Saco City Council Meeting – July 6, 2026: Recognition, Rent Stabilization, and Approvals
Saco City Council Meeting – July 6, 2026
The Saco City Council met on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 6:30 PM. All councilors were present except Councilor Doyle (excused) and City Administrator Pelleteer (excused). Deputy Administrator Prescott attended. The meeting included a proclamation, committee reports, public comments, several action items, and a first reading of a proposed rent stabilization ordinance.
Proclamation & Recognition
- The Council honored Peter Scontras and the historic Wayway Store for their contributions to preserving Saco's heritage. Peter Scontras accepted the recognition and shared remarks about the store's revival and community impact.
Committee Correspondence
- Councilor Redwoods reported that Age Friendly SACO hosted its first tax workshop on June 24, 2026, returning $20,076 to local residents, with an additional potential $17,000 in Medicare savings (pending approval), for a total of $37,076. The workshop was assisted by city staff. Residents can contact Age Friendly SACO for help.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Lisa DeRosher (18 Pine Haven Street) spoke on behalf of the Blue Haven community, urging the council to adopt a rent stabilization ordinance to prevent corporations from raising lot rents, which have doubled in recent years.
- Sarah Belanger (5 Sparrow Drive) raised concerns about address changes causing package delivery issues and expressed support for a rent stabilization ordinance. She also shared a story of a neighbor facing potential displacement after her fiancé’s death.
- Ted Sorori (38 Summer Street, American Legion Post 26) requested an ordinance prohibiting political signs in city parks, especially memorial parks, citing the need to preserve their sanctity and respect for veterans. He noted that Biddeford has such an ordinance.
- Kathy Dobbins (28 Meserve Circle, Saco Grange) highlighted the Grange’s community services, including a backpack drive, Thanksgiving baskets, a community closet, and adopt-a-senior program. She encouraged volunteers and donations.
Action Items
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes from June 8 and June 15, 2026, were approved 6-0.
- Special Entertainment Permit & Liquor License Extension (Funtown Splashtown USA / Sodexo Live): A public hearing was held; no public opposition. The council approved 6-0 the renewal of a special entertainment permit and temporary liquor license extension for after-hours events on July 11, August 1, and August 22, 2026.
- Emergency Operations Plan Update (First Reading): The Fire Chief presented an updated draft plan standardizing emergency response procedures. Councilor Johnston raised concerns about the plan removing the mayor’s authority as defined in the city code. Deputy Administrator Prescott noted that the code section would be updated separately. The council voted 6-0 to approve the first reading and move toward a final version, with further review from York County EMA.
- Ambulance Service Ordinance Amendment (First Reading): The council approved 6-0 the first reading of an amendment to Chapter 60, creating an annual educational funding allocation of $43,500 and an equipment reserve fund, both from the ambulance fund. The public hearing was scheduled for July 20, 2026.
New Business
- Mobile Home Park Lot Rent Stabilization Ordinance (Proposed Chapter 145): Deputy Administrator Prescott presented a draft ordinance based on research and initial legal review. Discussion included:
- Concerns over the term “reasonable rate of return” (Councilor Gale suggested removal to avoid ambiguity).
- The proposed cap of CPI + 1% or 5% of base rent, whichever is lower. Councilor Gale argued CPI + 1% may be unaffordable over time.
- Board composition: Councilor Edwards and Councilor Onan leaned toward the council serving as the stabilization board rather than a separate appointed board to avoid politicization and difficulty filling seats. Councilor Hewitt suggested including public members. The item was taken by Councilor Hewitt for further refinement.
Administrative Updates
- AARP Grant: $5,000 quick action grant awarded to the fire department for a residential loaner Knox Box program.
- Nomination Papers: Available July 20, 2026, for mayor, city council (Wards 2 & 7), and school board (Wards 2, 4, 6). Signature requirements: 200 (mayor) and 35 (ward seats). Deadline: August 28, 2026, at noon.
- RFPs: Coastal resiliency study (due August 18) and lease purchase financing for vehicles (due July 14).
- Jetty Spur Project: Construction began on a 750-foot spur jetty to reduce coastal erosion; access limited for safety.
- Main Street Pedestrian Safety: Demonstration improvements (crosswalks, ADA upgrades) installed; removal scheduled for November 2026 with a post-survey.
- Emergency Notification Test: July 16, 2026, at 11 AM via Code Red.
- Household Hazardous Waste Collection: July 11, 2026, 8 AM–noon at Saco Public Works.
