[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6450248,"mediaKeyId","5907616-32346345bf4c7ff974da12e70a965438","parentId",5907616,"title","Saco schools report stable enrollment, bid timeline for new buildings and budget projections","audioSeconds",1772,"startMs",552000,"endMs",2324000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907616-32346345bf4c7ff974da12e70a965438&start=552&end=2324","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907616-32346345bf4c7ff974da12e70a965438/thumbnail_552000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6450248/Maine/Saco-schools-report-stable-enrollment-bid-timeline-for-new-buildings-and-budget-projections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6450248-88ef685e6692bb4e3ae6588f6cbd705c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093611&Signature=MYsiYzxpPsKp9Oe63lfmpPAf5ScTtq1HHzh9bNFHq-7~JWhaqrF9n52rOHFi7EKKUW1gEgWVMOh2l3YsL2lIMjISeZ-wVJVxa8hXmx8woSH9W0XbxMzTAJqc58unOyITUC4AdR3CoCOwOXLaF79BJ-sxCT8uiVD8~mROOulJ4qDCJ6wxJ0kQfAVJOWq8XMRAgSP1V6jlcVt1iBKuirL9JerRuuP784yJ0Z8R7Nx9Alj2~fg-7hS0xV-L21VvLNUKjxKLWmhQKgYyZSflEvTs9S6LBIdZkjSRkF5UuW6v67xXDEf6uklNLxW769MghdWZVkPcwEufmkMRg49FIkJKUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Saco","date","2025-10-07T14:03:45Z","article","SACO, Maine — Superintendent Jeremy, speaking to the Saco City Council and the school board Monday, said the district’s enrollment is down this fall but vocational program participation has increased, and officials are preparing to award construction contracts for two new school buildings.

Jeremy said the district’s pre-K through eighth-grade enrollment stands at 1,898 students, with 144 multilingual learners; high school enrollment is 891 students with about 25 multilingual learners. He said roughly 10–12 students remain under residency verification. He also said 115 Saco students are enrolled at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology, the highest count he has seen.

The figures matter because the district uses October enrollment to finalize state and local budgeting. “What we do with these enrollment numbers is we finalize them over the next month,” Jeremy said, adding that the district will publish a new snapshot of enrollment on April 1.

Officials described several near-term facilities milestones. A bid opening for the two new school projects is scheduled for Oct. 22 at City Hall; staff expect to negotiate final contracts after the bid opening and said some preliminary site work could begin immediately. A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the construction site, with a target opening of the new schools in 2028.

Responding to an unexpected water leak at Fairfield School earlier this year, Jeremy said facilities and school staff chose a roughly $40,000 repair option instead of a $125,000 excavation alternative because much of the pipe was encased in four to six feet of original concrete. “We’re very lucky to have Don and his team working with us,” Jeremy said, referencing the city facilities staff who partnered with the district on the repair.

Finance and budget details were presented as preliminary and unaudited. Jeremy said the district had a draft fund balance that used prior-year reserves to cover health insurance and capital needs and that the district delivered roughly $1 million in MaineCare-related revenues in the most recent budget cycle, with a conservative estimate of $650,000 for the next year. The district reported undesignated capital funds of about $450,000, additional capital improvements of $150,000, an audio enhancement at Saco Middle School budgeted at about $190,000, and network cabling costs; overall unaudited projections put the combined fund balance north of $3.2 million going into FY 2026.

Officials said they are working to remove a remaining portable at Saco Middle School and to reconfigure spaces to expand middle-school hands-on programming in culinary, small engines/shop, STEM and digital media. Jeremy emphasized keeping programs and extracurriculars accessible regardless of family income and cited the popularity of vocational programs as a student response to workforce demand.

The superintendent also cited regional cost-of-living data from United Way’s ALICE (asset‑limited, income‑constrained, employed) research showing a four-person survival budget for York and Cumberland counties of about $107,008 and noting that Saco’s household share above the ALICE threshold is higher than the combined county average. He said housing affordability for staff remains a top challenge for recruitment and retention.

Facilities Director Roth described day-to-day operations and a first year of integrated city‑school facilities work that he said is lowering vendor costs and accelerating repairs. Roth highlighted new generator monitoring at Saco Middle School, more rapid in‑house work order turnover after recent hires and a new facilities building whose construction began this fall. He said combining city and school facilities teams has created efficiencies and faster contractor response.

Councilors asked about residency verification steps, homeschooling and private-school counts, and the district’s strategy for using one‑time revenues to close gaps while preserving long‑term capital capacity. Jeremy said staff will finalize residency and homeschool counts and provide follow-up details to council members.

