Saco council extends data center ban, approves cardiac monitor lease

[10:02] Mayor: good evening everyone and welcome to the saco city council meeting from monday september 28th 2026 at 6 30 pm would like to make recognition of all members present this evening and with us tonight we also have city administrator pelletier would you please join me for the pledge of allegiance thank you everyone moving on to item number three under general we do not have anything this evening item five committee correspondence to council are there any council members wishing to share councillor hewitt and councillor edwards i just want to [10:48] Councilor: thank the saco museum they're doing a an art exhibit by three local artists and i have to tell you it was a fabulous exhibit and some kind benefactor has offered to pay all admission fees so if you have time definitely go check it out thank you thank [11:06] Mayor: you councillor edwards thank [11:07] Councilor: you mayor some good news sacco main street their efforts to revitalize the riverfront sea walk or water walk i'm sorry riverfront park revitalization they won an award last friday and it was from the maine development foundation's post they have won for the maine downtown center 2026 Project of the Year Award. So I'd just like to thank publicly all the Saco Main Street, all the volunteers that help with that. It's really an amazing accomplishment. I wish I had been here long enough in Saco to be able to see the real difference, but I know many long timers, including our current executive director, Angie Presby, have know the difference, and it is a wonderful site. I actually seen personally people coming in from other places on recommendations from people who live here to walk that walk. So it's something that brings people to downtown Saco. In related news, the executive director, Angie, after four years, has decided to continue her journey, and so we will be looking for an executive director. If you are interested, please visit the Saco Main Street site and look at the job listing. It may be something for you. [12:50] Mayor: That's very exciting news. Actually, that is the second project in the last six years that the Main Street Organization has been awarded that project back in 2020 when the Saco Scoop was under the Saco Main Street, the main downtown foundation had awarded that to at the time Director Biggs. So congratulations to Saco Main Street. All right, moving on to item number six, that is public comment. 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 the council. Okay, not seeing anyone seeking recognition, moving on to item number 7, that is consent. We do have one item, and that is the easement to the central main power, CMP, for electrical installation for restructure at Foss Road. Is there a motion? So moved. Motion made by Councillor Johnston to approve. Is there a second? Second. Second. Second by Councillor Edwards. Parks. Second by Councillor Parks. Roll call vote. Councillor Edwards. Yes. Yes. Councillor Parks? Yes. Councillor Gay? Yes. Councillor Onan? Yes. Councillor Gail? Yes. Councillor Hewitt? Yes. Councillor Johnston? Yes. Motion passes 7-0. Okay, moving on to Item 8, that is Action Items. We do have three this evening. Item A is the first reading, the amendment to the Socko Code, Chapter 112, General Assistance Program Appendices, and that is Councillor Gail. Thank you, Mayor. [14:26] Councilor: Mayor, each year Maine Municipal Association presents municipalities with new appendices for their city ordinance, which will need to be reviewed and adopted. Be it ordered that the City Council hereby approves the first reading of amendments to the Socko Code, Chapter 112, General Assistance Program, Portland HMFA Appendix A1, and further moves to set the public hearing for October 19, 2026. [14:54] Mayor: Sixth, I move to approve the order. Thank you. Motion has been made by Councillor Gail. Is there a second by Councillor Hewitt? Any discussion or comments on the item? Okay, roll call vote. Councillor Edwards? Yes. Councillor Parks? Yes. Councillor Gay? Yes. Councillor Ahnen? Yes. Councillor Gail? Yes. Councillor Hewitt? Yes. Councillor Johnston? Yes. Motion passes 7-0. Moving on to Item B, that is one reading, the emergency ordinance to re-establish a temporary prohibition on the data centers, and that is Councillor On. In. Thank you, Mayor. The City Council [15:33] Councilor: is asked to reenact an emergency ordinance to a to continue a temporary prohibition on data centers throughout the city of Saco. Pose the purpose of this emergency ordinance is to provide time to update city code relative to data sensors. Be it found by the City Council that an emergency still exists, and therefore it be it ordered that the City of Saco adopt the emergency ordinance to reestablish a temporary prohibition on data senators. I move to approve the order. [16:01] Mayor: Motion has been made by Councillor Onan. Is there a second? Second. Second by Councillor Gale. Comments or discussion on this item? Not seeing any. Roll call vote. Councillor Edwards? Yes. Councillor Parks? Yes. Councillor Gay? Yes. Councillor Onan? Yes. Yes. Councillor Gale? Yes. Councillor Hewitt? Yes. Councillor Johnston? Yes. Motion passes 7-0. Moving on to item number C. That is one reading. And that is order to authorize