SANFORD — Mayor Thomas Cote, sworn in Tuesday for what he said is his third and final term as mayor, said despite challenges, Sanford residents “are living in a city with an amazing future.”
Ayn Hanselmann and Lucas Lanigan, elected and re-elected in November, respectively, took their oaths of office. Later, Lanigan was voted deputy mayor by his peers.
Thomas Cote
Cote touched on a number of ongoing initiatives in a short address at the beginning of Sanford City Council’s first meeting of the new year.
“Our broadband network, SanfordNet Fiber is being constructed as I speak,” said Cote. “This is a 45-mile fiber optic network that offers speeds 100 times faster than the national average, one of the fastest systems in the Northeast. This a true differentiating factor for Sanford and will greatly accelerate our business attraction efforts.
“Our plan for SanfordNet Fiber has gained national attention and put us in a position to work with Harvard’s Post Road Foundation. Sanford is one of only five communities in the U.S. to participate in a major new study to expand fiber connectivity to all Sanford residents,” he pointed out.
“If that wasn’t enough, coming in 2019 (is) the largest solar array at any airport in the United States. This project will include 176,000 solar panels covering 390 acres producing 50 megawatts of power — enough energy to power 20,000 homes.”
He noted the new Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center is open — the largest school construction project in Maine’s history, and pointed out that Sanford will receive $42.9 million in state funding to renovate and expand its elementary schools.
“There is no better way to attract young families to Sanford than offering excellent schools and state of the art facilities,” said Cote.
“I mention these initiatives because they are all revenue generators for Sanford,” he said. “This is revenue that we can utilize to fix the roads, improve our downtown, enhance our parks, and improve the overall quality of life in Sanford. They are critical components in our recovery.”
He noted the city’s 250th anniversary in 2018.
“We had an amazing year of recognition and celebrations,” said Cote. “There is no doubt that we have a storied past. But, I truly believe the road ahead will be the moment in history that will be celebrated in the long term. The story will read something like this: ‘A mill town that at one point refused to die, later becomes a model city of innovation and change through believing in itself and imagining what is possible.’ This is the path we are on. With that, I remain honored and humbled to be your mayor.”
Cote thanked the voters, his family, City Manager Steve Buck, executive assistant Sherry Lord, city councilors, and welcomed Hanselmann to the council.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
