City Council August 20 Meeting Summary

Councilor Pete Tranchemontagne explains how to access information about the proposed new fire stations.

Photo: City of Sanford

By Renée Morin and Zendelle Bouchard

The Sanford City Council discussed the Nov. 5 fire station referendum, approved a public safety policy and heard updates on homeless encampments, public works projects and other city business at its Aug. 20 meeting. All councilors were present.

Fire Station Proposal

The council formally approved the referendum question seeking approval of a $42.5 million bond package for construction of two new fire stations. Mayor Becky Brink went over the costs of the proposal. According to Brink, owners of a home valued at $300,000 would see an average impact of $238.42 per year ($4.50 per week) in property taxes. If the construction were to be put off for five more years, the impact would increase to $276.95 per year ($5.32 per week). The bump in property taxes will last five years, from 2026-2031. The council is exploring ways to mitigate this.

Councilor Pete Tranchemontagne, reporting for the Fire Station Feasibility Group, noted that members of the public can access information about the stations on the city’s Facebook pages, or YouTube channel: . Channel 26 of the public stations also has information on the topic. The group is looking into hosting fire station tours. More information is also available at www.sanfordmeconnects.com/new-fire-stations.

Also, City Manager Steve Buck noted that a fire station referendum question and answer forum is scheduled for Oct. 2 at the Sanford Performing Arts Center. A presentation will precede a live Q&A session.

Homelessness Update

The Homelessness Task Force reported on several developments in the city’s effort to work with other agencies to address unhoused people in the city.

The York County Shelter Program has been invited to apply for a $50,000 grant from the Cohen Foundation. The money would go toward vehicles and equipment for outreach workers. The shelter is expected to receive assistance from the US Interagency Council on Homelessness to close funding gaps for the shelter, federal funds for outreach workers, and further guidance from the USICH.

Buck said land purchases for a Housing First project should be completed by early September. A land swap is also planned to gain a more favorable location for the project building and infrastructure. Housing First is a program that places homeless people in housing quickly, without preconditions, and provides 24/7 services.

The city is continuing to monitor the Maine State Housing Authority’s (MSHA) $18 million Pilot Rent Relief Program, which will provide rental assistance of up to $800 a month. Information on who will be eligible and how to apply for assistance is expected to be released soon.

The city’s Annual Housing Forum is scheduled for Sept. 24 at 6 pm. The public forum will be a hybrid in-person/online event in the City Council Chambers. The plan is to both educate the public and receive feedback on the ongoing efforts to address homelessness in the community. The input will also be used to inform about the continued development of the city’s updated comprehensive plan.

Also, the Sanford Performing Arts Center will host the second annual Homeless Forum for state and local elected officials on Nov. 13. This forum will focus on the resource needs both locally and from the state to assist the current unhoused population and prevent homelessness in the future. The forum also seeks to increase cooperation and coordination both with the state and the surrounding towns. Organizers hope that information gathered in the forum can help legislators draft and propose legislation before the next legislative deadline.

Public Works

Consulting Contract: The council voted unanimously to award a consulting contract to the James W. Sewall Company of Portland to study pedestrian and multi-modal connectivity near the South Sanford roundabout, including future trail connectivity. Public Works Director Matt Hill said traffic movement on Patriot’s Lane may be studied as well. The consultant will work with MaineDOT on a plan to guide future development and investment in the area.

Prequalification Process: The Council voted unanimously to approve a proposal by Public Works Director Hill to implement a prequalification process for contractors who seek to do work for the city, in accordance with MaineDOT guidelines. The prequalification process will be added as an amendment to the city’s purchasing policy. Hill said contractors who apply will be vetted by his department, approved by the council and must be recertified annually. The process will allow contractors to be selected by quality of work, schedule and availability in addition to pricing, which he said will foster a more equal environment and allow smaller contractors to better compete for projects. “By having this process, we can capture more local dollars for our local companies,” he said.

Safety Policy: The council voted unanimously to adopt a public safety policy as follows: “The City of Sanford recognizes that even one traffic-related serious injury or fatality is too many. Therefore, given the resources available, the Sanford City Council commits to a goal of reducing or eliminating said accidents for all road users (including people walking, biking, using transit, and driving) by January 1, 2028, in accordance with the Sanford Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan. Reduction or elimination of serious injuries and fatalities shall be guided through the Sanford SS4A Safety Action Plan as discussed and overseen on a monthly basis by the Public Safety Subcommittee of the Sanford City Council. The meetings are open to the public for equitable engagement and shall aim for routine participation from all stakeholders.”

