SACO — Mark Johnston was inaugurated into office as mayor Monday night, praising volunteerism and promising to work with local business owners and the City of Biddeford.

The inauguration took place at the Saco Transportation Center. With live music and dessert tables offering an array of refreshments, there was an air of festivity in the packed transportation center.

Johnston said he chose to hold the event at the train station because it represented the “out of the box” style of development that will ensure success in this 21st century business environment. It is a versatile public space with a warm and charming environment that was built with community-sourced labor, materials and services and used clean and sustainable power, he said.

Outgoing Mayor Roland “Ron” Michaud noted the accomplishments during the past four years he served, which were made despite one of the worst economies the city has faced in generations, he said. These included a new fire station, which will serve the city for generations; a new waste water treatment plant; improvements on Main Street; paving projects; a community garden; and trail work done on the River Walk, Cascade Falls, Horton Woods and the Eastern Trail.

“In spite of the many challenges we faced over the last four years, Saco has continued to move forward,” said Michaud.

Few of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of the city staff, he said, and he acknowledged many of them by name and their efforts to make sure “Saco remains the best city in the state.” He also thanked the dedication of the city council and the community for its support.

“It’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve as mayor of this great community,” he said.

Johnston previously served one term as councilor and 12 years as mayor. He ended his last term as mayor in 2007.

Johnston thanked his family and joked about his “long-winded” speech.

“I’ve been mayor for so long that I don’t know how to keep quiet,” he said.

He commented that he, at 60, is the youngest one on the council, though he is not a voting member, and urged young people to get involved in city committees and boards.

Johnston, a history buff, told the story of two explorers who visited Saco. In 1602, Captain Pringle visited Saco and recorded that there was nothing there. And in 1605, Samuel de Champlain came here and found the same area abundant with resources. Johnston said a lesson can be learned about how to view the community in times of challenge, and he invited the audience to join him in focusing on the community’s gifts and opportunities rather than its possible shortcomings.

He outlined some of the assets of Saco, such as its shoreline, close proximity to mountains, fertile farmland, and a new fire station. Johnston praised local economic development group Saco Spirit, its volunteerism and commitment to community, and said the group sets a good example.

“We all need to be the change we want to see in our hometown,” he said.

Johnston said part of the group’s secret to success is it ability to establish fruitful and efficient partnerships with city departments. He said the community needs more of this kind of personal interest and teamwork, and he hopes to foster that any way he can during his administration.

Johnston said he met with Biddeford Mayor-Elect Alan Casavant that morning, and the two will have a joint meeting with department heads from the two cities next Monday, Dec. 12 at 8:30 a.m. This reflected a prepared statement sent out earlier that day, which said the mayors will work toward a more cooperative relationship between the two cities, and are thinking of conducting joint press hours every few weeks. The sessions would be attended by both mayors and their city managers, with local reporters invited to ask whatever questions they might have about issues that the two cities are facing.

“I heard it time and time again on the campaign trail, that people are frustrated with elected officials paying lip service to Biddeford-Saco cooperation, but then not following through to the extent possible,” said Casavant, who also serves Biddeford as a state representative in Augusta, in the joint statement released Monday. “”¦ That is about to change.”

Johnston told the audience he would have an open door policy, and he and city staff will always be available to hear the human side of business concerns and needs.

“Government will do what it can to support you,” he said.

Johnston said he will initiate a round table of local businesses to define and discuss the needs and action the city must address.

He said the city should implement a moratorium on all impact fees, such as combined sewer overflow fees, with the hope of jump-starting development on Saco Island and in the downtown.

He said he would like the council to evaluate the location and future of the public works building. He said there are “some real advantages to this task,” which the city will be outlining to the council in the next few days. He also proposed that the council focus on blighted areas in the community. The city needs to take pride in its appearance as well as respect its history, he said.

Johnston said he intended to take a leadership role with Regional School Unit 23 and discuss building issues at Governor John Fairfield and Young Elementary Schools.

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