Change is in the air as summer comes to a close, back to school prep is underway, and fall programs start up again. Plan ahead for the season by putting some upcoming dates on the calendar—Sustainable Scarborough Day (October 5) and Election Day (November 4), to name a few. And take advantage of these last couple weeks in August by coming to Summerfest and snapping some photos for our photo contest! Read on for details on these seasonal reminders and more.

Stay Connected to Town happenings...The next Town Council meeting is Wednesday, August 20 (get links and view the agenda on the Town Calendar a few days prior). Watch previously recorded meetings on our Public Meetings YouTube channel.

TONIGHT! Summerfest

Join us on Friday, August 15th from 5:00-10:00pm for the 29th Annual Scarborough Summerfest at the High School Sports Complex—our biggest event of the year! Come for games and activities, crafts, giveaways, food trucks, live entertainment, and a spectacular fireworks show to finish the night!

Exciting Offerings

🤸 Kids’ Bounce Zone with FREE entry thanks to our generous sponsor, Town & Country Federal Credit Union Maine.

🚚 A variety of food trucks, including Cargo Pizza, Char Wrig's Sno and Dough Adventure Co., Cheese the Day, Mow's Munchies, Mr. Tuna, Millside Creations, and The Treat Truck.

🍨 Local businesses, organizations and nonprofits offering everything from fun activities, games and face painting, to goodies like snow cones, ice cream, popcorn and much more.

🛍️ NEW! Visit the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, run entirely by kids!

🎶 The Maine POPS Concert Band will be performing their final summer concert at 6:00pm at the Event Tent. Sponsored by Moe's Original BBQ.

🎸 Live music starts at 7:00pm from Slane, Maine’s Premier U2 Tribute Band on the Main Stage. With all the passion and energy of a true U2 concert, Slane brings the iconic sound and spirit of Bono and the band to life! Sponsored by The Little Gym of Scarborough, ME.

🎆 The event concludes with a grand finale of fireworks around 9:15 pm. Bring your blanket or folding chair and find your spot early! Sponsored by Empeople Credit Union.

Check the website for a detailed event map, schedule, and more

Meet Nicole Hall, Deputy Director of our Community Services department and the event planner extraordinaire behind Summerfest! Nicole and her team have spent months working with vendors, Public Works and Public Safety departments and others to make sure everything runs smoothly. She is featured in the latest issue of Scarborough Living magazine, where she discusses what goes into planning the popular community event.

Find the article in Scarborough Living, a free local magazine available at Town Hall, Hannaford, and other Scarborough retailers/restaurants.

Latest Photo Contest Entries🌟 & Last Chance to Enter!

"Hawk" by Floyd Hansen

"Happy 4th of July!" by Dana Morris-Jones

"The Scarborough Marsh at Dusk" by Helen Hemminger

Enter yours!

📸 Accepting Entries Until August 25th

Outdoors is the place to be this summer in Scarborough—its parks, nature preserves, and beaches provide the perfect setting for the season. We want to see these spaces through your lens. Snap photos while you're out enjoying scenery or time with family, and share with us for a chance to win!

Submit up to three photos with a title and caption (optional). They must be taken in Scarborough and outdoors to qualify! For each photo, select which category to enter it into:

Categories

• Beaches
• Scenic Landscapes
• Nature & Wildlife
• Parks & Paths
• Pets, Family & Fun

Photos will be uploaded to Facebook on a rolling basis. The photo with the most 'Likes' in each category will win a gift card from a local Scarborough business. Thanks to Dairy Corner, El Rayo, Cafe Luna, and Dunstan Tap & Table for the great prizes!

Thanks to everyone who attended National Night Out with Scarborough Police and Fire last week! It was a fun-filled community event at Memorial Park that we look forward to every August.

Just Released: Fall Programs Brochure

Fall is just around the corner! Check out our Fall 2025 Brochure for upcoming Active Adult, Teen, and Youth programs. Registration opened this week for residents and August 18th for non-residents.

New Community Services Newsletter

Our Community Services department has a separate newsletter all about the programs and events they offer. Sign up for the Community Services newsletter to receive updates on local programs, events, ticket sales, trips, and resources designed to support and enrich our vibrant community.

Road Project Progress Updates

Broadturn/Burnham Intersection is Now 4-Way Stop

The intersection of Broadturn Rd and Burnham Rd is now an all-way stop (formerly 2-way). Flashing warning signs have been installed to alert drivers to the change. This is a high crash site and was selected by the State as a high priority safety project.

