News Notes – March 22, 2025

Chief Eric Small of the Sanford Police Department welcomes Officer Sean Remick to the team.

Photo: Sanford Police Department

Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan

New officer joins SPD: Sanford Police Department recently welcomed its newest officer, Sean Remick, who came from the Wells Police Department with over six years of law enforcement experience. Officer Remick brings a wealth of knowledge and training to the department as he holds certifications as a field training officer, Maine Criminal Justice Academy instructor, forensic phlebotomist (for Operating Under the Influence cases), and PepperBall instructor. The department called out his dedication to training and professional development.

Shipyard now allowed to hire new staff: Days after six civilian workers at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) were laid off as part of broad federal spending cuts, the Department of Defense announced that the workforce at the shipyard, and at other shipyards across the country, would be exempt from the civilian hiring freeze. Last month, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) sent a bipartisan letter to the Department of the Navy advocating for an exemption for PNSY employees from federal workforce reduction efforts. The letter stated that any reduction in the PNSY workforce would jeopardize national security by increasing submarine maintenance timelines.

Following the granting of the exemption, Collins and Shaheen issued separate statements on March 18 with Collins stating that she is thankful the Department of Defense elected to exempt the shipyards from the hiring freeze. Shaheen noted that she is glad it is now understood that the shipyard workforce is an essential component of the national defense and preparedness, but “it should have never come to this in the first place — and the uncertainty that has swept through shipyards in the last two months has done real damage.”

Alana Schaeffer, president of the Metal Trades Council, the shipyard’s largest union, is still concerned despite the exemption granted to PNSY. Schaeffer fears the Department of Defense decision allows for very minor exemptions, which she said in a statement are “targeted towards a handful of positions the Department of Defense has deemed ‘mission critical.’” Shaheen stated she looks forward to holding the Trump administration accountable, and noted, “…we now must ensure that [this exemption] is implemented properly and that the Administration reinstates the probationary employees that were wrongly laid off due to the lack of clarity from their directive.”

Nasson patients, your feedback is requested: Nasson Health Care is inviting its patients to join a small focus group to help the organization understand the patient experience. Nasson aims to use the feedback to better serve its patients. The focus group sessions will be conducted at Springvale Library on April 28 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, April 29 from 2 pm to 3 pm, and May 1 from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm. To participate in one of the focus group sessions, complete the registration form here.

Ready to bring some color back to the garden? The Sanford Beautification Committee is hosting the Sanford Garden Fair on March 29, from 10 am to 6 pm, at Memorial Gym. The event offers workshops, garden products, plants and vendor items to help attendees turn the page on winter. Admission is $5 per person. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

New online resource for job seekers and employers: The Work Source Maine Virtual CareerCenter is a new online platform that connects both job seekers and employers with essential workforce resources. The platform, launched by the Maine Department of Labor and local workforce boards, provides easy access to career services, hiring support, and training programs to benefit individuals and businesses across the state. In addition to providing guidance on a variety of topics, including unemployment benefits, disability services, and the job-hunting process, the site is a resource for job listings, training opportunities, workshops, hiring events and more. Access the Virtual CareerCenter here.

Cornhole fundraiser aims to support the local community: The Kiwanis Club of Sanford is inviting teams to sign up for its 4th Annual Toss for a Cause Cornhole Tournament, to be held April 12, from 6-10 pm, at Nasson Community Center. Proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the local community by helping the organization provide food and clothing for underprivileged children, fund student scholarships, support nonprofit sports organizations and athletes, and more. Cash prizes will be awarded to top finishers. Registration costs $55 for a team of two people. FMI and to sign up, go here.

A meal that’s im-pasta-ble to pass up: Waypoint’s Lifeworks program is hosting a spaghetti dinner on March 28, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, at the dining hall on the York County Shelter Programs (YCSP) campus in Alfred. Proceeds from the dinner will go to YCSP. The menu includes spaghetti with meat or meatless sauce, salad, garlic bread and brownies. The cost is $15, cash only. To reserve a spot, call 207-324-8736 between 8 am and 3 pm. Waypoint, located in Sanford, assists people living with disabilities.

Reminder to employers regarding PFML requirements: Any employer with at least one Maine-based employee should have begun payroll withholdings for their employees as of Jan. 1 under the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) act. The York County Career Center is reminding employers who haven’t already registered to do so on the PFML Portal, the online system for employers to file quarterly wage reports and remit quarterly premium contributions. Employers will begin their first quarterly wage reporting and premium payments (for the January to March 2025 quarter) after the end of the quarter and no later than April 30. FMI, call the PFML call center at 207-621-5024 Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm.