Town of Saco to hold special election for mosquito control

The Town of Saco has given notice that it will hold a special election on Tuesday, September 20 in hopes of approving additional mills to raise $20,000 to permanently fund mosquito control.

"We won't necessarily use the entire $20,000 each year," Mayor Simpson said. "But we also want to have a surplus for equipment and if the price of chemical goes up."

The special election will be conducted by mail ballot only and ballots will be sent to eligible, registered voters on September 1.

Saco Mayor Clint Simpson said that each year it costs the Town of Saco $20,000 per year to control mosquitoes in the area and if voters approve the additional mills in the special election, the $20,000 will continue annually.

Mayor Simpson said that the Town of Saco is working through some financial hardship as natural gas prices continue to dwindle.

“The town has become dependent on that natural gas money and it is just no longer there,” he added.

Mayor Simpson said that the town’s Enterprise Funds -- including, water, sewer and retail gas – are on the way to becoming self-sufficient and if steps had been taken earlier to square those funds away, Saco might not be in the situation it finds itself in today.

Mayor Simpson said he is in favor of additional mills for mosquito control as both the Mayor of Saco and a resident.

“I believe on my own home and vacant lot it would cost me right around that $50 mark,” he said.

Mayor Simpson said that the entire Town of Saco is sprayed for mosquitoes nightly – weather permitting -- and said thus far this year, the insects haven’t been as prevalent as years past. He said a recent community spaghetti feed in Saco allowed for nearly $5,000 to help pay for chemicals to maintain mosquito control and the town paid the wages for the person who drove the spray truck, but that amount of money was not nearly enough to cover pest control for an entire season.

“Our operator does a real good job and we believe the chemicals are doing their job,” Mayor Simpson said. “I think it is really important to have a good mosquito program. Of course, I don’t think we are in danger of the Zika Virus yet, but there is always other diseases that mosquitoes carry so I think we have to control them.”