Construction Activity: Mussey/Payne Road Intersection & Gorham Road

Traffic signals are scheduled to be installed at the intersection of Mussey Road and Payne Road from August 27-September 5. Additionally in that area, a median will be installed on Gorham Road at Payne Road near the Hannaford and is expected to occur the following week. Both are crucial projects to address traffic safety. Expect traffic delays while work is being conducted.

East Grand Ave "Complete Streets" Design 

After the Town held a community meeting in the Pine Point neighborhood last month, the Town's traffic consultants have begun a Complete Streets Design for East Grand Ave. The road was identified as an opportunity to be a "complete streets" project both in the Townwide Transportation Assessment and in GPCOG's Connect 2050, a strategy to improve Greater Portland's network of roadways, transit services, and walking and biking facilities. Learn more and view public meeting presentation.

Coming Soon: Holmes Road Work 

Please be aware of upcoming roadwork anticipated for late August/early September at 70 Holmes Road, the site of the former Beech Ridge Speedway (now FedEx). Work will be done by RJ Grondin directly in front of the site, reconstructing Holmes Road and adding a left turn lane into the FedEx facility. This work will take place during the day and is expected to take 3 weeks.

Following this, work will be conducted at the intersection of Payne Road and Holmes Road. It involves extending the left turn on Payne Road and extending the lanes on Holmes Road to push the left turn lane stop bar back to allow for truck turning movements. This work will be done at night and take around two weeks.

August 20: Public Hearing on Dunstan TIF District

The Town Council will have their next meeting on Wednesday, August 20 at 7:00pm. On the agenda is a public hearing on establishing a TIF district in the Dunstan area (view full agenda on the Town Calendar a few days prior).

What Is a TIF District?

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a public finance tool used by municipalities to leverage new property taxes generated by a specific project or projects within a defined geographic district. Any portion of the new taxes generated in the area may be used to finance the project(s) for a term up to 30 years. TIFs allow the town to "capture" or reinvest a portion of the increased property tax revenues generated by new development within the district. They are a tool used to maximize potential from new growth and development by providing a means to fund infrastructure, like road projects.

A key benefit of TIFs is that they allow the town to "shelter" new assessed value from the State's funding formulas. This can increase state subsidies (like General Purpose Aid to Education and Municipal Revenue Sharing) and reduce the county tax burden for the town.

Dunstan TIF Background

In 2014, the Town studied the Dunstan area to identify the opportunities and challenges it faces. The area along Route 1 was observed as a highway-oriented commercial strip with assets that present opportunities for development and redevelopment. In order to help accomplish the goals of the Town for the Dunstan area, the Town is considering a new TIF District that would focus on the Route 1 corridor. If approved, it would be designated the Dunstan Omnibus Municipal Tax Increment Financing District. The purpose of the proposed District is to make strategic investments which will enhance the village quality of the area and provide ample areas for local businesses.

The public hearing will be part of the August 20 Council meeting. The second read/vote is scheduled for September 3.

Common Questions About TIFs

The Town often hears some common concerns about TIF districts. Here is some further detail and we encourage you to review the TIFs page of our website for more.

Do TIF Districts promote growth?

TIF districts in and of themselves do not promote growth. Rather, they allow the Town to gain the most financial benefits from the State and County if growth does occur in the designated TIF area. All property tax revenues from pre-existing assessed value still goes into the general fund to support any budgeted Town and School needs. If new assessed value is created, the new value is "sheltered" from State funding formulas. If growth does not happen in the TIF districts, there is no benefit nor detriment to the town, but if there is new construction, the Town is poised to benefit. Lastly, the Town Council ultimately determines how much of the property tax revenue from the new value goes into the general fund, and how much goes into TIF revenues. This “capture rate” can be changed at any time by the Town Council throughout the life of the TIF.

Do TIF Districts provide tax breaks to developers?

TIFs alone retain all taxes from new assessed value in dedicated Town accounts that can be used for a variety of purposes as permitted by statute and approved in the Development Program. In most cases, operating expenses and capital costs are covered with TIF revenues, thereby offsetting costs that would otherwise be covered by general fund tax dollars. Within a TIF district, a town may choose to establish a Credit Enhancement Agreement (CEA) with a specific developer, in which a percentage of property taxes from new development would go toward specific uses (like public infrastructure). In that scenario, instead of the Town paying directly for infrastructure, the developer pays for it. The CEA reimburses the developer for a portion of that investment over time. A town may also use a CEA to offset extraordinary development costs incurred by a developer, making a specific site more attractive.

It is up to the community whether or not to create a CEA in a TIF—the CEA is not automatic. The Town has a formal, rigorous, and public-facing process in place to establish CEAs. The developer requesting one must prove the various benefits to the Town and the financial needs necessitating the consideration of a CEA being granted for the new construction project to be financially possible. 