Looking ahead, Jeremy and facilities staff said they will continue negotiating state energy incentives tied to geothermal work; the district had hoped initially for about $1 million in credits but said that figure could change as state rebates and allocations are finalized.

If the council or school committee asks for additional detail, staff plan to return with updated audited fund‑balance numbers and a clearer breakdown of expected state energy credits at the Oct. 20 city meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saco City Council Meeting - October 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Jeremy told the Saco City Council and school board that overall enrollment is down, vocational program participation is up, the district repaired a Fairfield School water leak at lower cost and will open two new schools in 2028 pending bid awards and contract negotiations.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings , Saco City, York County, Maine","taxId",69267,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6450238,"Saco council accepts annual report, names deputy mayor and confirms new city administrator",2074,5852000,7926000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907616-32346345bf4c7ff974da12e70a965438&start=5852&end=7926","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907616-32346345bf4c7ff974da12e70a965438/thumbnail_5852000.jpg","/articles/6450238/Maine/Saco-council-accepts-annual-report-names-deputy-mayor-and-confirms-new-city-administrator","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6450238-b6c99d6459c42abd0ea319e5de648726/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093611&Signature=mpX3O0O27-2~d6E9IpnfOVLYICPYKiBBt79iWFAs5oflpATUip6~O3hCmtCx4BCmn3vaNLxzK2Nwnw0wdq6qAo3o2-HoPKSmXnpBLzBm3ErPJDb8a0IbSEMHyP7qw49YnRewNwT1wPXRzlYTy5jf5Ak-n9FFPFEDjeXO46Uo42267lF-UH8elUgbB5goFrVkLDysy6NaSwovTDFjZ04J1SLj24yjUm130c3YFeMgm~NtlYAE~5Z4F5tpqKlhgvvarmar-ylBzp6BJhKNiynsAVmC8~VEf9DqGyqsjl54vtiRhlwdcys9Cdhy8HfcMNOCpDdtr1eRr4twK677YAOJnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SACO, Maine — The Saco City Council on Monday accepted the fiscal year 2025 annual report, moved to acknowledge a council resignation and completed two personnel votes, all by roll call.

The council voted 6–0 to accept the FY2025 annual report after Interim City Administrator Emily Prescott and Finance staff presented the document and noted that a full audit package will be available at the Oct. 20 meeting. Councilor Hatch read the statute authorizing municipal annual reports, citing MRSA Title 30‑A §2801 as the basis for the presentation and the public posting of the report.

The council also acknowledged the resignation of Councilor Joseph (Joe) Gunn of Ward 3 and set the steps required by the city charter to fill the vacancy. The council voted 6–0 to accept the resignation.

Councilors elected Nathan Johnston as deputy mayor to serve through Dec. 1, 2025. Johnston received the necessary votes; the motion passed 5–0 with one abstention recorded for Johnston himself, who abstained from voting on his own election.

The council confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Ryan Pelletier as the new city administrator. The appointment drew positive comments from councilors and passed 6–0. Councilors noted Pelletier’s 25 years of experience in municipal, county and nonprofit leadership and said he is scheduled to begin in January.

