Sanford mayoral, City Council candidates discuss solutions for public safety concerns
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Sanford’s mayoral and City Council candidates have been speaking up about their concerns over public safety, highlighted by the recent closure of Heritage Crossing, ahead of Tuesday’s election.
The area near the old Woolen Mill has become an “attractive nuisance and extraordinary public safety hazard,” the city has said, and the City Council voted this month to extend the road closure until public safety officials determine it’s safe.
With the city already facing uncertainty over how plans for a potential data center and biosolid processing plant fit into its future, the topic of chronic homelessness has become the latest big issue looming over the local election.
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We asked the four mayoral candidates and seven council candidates how they would tackle the topic. For the few who didn’t meet our Wednesday deadline, we’ve included parts of their responses to a similar question during a recent Meet the Candidates event.
Here’s what you need to know about where the candidates stand.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Two of the candidates running to succeed Mayor Becky Brink emphasized cooperation between local and state authorities as key to addressing public safety.
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Deputy Mayor Maura Herlihy said the Sanford police and fire departments do an exceptional job addressing safety, and more support is coming in the form of plans for a supportive housing project and a recovery home project in Alfred. She believes areas like Heritage Crossing need more investments in security — like cameras — to deter illegal activity.
If elected, she plans on strengthening relationships with county and state officials “to secure immediate winter sheltering options and push for judicial reforms that holds individuals accountable in their rehabilitation.”
Pete Tranchemontagne, a current member of the City Council, said his safety concerns with Heritage Crossing begin with preventing major fires at the mill. He also said one of his biggest priorities would be working with state and local officials to acquire necessary funding and keep the cost off Sanford’s taxpayers.
“This would be one of my biggest priorities because public safety is the number one job of local government, followed by reducing the community’s tax burden through economic development,” he said.
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Tranchemontagne has largely been campaigning on the issue of public safety, citing dozens of letters he’s sent to lawmakers and other state officials requesting additional assistance from local agencies to combat safety issues.
Daniel White said he has developed a strategy to address the environmental hazards at Heritage Crossing, in the event the city is able to acquire the property.
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“By initiating a feasibility study and securing federal, state, and historic preservation grants, we can revitalize this site into a textile heritage museum,” he said in an email. “Regarding pressing safety concerns, I maintain full confidence in the capabilities of our public safety officials.”
Matthew Dupuis did not respond to a request for comment, but at the city’s Meet the Candidates night, he voiced his concerns with how much the city would legally be able to do. He said that as much of a problem as chronic homelessness is, the city’s options for those who do not want assistance are limited.
CITY COUNCIL HOPEFULS
Among the seven City Council candidates for two open seats, Alex Clary, Michael Perry and Meagan Crawford all agreed that transparency and education are a priority to ensure residents are able to stay informed about local issues.
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Crawford also said she would work towards establishing a warming center, while Shawn Goowdin said that while the idea of a warming shelter is heartfelt, he would have concerns regarding funding and building maintenance.
“The best thing we can do for the people of Sanford, both housed and unhoused, is to keep the mill building closed,” Goodwin said.
Council member Jonathan Martell, who is running for reelection, said during the Meet the Candidates night that the city’s choice to pause its syringe service program late last year was a step in the right direction, but that police also need to be provided with enough support and resources to allow them to keep the city safe.
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Victoria Pariyar said chronic homelessness is an issue that also goes hand in hand with mental health, and that respect towards those suffering from it was important in solutions considered by municipalities.
“People are nervous,” she said. “I think more businesses would help.”
Bryce Lambert said the city would need to find a way to help the police department with enforcement without violating any laws.
“It’s gonna take some creative measures to get there,” he said.
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Tagged: election 2026, sanford city council
Abigail is a community reporter for Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Sanford, and Wells. She recently moved up to Maine from Connecticut after getting her bachelor’s degree in English/Journalism at the University. More by Abigail Driscoll
