No pranks here for April Fool's Day, just a full lineup of events, programs, and items worth noting from across departments and the Town Council. We recap last week's proposed budget presentation from our Town Manager and School Superintendent, share some important committee work updates in case you missed our late-March board/committee newsletter, and some other updates for our community. Read on for details.

Many tax relief applications are due today, April 1. See all programs on the Tax Relief page. All applications are available online or in the Assessing office. Please contact their office at (207) 730-4063 if you have any questions.

Proposed FY2026 Budget Announced

Emphasis on Delivering Quality Services & Education

The Process

The Town of Scarborough fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. The Town and School begin the annual budget process in March to prepare for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in July. The review process provides opportunities for the Town Council and Finance committee to learn more from individual departments and make any adjustments. It also creates space for public participation and input in the budget.

Key Takeaways From Proposed Budget

• The Town of Scarborough has a budget of nearly $90 million, which includes Municipal, Education, County, Capital, and TIFs (Tax Increment Financing, learn more).

• The proposed budget is 5.27% higher than last year, considerably lower than the three-year average starting point of 7.1%. This would equate to approximately a 3.48% property tax rate increase.

• The main areas of focus evident in this year’s budget continue to be the high priority on delivering quality essential services and education with minimal new investments and positions. Read more in our recent budget article

How is the Town Budget Funded?

The Town receives revenue from a number of sources, but its largest source is property tax. See above chart for a further division of revenues, including those received from the State as well as municipal revenues in the form of excise tax, licenses, and permit fees. Each year, the Town Council aims to limit the tax rate increase as much as possible in order to keep it stable and in line with inflation.

Finance Committee Meetings

The Finance Committee will meet to review the budget in detail, suggest adjustments, and make their recommendation to the full Town Council. The scheduled meeting dates are:

• April 14, 8:00am-12:00pm (Review of Department budgets, Part 1)

• April 15, 8:00am-12:00pm (Review of Department budgets, Part 2)

• April 17, 5:00-7:00pm (Review of capital projects)

These meetings are also on the Town Calendar and will be recorded for remote viewing.

Budget Roundtable Discussions

The public is invited and encouraged to participate in budget discussions to give input. Finance committee and Council meetings are open to the public and have a public comment period. Additionally, the Town Council and Board of Education are offering Budget Roundtable discussions for continued dialogue. They will be held at Town Hall on the following dates:

• April 10, 5:00pm

• April 15, 7:00pm

• April 29, 5:00pm

School Building Committee Narrows to Two Options

On Monday, March 24, the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) voted to move forward two potential school solution options for further development and continued public feedback:

K-2 Neighborhood School Concept

This option maintains the three-school “neighborhood” structure of Scarborough’s K-2 primary schools. In this option, two of the current primary schools will be renovated and expanded, and one will be replaced with a newly constructed Neighborhood school, location TBD. This plan represents a hybrid of the original options A and B. Learn more

K-2 Consolidated School Concept

This option is designed to be significantly smaller and less costly than the failed K-3 Consolidated School proposed in 2023 — a direct response to community feedback expressed at the last referendum and in two subsequent school surveys. Different building sites are being explored — i.e. not Scarborough Downs. 

Both options also include an addition to the Middle School to eliminate portables, right-size the cafeteria and add needed core spaces; and a limited 3-classroom addition to Wentworth. 

The current rough order of magnitude cost estimates for each option are just over $130M. The committee is actively working with consultants to refine these costs and explore further scope reductions to bring the costs down. These potential scope reductions will entail trade-offs, including possible deferment of some work or other considerations. Building sites are being actively explored; more details will be available in the coming weeks. 

Upcoming Opportunities for Public Feedback

• April 2: Town Council/School Board workshop

• April 7: SBAC Meeting

• April 14: SBAC Meeting

• Late April (Date TBD): Community Forum

View School Calendar for details

Sign Up Today: Senior Citizen Dinner on April 8th

Spring Fun with Community Services

Bunny Breakfast

Saturday, April 12

9:00-11:00am, Wentworth Cafeteria

Buy ticket; $10 per family Only a few left!

