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Votes at a glance: Saco council approves election notice, two entertainment permits and emergency moratorium extension
Summary
On Dec. 15 the Saco City Council approved a special Ward 3 election notice, renewed two special entertainment permits and adopted an amended emergency ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on mobile‑home lot rent increases. All recorded roll‑call votes were unanimous (6–0).
The Saco City Council completed a series of routine and emergency actions during its Dec. 15 meeting, approving election notices and permits and adopting an amended emergency ordinance.
Notice of special Ward 3 election: Council moved a consent item into action to authorize the special general election in Ward 3 on Jan. 13, 2026. The clerk indicated the notice will be posted in Ward 3 on or before Dec. 23, 2025 in compliance with Title 21‑A requirements; Councilor Parks moved the order and Councilor Johnston seconded. Roll call: 6–0 in favor.
Special entertainment permits: The council opened public hearings and, with no public opposition at the hearings, approved two renewals for special entertainment permits to be concurrent with each establishment’s liquor license: Townhouse Management Inc. (Townhouse Pub) and Echo in Hineria, Maine (doing business as Pacifico Restaurant). Staff reported appropriate advertisement and clearance by code enforcement, finance, fire and police for both applicants. Both renewals were approved by roll call 6–0.
Emergency moratorium extension: Following extensive public comment from Blue Haven Mobile Home Park residents (see separate coverage), the council amended and approved an emergency ordinance extending the temporary moratorium on lot‑rent increases by 60 days (new expiration Feb. 13, 2026). The amendment and final motion passed by roll call 6–0.
Executive session and adjournment: The council entered and exited executive session under MRSA Title 1, ch. 13, subch. 1, §405(6)(E) for consultation with the municipality’s attorney on a health‑trust matter; there was no public report following the session. The meeting adjourned at 9:29 p.m.
Recorded outcomes (roll‑call results at meeting): - Notice of election (Ward 3, 01/13/2026): Approved, roll call 6–0 (Mover: Councilor Parks; Second: Councilor Johnston). - Townhouse Pub special entertainment permit renewal: Approved, roll call 6–0 (Mover: Councilor Johnston; Second: Councilor Edwards). - Pacifico Restaurant special entertainment permit renewal: Approved, roll call 6–0 (Mover: Councilor Johnston; Second: Councilor Edwards). - Emergency ordinance (temporary moratorium on mobile‑home lot rent increases), amended to 60 days (expiration 02/13/2026): Approved, roll call 6–0 (Mover: Councilor Johnston; Second: Councilor Edwards).
The council scheduled a second and final reading for Administrative Code Chapter 4, Article 5 updates for Jan. 5, 2026 and will consider a draft CAD/RMS memorandum of understanding with Biddeford in January as staff refine details.
