Public Meetings - Saco, Maine

The Saco Planning Board convened on August 19, 2025, to review multiple applications including a new elementary and primary school on Beth Johnson Way, a conditional use for a vehicle inspection station, a substation expansion at 109 Main Street, a large residential subdivision, and several other items. The board approved several key proposals and continued others. Consent Calendar - The board reviewed and approved the prior meeting minutes. Digital copies were available online. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public comment period or during public hearings for items 6B, 6C, 6D, 6F, 6G, and 6H. The public hearing for item 6E was closed at the prior meeting. Item 6A: 12 and 14 Beth Johnson Way – New Elementary and Primary School (Saco School Department) - Project Description: Site plan review for a consolidated Pre-K through grade 5 school complex at Millbrook and Portland Roads, with off-site intersection improvements and sidewalk extensions. The project is largely state-funded (roughly 75%), with local funding approved by referendum. The site is 57 acres, includes two buildings (elementary: 106,000 sq ft, 1,100 students, 209 staff; primary: 60,000 sq ft, 382 students, 59 staff), 313 parking spaces, and bus queuing for 16 buses. Construction is expected to start in late fall 2025 with a September 2028 opening. - Application Completeness: City staff confirmed the application checklist was complete except for a building height waiver related to an enclosed stair in a mobile home park overlay district. The board determined this matter should be handled by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Board member Jim Moyer moved to find the application complete; seconded and passed 6-0. The public hearing was scheduled for September 16, 2025, in a separate 6-0 vote. - Board Discussion: Members praised the project for consolidating schools and improving educational opportunities. A wetland delineation issue was resolved through peer review. Item 6B: 1040 Portland Road – Conditional Use for State Authorized Inspection Station (Baruby Equipment Rental) - Background: The applicant seeks to add state vehicle inspection services to their existing equipment rental business. City staff clarified that the current uses (two-family dwelling, retail, and accessory repair) do not permit automotive repair services; hence a conditional use is needed. - Public Hearing: Opened and closed with no public comment. - Board Action: Board member Jeff Brucho proposed a condition limiting parking of DOT-placarded vehicles to 24 hours, with the site not being a safe haven. The applicant agreed. The board adopted findings of fact (5-0-1, Catherine Pellini abstained), eight conditions of approval as amended (5-0-1), and granted conditional use approval (5-0-1). Item 6C: 109 Main Street – CMP/Avangrid Substation Expansion - Project: Upgrade and expand the Factory Island substation. The board had previously requested a sidewalk easement or license agreement for the downtown gateway concept plan. - Updates: City staff met with CMP real estate team; a PUC process is required for a permanent easement. A license agreement or MOU is possible. Condition of approval 15 was revised to require coordination for a sidewalk agreement prior to project closeout, subject to PUC approval and MOU. - Public Hearing: Reopened and closed with no public comment. - Board Action: The board adopted findings of fact (5-0-1), conditions of approval as amended (5-0-1), and granted site plan approval (5-0-1). Pellini abstained. Item 6D: Waterfall Drive Residential Development (195 Units) – Preliminary Subdivision - Project: A phased residential development with 195 dwelling units, including a connection from Cascade Road to Route 1. The applicant (Park North Development/Sebago Technics) provided a status update on infrastructure and stormwater revisions. - Board Discussion: Member Jeff Brucho expressed concern over stormwater pond accessibility and maintenance. The applicant indicated the city may not take over the ponds initially, leaving them with the homeowners’ association; they expect to resolve comments by the next meeting. - Public Hearing: Continued to September 16, 2025, by a 6-0 vote. The board also continued the application review to that date. Item 6E: 138 Main Street – BSOOB Transit Electric Bus Chargers (Site Plan Amendment) - Project: Installation of two pantographic chargers for battery-electric buses on city-owned property (bus transit center). A decommissioning plan and draft lease amendment were submitted. - Board Discussion: Jeff Brucho voiced strong opposition, citing aesthetic impacts on the historic district, safety concerns with new technology, and load issues. Other members supported the project as a necessary step for cleaner transit, noting the three-year lease term and decommissioning plan reduce risk. The landscape buffer was discussed; the applicant agreed to follow the peer reviewer’s recommendations. - Public Hearing: Not reopened (closed at prior meeting). - Board Action: Findings of fact adopted (4-1-1: Brucho no, Pellini abstain). Conditions of approval amended to include a landscaping condition (23) requiring compliance with the peer reviewer (4-1-1). Site plan amendment granted (4-1-1). The board recommended the decommissioning plan be incorporated into the lease amendment. Item 6F: 74 Industrial Park Road – Cannabis Manufacturing Conditional Use Amendment (Cosmic Solutions LLC) - Project: Amend an existing conditional use to allow co-located adult-use cannabis manufacturing. The applicant reported sprinkler repairs underway and parking lot striping scheduled. - Public Hearing: Opened and closed with no public comment. - Board Action: Findings of fact and conditions of approval adopted each 5-0-1 (Pellini abstain). Amendment to previous conditional use approved 5-0-1. Item 6G: 61 Cascade Road – Three-Lot Subdivision - The board tabled this item to September 2, 2025, via a 6-0 vote. Item 6H: Technical Design and Construction Standards Manual (TDCSM) Update - Public Hearing: No public comment. The board recommended approval to City Council (6-0) with stipulation that staff address Jeff Brucho’s comments on secondary metering for street lights and inclusion of CMP’s service handbook and NFPA 70 references. Staff will follow up and incorporate changes. Key Outcomes - Approved: Application completeness for Beth Johnson Way school (6-0); scheduled public hearing for Sept 16. - Approved: Conditional use for 1040 Portland Road (5-0-1). - Approved: Site plan for 109 Main Street substation with conditions (5-0-1). - Continued: Waterfall Drive preliminary subdivision to Sept 16 (6-0). - Approved: Site plan amendment for 138 Main Street chargers (4-1-1). - Approved: Conditional use amendment for 74 Industrial Park Road (5-0-1). - Continued: 61 Cascade Road subdivision to Sept 2 (6-0). - Recommended: TDCSM update to City Council (6-0) with staff revisions. - Next Steps: Planning department will bring revised SOP for board adoption at the next meeting; Ecology School traffic monitoring reports continue quarterly.

