Volunteers with Age Friendly Saco pack emergency preparedness kits. Contributed / Andrew Dickinson, Saco Communications Department

Age Friendly Saco holds
emergency preparedness sessions

Age Friendly Saco is offering sessions to help older residents be ready for any emergency. These free sessions will be held at the Dyer Library on March 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, and March 31 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Each session will feature a knowledgeable panel of local experts, including Chief Dave Hamel from the Saco Fire Department, Rebecca Lyons from the Saco Police Department, Ryan Sommers from the Saco Parks and Recreation Department, and host Sophie Smith from the Dyer Library.

Attendees will gain valuable insights on essential emergency preparedness topics, including:

• Identifying local shelters in times of crisis

• Using Saco’s Code Red notification system to stay informed

• What to pack in case of evacuation

• What to have ready for sheltering in place

• Simple but critical items like working flashlights and extra batteries

The panel will guide attendees through practical exercises and engaging discussions to ensure people fully prepared when an emergency strikes. At the end of each session, participants will receive an Emergency Go backpack filled with supplies to help them get started on their preparedness journey.

Space is limited. Reserve a spot by calling Age Friendly Saco at 207-710-5029.

Tenants Speak at
McArthur April 5

The tenants’ rights group Twin City Tenants’ Alliance will hold a community event at 1 p.m.  April 5, at McArthur Library, 270 Main St., Biddeford. Attendees can expect to hear community members and area experts speak, and learn about things that can be done on the municipal level to protect tenants against rising costs and displacement. The event will focus on highlighting the lived experiences of area renters and introduce the public to policy proposals the Twin City Tenants Alliance will be pursuing in the coming months.

Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Nibblesford.

Biddeford construction project
to be discussed March 13

An upcoming major construction project on Elm and Hooper street is expected to impact traffic patterns in Biddeford between April and November.

The Maine Department of Transportation is planning upcoming road surface improvements on Elm Street. Before those improvements can take place, the city is required to install new storm drains and sewer within Elm Street between Center Street to Diamond Street, as well as within Hooper Street.

The project is being completed as part of the city’s ongoing sewer separation process. The previous single-pipe sewer system will be replaced with separate pipes for water and storm water flows. Once the replacement is complete, storm water will be discharged directly into receiving water, while wastewater will be treated before discharge, improving water quality.

Work is expected to begin the week of April 7 and will be completed in November. In a joint effort with the Maine Water Co., the existing outdated water mains within this corridor will also be replaced during this time.

A public meeting for residents and business owners on the project will be held on Thursday, March 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Biddeford Public Works Department, at 371 Hill St. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the traffic impacts of the project and weigh in on traffic control plans.

Members of the public who cannot attend the meeting are encouraged to direct questions and concerns to Jeff Demers, director of Public Works, at 207-282-1579 or by email at publicworks@biddefordmaine.org.

Biddeford woman member
of Next Gen Leaders Network

Mardochee Mbongi, board chair of Immigrant Community Integration and a community health worker from Biddeford, is one of four people from Maine and 40 nationwide who are members of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition 2025 class of the Next Generation Global Leaders Network.

Next Gen is an initiative to equip rising leaders with the tools to champion strong U.S. engagement in the world, according to a group press release.

This year’s cohort represents emerging leaders who understand that America cannot afford to retreat from the world given everything at stake, and that our role in global development and diplomacy is essential, according to the release. As threats to democracy, economic instability, and global conflicts continue to escalate, these leaders intend to be on the frontlines, championing policies that ensure America remains a beacon of stability, security and prosperity.

Over the course of the next year, these advocates will receive specialized training from USGLC’s top experts to pursue those goals.