Bob Myott, president of the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club, presents Amy Josiah with the Paul Harris Fellow award.
Photo: Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
For she’s a jolly good fellow: On Thursday, Sept. 18, Amy Josiah of Sanford was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow award by the Sanford-Springvale Rotary Club for her service to the community. Since moving to Sanford in the winter of 2021, Josiah, who is not a Rotarian, had worked with Rotary in service to the community — helping with various Rotary events, assisting with the Salvation Army Christmas toy distribution, and most recently working to maintain the flower beds at the Sanford Memorial Gym. The Paul Harris Fellow award was established in the early 1950’s in recognition of an individual’s contribution to making the world and the community a better place. To learn more about the organization, visit Rotary, attend a meeting on Thursday mornings at 7:30 am at Sanford Community Adult Education, 668 Main St. in Sanford, or contact Bob Myott, club president, at bobmyott@msn.com.
More than just flying: A new policy approved by the City Council means the Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport will soon be hosting special events once again. Special events, defined as those not connected to aviation, were put on hold in May after the airport came under increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration. Airport Manager Allison Navia told the Council it all started after an attendee at a special event got confused during a nighttime storm and drove across a runway. The new policy includes a comprehensive application process and insurance requirements. Navia said approval of the policy means the commercial driver’s license course will be held again and added that a “massive” model jet rally is also in the works for next year.
Church seeks part-time administrator: St. George’s Episcopal Church is looking for an enthusiastic church administrator. Responsible for various office tasks, this person knows (or is willing to learn) about promoting the church’s work, keeping members informed of events and handling social media. A background in marketing, communications, online engagement or church administration is helpful but not necessary. All are welcome to apply. The position currently calls for 10 hours a week, much of which can be done remotely. FMI, visit here.
Be an informed voter: Meet the Candidates Night will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, starting at 6 pm on the third floor of Sanford City Hall. The format will include introductions by each candidate, a Q&A segment, and closing statements from each candidate. The event will be hosted by Shawn Sullivan from York County Coast Star and Kendra Williams from Sanford Springvale News. The candidates running for City Council (two 3-year terms) are Gerald Gay, Logan Laughlin, Charlene Plante, Robert Stackpole and Peter Tranchemontagne. This event will be both live streamed and recorded for later viewing on WSSR-TV and also broadcast on Seacoast Oldies FM 104.3. For questions regarding Meet the Candidates Night, contact Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy at 207-651-1542 or via email at mherlihy@sanfordmaine.org.
This event is scheduled in advance of the State Referendum and Sanford Municipal Candidate Election to be held Tuesday, Nov. 4. The in-person voting location at Sanford High School, 100 Alumni Blvd., Door #41, will be open 7 am – 8 pm that day. Absentee voting at City Hall will begin as soon as the ballots are available. Absentee ballots can be requested now. Contact the City Clerk at 207-324-9125 with questions about voting.
Sanford police officer retires after more than four decades of service: Earlier this month, Sanford Police Chief Eric Small announced the retirement of Officer Barbara “Amy” Gagne following a 42-year career with the department. Over her career, Gagne served both as a detective and on patrol. She was also an advocate for her fellow officers. Gagne served as president of the Sanford Police Benevolent Association and vice president of the Maine Association of Police, fighting for employee rights, fairness and the well-being of fellow officers. Small noted in a social media post that her leadership has left a lasting impact on the department and on law enforcement across Maine. Small said, “Throughout her remarkable career, Officer Gagne embodied the highest ideals of law enforcement: integrity, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving the people of Sanford.”
Who can resist a yard sale? The Sanford-Springvale YMCA is holding a Community Yard Sale on Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 am – 2 pm, in the lower parking lot. The event is a fundraiser supporting the Titans Swim Team. Anyone interested in reserving a spot for $25 to sell their gently used items should contact Ali Fair at afair@sanfordymca.org or call 207-324-4942. This is a rain-or-shine event.
An overhead view shows the easement expansion granted to the Sanford Water District and the proposed location of a new PFAS treatment facility to be built near Sanford Middle School.
Photo: City of Sanford
Cleaner water on tap: The City Council has approved the expansion of an easement to the Sanford Water District for the construction of a PFAS treatment facility at the Cobb 2 well off Spartan Drive adjacent to Sanford Middle School. The well was shut down in 2023 after very low levels of PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”) were detected there. Water District Supervisor Dave Parent indicated that the snow dump at that location is the likely cause of most of the contamination, but that schools, athletic fields and residences also contribute to higher PFAS levels. He told the Council that the treatment process will also result in better tasting water. The Water District will coordinate with the School Department before construction begins.
Bean suppers are back: St. Thomas School, with the help of the Knights of Columbus, is again hosting their monthly public bean suppers on the first Saturday of the month. The next supper will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, 4:30 – 6 pm, at the St. Thomas School cafeteria at 69 North Ave. in Sanford. The meal offers beans, ham, hot dogs, American chop suey, cole slaw, rolls, beverages and dessert at a cost of $10 per person or $6 for children under 12 years old. Proceeds from the suppers benefit the school. FMI, contact Ray at 207-651-6636.
Space is limited at this annual craft fair: Organizers of the Trafton Senior Center announced that they have extremely limited tables available for their upcoming Holiday Craft Fair scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 am – 2 pm. Don’t be left out in the cold. Reserve space now by calling the Trafton Center at 207-457-0080.
Seniors, ward off the travel bug. No vaccination needed: The Trafton Senior Center has a fall trip scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, featuring lunch and dancing to the tunes of The Corvette’s Doo Wop Revue at the Castleton in Windham, NH. Payment of $149 per person, which includes transportation, lunch, dining room taxes and gratuities, and the live show, is due by Oct. 12. FMI, or to reserve a space, call Robin Bibber at 207-457-0080.
Want to buy a home but unsure how to begin? York County Community Action Corp. (YCCAC) is offering monthly Home Buyer Education Classes for first-time home buyers. The classes provide honest, accurate information about home ownership and prepare individuals and families for the steps in the home-buying process. The next available YCCAC class, conducted over three sessions via Zoom, will be held Oct. 7, 8 and 9 — 6 – 8:30 pm for the first two sessions and 6 – 9 pm for the third session. Registration fees are $45 per person and $80 per couple. FMI, email Lee Sullivan, home buyer education coordinator, at lee.sullivan@yccac.org, or call 207-459-2961. To register, go here.
Looking for a job? The Maine CareerCenter is holding a virtual hiring event on Thursday, Oct. 2, 1 – 3 pm. Job seekers will be able to share their resumes and connect directly with Bridges Home Services, Comfort Keepers of Midcoast Maine, Health Affiliates Maine, Maine Department of Corrections, Martin’s Point Health Care, Northern Light Health, Penske Truck Leasing, PeopleReady, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, The Landing School of Boatbuilding & Design, and the United States Postal Service. Pre-registration of job seekers is required. To pre-register, go here.
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