Sanford Closes Road by Abandoned Woolen Mill Over Safety Hazards

Sanford's City Council was scheduled to vote the evening of October 13 on whether to extend or end an emergency closure of Heritage Crossing, the road running past the city's former Woolen Mill, the Portland Press Herald reported.

The city shut the road to drivers and people on foot on October 8, citing a buildup of trash and waste around the vacant mill complex that it described as a public safety hazard. Property owners and people living nearby had complained about discarded syringes and the risk of fire at the site, which officials said has drawn homeless residents since the council declared the complex abandoned in July 2026.

Police swept the property on the morning of October 13, arresting three people on charges including criminal trespass, violations of release conditions and outstanding warrants, and issuing summonses to three others for criminal trespass, according to Chief Eric Small. An earlier sweep had cut the number of people on the property.

Maj. Mark Dyer said enforcement had been complicated because the city does not own the mill, but that the abandonment declaration and permission from the former owner gave officers broader authority. Patrols, foot beats and stationed officers would continue, he said: "We're not gonna just do this operation and be done."

The emergency meeting at City Hall was set to be livestreamed on WSSR TV's YouTube page.

This story was first reported by The Portland Press Herald.