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Saint John council expands Riverfront district and adopts multiple ordinances in unanimous and near-unanimous votes
Summary
At its May 13 meeting, the Town of Saint John Town Council approved a Riverfront Development Project area addition, passed several ordinances including a public-records commercial-use prohibition and a paramedic sign-on bonus, and approved multiple financial disbursements; most measures passed unanimously, while a salary-ordinance amendment passed 3–1.
The Town of Saint John Town Council on May 13 approved a set of resolutions, ordinances and financial disbursements that the council described as routine steps to support development, public safety and town operations.
Council voted 4–0 to adopt a resolution to include an additional parcel in the Riverfront Development Project Area (transcript reference: "Resolution 20 26 dash 0 3 dash 25 g"). Town Manager Wayne Pandinis said the parcel was mapped to ensure a planned plaza and bank would be included in the Riverfront District: "We have to have a map... so later on, we will go to resolution 20 26 5 13 and then that will all be set that the property will be in the Riverfront District," he said.
The council approved several ordinances on first or second reading. On second reading the council passed Ordinance 18-91, which the agenda described as prohibiting use of public records for commercial purposes, and Ordinance 18-92, establishing a paramedic sign-on bonus program; both motions carried unanimously. The council also approved Ordinance 18-93 (community center fee schedule amendment) on first reading.
A proposal to amend the town's salary ordinance (Ordinance 18-94, first reading) drew more discussion. One council member questioned the frequency of salary-ordinance changes, saying, "It seems like every month, we are changing our salary ordinance... it shows a lack of organization," and asked whether some changes could be handled quarterly. Town staff said the updates add specific classifications (including part-time positions in public works and parks and new classifications for the fire department). The ordinance passed on first reading by a 3–1 vote.
Financial items were approved as presented: six requests to purchase totaling $100,153.72 (including a town-hall fence, generator installation, driveway/sidewalk replacement due to a water-main break, vehicle repairs, and a $5,000 Trustech retainer) and an accounts-payable voucher dated 05/13/2026 with a combined total of $1,223,505.9. The meeting record shows separate construction-account requisitions to SEH Engineering were approved for Series 2025A and 2025B (examples: $1,370.14; $149.35; $8,124.92; $885.65) for ongoing work at Hartland Park.
Council also filled seats on local boards: Joel Gorlick and Adam Robertson were appointed to the Economic Development Board, and Frances (Frances) Ryder and Stacy Brock were appointed to the Park Board; those appointments were approved unanimously.
The meeting concluded with routine reports from council members and staff, including a parks update about summer camps filling up and a clerk-treasurer announcement of a May 15 "Cop on a Rooftop" fundraiser at Dunkin' Donuts to benefit Special Olympics.
What happens next: items approved on first reading (including the salary ordinance amendment and community center fee schedule) typically return for further consideration on subsequent agendas according to town procedures.
