SACO — The public may have the chance to say their piece at future City Council meetings.

The City Council Tuesday night discussed during a workshop the possibility of adding a time at meetings when the public could voice their opinion about items not on the council agenda. Other communities, including Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach, set aside time at council meetings for public input.

Mayor Don Pilon said he’s been asked by members of the community for the ability to voice concerns to the council. Pilon said one of the findings of the 10-year vision effort was people felt they didn’t have enough input in city matters.

Pilon said if the City Council decided to have a public input session, it could enforce a time limit for comments. Pilon said he didn’t think it would be abused, as often times, not a lot of people attend council meetings.

Councilor Kevin Roche said the school board has implemented a public input session with minimal issues, and sometimes, no one participates in the input session.

“Some people don’t know how to get their voice heard,” said Councilor Nathan Johnston. “This would give them an opportunity.”

Long-time city councilors Eric Cote, Arthur Tardif and Leslie Smith voiced opposition about the proposal, recalling problems with public input sessions when the council held them years ago.

“I don’t have anyone asking me to do this,” said Cote. He said people have no problem emailing him when there is a controversial issue.

Cote said back when the town council had a public input session, there were “mentally unstable” people who frequently commented, and there was a time when the police had to be called.

“It was extremely difficult to control,” said Smith.

Tardif said he didn’t have a problem with people commenting on something on the agenda, but if the same people come to complain every meeting, it would be “a waste of time.”

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].