Do TIFs determine what development can occur within the specified area?

TIFs do not determine what is developed in the area—zoning does. Land use regulations and State law also determine what owners can and can't do with their property in specific areas of town. TIFs do not impact or change the possible uses or types of development.

Do TIF Development Plans represent the goals or objectives of the Town?

The TIF application to the State requires the Town to provide a projection of potential new valuation that could occur in a TIF district during a specified timeframe, which could be as long as 30 years. The future valuation is often based on the current zoning of the specified area to be included in the district. This estimate of development potential is used to calculate the likely “shelter benefit” in a TIF district. This is an estimate, not a plan, and is not in any way a regulatory tool. In the case of the proposed Dunstan TIF, the estimate was based on an assessment of existing zoning by consultants in 2013-14. Since the zoning has not changed, that estimate was used as a theoretical buildout scenario in an effort to project the potential for creation of new taxable property.

The application also includes what's called the "Development Program". The Development Program outlines how revenues collected within the TIF will be spent, with specific uses such as environmental or roadway infrastructure, or water and sewer. They aim to align with the priorities outlined in the Comprehensive Plan, considering fiscal wellbeing, housing diversity, conservation, traffic impacts, and more.

Do property taxes from TIF districts not go towards the annual municipal operating budget (shifting the burden to existing taxpayers)?

The uses for TIF funds are numerous and broad. The proposed uses are outlined in the budget document every year and undergo the same public-facing process as all other proposed expenditures before Town Council approval. Some recent uses of TIF revenues have been covering debt service for the Public Safety Building and Gorham Road improvements, and funding capital expenditures for infrastructure and recreational projects. The items that are funded through a TIF would fall to the general fund if not paid for through the TIF. TIFs are anticipated to remain a significant tool for managing the Town's tax rate in the coming years.

Fire Department Expands Emergency Medical Services

The Scarborough Fire Department is excited to announce the recruitment of eight (8) new, full-time Firefighter/EMS position to our staff. These positions were requested and added as part of the FY2026 budget process last spring. 

Many have already asked, why eight? This is a great question and while the broad answer is because we operate and are expected to provide emergency response services 24-hours/day, we would like to share a little more detail. 

Our plan is to use this new staffing to increase our Emergency Medical response by adding a third, 24/7, advanced life support ambulance. Each licensed ambulance must include two firefighter/EMS staff to operate. Scarborough Fire Department currently operates 4 shifts that work 24-hour shifts on a rotating basis. This means each of our four shifts requires us to hire two per shift, totaling eight. 

It is important to note, it has been over 20 years since Scarborough added our second advanced life support ambulance at the Dunstan Fire Station. In 2001, when the Dunstan ambulance was added, the call volume was under 2,500 calls for service. Since that time, our community has continued to evolve and our requests for ambulance service has increased significantly. As of today, we are on trend to complete over 6,000 calls for service in Fiscal Year 2026. 

Adding this resource will absolutely increase our ability to provide the highest quality emergency medical response that our community has come to expect. As soon as we implement this additional ambulance crew, we will immediately be able to measure improved response times and less reliance on our mutual aid partners.  

Learn more about the Fire department in the link above. And if you're interested in filling one of the eight open positions (or know someone who is), see the job posting on our Job Board.

Town Considers Short Term Rental Ordinance

The Town of Scarborough is considering having a Short-Term Rental Ordinance. Scarborough is one of few neighboring communities who do not have an ordinance to track and regulate short term rentals. In September 2023, the Ordinance Committee began the process of understanding what other communities are doing, what is effective, what if anything should be done and how big is the issue locally. 

Through a series of public meetings, and staff and committee reviews, we are at the final steps in presenting a draft Registration ordinance to the Ordinance Committee for review in their September meeting. The proposed draft requires annual registration and includes self verification for safety standards and Good Neighbor Ordinance acknowledgement. 

Apply by October: Senior Property Tax Assistance

The Senior Property Tax Assistance Program applications are due by October 15th. The program is one of multiple forms of tax relief that Town of Scarborough has for residents looking for assistance with their property taxes. If your annual property tax burden exceeds 5% of household Adjusted Gross Income, you may be eligible for a return of up to $1,000 at the end of the year. For residents who rent, including owners of properties within a Manufactured Home Park, rent paid is considered part of your property tax burden.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicant is age 62 or older as of the application deadline

2. Applicant has been a Scarborough resident for at least 10 consecutive years as of October 15, 2025

3. Federal Adjusted Gross Income (household) does not exceed $60,000

Applications for the Property Tax Assistance Program are available online or in the Assessing Office. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2025.

