SACO — Residents may be asked at the November ballot whether to approve money for a new public works building, infrastructure repairs and improvements on U.S. Route 1.

At Monday night’s City Council meeting the council discussed three potential bond questions.
The first would ask voters whether to approve $2 million for several infrastructure projects, including a drainage system replacement on Ocean Park Road, a new roof at the police station, improvements to HVAC systems at City Hall and the Community Center, improvements to recreational fields, reconstruction on Lincoln Street and protection for erosion at Camp Ellis.

The second proposed referendum questions is whether to approve nearly $7.3 million to relocate the city’s public work’s facility from North Street to Industrial Park Road. This price tag includes construction and land acquisition costs offset by the sale of the North Street property

The third proposed bond is whether to approve $2.5 million to extend the sewer line on Route 1 from Flagpond Road to the Scarborough line, and build sidewalks on Route 1 from Funtown Splashtown USA amusement park to Spring Hill Road.

Mayor Ron Michaud said he wasn’t sure if he agreed with spending $2 million to extend sewer lines in that area of Route 1, which he said seemed to be destined to become a residential corridor, as the major development in the area has been residential. Public Works Director Patrick Fox said the hope was to “beef up the infrastructure” and bring in larger commercial space along Route 1.

Fox said the city needs to address all the suggested projects in the upcoming years. If the city were to fund all the projects in the city’s budget over the next five years, he said, it would cost the city about $2.3 million. However, if the city bonded the projects, it would spread the payments and cost taxpayers $800,000 annually.

A new public works building is a subject that has been discussed for several years. Councilor David Precourt addressed the suggested price tag for the proposed building, as there have been higher estimates for a new public works building in the past. Fox said city officials have curbed original plans, including eliminating indoor fleet storage, creating a design that will still address the city’s needs.

The council approved a first reading of the proposed questions on Monday night and will vote on final approval at a later date. A public hearing on the bonds will be held in August. 

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.