the lease purchase of cardiac monitors in the aggregate principal amount of up to $284,000. And that is Councillor Parks. [16:40] Councilor: Thank you, Madam Mayor. The city's current cardiac monitors are aging. Previous generation devices approaching end of life. cardiac monitors are used at medical calls to evaluate patients in need of emergency services and are a critical tool for emergency response on the ambulances as part of a planned replacement the fire department solicited quotes and founders all to be the lowest competitive bidder for this critical equipment SoCo has been offered zero percent financing for a period of five years fire department recommends lease purchase of these units with ongoing lease payment to be made from the ambulance fund be ordered that the socco city council approve the order entitled order to authorize lease purchase of cardiac monitors and the aggregate principal amount of up to 284 000 and then a tested copy of this order be filed with the minutes of this [17:41] Mayor: meeting i move to approve the order thank you motion has been made by councillor parks is there a second by councillor edwards any discussion or comment on this item councilor hewitt [17:53] Councilor: I just want to make sure that this is what the fire department wants. I know it's our lowest bidder, but obviously the performances these devices would be critical. Are you happy with the [18:04] Mayor: performance of them? Okay, thank you. That was an approval by Chief Hamill. Yes. Anyone else? Roll call vote. Councillor Edwards? Yes. Councillor Parks? Yes. Councillor Gay? Yes. Councillor Onan? Yes. Councillor Gail? Yes. Councillor Hewitt? Yes. Councillor Johnston? Yes. Motion passes 7-0. Okay, that completes the action items for this evening. Moving on to item 9. That is administrative [18:31] City Administrator Pelletier: Administrative Update. City Administrator Pelletier. Thank you. I wasn't going to read all this, but I think I will. November election local candidates absentee ballot and in-person voting information. The upcoming elections local ballot will include the Mayor, City Councillor seats for Wards 2, 3, and 7, and School Board seats for Wards 2, 4, and 6. All ballots will also include questions for City Charter amendments, Maine's representatives to Congress, members of the Maine Legislature and Governor. The City is currently accepting absentee ballot applications for the November 3rd election. Absentee ballots will be available and provided to voters beginning in early October. Absentee voting will start on Monday, October 5th in the second floor auditorium here at City Hall during business hours and sample ballots will also be made available in October. October. Election day voting will be held at Thornton Academy's Lynell Gymnasium on Tuesday, November 3 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Final surface paving was scheduled to begin on Beach Street the week of September 21. School families and commuters should expect delays as our contractor makes the final push towards completion. While the schedule is subject to change, we expect the project to be complete the week of October 5 and will continue to work with the contractor to expedite the process whenever possible. The Arts Commission is seeking submissions for two new downtown art projects. Both are focused on Joe Riley Park. Each summer, piping plovers make their way to Saco to nest, and the installation will give the birds a year-round presence in our community, where thousands of people pass by each day. Works can be either a 2D or 3D, and materials must be able to be installed in a manner that is sturdy, safe, and practical. For the project budget, artist fees, and submission details, visit our website at sacomaine.org slash arts commission. Also in the park is the traffic signal cabinet wrap. Saco Arts Commission has worked with local artists to beautify utility boxes throughout Saco. Now we're looking for a design for the box in Joe Riley Park that will complement a piping plover sculpture and take this everyday functional object from bland to vibrant and appealing. Artists with questions should reach out to Victoria Gorman, Economic Development Specialist at vgorman at soccomain.org. Just a reminder that City Hall, the Transfer Station and other customer service offices will be closed from 11 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on October 1 to ensure that all employees have the opportunity to participate in our annual employee appreciation event. Thank you for your understanding while we celebrate our valued city employees. The Front Street boat launch has closed for the season as construction continues at Saco's wastewater treatment plant. Public access to the lower section of the Saco River remains open through the Camp Ellis boat launch until its seasonal closure in early November, or through the Marblehead boat launch in Biddeford. Wastewater treatment plant upgrades remain on schedule for completion early next year. Last week was IT Professionals Day, and we thank the SPRITE group for offering their skills and expertise to support the city's 15 other departments in making sure technology functions safely and reliable. The Saco IT team includes Director Ryan Pinero, Systems Engineer Henry Pelletier, Senior Network Engineer Joe