When you submit your application, we will need to see identification and proof of income, either in the form of your 2024 Tax Return or your 2024 Year-End Social Security Benefit Statement, if you don’t file taxes. If you rent, we will also need a statement of rent paid between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.

Please contact the Assessing office at (207) 730-4060 or visit our office on the lower level of Town Hall if you have any questions.

Want to Run for Elected Office? Accepting Nominations

It's going to be a full ballot for the November 2025 election! Terms are ending for two seats on the Town Council, two seats on the Sanitary District, and one on the Board of Education. If you are interested in running for any of these seats, pick up nomination papers in the Town Clerk's office. They are due by close of business on Wednesday, September 3.

Town Council: 2 seats, 3-year term

Sanitary District: 2 seats, 3-year term 

Board of Education: 1 seat, to fill a vacancy created by Alissa K. Peterson with a term to expire 2027

For questions, contact the Clerk's office at (207) 730-4020.

Proposed School Solution on November Ballot

A School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) was formed in February 2024, following the defeat of the Unified School Referendum at the polls in November 2023. This citizen-led group of over 60 community members brought their expertise and interests to the process alongside elected officials. Their work with an architectural and engineering firm and community feedback led to a recommended solution that will be presented to voters in the November election.

The proposed solution to address the needs at the K-8 schools are as follows:

• Replace Eight Corners School (K-2) with a new school on the existing site, to accommodate up to 380 students.

• Renovate and put addition on Blue Point School (K-2), to accommodate up to 232 students and eliminate portables.

• Renovate and put addition on Pleasant Hill School (K-2), to accommodate up to 224 students and eliminate portables.

• Put small addition on Wentworth School (3-5), to accommodate anticipated increased enrollment beginning in 2031-32.

• Renovate and put addition on Middle School (6-8), to accommodate current population in the building, eliminate portables, and enlarge the undersized cafeteria.

These will all be part of the first referendum question, with a total project cost of up to $129.85M.

A second referendum question asks for a further addition to the Middle School to accommodate increased enrollment expected in 2024, with a total project cost of up to $10M (contingent on the first question passing).

November Election: Request an Absentee Ballot

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. If you plan to vote prior to election day or want to avoid the lines, it's time to request an absentee ballot.

Request an absentee ballot by completing an Application for an Absentee Ballot. Please print and complete the form, then mail it to the Scarborough Town Clerk's Office at P.O. Box 360, Scarborough, ME 04070-0360 or fill out the e‑form request. Absentee ballots will be mailed when they are available in early October.

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

August 20: Vulnerability Assessment Workshop

Wednesday, August 20, 5:30pm (Before the regular Town Council meeting at 7:00pm)

Council Chambers/Zoom (Link TBD - See Town Calendar)

The Town has been working with consultants since Spring 2024 to develop a Vulnerability Assessment to identify Scarborough's coastal flooding risks and develop adaptation strategies. The Assessment nearly complete, and the workshop will provide an overview of the process, review current and future flooding scenarios, highlight Scarborough’s vulnerable areas and infrastructure, and discuss recommendations for how the Town may adapt to sea level rise.

Pine Point during the January 13, 2024 storm

Interactive Map Shows Potential Flooding Areas

The results of the Vulnerability Assessment are presented as an interactive StoryMap. The map shows the data used or collected through the assessment process, highlights vulnerable areas in Scarborough, and will suggest adaptation strategies that may be implemented to make Scarborough more resilient to flooding. It will be updated as new information becomes available and as adaptation strategies are implemented.

Upcoming Meetings With Coastal Communities

Meetings with the Higgins Beach and Pine Point communities to review the results of the Vulnerability Assessment are scheduled for September:

Higgins Beach

September 4, 6:00pm

Higgins Beach Association Clubhouse (& Zoom)

Pine Point

September 9, 6:00pm

Pine Point Fire Station (& Zoom)

Project Background

Scarborough, like other coastal communities, is feeling the impacts of sea level rise, storm surge, and increased precipitation. The Vulnerability Assessment work began in May 2024, guided by a group of Town staff, residents of Pine Point, Prouts Neck, and Higgins Beach neighborhoods, and representatives from other community groups. Future work will include completing engineered designs and construction of priority sites identified in the assessment.

More information is available in the What’s Happening section of the Town’s website. 

A Positive Year for Scarborough Plovers

It was another busy summer on our beaches for endangered piping plovers. Scarborough’s four coastal beaches were home to 37 pairs of plovers this year, seven more pairs than last year. While we had more nests in 2025, fewer chicks survived to become fledglings (old enough to fly) than in 2024. A table showing the number plover pairs and fledglings since 2019 is below. 

