Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Votes And Rules topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saco council elects Joshua Parks deputy mayor, confirms liaisons and adopts rule changes
Summary
At its Dec. 1 meeting the Saco City Council suspended rules to hold a secret (Australian) ballot, elected Joshua Parks deputy mayor, confirmed mayoral committee appointments, and approved amendments to the council's rules of order intended to limit impromptu actions; all motions passed by roll call votes of 6-0.
The Saco City Council used a suspended‑rules procedure to elect Councilor Joshua Parks as deputy mayor, confirmed the mayor’s committee appointments, and adopted amendments to its rules of order at the Dec. 1 meeting.
Council moved to suspend the rules to permit an Australian (secret) ballot for the deputy‑mayor election. The motion to suspend the rules was made by Councilor Johnston, seconded by Councilor Edwards, and carried on a roll‑call vote recorded as 6‑0 in favor. After nominations (Councilor Parks and Councilor Johnston), Councilor Edwards moved an order electing Joshua Parks as deputy mayor for a one‑year term beginning Dec. 1, 2025; the motion passed by roll call, 6‑0.
The council then considered confirmation of the mayor’s appointments to boards, committees and commissions (document titled "Saco City Councilor Liaison and Appointments to committees, 12/01/2025"). Councilor Johnston moved to approve the appointments; Councilor Edwards seconded and the motion passed by roll call, 6‑0.
Councilor Johnston proposed two amendments to the rules and order of business, including a change to Rule 14 that would replace the current 4/7 threshold with a 3/5 supermajority for certain actions and add language about notice before acting on repealed or amended orders. Explaining the amendment, Johnston cited an example from the prior summer and argued the change was intended to prevent ad hoc decisions: "I think it led to some confusion. Certainly, the outcome of it, I don't think was well thought out or planned," Johnston said. Counsel and the administrator clarified procedural points, including that the full text of the rules is available on the city website and that some temporary adjustments (for example, moving the order of an executive session) are different from bringing a new order to the floor without notice.
After discussion and clarifying questions, the motion to adopt the rules with the presented changes passed by roll call (6‑0). The council concluded routine business and adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
Votes at a glance: the suspension of rules to allow the Australian ballot and the subsequent motions for deputy mayor, appointment confirmations, and adoption of rules each passed on roll calls recorded as 6 yes, 0 no. The meeting transcript records affirmative votes for Councilors Edwards, Parks, Onan, Gale, Hewitt and Johnston for the recorded roll calls.
