The Sanford Public Works Highway crew is already working on pothole repairs.
Photo: City of Sanford
Compiled by Carolyn Cadigan
Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride: Every year, as winter transitions to spring, it’s difficult to avoid the growing number of potholes that appear on the roads. This is a normal occurrence that happens when the freeze-and-thaw cycles cause pavement cracks to expand. The City of Sanford recently posted on social media that the Public Works Highway crew is out on the roads repairing the potholes as quickly and safely as possible. However, patching potholes takes time, especially when the crew is faced with obstacles such as puddles, ice, frozen road base, and the hot mix paving plants being closed. Drivers are reminded to slow down and maintain a safe distance when passing the crews working on the roads. Stay alert while driving and slow down to avoid possible vehicle damage. Call the Public Works Department at 207-324-9135 to report a roadway hazard that requires attention.
Application period is open for Habitat homes: Habitat for Humanity York County is now accepting applications for two of the five affordable homeownership opportunities on Island Avenue in Sanford. The path to homeownership through the organization follows an in-depth process that requires hard work and dedication. Habitat helps prospective homeowners prepare for the responsibilities of owning a home, including learning about personal finances, mortgages, maintenance, upkeep of homes, and more. Applications will be accepted until April 17. FMI on program qualifications, requirements, and how to apply, go here.
https://habitatyorkcounty.org/homeownership
Their awards come in waves: Watching Maine Attraction Water Ski Show Team perform is a tradition in Sanford, but those who gather around Number One Pond for their summer shows are not their only admirers. The team was recently named Small Team of the Year for 2025, awarded by The Ski Show Podcast. This award tops off an impressive year for Maine Attraction. They competed in the Eastern Regional Show Ski Tournament last summer, capturing first-place awards in multiple categories, including Showmanship, Production, Highest Individual Club Act, Highest Scoring Pyramid, Highest Scoring Male, Dock and Equipment Personnel, and, ultimately, Best Overall Show. The team, looking ahead to warmer temperatures, has already posted their summer schedule online. The shows and clinics begin in July.
https://maineattractionwaterski.com/schedule.html
Goodall Library login change for Minerva users: Starting March 17, Goodall Library patrons who use Minerva to request books, whether at home or in the library, will need to follow a new account login process. Patrons will need to input a unique 4-digit PIN along with their library card number in order to log in to their account. This change will make patrons’ library accounts more secure and will enable the library to make upgrades to its catalog software. FMI on this change, visit Minerva. The PIN is not needed to access databases and ebooks at this time.
https://minerva.maine.edu/screens/pins_intro.html
Information in a SNAP: Good Shepherd Food Bank is a helpful resource in understanding SNAP — how it works, who it helps, and what can be purchased with the Maine Pine Tree EBT card. The organization also has information on how programs like Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards help SNAP/EBT shoppers stretch their food budget even further. Learn more about SNAP here.
https://www.gsfb.org/lets-talk-about-snap
Parenting classes start soon: Kids Free to Grow, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect by empowering children and families in York and Cumberland counties, has announced its spring line-up of free classes. The multi-session classes, all offered on Zoom, include Nurturing Parenting: Through Recovery, to aid families in navigating the challenges of substance abuse; Nurturing Parenting: Community Based, for caregivers with children of any age; Circle of Security Parenting, to help parents and caregivers understand and respond to their child’s emotional needs; and Active Parenting: First Five Years, for prenatal parents and parents with children ages birth to 4. FMI about the classes, and to register, go here.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1grgB7vQgrQVz3gMRSs9Cea_r-jCaeqNgAoTp8LYxPwA/edit
Home heating assistance through HEAP is still available: York County Community Action Corporation (YCCAC) is still accepting applications for its Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). Appointments can often be scheduled within just a few days to a week. This means there is still time for households who need assistance this season to apply. It is also a chance for households to plan ahead and apply now to get a head start on preparing for next winter. To schedule an appointment, call the YCCAC Outreach Program at 207-459‑2950.
Refresh your grocery bags, support mental health: For the entire month of March, when shoppers purchase a reusable Community Bag for $2.50 at Hannaford in Sanford, the store will donate $1 to Sweetser. The Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program has been operating since April 2014.
Trafton trips take travelers on the road again: The Trafton Senior Center still has openings on two upcoming spring trips, which are open to both members and non-members. On Thursday, April 16, travelers will visit The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston with lunch planned at Maggiano’s. Spend two hours admiring the collection of world-renowned paintings, sculptures, ceramics and more before sitting down to Italian-American dining at Maggiano’s. The cost for this trip is $175 per person.
The second trip, scheduled for June 4 – 7, heads north to Québec City. Travelers can experience the charm of Old Québec and the surrounding Côte-de-Beaupré region with its villages, landscapes and historical attractions. They will visit a local cider house, discover Montmorency Falls, tour the Citadel, and visit the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré shrine. There will also be plenty of free time to explore independently. Keep in mind that this trip requires a lot of walking, often on old and uneven streets. FMI on either trip, call the Trafton Center at 207-457-0080.
