SACO — Mayor Marston Lovell is welcoming members of the public to chat with him about city issues at City Hall on Wednesdays. 

Lovell was elected into office in November, and was inaugurated in December.

Lovell is holding weekly office hours with City Administrator Kevin Sutherland at City Hall from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays on the second floor of City Hall. To make an appointment to meet with Lovell, call 282-4191.

In the past, the city’s mayor conducted regularly scheduled office hours, but over the years, the practice was discontinued, said Lovell.

“We want to start this not not as a throwback but as a communication technique,” said Lovell. “Kevin and I both think communicating with the public is very, very important.”

Lovell said it’s good to have Sutherland’s input available if a citizen has a concern or idea. While the mayor is the chief executive officer of the city, the administrator is the chief administrative officer and Sutherland’s insight into the day to day operations of the city is critical when responding to constituents, said Lovell.

Lovell heard that past mayors did not get an overabundance of constituents coming to scheduled office hours, and he and Sutherland both said they don’t expect to have the Wednesday sessions completely booked. The two said the time on Wednesday also gives them time to plan City Council agendas and discuss city matters with each other.

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