News Notes: October 29, 2023

Sanford has been awarded a Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning Grant from the US Department of Transportation, funding the development of a plan to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries.

Photo Credit: The City of Sanford

By Carolyn Cadigan

Have a say in safer streets: The City of Sanford recently announced that it’s secured a $200,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning Grant from the US Department of Transportation. The grant will be used to develop a comprehensive Safety Action Plan to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries in our community. However, the city needs input on your safety concerns for drivers, bikers or pedestrians and when these safety issues are most pronounced throughout the year. An in-depth survey will be available in the coming weeks. In the meantime, go to Sanford Connects, the city’s new online engagement hub, to share your thoughts on the roads you find least safe. FMI and to share your input, go here.

Generous donation supports those who are grieving: The Center for Grieving Children recently received an $11,685 donation, raised by Richard Brothers Financial Advisors’ eighth annual charity golf tournament held last month. Founded in 1987, The Center for Grieving Children, with locations in Portland and Sanford, provides a safe space, loving peer support, outreach and education to grieving children, teens, young adults, families and the community through a no-cost peer support family model. FMI on The Center, go here.

Connect with your local government: Your community and government can make more informed decisions when you actively participate in the process. Sanford Connects, the city’s online engagement platform, is an integral part of a broader city initiative aimed at facilitating public engagement with local government. This online platform provides a range of interactive tools, including discussion forums, polls, surveys and crowd-sourced mapping. You can utilize Sanford Connects to share your ideas and pose questions regarding featured projects at times that are convenient for you. The City of Sanford frequently combines online feedback with in-person activities such as meetings, hearings, and surveys to ensure a more inclusive representation of our community. FMI, go here.

A tree’s loss could be your gain: The Sanford-Springvale YMCA has brought back its popular Storybook Trail this fall. Take a walk on the paved Mousam Way trail in front of the YMCA and enjoy “We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt,” a read-aloud story in which three friends have a big adventure collecting leaves of all kinds and colors. Walk the trail with your little ones, collect six colorful fall leaves and bring them to the Welcome Center Desk now through Nov. 6. You’ll have a chance to win a one-month family membership to the YMCA. FMI, go here.

Proposed voting consolidation: The City Council will hold a public hearing on Nov. 8 to discuss a proposal to consolidate and reduce the number of City Wards in Sanford from three to one. The proposal will also consolidate the three polling places currently used to one, which will be the Veteran’s Memorial Gym. These changes would take effect beginning in 2024. The public is encouraged to attend the meeting either in person or by Zoom to have their questions answered or to make comments either for or against the proposal.

Fire hydrants vandalized: Last week, the Sanford Water District (SWD) found that vandals had opened four fire hydrants in the city, losing a collective rate of 5,000 to 6,000 gallons of water per minute. The SWD monitoring system had detected the sudden pressure drops and enabled personnel to respond promptly. Along with the Sanford Police Department (SPD), they quickly pinpointed the locations of the affected hydrants and shut them down. In addition, one of their employees confronted the vandals just as they were attempting to tamper with another hydrant, thwarting further incidents. The vandals managed to evade capture by the police. If anyone has information related to this incident, please contact the SPD. FMI on the vandalism and its potential impact on infrastructure, go here.

Feeding our neighbors: Since mid-August, the Sanford Food Pantry has seen a 60 percent increase in our neighbors’ need for food. If you are able to help, the items most needed are: spaghetti, peanut butter, tuna, canned chicken, soups, Chef Boyardee, oatmeal, boxed stuffing and boxed potatoes. Any donations may be dropped in the large orange box outside the pantry or delivered to 1204 Main St., Sanford, on Monday mornings from 8 am to noon.

Housing our neighbors: Donations to Habitat for Humanity York County help build homes, communities and hope. For a limited time, every donation up to $10,000 made to Habitat for Humanity’s three-home construction project in Sanford will be matched dollar for dollar by the Joseph and Anna C. Dias Jr. Family Foundation. FMI or to make a donation, go here.

Dress up for books at the library: The Louis B. Goodall Memorial Library is hosting a Book ‘N Treat event at the library on 10/31 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Any adult or child who visits the library in costume will be able to take home a free book from the prize book bin and get some candy, while supplies last. FMI, go here.