Having a policy in place allows the city to compete for Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grants from the Federal Highway Administration. Hill said one possible grant the city could apply for would pay to install midblock sensors along Main Street between Lebanon Street and the roundabout, with adaptive technology to better control the flow of traffic. (The new traffic signals being installed now have advanced traffic control, but not adaptive control, which requires the midblock sensors). Hill explained that adaptive control means drivers who go at or below the speed limit will encounter fewer red lights, keeping traffic flowing more smoothly. Adoption of the public safety policy does not commit the city to apply for or accept any grant money.

Other Public Works Updates

Buck reported that work continues on the Route 202/Lebanon Street culvert. The additional message boards and signs that have been erected in the area have improved the efficiency of the traffic flow. MaineDOT expressed its thanks to the city for this.

New curbing and poles will be installed at the intersection between Route 4, School Street, and Gavel Road. Paving at the intersection scheduled for after Labor Day is anticipated to cause significant delays to traffic. The plan is to begin work after school begins for the day and to pause work to allow for students to be picked up from school.

Replacement of the city’s traffic lights, courtesy of the Build Grant Award, continues. Work on the overhead lights is nearly complete, with the next step being to add raised bump indicators at crossings for blind residents. More improvements to pedestrian crossings are coming later this year, utilizing the Heads-Up Safety Grant.

Other Business

Asst. City Manager: Buck announced that Michelle LaBree has been chosen as the new assistant city manager. She currently serves as deputy county administrator for Penobscot County and has over 22 years of experience in local government. LaBree is scheduled to start Sept. 9 and will be formally introduced at the Sept.17 City Council meeting.

Boiler House Bond: Buck mentioned that a $1 million bond that was authorized to address issues with the boiler house at the International Woolen Mill building is still on the books a few years after it was authorized. The bonds haven’t been distributed, and since the city received a $5 million grant to address the boiler house issues its issuance won’t be necessary. Buck is looking for a way to remove it from the city’s books.

Resignations: The city accepted the resignation of Jacob Crosby of the Board of Appeals and Mark Patterson of the Board of Appeals and Fire Station Working Group. Both resignations are a result of the individuals moving.

Randall’s Run: The council approved pedestrian usage of the sidewalks and road shoulders along Main Street and Heidi Street for Randall’s Run/Walk for the Gym 5K race participants. The usage will last from 8:15 am – 9:30 am on Aug. 31. Law enforcement will be present to control traffic.

Road Closure: The portion of Shaw Road from Spur Road to Shaw’s Ridge Road will be closed from 7 am – 6 pm every day from Oct. 12 – 14 for Sanford Soccer’s regional tournament.

Ordinance Approved: The council approved proposed additions to city ordinance Chapter 107, Article I, Use of City Property, intended to address camping, litter and other problems. See our previous story:

Solid Waste Subcommittee: Councilor Robert Stackpole updated the council on the Solid Waste Subcommittee. Stackpole discussed the subcommittee’s efforts in identifying and securing a favorable contract for the city. He also discussed the success of the Hazardous Waste Day. Stackpole said the city is looking to run the event again, this time on a Saturday. He added that the event had originally been organized to help dispose of vape and marijuana devices. None were brought in, though, so another solution will have to be found for that issue.

Committee Openings: Brink said that any resident who is interested in joining a committee can check the city website for details at https://www.sanfordmaine.org/government/boards___committees/index.php. Appointments are typically made in January but if there are openings, residents can apply now.

MOS: Mayor Brink opened the meeting with a moment of silence for the former Airport Maintenance Supervisor Maurice “Moe” Payeur.

Fundraiser: Councilor Hanselmann promoted the upcoming lip-synch contest fundraiser for the Sanford Backpack Program on October 19 at SPAC.

Correspondence: Stackpole asked the council to set a deadline for accepting correspondence from the public to be addressed during the meeting. Stackpole wants to allow all relevant materials to be included in the packet along with the agenda, so that all the councilors can access it.