[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6124658,"mediaKeyId","2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051","parentId",2680670,"title","Council approves amended lease to keep Saco pre‑K at Toddle Inn; vote 6‑0","audioSeconds",561,"startMs",6639000,"endMs",7200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051&start=6639&end=7200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051/thumbnail_6639000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124658/Maine/Council-approves-amended-lease-to-keep-Saco-preK-at-Toddle-Inn-vote-60","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124658-5879570505d5590c28d31281406bc517/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136788&Signature=HbdVlJuxsZeiVa2~Cz3w4y8bJIYNNAdevruFXt7gP-mTpA4Ip~KytD4uM~jWZXDXpxhvkMaRanQwtN1kJa4LqEsQs2-EeOmnJWA157LQVQLACjibKO8h9L~-VADAsQ~4oiW6MVSAGfNu~-UlaYzBU6k1njZMEyaBUmv6dzT7gUQXRLJC0msb4ILpGGW8cXAvFL7~tu76Mh6EPDq2M-N4RtaU0lHwsIgHnj8v1NOZKPEhLu0XTXEpyivdfeiqs1RqVkixW-Fh-FHgmirxUddUbmfFZqOGLWlbMYWm56vFo1f~jX2x6GzfHOEJURprVaVLdd8WYcZD7iGVvvH~dzCcug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-18T12:58:46Z","article","The Saco City Council voted 6‑0 to approve an amended and restated lease that allows the Saco School Department to continue operating the district’s pre‑K program at Toddle Inn Daycare on Wylie Road.

The motion was made by Councilor Gunn and seconded by Councilor Berman. Council discussion acknowledged the item’s controversial history but focused on the program’s performance and the district’s limited alternative space. Councilor Bridal said she was “supportive” and praised the strength of the pre‑K program; Councilor Johnston noted the prior controversy over the location and process but said the new lease terms and reduced rates made approval appropriate.

Superintendent Jeremy Ray and school board members explained the lease is intended as an interim solution while the district finishes construction of a new school that will provide permanent space; Ray said the amended terms reduced costs and included three‑month incremental options to align the lease term with the new school timeline if necessary. Supporters argued the pre‑K program is a model program that benefits the district and the region.

Roll call was recorded as yes from Councillors Parks, Gunn, Berman, Hatch, Hewitt and Johnston; the motion passed 6‑0.

What the lease does: the council order authorizes the amended and restated lease agreement (documents attached to the agenda packet). The lease continues to lease space at the Toddle Inn location for pre‑K operations at revised contractual amounts; the superintendent’s memo to council described the lease terms and the rationale for continuation.

Councilors said the city and school department should continue to seek a permanent, city‑owned solution in the new school project while supporting the current arrangement to avoid service disruption for families.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Saco City Council Meeting - March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Saco City Council voted 6‑0 to approve an amended and restated lease that allows the Saco School Department to continue operating the district’s pre‑K program at Toddle Inn Daycare on Wylie Road.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings , Saco City, York County, Maine","taxId",69267,"location","Maine","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6124665,"Saco School Department presents $4.3 million FY‑25 draft budget; flags uncertainties over state funding and insurance costs",51,6240000,6291000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051&start=6240&end=6291","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051/thumbnail_6240000.jpg","/articles/6124665/Maine/Saco-School-Department-presents-43-million-FY25-draft-budget-flags-uncertainties-over-state-funding-and-insurance-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124665-e71706a9b15db18ae5696047abad576a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136788&Signature=mjCATrQwzP90yYzOPE~9XxL0pNiJD2eabUH1sJmcYms27arfov1eU73F04Eh-gg1stZTHqD1XyeUXM~T9PjtlYXuuwsPkuuw2TY8KvxrLhApd5RwXWkPecolkOl8b1vwRzoQux0G4eliE~NtOx9rCrjE1uj2iJhAsCQwN1K~XqZ4FXvp7hzyaVj0ZPlwB3O-WnZI4Ld1z4OxG2dRt5gdylUkL~HcJYIk8UfG7JkGt-pIxU85AE8hS0T1Q4s4owh8pFAzDC6jS9Vn~3H37nz49ZACY0WWBml5c5gyz6z7P~ioHp8X5FUM96lYcmCZ4EGTFqMPadUOgErrBXaKSc58~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Jeremy Ray presented the Saco School Department’s draft FY‑25 budget at a joint meeting with the City Council and school board, describing a $4,300,000 increase (8.25 percent) in proposed expenditures and identifying several funding uncertainties the district is monitoring.

Ray walked the council through the state funding formula that drives school subsidy, explaining that the formula uses a two‑year average of student counts, staff ratios and a set of weighted counts for categories such as economically disadvantaged students. He said the district is asking the state for a higher weight for economically disadvantaged students (the district asked for 0.25 weight, up from 0.15) and for a new 0.5 weight for students in homeless status — requests intended to reflect added classroom and transportation costs associated with those students.

Ray said the budget includes additions intended to address current needs: 1.5 English‑language‑learner (ELL) teachers and three additional education‑technician (EdTech) positions to bring staffing ratios closer to neighboring districts. He reported districtwide special‑education enrollment at just over 18 percent and ELL students at about 8.55 percent. Ray also flagged growth and class‑size pressures at some elementary schools that may require redistricting or additional positions over the next three years.

