We can't guarantee you won't get pranked this April Fool's Day, but we can be sure you'll be up to speed on what's happening in Scarborough. The month of April is synonymous with budget season in our town, and it will be a priority in council meetings from now through mid-June. And outside of Town Hall, the plovers are back, Easter eggs are spotted across our parks, and street sweeping has begun. Read on for details and navigate onto our website for a deeper dive (have you seen it since our upgrade?).

What are your summer plans? Scarborough is hiring for a number of seasonal (and full time) positions across several departments. Check out our Job Board for current opportunities and check back routinely for your best fit.

The municipal budget season happens every year from approximately April to June. The proposed budget was publicly presented by the Town Manager jointly with the Superintendent (representing the School budget) on Wednesday, March 30. Next, Town Council will vote on the first reading of the budget, followed by a detailed review by the Finance Committee in a series of public meetings. They will prepare a list of recommendations for the Council to consider upon adoption, and the Council is charged with final approval of the municipal budget at second reading. The school budget will be voted on in a referendum election on June 14, 2022.

This is a critical period for us each year, as the budget is a representation of our town’s priorities for residents. It enables us to look ahead to the coming year and determine what’s most important to our community and areas that need to improve most. We value the trust you have in us on staff and council to be the stewards of your tax dollars and deliver high-quality public services.

The Finance Committee and full Town Council invite and encourage resident participation. Tune into meetings, look over the budget document on our Budget Portal, and give feedback to the Council at towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org.

Read the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 budget document (249 pages) and look out for our special Budget Overview newsletter next week.

The Town of Scarborough website received a recent upgrade! The goal of the refresh was to make the site easier to navigate and find the information you're looking for in an efficient way. With this, we have new features on our Town Calendar. Two helpful tips:

• Use the Search bar right above the calendar to find what you're looking for more quickly.

• Click the light blue icon on the right-hand corner of the calendar to filter what appears on the calendar. Select "Budget Calendar" to view only the meetings related to the Town Budget.

The State Primary Election, the regular town School Budget Validation Referendum Election, and the Special Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at the Scarborough High School, located at 11 Municipal Drive on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Absentee ballots are not yet available; however, you can request your absentee ballots early online for one to be sent to you. All absentee ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. EDT on Election Day.

For further information on Absentee Voting and Voter Registration, please contact the Scarborough Town Clerk's Office at 730‑4020.

Nomination papers for a vacant seat on the Town Council are currently available for a Special Town Election, scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Papers are available in the Town Clerk’s Office starting Thursday, March 31, 2022, through to close of business on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. This race is to fill a vacancy on the Town Council created by the resignation of Paul Johnson, with a term to expire in 2024. The Special Municipal Election will coincide with the regular town School Budget Validation Referendum Election and the State Primary. For further information, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 207-730-4020.

Plovers have been spotted on our beaches – a sure sign that spring is here! Piping Plovers are endangered shore birds that are protected by both State and Federal laws. In the spring and summer months, Scarborough’s beaches are home to several pairs of endangered piping plovers. In fact, the piping plover is our official town bird!

Scarborough has prime Piping Plover habitat. They love to lay their eggs in our soft sand and raise their chicks on our beaches. During the nesting season (roughly April – August), it’s essential that beachgoers know to steer clear of plover nests – that’s where our volunteers come in!

Each summer, volunteers visit our beaches to educate beachgoers about the birds and to keep an eye on their nests. If you’re interested in helping the Town with our protection efforts, sign up to volunteer as a Beach Monitor!

Spend a couple hours each week walking our beaches, talking with visitors, and monitoring plover nesting areas. 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 periodically or if there are weeks when you are unavailable. All volunteers must:

• Be willing 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

Despite the fact that we are still technically in “winter operations,” the weather has allowed for us to get a tentative start on street sweeping! We have no set schedule for street sweeping, aside from our plan to start at opposite ends of town with our two street sweepers, and work our way through and around town as weather permits.

Historically, residents have been allowed to put their yard debris into the street for us to pick up with the sweeper. However, as of a 2019 Town ordinance, it is now unlawful to put any yard or wood waste into any paved street or the Town’s right of way. Yard and wood waste includes: earthen fill, soil, sand, grass, leaves, and other vegetative matter. Per the ordinance, any person who violates this ordinance commits a civil violation, which may be punishable by a civil penalty of not less than $200, and not more than $2,500 for each violation. Each day upon which a violation continues shall be considered a separate violation.