Join us for a yummy breakfast with our favorite special spring guest! The menu includes pancakes, sausage, hash browns, and fruit, along with all of the fixings. Don’t forget to bring your camera for a photo op with the Bunny! Registration for this event is only $10 per family thanks to our sponsors Empeople Credit Union.

Spring Fling Family Formal Dance

Saturday, May 3

6:00-8:00pm, Wentworth Cafeteria

Buy ticket; $8 per person

Families come in all shapes and sizes... Moms, dads, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, grandparents, friends, next door neighbors... Bring the people who are most important to you to our 4th Annual Spring Fling Family Formal Dance!

Professional photography offered on site, as well as a selfie station for those fun and silly poses. Music provided by local radio DJs Joe Lerman and Rob Steele. Light refreshments and snacks provided, plus we're giving away fun raffle prizes from local businesses. We're able to keep the ticket cost down thanks to sponsor Nonesuch River Brewing—sign up today!

Heading into the Season: Beach Reminders

Restricted Areas Now in Effect

April 1st marks the start of restricted areas on our town beaches, which means there are sections of the beach where dogs aren't allowed (Higgins and Ferry/Western) or need to be leashed (Pine Point). Please pay attention to the signs that mark restricted areas. The maps below show the locations of restricted areas on all of Scarborough's town beaches:

• Higgins Beach: Champion Street to the river

• Ferry/Western Beach: From the southern edge of the Ferry Beach parking lot to Ferry Rock and all of Western Beach

• Pine Point: Emma's Eats to the jetty

Restricted areas extend the entire width of the beach, from the dune to the waterline. They are in place to help protect endangered piping plovers that call Scarborough’s beaches home. Plovers typically build their nests in the sand on these sections of the beach. 

Beach Passes Available May 1

Beach passes are available to purchase in the Clerk's office beginning on May 1st. The fee changes from the recent ordinance amendments will be in effect: $200 for non-resident passes (350 available) and new coverage for Active Duty Military and Income Restricted residents. The resident pass remains at $40 for the season, $5 for an additional vehicle, and free for residents age 60+. All beach passes must be obtained in person. Please bring your vehicle registration as it is required for the purchase of a beach pass (for each vehicle). Cash or check payment is recommended; cards accepted with an additional convenience fee.

Sign Up to Be a Volunteer Beach Monitor

Each summer, volunteer monitors visit our beaches to educate beachgoers about the birds and keep an eye on their nests. If you can spare a couple hours each week to walk our beaches, talk with visitors, and monitor plover nesting areas, we’d love for you to volunteer with us!  

Ideally, we're looking for a regular, weekly commitment, but we also know summer in Maine is precious. You can still volunteer even if you know you will only be able to help sporadically or if there are weeks when other plans will take you away from our beaches.

Volunteers are expected to:

• Talk and interact with the public

• Attend an annual volunteer training and orientation

• Educate beachgoers about plovers and beach rules meant to keep the birds safe

• Track volunteer time and complete written observation forms 

Photo by Missy Mans

If you have any questions about becoming a Volunteer Beach Monitor, please contact Jami Fitch, Sustainability Manager, at jfitch@scarboroughmaine.org or 207.730.4035. 

Council Goal Spotlight: Short Term Rentals

The Town Council started the year defining goals in five categories, one being "Growth, Housing, & Land Use". An actionable task they outlined within that area is to "create a short-term rental ordinance to align with Town objectives on affordable and workforce housing and ensure responsible growth".

The short-term rental registration process was paused last fall. The Long Range Planning Committee will take this item up for discussion beginning in April to allow for more public feedback and a fresh perspective. Please contact Autumn Speer, Planning Director at aspeer@scarboroughmaine.org for more information, or be on the lookout for further updates as the process resumes in the next few months. 

Read the Latest Board & Committee Newsletter

We recently shared a newsletter dedicated specifically to the work of our citizen boards and committees over the past few months. The Planning Board has reviewed some notable projects, like sketch plans for a new Market Basket in the Downs, and the Sustainability committee recently requested the Town create a Sustainability Reserve Account to help fund energy efficiency and sustainability projects. There are also updates from the Coastal Waters, Transportation, and the Community Services Advisory Board. Be sure to give it a quick read to stay informed.