Lambert, and Network and Security Administrator Jackie Banta. Last fiscal year, they responded to nearly 2,000 help desk support tickets and managed more than 750 devices and 74 applications. Thank you for all you do to keep Saco secure. Your 24-7 support of city operations is appreciated. Public Works will be paving Gooch Street the week of October 5th. During daytime paving, Gooch Street will have one lane of flagged alternating traffic. Travellers using the train or bus out of the Saco Transportation Centre should plan for potential travel delays to ensure they get to their bus or train on time. The Transportation Center will remain open and the train schedule will not be affected by the paving project. Public Works will be also working at the Spring Street and North Street intersection to relocate the crosswalks across North Street the week of September 28th. Lane shifts will be in place for this project on North Street to allow two-way traffic during construction. The project was approved by the Traffic Safety Committee to improve visibility and safety at this location. The City of Saco is continuing our investment in transportation infrastructure with another round of pavement data collection through CityLogix. Data collection is expected to begin the week of September 28th. This initiative also includes budget planning scenarios and a comprehensive pavement management plan to guide future infrastructure investments across the city. and lastly upcoming council meetings are October 5th October 19th and October 26 thank you thank [23:36] Mayor: You any questions or comments for the city administrator? Okay, moving on to item 10. That is council discussion and comment. Any councillors wishing to share? Thank you, mayor. First, I want to extend my. [23:52] Councilor: Appreciation of the city and Public Works for their continued support down in Camp Ellis always during these weather events. They are challenging times, and our city does a actually tremendous job of making sure that the community and the citizens in that area are safe and taken care of. I would also like to mention, I don't use this term flippantly, this is not a tourist location for those that may be listening to us over the broadcast. Anyone who is traveling along that seawall puts yourself at risk in these weather conditions, and I would strongly suggest that you do not go down just to visit. You've got folks that do live there and have to live with that on a daily basis. But for the sake of having a visit, it is the wrong time to do that. Councillor Edwards? »» Maybe I should have brought this up earlier, but I was wondering why we didn't see minutes in this particular agenda. »» Why we didn't? I'm sorry? »» See minutes? [24:52] Mayor: »» It's not listed on the — [24:54] City Administrator Pelletier: »» That is a great question. I'll have to get back to you on that. [24:59] Mayor: »» We will have the double minutes on the next one. Yes, it was not listed on the agenda this evening. Yep, anyone else? Okay, moving on to item 11, city administrator, do you want to take a recess while we wait for a city solicitor? I think we should [25:16] City Administrator Pelletier: just take a recess. I think we should take a recess and wait till she gets here. Okay, we do have an [25:21] Mayor: executive session this evening, and we are waiting for the city solicitor to arrive. She said she would be here by seven, so we will take roughly a five to ten minute recess, come back, and then vote to enter into executive session. Great, everyone, thank you, and welcome back from recess. All right, moving on to item 11. Is there a motion to enter executive session? Counselor Parks be [33:50] Councilor: ordered that the city council enter into executive session pursuant to MRSA title 1 chapter 13 sub chapter 1 subsection 4056 e consultation between the municipality and its attorney the Ecology School Lucia Kimball Health Trust matter and General Dynamics abatement thank [34:12] Mayor: You a motion has been made by Councillor Parks. Is there a second by Councillor Edwards? Roll call vote. Councillor Edwards? Yes. Councillor Parks? Yes. Councillor Gay? Yes. Councillor Ahnen? Yes. Councillor Gail? Yes. Councillor Hewitt? Yes. Councillor Johnston? Yes. Motion passes 7-0 to enter into executive session at 6:55, and we will be downstairs in the conference room. All right, good evening and thank you everyone. Welcome back. Is there a motion to exit executive session? So moved. Motion made by Councillor Gay. Is there a second by Councillor Edwards? We'll call vote. Councillor Edwards? Yes. Councillor Parks? Yes. Councillor Gay? Yes. Councillor Onan? Yes. Councillor Gale? Yes. Councillor Hewitt? Yes. Councillor Johnston? Yes. Motion passes 7-0 to exit executive session at 8:17. [1:57:13] Councilor: Is there a report? Councilor Parks? No report, Madam Mayor. [1:57:18] Mayor: Alrighty, moving on to item 13 is adjournment. Is there a motion to adjourn? So moved. So moved. Who was that? So moved. Councilor Edwards. Second? Second. Second by Councilor Gay. Roll call vote. Councilor Edwards? Yes. Yes. Councillor Parks? Yeah. Councillor Gay? Yes. Councillor Onan? Yes. Councillor Gale? Yes. Councillor Hewitt? Yes. Councillor Johnston? Yes. Motion passes 7-0 to adjourn at 8:18. Thank you everyone and have a great night.