All Scarborough residents may bring grass clippings and leaves to the Casella Transfer station (594 County Road, Westbrook) free of charge. Other items and yard/wood waste may be disposed of at the Casella Transfer Station as well, for a nominal fee. Sand may be collected, and brought to the Public Works facility at 20 Washington Avenue. If you hire a contractor to clean your property, please make sure they are hauling away any debris, rather than placing/blowing it into the roadways.

Unitil Corporation will be replacing 3,000 feet of steel pipe along Gorham Road between the Nonesuch River near Ridgeway Road and Maple Avenue in Scarborough, Maine as part of a coordinated effort with the Scarborough Sanitary District and the Town of Scarborough. They began the natural gas pipeline work this week on Monday, March 28. The work is expected to last three months and we will keep you up to date of any major changes here and on our website.

Do you have an interest in a particular Town issue? The Town of Scarborough appoints members to several standing committees and additional shorter term committees to work on specific issues. Please consider volunteering! Serving on a committee is a wonderful way to learn more about our community, meet our neighbors, and contribute to our town’s success.

ADA Advisory Committee: Advises on and recommends policies, practices, and legislation in matters affecting people with disabilities consistent with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Meets on an as-needed basis.

Housing Alliance: Develops and recommends a local affordable housing agenda to the Town Council.

Senior Advisory Board: Provides directional advice for development of seniors programs and services.

Shellfish Conservation Commission: Establishes a shellfish conservation program for the Town in order to ensure the protection and sustainable management of shellfish resources. Meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

Transportation Committee: Studies transportation issues and initiatives in Scarborough and makes recommendations to the Town Council on improvements to our transportation system.

Beep, beep! Our Assessing Department is hitting the town for annual drive-by inspections. They conduct these for permitted work or new construction. It may involve them getting out of the car to walk around the property or to measure. They will adhere to current safety and social distancing protocols and carry Town IDs on them. Vehicles have magnets with the Town logo. Vehicle information is available on the Assessing page of our website. If you have any questions, please call our Assessing Department at (207) 730-4060.

Happy Birthday to the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, celebrating its 50th Anniversary season this year. Since 1972 the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center has provided an idyllic spot for birders and nature lovers from Scarborough and beyond. While offering canoe and kayak tours, the Center also welcomes school children from across the state, including all third graders in Scarborough, to learn about the ecosystem of the marsh and the wildlife that live there.

• Earth Day clean-up (April 23)

• 15th Annual Memorial Day Snowy Egret 5K Road Race and Fun Run (May 30)

• 50th Anniversary Gala at The Landing on Pine Point (Late July)

• A canoe parade (Date TBA)

• Snowy Egret Family Fun Day (August)

• Season Ending Clean-Up

The Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center is also looking for volunteers throughout the season as well as auction items for their July event. Learn more on their website.

Business Sponsorships of the 50th Anniversary are also available starting at $250. To learn more about sponsorships, contact Maureen Duggan (mduggan@maineaudubon.org or 207-781-2330, ext. 230).

The Easter Bunny visited Scarborough and hopped all over town, but OH NO! There was a hole in the basket and eggs dropped everywhere! Can you retrace the Bunny’s tracks and help find the eggs?

Use this coloring page to draw the design you see on each egg at the 6 locations. Keep your eyes peeled... Some eggs may be harder to find than others. Once the page is completed, send a photo to comserv@scarboroughmaine.org or drop it off at the SCS Hub (418 Payne Road) to be entered into an EGGCITING drawing! Seven participants will win a basket full of goodies and 1 of those lucky winners will get their basket hand-delivered by the Bunny! Deadline for submissions is April 4.

Join us on Saturday, April 9 from 9:00-11:00am in the Wentworth Cafeteria for a yummy breakfast with our favorite special guest... The Easter Bunny! 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 is required for breakfast. $7 per person or $20 per family.

Passport Day (By appointment only)

9:00am to 2:00pm

Community Services Hub (418 Payne Road)

View the Winter/Spring Brochure

View the digital brochure or pick up a paper copy at the Community Services Hub (418 Payne Road) or Scarborough Public Library.

Do you have ideas for cable programming for our local Town channel? Let us know! Email pcoleman@scarboroughmaine.org.

