the council present this evening, with the exception of Councillor Doyle, who has been excused. All right, moving on to item number four tonight under General, we do have a very special recognition this evening. The Thornton Academy Drama Club took first place in a one-act play competition at the main drama festival. It was held at Windham High School March twentieth and twenty-first. The casting crew of twenty-five students performed The Dancers by Horton Foot, our heartfelt story about a timid young man whose life changes when a local schoolgirl introduces herself. Thornton edged out eight other regional winners after earning a spot in the competition. In all, thirty-seven schools across the state competed in a one-act play competition. The performance, co-directed by Thornton Academy, instructors David Hanwright and Katie Patrazi included ten scenes. The drama club then traveled to the New England Drama Festival in Rutland, Vermont on April 30th through May 2nd. There they performed the dancers for the last time. The students received special commendations from other students, participating in the workshop, and they met other high school performers from across New England. The directors were David Hanwright and Katie Betrazi. Chaperones for the trip were Emma Campbell, Heather Euchris, Sarah Carrier, and Nicole Duby. The students involved, who we have a good portion with us here this evening, Preya Bloom, Addy Berman, Calla Berman, Lauren Carrier, Claire Cochran, Emma Euctis, Sophie uh Sophie Fergo Dunch, Toby Fidalgo, Quinn Fisher, Alex Gagne, Alie Handa, Andy Hooper, Jack Jones, Lila LeVary, Gia Libby, Amelia Lourdrow, Emma Mardin, Avisha Mondak, Loudoin Mondak, Sarah Nightingale, Robert Pollock, Tessa Rosignal, Noah Satre, Nate Shepard, and Ruby Whitman. So I, along with the members of the City Council, would like to congratulate these students for their tireless work and dedication, and that your Socco community is proud of you. So with that, I'd like to invite you guys up here to the uh dais, and we'll get the counselors and we'll take a quick photo. Always a good night when we get to recognize our students. All right, next up, item five is committee correspondence to council. Are there any committee members wishing to share? Counselor Redwoods. Yes, I have uh two, uh, Madam Mayor. Uh one is I believe that there's a meal, a luncheon uh at the Elks Club for age-friendly SACO on June 11th. And you can go to their site to find out more. Um, also, uh, this past Saturday night, there was a gala celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sacco Main Street. It was wonderful. Uh I had never been to a gala before, but now I uh have done that. So uh you look pretty sharp. Thank you. Check check off that bucket list. And um the Socco Main Street is so appreciative of the support that they've gotten, not only from their um contributors and sponsors, but also the people of SACO and the businesses on Main Street. And um you can see uh Angie Presby, the uh executive director uh give her thanks on Facebook, but um it can't be said too often. Thank you, Sacco. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay, moving on to item number six, that is public comment. And we do not have anyone signed up, so 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 council. Good evening, Mayor. Members of the council, setting administrator, Bob Hamblin, 347 Ferry Road. Uh decided about 30 minutes ago that I needed to come down. Uh, and a lot of it had to do with uh the council's action on the 2027 municipal budget. Amendment one. Uh Councilor Johnston moved and counselor Edwards seconded to a lot $300,000 from unassigned fund balance to an account for affordable housing. Three chairs. Amendment two, Johnston moved, Edward seconded to transfer 200,000 from the unassigned unassigned fund balance to the committed fund balance infrastructure to support future active transport transit human-powered projects. Three chairs. Congratulations. I I thank you sincerely uh for taking the action on both of those items. Uh SACO is a great town to live in, and it can be better. And with uh renewed attention on both of these issues, it will be better.
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