The Saco Planning Board convened on August 12, 2025, at 9:56 PM (actual start time earlier) to consider a workshop on the Cascade Village mixed-use development, a technical standards manual update, and public hearings on several applications. The board approved affordable housing conversion at 439 Main Street and a Reiki home occupation at 5 Birch Street, continued hearings on a CMP substation upgrade and electric bus chargers, and tabled items on cannabis manufacturing and two large developments. Consent Calendar - July 15, 2025 Meeting Minutes: Approved by a vote of 5-0-1 (Catherine Pellini abstained). Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the designated public comment period or during any of the public hearings. Discussion Items - Workshop Item: 991 Portland Road (Cascade Village): Sketch plan review for a mixed-use commercial development with a European-style plaza, ice rink, and no internal vehicle traffic. Applicant Elliot Chamberlain and architect Matthew Cummings presented. Board members praised the concept and asked about parking, phasing, snow storage, signage, and accessibility. No formal action taken. - Technical Design and Construction Standards Manual: Staff presented updates to the manual. Board member Jeff Bruchot suggested revisions to sections on lighting, grinder pumps, and municipal street lighting. The manual will be brought to a public hearing on August 19, 2025. - 439 Main Street – Affordable Housing (Continued): Application to convert existing space to affordable rental units. Staff provided updated affordable housing agreement and conditions. Board voted to adopt findings of fact (5-0-1), conditions of approval (5-0-1), and grant site plan approval (5-0-1) with Catherine Pellini abstaining. - 5 Birch Street – Home Occupation Reiki Studio (Continued): Conditional use for a Reiki studio in a single-family home. Applicant clarified hours of operation: 6-9 PM weekdays, 10 AM-6 PM weekends. Board voted to adopt findings of fact (5-0-1), conditions of approval (5-0-1), and grant conditional use approval (5-0-1) with Pellini abstaining. - 109 Main Street – CMP Substation Upgrade (Continued): Discussion focused on a requested sidewalk easement and $150,000 in-lieu landscaping fee. Board decided to continue the public hearing to August 19, 2025 to allow CMP to explore an easement and for staff to clarify conditions. Vote to continue: 6-0. - 138 Main Street – Electric Bus Chargers (Continued): Proposal to install EV bus chargers at the Saco Transportation Center. Issues included landscaping setbacks, decommissioning plan, and lease implications. Board continued the public hearing to August 19, 2025 (6-0) to resolve these items. - 74 Industrial Park Road – Cannabis Manufacturing (Continued): Conditional use amendment for cannabis manufacturing. Board opened and closed public hearing, then continued the application to August 19, 2025 for updated site plan (6-0). - Waterfall Drive Residential Development (7F): Tabled to August 19, 2025 per applicant request (6-0). - Cascade Road Athletic Dome (7G): Tabled to September 2, 2025 per applicant request (5-0-1). Key Outcomes - Approved: 439 Main Street affordable housing (site plan approval) – 5-0-1. - Approved: 5 Birch Street Reiki home occupation – 5-0-1. - Continued to August 19, 2025: 109 Main Street CMP substation, 138 Main Street bus chargers, 74 Industrial Park Road cannabis, and Waterfall Drive residential development. - Tabled to September 2, 2025: Cascade Road athletic dome. - Meeting adjourned at 9:55 PM.