April 15: Reimagining Route 1 Meeting

Tuesday, April 15, 5:30-7:30pm

Scarborough Town Hall, 259 Us Route One

Register

What’s your vision for Route 1? The Greater Portland Council of Governments’ Reimagining Route 1 project is moving forward, and they're holding three public meetings in April to facilitate community input about the project. The goals of the meetings are to introduce the project and some of the team, as well as gather feedback and input from the people who live, work, and drive along Route 1. Registration is free and pizza will be provided at no cost to attendees of the in-person meetings. Whether you’re a regular Route 1 user, just curious about what this project is all about or both, GPCOG wants to hear from you!

Vulnerability Assessment Map Shows Flood Potential

After several months of working with consultants on a Vulnerability Assessment and associated data, a new interactive Vulnerability Assessment StoryMap shows where flooding is most likely to occur in Scarborough. The Map includes a summary of data used in the Assessment and identifies Scarborough’s areas and infrastructure that currently experience coastal flooding or will be likely to flood in the future. The StoryMap is a public resource and living tool for Scarborough-specific vulnerability and resilience information. It will be updated as new information becomes available and as adaptation strategies are implemented. Please reach out to Jami Fitch, Sustainability Manager, with questions about the Vulnerability Assessment. 

Resources for Workers from Maine Dept of Labor

Recently, the Maine Department of Labor reached out to the Greater Portland communities to remind us of their resources for Maine workers that may experience a job loss. In their one page summary, Resources for Laid-Off Workers, they explain how to file for unemployment insurance as well as how to access job search assistance. The one-page info sheet also describes training assistance programs. Note that if you are a federal employee, Maine DOL has prepared some specific guidance in a separate one-page summary, Maine Unemployment Information Guide for Federal Workers.

Get Involved: Board & Committee Vacancies

The Town of Scarborough has several active boards and committees making a difference in our community. They rely on citizen volunteers with time, expertise, and interest. We are currently seeking applicants for:

• Parks and Conservation Land Board

• Coastal Waters Committee

Applications are accepted through an online form on our website and reviewed by the Appointments and Negotiations committee on an ongoing basis.

June Election Preparations

Pick Up Board of Education Nomination Papers

A local election on Tuesday, June 10 will include the election for three Board of Education candidates (3-year terms). Nomination papers for the Board of Education are available to pick up in the Town Clerk's office and must be returned by close of business on April 5th.

Request Your Absentee Ballot Online

The Town Clerk's office is now accepting absentee ballot requests for the June 10th election (School Budget Validation Referendum Election and the Board of Education Election). Make the request in person, via phone (730-4020), or through this online form.

Town Council Corner: Q&A With Councilor Scott Doherty

You were elected on the Town Council last November on a “Stop spending” campaign. Why did you decide to run?

I’ve lived in Scarborough all my life and have been wanting to be on the Council for 20 years. It really started years ago when new sewer lines were being put in near Green Acres, where I grew up. How it was being done wasn’t right. I got on the Sanitary District board, and at the time the public could be there but couldn’t comment. I changed that. Then it was the new Town Hall back in the 90s—it was too big and not necessary, but it got approved without any public say. After that, the Council made it so anything over $400,000 would need to go to referendum. Next, it was the Memorial Park project. They put in a gazebo for just under $400,000, then a skate park for under the referendum limit, and so on. In the end, the project totaled $1.2 million, all completed without any say from the voters. So it’s these things that have built up over the years. 

The straw that broke the camel’s back was the recent changes to the mooring fees in the Harbor Ordinance. A new pier was built, so they decided to have fees for those who use it. Well, I don’t use it, I work down on Ferry Beach and don’t go over there, but I still have to pay for it as part of the mooring fee. I used to have to pay $50, and now I have to pay $500. I knew I had to speak up.

You seem to get involved and speak up when something isn’t right. Do you think it’s in your nature to take action in this way?

Being on the Town Council is against every grain of my being. I hate dictating and having to be in that position. But at the same time, I’ve got to get on here and look out for the little people, the neighbors who are experiencing these issues the same as I am. Someone needs to speak up about it.

Now that you’re on the Council, have your opinions changed at all?