Other procedural items included unanimous roll‑call approvals to remove and then re‑table a street acceptance request for Omari Court and Dupre Drive pending final legal review, and to enter and then exit an executive session for attorney consultation (executive session entered at 8:38 p.m. and exited at 9:48 p.m.; council reported no action from the session). The council closed its meeting at 9:48 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Accept FY2025 annual report: Yes 6–0 (motion by Councilor Hatch; city staff to post the report and provide the full audited report Oct. 20).
- Acknowledge resignation of Councilor Joseph Gunn (Ward 3): Yes 6–0.
- Elect Nathan Johnston, deputy mayor: Motion approved 5–0 with 1 abstention (Johnston abstained).
- Confirm appointment of Ryan Pelletier, city administrator: Yes 6–0.
- Street acceptance for Omari Springs (Omari Court and Dupre Drive): Item removed from the table and then tabled again for final legal review; council action to table passed 6–0.
- Executive session (consultation with attorney): Entered 8:38 p.m., exited 9:48 p.m.; exit motion passed roll call 5–1.","At its Oct. 6 meeting the Saco City Council accepted the FY2025 annual report, acknowledged Councilor Joseph Gunn's resignation, elected Nathan Johnston deputy mayor and confirmed Ryan Pelletier as the city administrator. All votes were recorded in roll calls.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6450243,"Saco residents urge council to block steep lot‑rent hikes; council asks staff to research moratorium",2045,5551000,7596000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907616-32346345bf4c7ff974da12e70a965438&start=5551&end=7596","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907616-32346345bf4c7ff974da12e70a965438/thumbnail_5551000.jpg","/articles/6450243/Maine/Saco-residents-urge-council-to-block-steep-lotrent-hikes-council-asks-staff-to-research-moratorium","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6450243-4d8cbd4c1d45794d32773f069eee2257/orig.mp4?Expires=1771093611&Signature=TpXX0fexfh7k2Lnj~y3VoHf5T9TZC0QKnj9hU5JwRdzbzAkkYenJYQNQDUkh2mZY9n8LlPZF1hHtD80bRvFStQswbWKJ8PCPZX9YUy3fJYcgMGy4WoJ3XFAv4UUDP21v2SBKcYyBtbnNAVurCPXrBajkqGsQjftlCD3SWSbaN~7faVQ6Ssi995WqTgZcJeDfO04bd0YiplMSsPax5rJHng153speNMSHLH3wXBxDFKDp7M5qeTMrVgDTikXwKwBg0fnQnsfiqBJa~BofH9qFLJV8TiIX3rdxCKJHJr7Tt9VjgQxpUEZRpTl22tUCgVlqJ86kl~VJF3VcP6YOXHdapA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SACO, Maine — Dozens of Saco residents, many of them retirees and fixed‑income households from Blue Haven Mobile Home Park, urged the City Council on Monday to halt steep lot‑rent increases and to press the park’s owner to address maintenance and safety problems.

“Every time our rent goes up, they always say it’s maintenance,” said Dan Richards, who described deferred repairs at the park and said about 40% of residents there are retired. “When this rent goes up, we’re gonna lose neighbors.”

Several speakers described the same pattern: modest annual increases for years, followed by larger hikes since the park’s ownership changed. Jennifer Craigon told the council that when she moved into Blue Haven in 2003 her lot rent was $295; she said the lot rent was $515 as of January 2025 and that the park has since added a separate water charge. “I can’t afford that,” she said.

Residents and advocates provided multiple individual examples of problems they say park management has not fixed: water‑billing changes with no clear explanation of pass‑through charges; missing promised repairs such as septic‑pipe covers; a series of unlit streets and potholes; and downed trees and debris left unrepaired after storms. Several residents said they have medical or mobility needs that make moving difficult.

“Limited income with an increase in lot rent will mean more reliance on public assistance,” Craigon said.

Deputy City Administrator Emily Prescott told the council staff had compiled ordinance language from neighboring communities and analyzed state law timelines. “What I’m thinking I’m hearing is that you’re looking for a temporary, temporary stay on lot rental increases until the state law becomes effective,” she said. Prescott said staff will return with additional research — including potential positive and negative effects of a moratorium — at the Oct. 20 council meeting.

Councilor Nathan Johnston said he supports an emergency moratorium to give residents and the park time to align with the new state rules. Councilor Berman and others asked staff to attempt outreach to the park’s management to understand the owner’s plans for rent adjustments and deferred maintenance.

Speakers reported multiple concrete rent figures: several residents said Blue Haven raised lot rent about $35 in January and that park management has told residents of an additional increase of about $145 set for December; staff noted that new‑move‑in rates advertised for the park were as high as $750. Other residents said the park is attempting to bring older lots up to a single standardized monthly rate, which could increase some long‑standing residents’ rents further.

City officials said Saco has one large organized mobile home park under the management model described by residents; a smaller cluster of units on Portland Road exists but is not organized in the same way. Staff said they will return Oct. 20 with legal and policy options, and with suggested language if the council wishes to consider a temporary stay while state rules are clarified.

Residents asked the council for an interim six‑month moratorium; councilors did not vote on a moratorium Monday but directed staff to bring a draft and related analysis for the council’s consideration at the next meeting.

Residents who spoke included Dan Richards, Sarah Belanger, John Veidt, Sarah Gardner, Gary Gardner, Jennifer Craigon, Hope Lambert, Mary Lynn Leach, Linda Daniels, Kathleen Felton, Christine Boothby, Karen Forbes and others.","More than a dozen residents of Blue Haven Mobile Home Park told the Saco City Council Monday that rapid lot‑rent increases and reduced services are forcing older and low‑income neighbors to consider leaving. Council directed staff to research temporary moratorium options and return with details at the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Saco schools report stable enrollment, bid timeline for new buildings and budget projections

Saco council accepts annual report, names deputy mayor and confirms new city administrator

Saco residents urge council to block steep lot‑rent hikes; council asks staff to research moratorium