The Saco City Council met on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM at City Hall. All councilors were present except Councillor Edwards, who was excused. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by two special recognitions, public comments, approval of minutes, consent items, action items, new business, administrative updates, council discussion, and an executive session. Recognitions - Thornton Academy Lacrosse Team: The council recognized the boys' varsity lacrosse team for a successful season, including players Drew Mackey, Jack DeLeo, Carter Pennell, and others. Coaches were also recognized, notably Coach Ryan Hersey, named Coach of the Year, leading the team to Class A state titles in 2018, 2019, and 2025. - Citizen Heroism Award: Tyler Johnson was honored for rescuing two children, their grandfather, and a family dog from a burning home at 22 Cleveland Street on July 29, 2025. He made three trips into the smoke-filled home before it became engulfed in flames. The City of Saco and Saco Fire Department presented him with a plaque. Consent Calendar - Approved the council schedule for September, October, November, and December 2025, with item A (appointment of interim treasurer) removed to action items. Motion passed 6-0. Public Comments & Testimony - Roz Anton (6 Shannon Lane): A local realtor of 30 years, she commented on the grievance petition regarding planning board members. She argued that limiting real estate license holders from serving on the planning board is unnecessary, as conflicts of interest are narrow and real estate professionals bring valuable expertise. She urged the council to focus on existing ordinances rather than excluding a profession. - Angie Presby (10 Elijah James Drive): Speaking as a member of the Saco Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, she expressed strong support for forming the Pepperill Park Ad Hoc Committee. She described the park as a historic green space designed by the same landscape architect as Central Park, now a rare opportunity to restore it to a public park benefiting the downtown community. Discussion Items - Approval of Minutes: - July 14, 2025 Minutes: Initially tabled at a prior meeting, the council voted to untable (6-0) then approved the minutes as presented with changes requested by Councillor Hewitt (5-1, Councillor Johnston opposed). Councillor Hewitt had requested inclusion of her opposing comments on the grievance petition, which were added. - July 28, 2025 Minutes: Councillor Hatch moved to amend the motion to approve minutes as originally presented without singular councilor comments. The amendment failed (3-3 tie, Mayor voting no). The original motion to approve the minutes as presented then passed (4-2, Councillors Hatch and Johnston opposed). Debate centered on whether minutes should include verbatim comments of individual councilors or remain summary-based, with procedures for recording comments to be addressed in a future rules and order of business review. - Appointment of Interim Treasurer: Councillor Hatch moved to appoint Ryan Panero as interim treasurer effective immediately, citing the need for segregation of duties and on-site availability during the search for a new finance director. Ryan has been with the city since 2013 as IT director and is experienced with the Munis accounting system. Judy, a part-time interim, is not available full-time. Motion passed 6-0. - Pepperill Park Ad Hoc Redesign Committee: Councillor Hewitt introduced a motion to create a nine-member committee (Mayor, one councilor, one Parks and Recreation Advisory Board member, one Conservation Committee member, and five at-large members appointed by the Mayor) to develop a final park design and budget. The committee would dissolve after presenting its final design. Councilor Berman noted the council has not yet approved a plan, budget, or land dedication. Motion passed 6-0. - Ambulance Special Revenue Fund: Radio Communication System Upgrade: Councillor Hatch moved to appropriate $89,132.69 from the ambulance special revenue fund committed fund balance to upgrade the fire department's radio system from VHF to 800 MHz for interoperability with neighboring agencies. Motion passed 6-0. - Temporary Construction Easements for Saco School Project: Director Prescott presented a request to accept the format of temporary construction easements for the school project, to be signed by property owners. Property owners have been notified; questions remain but no outright refusals yet. The form will be brought back for a one-reading process on August 25. Councilor Johnston will serve as council resource. No vote taken; item is ongoing. - Budget Amendment for Beach Management Plan (Phase 1): Public Works Director Travis Moore requested a $46,000 budget amendment for phase one of a comprehensive beach management plan, which includes inventory analysis and initial public outreach. Subsequent phases (2 and 3) would be funded by a state Community Action Grant. Councilors expressed support for consolidating existing scattered policies. No vote taken; item is ongoing. Administrative Updates - City Administrator John Bohanko reported: - RFP for Ferry Road box culvert (8'x15'x50' pre-cast concrete clamshell) due August 20, 2025. - Tax commitment scheduled for the week of August 11; tax bills to be mailed in early September. Completed commercial/industrial revaluation for the first time in 20 years; residential measurement list (not a revaluation) ongoing, expected to affect 2026-27 billing. - First of new wayfinding signs to be installed this week. - Praise for Harbor Fest held on August 10. Key Outcomes - Vote on July 14 minutes: Approved 5-1 after untabling. - Vote on July 28 minutes: Approved 4-2 as presented. - Appointment of Ryan Panero as interim treasurer: Approved 6-0. - Creation of Pepperill Park Ad Hoc Redesign Committee: Approved 6-0. - Ambulance radio system upgrade appropriation: Approved 6-0. - Executive Session: Entered at 7:30 PM (motion 6-0) under MRSA Title 1, Chapter 13, Subchapter 1, Section 405(6)(A) for personnel matters. Exited at 7:57 PM. - Authorization of consulting contract: Council authorized the Mayor and incoming interim city administrator to enter into a consulting contract with outgoing City Administrator John Bohanko for September 2025. Approved 6-0. - Adjournment: Motion passed 6-0 at 7:58 PM.