No, I feel pretty much the same. We do make a lot of decisions though and sometimes that can be difficult but I usually favor the individuals over the businesses and developers. We’ve had a few votes that were complex, like the wetland setbacks. I could see both sides. At the end of the day though, I stick to my values. I’m old school, I want it to be the way it used to be. We can still live by those values. Everyone else on the Council are all really nice, good people. We all have different views but they’re good people.

The School investment and finding a solution is a big topic in the community right now. How do you feel about it?

Most of the Council is big on the School. I don’t know why we don’t just keep the neighborhood schools. The middle school has the portables—those should go but they can build an addition right where the portables are located. Then if they need to rearrange what grades go to what schools, do that. But we need to work with what we have.

Your view on the school (and other major investments) is largely guided by cost and the impact on taxpayers. Can you share more about that?

The taxpayers need to know, if you don’t want your taxes to increase, you can’t keep spending. And the irony with that is, I ran a campaign entirely on cutting spending and got elected, but on the same ballot [in the November 2024 election] there were two questions about spending $1 million for Police cameras and $1 million for a new fire truck that also got approved. That doesn’t seem right and we don’t need to be spending that much.

And now we’re coming into budget season, where the Council will hear the proposed FY2026 budget, review, and vote to approve it.

It’s all connected to that. It’s real simple – all departments have to stay flat, no increase. The one thing that may be a slight increase is to pay for the School investment, and Public Works. Everybody benefits from Public Works. There are more roads now that the town is growing and you have to have more plow trucks and more drivers, and a pay increase to get more people into those jobs.

Thanks for the time you’ve put into getting more involved in the issues you care about. It’s good to have your voice on the Town Council.

I can be very outspoken. But it isn’t just about me, it’s about the people in town.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council.

Scarborough Town Council

April Sither (Chair) • Jonathan Anderson (Vice Chair) • Don Cushing • Scott Doherty • Bill Donovan • Cory Fellows • Karin Shupe

Town Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month. Visit our Town Calendar for links to attend and view agendas.

This Saturday: Green Home & Energy Show

Saturday, April 5th, 9am to 4pm (EV Expo 11am-2pm, Workshops 10am-3pm)

The Point Community Center, South Portland

Buy tickets & learn more

The Green Home + Energy Show is the place to find resources for every step of your sustainable home journey—from building to buying to renovating. Come for the expert-led workshops, networking with contractors and food trucks; stay for the vibrant community of eco-minded homeowners and professionals. Connect with a variety of home and energy exhibitors all in one place, shop from Maine makers, and test-drive an electric vehicle at the EV Expo. Meet expert landscape designers and native plant specialists at the Sustainable Landscape Expo. Ticket proceeds benefit The Ecology School, a nonprofit school where sustainability means living, learning, working & playing in ways that are regenerative.

Programs at Scarborough Public Library

The Anxious Generation: A 3-Part Deep Dive Into the Ideas of the Book

Thursday, April 3, 6:30pm-8:00pm

Register

Are you curious about the latest big parenting book, The Anxious Generation, but you haven't read it yet? Have you read it and you want more? Join author and clinical psychologist Joe Moldover for a deep dive into the ideas in the book. This is a three-part series, join in for one or all, each hosted by a different participating library, as part of MECollab, a sharing partnership between libraries throughout the state.

Computer & Internet Safety

With USM Cybersecurity Ambassadors

Monday, April 7, 10:00am-12:00pm

Register

Join the USM Cybersecurity Ambassadors to learn about social media safety, home cyber safety, identity theft, and phishing. There will be time for your computer safety questions as well.

Author Talk: Brain Tumor, A Love Story

With Kathy Eliscu

Wednesday, April 9, 1:00-2:00pm

Register

Bring the whole family, a couple of friends, or come on your own for this intergenerational party! Either way, plan to play games with anyone. This is a great way to have some fun and maybe make a new friend. Pizza and snacks provided! (You can also bring your own dinner if pizza doesn't work for you.)

Board Game Night for ALL Ages!

Friday, April 11, 5:00pm-7:30pm

Register

Bring the whole family, a couple of friends, or come on your own for this intergenerational party! Either way, plan to play games with anyone. This is a great way to have some fun and maybe make a new friend. Pizza and snacks provided! (You can also bring your own dinner if pizza doesn't work for you.)

This year marks a major milestone for Scarborough Public Library as it celebrates its 125th anniversary!