Saco City Council Meeting Summary - June 15, 2026
Saco City Council Meeting Summary - June 15, 2026
The Saco City Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 6:30 PM. All councilors were present except Councillor Doyle (excused). The meeting covered consent items, action items, new business including short-term rental ordinance updates, emergency preparedness policy updates, and an ambulance service fund amendment, as well as administrative updates and council comments. Key outcomes included the confirmation of Sean McCarthy as city assessor, approval of a utility easement, and updates on the Thornton Academy contract negotiations.
Consent Calendar
- Reappointment to Legislative Policy Committee: The council confirmed Mayor McPhail's reappointment of Trisha Hewitt to the Legislative Policy Committee. Councillor Hewitt recused herself. The motion passed 5-0 with one abstention.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public came forward to speak during public comment.
Discussion Items
- Confirmation of City Assessor (Item 8A): Councillor Parks moved to confirm the appointment of Sean McCarthy as city assessor. McCarthy served as deputy assessor for four years and holds a Certified Maine Assessor certification. The motion passed 6-0.
- Utility Easement Request (Item 8B): Councillor Edwards presented a request from Ben Graffius for a utility easement over city-owned land (Map 97, Lot 2-1) off Buxton Road. The easement is for residential home construction and requires a public water connection. Councillor Hewitt asked about protections for future city use; the city administrator clarified that the attorney would draft language to protect city rights. The city will pay attorney fees. The motion passed 6-0.
- Short-Term Rental Ordinance Update (Item 9A): Deputy Administrator Prescott presented an update on expanding and updating Chapter 173 (Seasonal Property Rental Ordinance) to include short-term rentals. The goal is to establish a registration process, inspection requirements (every two years), and an online tracking system. The draft ordinance is expected in about four weeks. Councilors discussed definitions, geographic scope, enforcement, and the need to balance permitting with workforce housing and student rentals. Councillor Hewitt suggested allowing HOAs to decide on short-term rentals in their neighborhoods. The item will return for formal readings.
- Emergency Preparedness Policy Updates (Item 9B): Fire Chief Hamill reported on updates to the city's Emergency Operational Plan, working with York County and Maine Emergency Management. A draft will be ready in two to three weeks for council approval. Councillor Gale asked about FEMA guidance changes; Chief Hamill noted no issues with preparedness or response, only potential delays in recovery.
- Ambulance Service Fund Amendment (Item 9C): Fire Chief Hamill proposed an ordinance amendment to allow annual funding for paramedic and advanced EMT training (estimated $41,000 annually) and an equipment reserve fund for unplanned repairs. The training would require a four-to-five-year service commitment from recipients. The amendment will come back for a final council vote.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on Item 7B (Consent): Reappointment of Trisha Hewitt to LPC passed 5-0-1.
- Vote on Item 8A: Confirmation of Sean McCarthy as city assessor passed 6-0.
- Vote on Item 8B: Utility easement for Ben Graffius passed 6-0.
- Next Steps for Short-Term Rental Ordinance: Draft ordinance to be emailed to council in about four weeks, followed by first reading, public hearing, and second reading.
- Next Steps for Emergency Preparedness Plan: Draft to be completed in two to three weeks, then sent to York County EMA for approval.
- Next Steps for Ambulance Fund Amendment: Final ordinance amendment to be presented for council vote at a future meeting.
- Administrative Updates: The city's assessing department will send property value adjustment letters starting June 18. BSoup Transit has begun construction on overhead bus charging infrastructure at the Saco Transportation Center. City Hall will be closed July 19 for Juneteenth.
- Council Comments: Councillor Johnston provided an update on Thornton Academy contract negotiations, stating that the trustees and school department negotiation team have agreed on final language, pending school board approval. He defended Superintendent Jeremy Ray against personal attacks. Councillor Hewitt thanked the school board, mayor, and students for their engagement during the contentious meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening everyone and welcome to the Sarko City Council meeting from Monday, June fifteenth, twenty twenty six at six thirty PM. Would like to make note of all counselors present this evening with the exception of Councillor Doyle, who has been excused. And with us tonight, we do have City Administrator Pellet here. Would you please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance? Moving on to item number four this evening under General. Under general, we do not have anything. Item number five is committee correspondence to council. Do we have any uh council members wishing to share? Councillor Edwards. Thank you, Mayor. Um, it was brought to my attention that our uh one of the groups on my liaison for uh age-friendly SACO is preparing um a project that will essentially happen in November, but I wanted to let the public know about it because there'll be a point where they need to reach out to people to see if they need this. It's uh windowed um window dresser.org. They build, they make these builds, and they there's something that you can put in your window that cuts off the draft and can save up to eight and a half gallons of oil, heating oil a year. You'll probably hear more about it in the future. I'll probably say something up here again, but I just want to let you know if you you'll probably be asked to measure your windows, or there'll be someone that comes into your place to measure your windows if you could use something like this. So thank you. Great, thank you. Um, and actually, yes, those window dressers just recently did the Dyer Library, um, two years ago. Yep. So if you want to get an idea, it's the inserts, and uh, it is a wonderful program and it does save quite a bit of money. I did have one more thing. I just remembered I should have uh led with this uh this Saturday, starting at nine o'clock is the uh art festival here on Main Street. It'll be back on Main Street. Um I think it goes until three. Come and bring your family, bring some money so you can buy some artwork and find food from the vendors and the businesses are open on Saturday. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to share? Counselor Hewitt. Um, this Saturday as well is the kickoff for summer reading at the Dyer Library, and it is open to all ages, even adults. So it's a great program. Definitely come check it out. Thank you. Anyone else wishing to share? Counselor Johnston. Thank you. Um wasn't sure if I was gonna put this here at council comment, but I think it's probably best to get it out of the way. Uh, just an update for council and the public as far as TA contract negotiations, um, followed by a brief statement. Um the trustees of TA have approved the final language. The SOCL School Department negotiation team met this afternoon, and we also went over the final contract language and collectively have come to terms with the contract. We'll move forward to the school board tomorrow evening for uh an acceptance vote. Um just statement wise. Um, I mean for those that don't know, for the better part of three years I've I've been on this negotiation team and uh through that process. I found it difficult to remain silent, but that was what we agreed upon. Um, but I I do think it's important I say a couple things, uh, and I would appreciate if my comments are for the record. The team, the negotiation team was tasked with negotiating contract that was in the best interest of all of our ninth through twelfth graders, while also being cognizant of the increasing demands of the taxpayers of SACO. I want to express that TA is our high school. I am class of 2002 alum myself, and at no time did I ever believe that the intent of either party was for the long-standing relationship to end. Much like in our own lives, sometimes family members have disagreements or different goals. It doesn't mean we don't still care about one another. This contract, in my opinion, while not achieving all that the team had sought, should, if applied, how I envision, strengthen the relationship between SACO and TA.
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