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Sanford council approves audit extension, construction contracts, road closure and equipment leases

Sanford City Council · March 18, 2026

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Summary

The Sanford City Council on March 17 approved a three‑year audit contract extension, multiple construction and equipment contracts, and a temporary closure of Cottage Street for sewer rehabilitation. Several items passed by voice vote; petition papers seeking to overrule a recent omnibus TIF were submitted to the clerk.

The Sanford City Council on March 17 approved a slate of administrative, capital and public‑works items, including a three‑year extension of the municipal and school audit contract, multiple construction agreements tied to the new fire station and downtown infrastructure, and short‑term equipment leases for the Department of Public Works.

Finance Director Ronnie Champlin told the council the administration recommends continuing with the current auditing firm, citing continuity for both the city and Sanford Public Schools and the limited regional availability of municipal auditors. ‘‘Continuing with the current auditing firm provides institutional knowledge, efficiency and cost stability,’’ Champlin said, and presented the proposed combined fees of $66,780 for fiscal 2026, $70,119 for 2027 and $73,625 for 2028. The council approved the three‑year extension by voice vote.

Councilors also approved a set of construction‑related contracts and professional services meant to advance planned capital projects. The council authorized a $242,500 contract with Derrigo AE LLC to serve as the city’s owner’s representative for the new fire‑station headquarters; City Manager Steve Buck said the company was recommended by the city’s engineer and will provide on‑site oversight and weekly progress reports. The council accepted a $118,217 bid from BP Property Services/TB Earthworks for a splash pad and walkway at Carpentier Park; staff said that work will be funded through a prior Soil & Water Conservation District grant.

Public Works items approved included: accepting a $253,550 bid from Brickmoor Diversified LLC to repair Number 1 Pond Dam (to be paid from the roadway CIP); two 7‑year lease‑to‑own purchases of Freightliner trucks outfitted for plowing and hook lifts (staff emphasized warranty and bumper‑to‑bumper coverage during the lease); and authorization to close Route 202/Cottage Street for 3–4 weeks to allow the Sanford Sewer District to perform trenching and manhole replacement with staged work zones to minimize business impacts.

Airport and related approvals included council authorization for two new 8‑unit hangars under a land lease with MAS Hangars LLC (in the airport TIF district), formal designation of a permanent aerobatic practice box for sanctioned events, and a lease and operating‑rights agreement with Airside Management LLC to establish a year‑round food‑truck court at the Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport. Allison Navia, the airport manager, said the hangar tenant will repave existing pavement as part of a credit‑enhancement arrangement.

Councilors also accepted a $29,539.71 grant from the William Oscar Emery Trust to replace the City Hall electronic message board and refurbish the monument sign, and approved the routine item to determine the private‑road status of S.B. Emory Court after staff research found no record of formal acceptance.

Votes at a glance (motions approved by voice vote unless otherwise noted): • Extend audit services agreement with Whip Flea LLP for fiscal years ending 6/30/2026–6/30/2028 (fees: $66,780; $70,119; $73,625). (Mover: Anne Platt; second: Pete Trenchmontagne.) • Accept BP Property Services/TB Earthworks bid for Carpentier Park splash pad — $118,217. (Mover: Councilor Martel; second: Anne Platt.) • Authorize Derrigo AE LLC professional services agreement as owner’s representative — $242,500. (Mover: Mayor Brink; second: Pete Trenchmontagne.) • Approve closure of Route 202/Cottage Street for ~3–4 weeks for Sanford Sewer District work (staged trenching; emergency access maintained). (Mover: Pete Trenchmontagne; second: Jonathan Hanselman.) • Accept Brickmoor Diversified LLC bid for Number 1 Pond Dam repair — $253,550 (roadway CIP). (Mover: Pete Trenchmontagne; second: Anne Platt.) • Approve two 7‑year lease/lease‑to‑own agreements for Public Works trucks (Freightliner; annual payment example cited $36,955.50 for one unit). (Mover: Pete Trenchmontagne; second: Jeanne.) • Accept William Oscar Emery Trust grant — $29,539.71 for City Hall sign replacement and refurbishment. (Mover: Jonathan Hanselman; second: Anne Platt.) • Airport approvals: MAS Hangars LLC land lease for two 8‑unit hangars; designation of permanent aerobatic box; and lease/operating rights with Airside Management LLC for a food‑truck court. (Mover: Anne Platt; seconds recorded.)

What’s next: staff will execute the approved contracts and return to council with any contract documents requiring signature or further council approval (for example, the airport credit‑enhancement agreement and detailed CEA terms were described as returning to the council for formal approval). Petition forms submitted by a five‑person citizen committee regarding the council’s omnibus TIF approval were transmitted to legal for drafting the ballot question and will follow the petition verification process described by the city manager.

Sources: council meeting proceedings (March 17, 2026); presentations and staff packets provided at the meeting.