Residents commend draft public‑hearing SOP and urge clearer rules for applicant conduct at Saco Planning Board meetings

At the opening public-comment period of the Sept. 2 Saco Planning Board meeting, multiple residents praised staff work on a draft public‑hearing standard‑operating procedure and urged additional clarification of applicant protocols. Speakers asked the planning board to adopt specific rules on when applicants may approach the podium, whether nonresidents should state affiliations, and how late submissions or training certificates are used in deliberations.

“First of all, I commend the staff…for having an evolving, transparent SOP,” resident Kelly Archer told the board, adding the document should include “applicants' protocol, procedures, and access to the planning board in your deliberations.” Archer asked that applicants present after the staff summary and await questions addressed through the chair, with interruptions not allowed. Another resident, Inga Brown, echoed Archer’s praise and emphasized that nonresidents should state any organizational affiliation on the record.

Chair Matt Provensel noted copies of the public‑hearing guidelines were available and that staff would continue work on procedures. Planning staff said hard copies and digital versions of the guidelines were available and that the matter would remain on a future agenda for further review.

No formal action was taken during the public‑comment period; the board proceeded with scheduled applications. The comments will be part of the public record and circulated to planning staff for any recommended edits to the draft SOP.