Saco City Administrator Kevin Sutherland runs into the ocean on Thursday morning. LIZ GOTTHELF/Journal Tribune

SACO — With temperatures hovering in the single digits on Thursday, many people opted to avoid the outdoors and the bitter cold.

Not so for Saco City Administrator Kevin Sutherland. While others were home drinking their morning cup of coffee, Sutherland was on the beach in Camp Ellis stripping down to his swim trunks.

Sutherland had promised residents that if the city received at least 1,000 responses on a recent zoning survey, he would jump in the ocean in January. The city received 1,080 responses.

“I said I would jump in the ocean in January, and I waited to the last day of January and it happens to be the coldest day,” said Sutherland at 8 a.m. on Thursday, as he headed down to the beach from the pier parking lot. A group of city officials and staff followed him down to the shore, to witness the plunge and offer support.

Off went the warm coat, hat, gloves and winter layers. Colleagues promised to gather up the articles of clothing left on the beach, so he wouldn’t have to spend any extra time in the bitter cold in his wet swim trunks.

“I’m a man of my word,” Sutherland said.

As promised, Sutherland dashed into the water, but he didn’t stop there. He even went under water for a moment.

Once back on shore, he was immediately given a towel and he ran, barefoot, up the snow bank to a warm car that was waiting nearby.

Sutherland survived the event and city officials reported later that morning he was doing well.

Through the public survey, the city solicited feedback from the community as part of the process to revise the current zoning ordinance. The city’s zoning ordinance was adopted in 1985, and this is the first time the city is taking a comprehensive look at the city’s zoning and land use practices, according to a written statement from the city.

The survey results showed that top areas of interest were the waterfront, downtown, Route 1, parks and recreation and housing.

A community workshop will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 7 at People’s Choice Credit Union located at 23 Industrial Park Road. All are welcome to attend. Those interested should RSVP by calling 282-4191 or emailing [email protected].

— Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or  by email at [email protected].