- Yard Waste Reminder: Not allowed in trash bins; free disposal at Transfer Station.
- Congratulations: Jason Lavoise completed the Local Road Scholar program.
- Upcoming Council Meetings: July 20, August 3, and August 17, 2026.
Council Discussion & Comment
- Councilor Johnston praised the Main Street demonstration project for improving pedestrian safety and noted that the city is working on an ordinance to address political signs in parks, following Ted Sorori’s comments.
Key Outcomes
- Votes: All action items passed 6-0: minutes approval, Funtown permit, emergency operations plan (first reading), ambulance ordinance (first reading).
- Referrals: The rent stabilization ordinance draft will be revised based on council feedback, including board composition and cap language, and brought back for further discussion.
- Next Steps: Final versions of the emergency operations plan and ambulance ordinance will be presented after public hearings (July 20 for ambulance). The rent stabilization ordinance will be refined.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Sacco City Council meeting for Monday, July sixth, 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, and City Administrator Pelleteer, who also has been excused. And with us tonight, we do have Deputy Administrator Prescott. Would you please join me for the Pledge of Allegiance? The City of Socco proudly recognizes Peter Scontris and the historic Wayway Store for their extraordinary contributions in preserving the spirit, history, and sense of community that make Socco so special. The Wayway Store was originally opened nearly 100 years ago as a service station for gas and food, and owned and operated for generations by the Cousins family until 2003. In 2011, the store was revived by Peter and Bridget Scontras. The Wayway store became a living piece of main history where visitors of all ages could enjoy an ice cream, exchange stories, and buy penny candy. Often their children using the same wooden step stool used by generations before them. Through his love for history and education and his many stories of Sacco's past, Peter created a store where many families shared fond memories and created new ones. The Wayway store is now closed. But as a teacher, historian, author, and steward of the Wayway Store, Peter has made a lasting impact on Socco by preserving its heritage for generations. With gratitude, we honor Peter Scontras and the Wayway Store for their contributions to the Soccer community and its history. Thank you, Peter. And I would like to add, though, although it is closed, it also lives on at the Socco Scoop. Peter generously donated many of the artifacts, all of some of the initial candy, and Melissa and her family have it proudly on display, keeping all of the memories so that we can make continued new ones for the next generations. And Peter, if you'd like to step forward, I do have a couple of gifts. And counselors, if you'd like to come as well, we'll get a quick photo. It is now recognized for the order of the region. Thank you, Mayor McPhil, and Council Johnson and all the counselors for doing this for us. Nikki said, if you speak, don't speak long. You know, the the Wayway store was basically extinct. And in the beginning it was very difficult financially to keep it going, but we thought that we we wanted to do that because of the response of the community, um, the officials and the public and a lot of tourists. And it exploded and grew and became what it was the last several years. And it just shows our philosophy that people shouldn't always be thinking of what's in it for me. You know, if you think of the greater good of SOCO, and you do things that aren't flashy, they just grind it out, the council does that, the boards do that, the administration does that, and the people do that when they come to the meetings. That's how a community works, and it was an honor for Bridget and me to uh have the opportunity to open the store, keep it going, and I'm just blown away by this recognition. Thank you very much from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you. If the council and the public will excuse me, my priorities tonight are the USA Belgium soccer game. I don't I don't want to miss a second, so I'm sorry, I'm not turning my back on you, but God bless you and thank you. All right, thank you, Peter. All righty, moving on to item number five, that is committee correspondence to council. Are there any committee members wishing to share? Councillor Redwoods. Thank you, Mayor. Wanted to uh provide some good news uh that was provided to me from Age Friendly SACO. Um Age Friendly SACO hosted their first ever tax workshop Wednesday, the 24th of June at Council Chambers here. They returned 20,076 back to local residents with the potential of an additional 17,000 dollars in Medicare savings for a total of $37,076. The Medicare savings need to be approved. And I don't know if they've been approved yet. I've not gotten any notification. Hopefully they will let they will once they see me say this. The other savings came from 300 the $300 affordability checks, the property tax fairness credit slash sales tax credit and SOCOS match. They also created a buzz because people now have heard about those results from their neighbors and are now still calling the H-Friendly SACO to see if they can help them as well. It was very successful, and Afriendly SACO says it was not possible without some help from the staff of the city. So thank you for that. Thank you. Um just to follow up. If residents do have questions, are they able to contact H-Friendly?
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