On tuition and other external charges: Ray said the Thornton Academy tuition line is set to increase about 9.57 percent next year; the district currently operates under a two‑year extension while contract negotiations continue. Ray said the regular‑education tuition figure approaches roughly $15,800–$16,000 per student when state MAT and IVF factors are included, and that special‑education and ELL services add to that cost.

Debt and fund balance: Ray said the district must make a roughly $1.1 million payment on a bond anticipation note this year; that payment is expected to be covered from Department of Education reimbursement once the bond is sold, but the timing affects how the revenue appears in the budget. The district reported a school fund balance of about $2.3 million going into the next year.

Cost pressures: Ray described health‑insurance uncertainty and a conservative assumption in the draft budget. The budget includes a 10 percent health‑insurance increase for planning purposes, but Ray said recent notices from the Maine Benefits Trust suggested an increase as high as 17 percent; a larger increase could add roughly $40,000 to the budget for every percentage point above the 10 percent assumed. Ray also said the district expects to reduce the budget by about $100,000 if the district’s paid family medical leave coverage is obtained through a private carrier rather than the state program.

Out‑of‑district placements: Ray and councilors discussed rising out‑of‑district special‑education placements and behavioral‑health needs that make local programming and staffing difficult to sustain. Ray said the district often operates with unfilled EdTech positions and that turnover and certification shortages contribute to out‑of‑district placements.

Construction update: Ray reported work on the new school site is underway — property clearing has begun and the building should be out of the ground within a few weeks; the district plans a short‑notice community visit when framing is visible.

Councilors and school board members asked detailed questions about student counts, the state funding formula, and out‑of‑district placements. Councilor Hatch and others encouraged continued attention to pre‑K, class sizes and the long‑term effects of state funding choices.

Next steps: the district will refine enrollment counts, track state budget developments (including MaineCare and other reimbursements), and return to both bodies with updated figures as the budget progresses to municipal review and voter referendum.","Superintendent Jeremy Ray presented a draft FY‑25 school budget showing a $4.3 million (8.25%) increase, explained how state funding weights and a pending bond payment affect revenue, and described staffing and program changes the district proposes while flagging health‑insurance and special‑education costs as key uncertainties.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6124670,"Saco begins year‑long Housing Action Plan study; public listening sessions announced",0,6113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051&start=6113&end=6113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051/thumbnail_6113000.jpg","/articles/6124670/Maine/Saco-begins-yearlong-Housing-Action-Plan-study-public-listening-sessions-announced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124670-f78ecb1ed0706e27eb3210c3b0d87804/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136788&Signature=Wr~NvapTwj34bGBkjafe9Bg7iO34TKGoUB0P211QNgw5p7dtfe6kQMN4giICl-9qEkIk4bJFWDpg3pN9QP8t6yT0voAnXShU5OqDBeai3l5p~LoXdXgKKuR8SvcsR34G3TI2ppszUDaeYSI2w8Y~7gFLI0TFAhVUHAfd7K09wBo0bPkvTdchChKFkTmZfO0bd3TSoqQqvPP6pTEMsPVAyvoCn15Db1XSWr180IXXwatkIsGNexmKnU6FebHbsnH9Kt2q1kYaocOMhZog8fAb2vyOs4rT0FAadwM7PzSHJkpRBcTg7jclcOUroRMHOEX8hUROhGEW2zBQOoAuA3TjVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saco City Council convened a workshop to review initial data and public‑engagement plans for a year‑long Housing Action Plan, funded in part by a $35,000 grant from the Housing Opportunity Office of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development and by American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds. Consultants from VHB presented a data “snapshot” and outlined steps for a housing needs assessment and a policy review.

The plan, which launched in February and will run roughly a year, will include a technical housing needs assessment, a built‑environment and infill analysis, an affordability analysis and a review of local policy and planning documents to shape recommendations. Christine Grimando, an urban planner and project manager with VHB, told the council the team is presenting data for council feedback and has not made recommendations yet.

Why this matters: statewide housing policy and production targets are changing, and the consultant said the state has published a goal of roughly 80,000 housing units by 2030. The study is intended to help Saco calibrate local objectives (types of housing, locations for growth, and affordable and workforce housing targets) in that broader context.

VHB showed early findings and avenues the team will analyze, including where growth is occurring, permitting trends, the city’s housing typology and measures of cost burden. Sean McCarthy (planning staff) reported preliminary permitting counts that the team expects will yield about 123 new dwelling units in the coming year and roughly 21 accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Grimando said the team will pair those metrics with demographic trends — notably growth among younger adults and an increase in higher‑income residents in recent years — to evaluate whether Saco’s housing supply matches projected household size and income needs.

Councilors emphasized both near‑term and long‑range questions. Councilor Berman asked the consultants to confirm they will analyze future demographic projections in addition to historical change; Emily (city staff) confirmed the study will include projections and will look specifically at whether the city can increase the share of formally defined affordable housing. “The study will look at that, and our comp plan calls for a certain percentage of affordable housing of the total housing stock over the 12 years that it’s active,” Emily said.

