City Council Meeting Summary: August 18, 2020

The Sanford City Council met via Zoom on Tuesday, August 18. The following items were among those presented or discussed:

• City Manager Steven Buck reported that progress is being made on acquiring title to the Stenton Trust building so that it can be transferred to the pending developer. There are some minor environmental concerns with the property. The developer has shown an interest in handling these issues, rather than waiting years for EPA resolution.
• A marijuana grower license application was granted to CannaOne LLC. The operation will be located on Hancock Lane in South Sanford, at the site of the former Hancock Lumber company.
• Ian Houseal, Sanford’s Director of Community Development, gave an update on the grants from the Keep Maine Healthy initiative. While Sanford didn’t receive the full amount applied for in Round 2, the city was awarded more than any other community in Maine. When added together with the grant money from Round 1, Sanford was second only to Portland in total funds awarded by the state to support local health and prevention efforts during the pandemic.
• Candidates Night will be held early this year, as the city is encouraging people to vote as early as possible by absentee ballot. Councilor Ayn Hanselmann is coordinating the event, which may be held at the Performing Arts Center to allow for sufficient physical distancing.
• The City Council voted unanimously to create and appoint a new seven-member Recreation Advisory Board. The Board will aid and advise the Parks and Recreation Director on programming, financing and implementation of new projects. The Board will meet monthly.

The full meeting video can be viewed here.