Yesterday evening we held our first ever Council Corner Live event hosted by Councilors Jon Anderson and April Sither. Several residents attended both in person and through Zoom to discuss the topic of growth in Scarborough. Thank you to all who shared their thoughts through this forum. The recording is up on YouTube in case you missed it. We hope to continue these engagement opportunities, and as always, you may email your thoughts to towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org.

Additionally, on Wednesday evening the Council unanimously voted to restructure the Finance Committee as a result of Paul Johnson’s resignation from the Council. I am honored, and admittedly a little trepidatious, to take on the role of Finance Chair. I want to once again thank the Council for putting their faith in me to be a leader in this process. I look forward to being joined by Councilors Jon Anderson and Ken Johnson as we take a deep dive into this year's budget proposal.

For those who may be new to the process or looking to learn more, all of our budget-related materials and communications can be found in the Budget Portal, located on the Town’s website. Our first step as a Council is to vote on the first reading of the budget itself, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 6. The order to be voted on will include an initial tax request, and is frequently reported in the news as it relates to the projected mil rate increase. It is worth noting that in January the Council once again approved a goal of no more than a 3% increase to the mil rate.

After first reading, the Finance Committee will complete a comprehensive, department-by-department review of the proposed budget throughout the month of April and into early May. Community engagement is highly encouraged at our committee meetings. A full schedule is available on the Town’s website. Additionally, the Communications Committee is also in the process of scheduling community roundtable meetings, so be on the lookout for those opportunities as well! The Town Council is charged with final approval of the municipal budget at second reading. On that same night, the Council will simultaneously set the school budget tax request, which will go to the voters on June 14.

This will be my fourth budget cycle as an elected official, and my first as a Town Councilor. Over the past three years, we have seen a shift in the community culture that surrounds budget talks. What was once a bitter divide, marked by competing roadside signs and a staunch “us vs them” mentality, has been gradually repaired. I attribute this improvement to the significant increase in communication and the relationship building that has taken place. Just like in our personal lives, these professional relationships take time and energy to maintain. But in my opinion, these relationships almost always pay dividends.

My approach to this year's budget development process will hopefully continue this same trend. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with department heads and town staff as part of my onboarding to the Council (Public Works department, you’re next on my list; consider yourself warned!), and look forward to engaging with residents as we discuss our priorities and address how to meet the community's needs.

John Cloutier, Chair • Ken Johnson, Vice Chair • Jonathan Anderson • Jean-Marie Caterina • Don Hamill • April Sither

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

The Scarborough Public Schools Board of Education has a new committee called the Building Steering Committee. This committee will advise and make recommendations to the Board of Education in an effort to address overcrowding and inadequate space at the primary (K-2) level of Scarborough Schools. The Committee is authorized to recommend, create and supervise various subcommittees. Take a look at some of their recent meetings and stay tuned for ways you can become involved.

The Scarborough Public Library Trustees are pleased to invite you to an Open House to kick off National Library Week.

• Discover new and improved services an expansion will allow

• View preliminary sketches and give your feedback

• Take a behind-the-scenes tour to understand space constraints

• Meet our community - trustees, volunteers, patrons, and staff

• Enjoy refreshments and gathering in person once again!

There are several new Library program offerings, including a digital literacy series in April. Are you looking to reduce your budget by "cutting the cord?" Upcoming digital literacy programs are offered in collaboration with the National Digital Equity Center, Cutting the Cord: Getting TV and Phone Services over the Internet and Understanding the Internet. Learn more.

The Library's Youth Services Room, where masks are still encouraged, is a busy place! The Play Space for our youngest library users is now available for open play and many young ones and their adults have been enjoying the opportunity to connect with other families and with books, puzzles, blocks, and toys in this sunny space. Outdoor Story Times will begin soon. On Thursday, April 14 at 10am, we will gather outside under the trees with our popular guest reader and dear Library friend, Michael Rafkin. Inclement weather will bring us inside to the Meeting Room with masks required. Plans for the youth Summer Reading Program are well underway. Please save the date for the Summer Reading Kick Off, Tuesday, June 14 at 6:00pm in the Wentworth School Cafe. Registration will begin at 5:30pm..

Monday – 9am to 5pm • Tuesday – 9am to 7pm • Wednesday – 9am to 7pm • Thursday – 9am to 7pm • Friday – 9am to 5pm • Saturday – 9am to 5pm • Sunday – Closed

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