Sweetser News & Events

First Responders, Congressional Delegation Staff Join Sweetser in Support of Emergency Egress

Posted on 06/26/2007 at 12:00 am

SACO — A week after a severe gas leak nearly caused an explosion on the Saco campus of The School at Sweetser, local officials united to offer support for the agency’s petition for an emergency egress on that campus. The emergency incident was the third in three years, further underscoring the need for a second means of egress.

The agency received approval from Maine Transportation Commissioner David Cole in November of 2004 to construct such an egress, however the Federal Highway Authority — who has jurisdiction over access to interstate roadways — denied Sweetser’s request for such an egress along the I-195 corridor in Saco in May of 2006.

“We were darn lucky last week and are grateful to the many who stand with us today. These local heroes assured the safety of dozens of us, especially the kids who live here. I hate to think what might have happened were the leak to have occurred at the main valve, located just feet from the only existing exit,” said Carl Pendleton, President and CEO of Sweetser. “We may have been unsuccessful in our initial petition to the Federal Highway Authority, but we remain committed to working with the federal government to find a safe and viable second means of egress. To that end, we will resubmit our request,” he said.

Bill Vail of Senator Susan Collins’ office and Kyle Noonan of Congressman Tom Allen’s office attended the press conference to pledge continued support from their respective offices. They plan to enlist the support of the entire Congressional delegation on Sweetser’s behalf.

Founded in 1828, Sweetser is Maine’s most comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization dedicated to serving children, adults and families. Sweetser offers services that address emotional disturbances, mental illnesses behavioral disorders and learning disabilities through an array of educational programs, preventive services, community-based support services and residential services. With more than 1,000 employees, Sweetser ranks among Maine’s top 25 employers.