Other topics the presenters said they would examine include: options for workforce housing and density bonuses; barriers to converting second‑floor downtown spaces to housing (parking and other obstacles); aging‑in‑place needs; and potential public–private partnerships.

Public engagement and next steps: the team has scheduled listening sessions with targeted focus areas. The first is focused on the Portland Road area (at the public works facility), a downtown session is planned at City Hall in May, and a citywide session is scheduled for June 4 at City Hall. VHB and city staff said additional workshops will be scheduled later in the project timeline; staff will also bring the consultants to a business breakfast this month to solicit commercial corridor input.

Councilors broadly endorsed continued public engagement. Councilor Hatch suggested tying any workforce‑housing density bonus to existing density bonuses for affordable housing in the city’s ordinance. Several councilors also urged care in assigning Saco a share of the state’s production target so that local taxpayers do not shoulder more than their fair share of statewide production goals.

The consultant team said it will return with more complete data and draft recommendations after completing the needs assessment and additional outreach.

Next steps: the consultant will finish the needs assessment, circulate draft recommendations for public comment, and present a final plan to the council for review later in the process.","City staff and VHB consultants presented initial data to a Saco City Council workshop and asked the council for direction on a year‑long Housing Action Plan funded by a $35,000 DECD grant and ARPA funds. The study will produce a housing needs assessment, policy review and public engagement before recommendations are returned to council.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":90,"_43":101,"_45":101,"_47":102,"_49":103,"_51":104,"_53":105,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":106,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":107,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6124654,"Council approvals at a glance: minutes, meeting cancellation and vehicle lease purchase",7254000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051&start=7254&end=7254","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2680670-b0515cd996cd7575fa5b03aecb6f0051/thumbnail_7254000.jpg","/articles/6124654/Maine/Council-approvals-at-a-glance-minutes-meeting-cancellation-and-vehicle-lease-purchase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124654-c4378bfc6505826eff0704999ad45111/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136788&Signature=cQkrIuwZ1K5WM62-6NLX24D6G0xDetB3RE2Y7Y6ArDyUY~U-zYAOk7B9FloRBI6JkKXKMNqIdpS6LG~NIU4~pJYxXJ64ce-l4A6fAZd9iDrxb3CoxkiPKGTUu1sYWozAZaJvaUw93S03qoQp3wD8fvYVDKPQoeYP4UotWlec~DojsoeyTf8~BBLsROlQtLHUajaYE9vSN7K9yoxgWHlL1hv6lGY9p8ijsnP25lAjUZ9i1XyhEzUD5hJDeblK-2CpOekxuDtUoqy~Xava12bKxQg7ZkGvkILG5H6HVjnU-N9zWp9xkcal51m3zu9DITTuRMt3p~Tus0kb58-7n9VBhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Saco City Council approved three procedural or routine items by roll call vote during the March meeting. Each item passed unanimously (6‑0).

Approval of minutes: The council approved the minutes of the March 10, 2025 meeting on a motion made by Councilor Hatch and seconded by Councilor Berman. Roll call votes recorded affirmative votes from Councillors Parks, Gunn, Berman, Hatch, Hewitt and Johnston.

Consent item — meeting cancellation: The council approved a consent item cancelling the April council meeting. The motion was moved by Councilor Gunn and seconded by Councilor Hewitt; the roll call vote was 6‑0 in favor.

Lease purchase authorization: The council authorized a lease purchase agreement with CN Financing Inc. to acquire new maintenance vehicles in an aggregate principal amount of $797,461.75. Councilor Hatch made the motion, which Councilor Johnston seconded. Finance staff confirmed the purchases were included in the FY‑25 approved budget. The roll call recorded six yes votes and the motion passed 6‑0.

What these votes mean: the minutes approval and meeting cancellation are routine procedural actions. The vehicle lease purchase authorizes financing for equipment already included in the budget; city staff confirmed the items were budgeted for 2025 and the authorization is an additional step to formalize the lease contract.

Votes (summary):
• Approval of minutes (03/10/2025): Motion by Councilor Hatch; second Councilor Berman; result 6‑0.
• Cancellation of April council meeting (consent): Motion by Councilor Gunn; second Councilor Hewitt; result 6‑0.
• Lease purchase authorization for maintenance vehicles ($797,461.75): Motion by Councilor Hatch; second Councilor Johnston; result 6‑0.

Councilors and staff said they prefer that lease contracts that commit the city to multiyear payments come before the council for transparency, and staff confirmed the vehicle purchases were in the pre‑approved FY‑25 budget.","At its March meeting the Saco City Council approved routine minutes, cancelled the April council meeting (consent item), and authorized a lease‑purchase for maintenance vehicles that had been included in the FY‑25 capital plan. All votes passed 6‑0.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves amended lease to keep Saco pre‑K at Toddle Inn; vote 6‑0

Saco School Department presents $4.3 million FY‑25 draft budget; flags uncertainties over state funding and insurance costs

Saco begins year‑long Housing Action Plan study; public listening sessions announced

Council approvals at a glance: minutes, meeting cancellation and vehicle lease purchase