Everyone has an opinion. Here’s a chance to share yours: The City of Sanford is seeking feedback to guide the Comprehensive Plan update that is underway. Every month through the spring and summer, the city will ask a few short questions to gather respondents’ ideas, priorities and vision for the community. Responses will help shape decisions on issues such as land use, development, parks, roads, sidewalks and more over the next 20 years. Access the March survey question here.
https://www.sanfordmeconnects.com/comprehensive-plan/surveys/questions-of-the-month
The Sanford Fire Department trains on the roof of a building being demolished at the site of the new Central Fire Station.
Photo: City of Sanford
Firefighters take advantage of the moment: Members of Sanford Fire Department’s C-Shift didn’t let a good opportunity go to waste. Last week, they conducted roof ventilation training at the future site of the new Central Fire Station. The location is being cleared of buildings and trees in preparation for the construction of the new station. The crew sharpened their skills using the old bank building at the site.
Everyone’s Irish this time of year: There are a few St. Patrick’s Day events being held in the area. On Saturday, March 14, 6:30 – 10:30 pm, Maine Attraction Water Ski Show Team is holding their St. Paddy’s Day Party Benefit Dance and Auction at Sanford Memorial Gym. The live band Stolen Mojo will perform, plus there will be a grazing table, cash bar, and plenty of auction and raffle items to try to win. Guests must be 18 or older. Purchase tickets here.
Sanford First Baptist Church and the VFW are serving dinners. The church will serve their annual Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner on March 14, 4:30 – 6 pm, at 905 Main St., Sanford. The meal will also include potatoes, carrots, turnip, rolls and apple crisp — all homemade and available to eat in or take out. The cost is $14 per person. Reserve a spot by calling 207-324-5456. The VFW, 1 Hutchinson Street in Sanford, is also having a St. Pat’s Day Dinner from 4 – 8 pm on Tuesday, March 17.
Maine Attraction Party –
https://event.auctria.com/477c5fbe-dd07-479f-b251-ecce2a39f87c
Domestic abuse is the topic of online author talks: Goodall Memorial Library recently announced a series of talks by Irish authors to be held this month on the subject of domestic abuse. Betsy Cornwell, author of “Ring of Salt: A Memoir of Finding Home and Hope on the Wild Coast of Ireland,” is featured on Tuesday, March 24, 1 – 2:15 pm. Jacqueline Connolly, author of “Deadly Silence,” is scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2 – 3:15 pm. The series is part of the Finding Our Voices Book Club, which invites authors from around the world to talk about the domestic abuse in their books, their countries, and sometimes in their lives. These free talks are offered on Zoom. Sign up here.
https://findingourvoices.net/book-club
March food drive benefits youth: The Sanford Backpack Program is holding a food drive for the entire month of March to fight against youth hunger. The items most needed are canned chicken and tuna, canned beans, canned vegetables, fruit cups, peanut butter, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, oatmeal, soup, granola bars and side dishes. No glass containers please. Items can be dropped off at Partners Bank, People’s Choice Credit Union and Kennebunk Savings Bank locations in Sanford and Springvale.
Maine Maple Weekend is short, but sweet: Packy’s Sugar House, 232 Harry Howes Road in Sanford, is celebrating Maine Maple Weekend, March 21 – 22, with fresh syrup, family fun and all the maple goodness. Bring the family, meet the makers, and experience how syrup is crafted from start to finish. They’ll be open 9 am – 3 pm both weekend days.
Candidate joins race to unseat Harrington: Mark Vigliotta officially qualified for the ballot to run for Maine State Senate District 33, which includes the towns of Alfred, Lebanon, Waterboro, and the City of Sanford. The seat is currently held by Senator Matt Harrington. Vigliotta, a Portsmouth Naval Shipyard production machinery mechanic and union member, lives in Lebanon with his wife, Wendy.
Keep an eye out for it: A recent social media post by Three Rivers Land Trust reminds bird lovers to clean their bird feeders to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. A Sanford/Springvale resident spotted finch eye disease while a bird was feeding. Mycoplasmal conjunctivitis is highly contagious and is spread by bird feeders, especially in the winter and spring, according to the post. FMI on how to keep bird feeders clean, go here.
Ready for a change of place: The Sanford Arts Commission has announced a new Art Walk schedule for 2026. Art Walks will take place on the second Friday of the month from May through August, 4 – 7:30 pm. Also new this year is the location — outdoors at Springvale Library. Interested in joining the Art Walk team? Email artwalk@sanfordmaine.org.
Giving credit where credit is due: Atlantic Federal Credit Union donated $11,400 to the nonprofit Campaign for Ending Hunger in Maine earlier this month. For every new account opened in February, AFCU donated $50 to the Campaign. Credit unions across the state collectively participate in the Campaign, which began in 1990. Since then, over $16.3 million has been contributed from across Maine with nearly $1.5 million raised in 2025 alone. The Campaign’s distributions support local food pantries, meal sites, schools, and Good Shepherd Food Bank.
Main Street Memo – Edition 63 is now available: Be in the know about the latest news and announcements in Sanford, including information on the next public meeting on the Aries Clean Technologies project. Access the latest publication here.
https://us11.campaign-archive.com/?u=578f18e32d88dcaebea7df9ba&id=89aac1722d
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