Maine’s beaches from Ogunquit to Georgetown had 175 nesting pairs of plovers this year, a new record. It looks like the number of statewide fledglings will also reach an all-time high, but there are still a few chicks that need to reach the milestone. 

Piping plover adult and chick on Pine Point (Credit: Missy Mans)

We extend thanks to the Town’s volunteer beach monitors, Scarborough’s Park Rangers, and staff from Maine Audubon who keep a close eye on the plovers throughout the season. We also thank residents and visitors who are mindful of the plovers while at the beach. 

Ask & Answer: How can I have a voice in decision making?

The Town Council is elected to represent the views of its constituents, our community. When it comes time to vote on issues, they are taking the sentiments of the community into account, even if it means coming to a compromise. There are ways to add your voice into the process:

Attend meetings: Attending board/committee or council meetings are a guaranteed way to stay in-the-know on current issues. Council meetings start with a public comment period, where you have up to 3 minutes to speak on an issue that's not on the agenda.

Build relationships: Our councilors often attend Town events, so it's a great opportunity to connect with them in a different environment. Find their table at Summerfest tonight! Also, talk to your neighbors to stay informed with what's happening or to come together on an issue.

Send an email: All of our councilors have access to emails sent to towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org. They also each have their own Scarborough email address if you want to reach out to one of them directly. It's not guaranteed that you'll receive a response, but they are read.

Attend a Council Corner Live: This event format started a couple of years ago as a way for councilors to talk with the public in a less formal setting than a council meeting. Each Council Corner Live covers a different topic of relevance and is a time to speak directly with councilors in a constructive conversation.

Volunteer on a Board or Committee: The time and expertise of committee members have a tremendous impact on the Town. It's also a great way to know your town and fellow residents on a deeper level, plus it adds to your skill set.

Consider an Open Seat for Elected Positions: See above for the openings on the Town Council, School Board, and Sanitary District.

Stay Informed: The first step in having a voice is keeping yourself apprised of current issues. Read these Town newsletters and periodically check the What's Happening page on the website.

Community Survey Launches This Fall

The Town of Scarborough is launching a town-wide community survey this September to seek feedback from residents. The statistically valid survey covers questions regarding satisfaction with town services and the direction the community is headed. The timeline is consistent with the two-year cadence that the Town has sought out to seek feedback from residents since the 2021 survey was launched. The Town uses this information to set council goals and inform projects/initiatives. Stay tuned for details!

October 5: Sustainable Scarborough Day

Scarborough residents and town officials deeply value Scarborough's natural resources, conservation, and a commitment to sustainability. Three years ago, the Town held its first Sustainable Scarborough Day in early October, and it has since become a tradition! The day highlights many local businesses and organizations that align with these efforts. This year's Sustainable Scarborough Day will be held on Sunday, October 5th from 10:00am-2:00pm. It's free and geared toward all ages! Come learn about electric vehicles, native plants for your garden, reducing household waste, and more.

Are you a vendor who would like to participate? We still have room! Contact Sustainability Manager Jami Fitch at jfitch@scarboroughmaine.org.

Council Corner: Growth at What Cost?

By Karin Shupe, Town Council

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.

Dear Scarborough Residents, I hear you. I see you. It is hard to miss the signs around Town telling Town Council to vote no on the Dunstan TIF. I read your emails telling us to please slow growth. I read your comments that the Town Council doesn’t care. I felt the same way before I joined the Town Council and after three years on the Council my opinion hasn’t changed. 

A consistent message I have heard since joining the Town Council is that growth helps maintain lower property taxes. Growth can bring in more revenue, but it also creates more costs. Growth brings more students to our schools and the need for infrastructure improvements.  

The cost to educate one student in Scarborough is approximately $20,000 a year. A typical home in Scarborough that is valued at $1 million would only bring in $10,000 in taxes. The Town loses $10,000 on that one home. And this does not even consider the other costs associated with that new property and new residents. Scarborough is also home to a major medical facility with multiple campuses that require additional services but because they are nonprofit, they do not pay any taxes, putting even more of a burden on our residents.  

One of the biggest factors keeping our tax rate low in Scarborough is the meteoric rise in property values. When a property doubles in value, even at the same tax rate, it pays double the amount of taxes.  

What has this low tax rate and increased growth gotten us? We have plans in place for cars but not people. The Town of Scarborough is implementing the biggest traffic movement plan in the State, but we still can’t seem to keep up with traffic.  It’s great we have a plan in place for all the traffic but what plans were created to deal with the people? Where was the plan for all the new students? Seniors? Dogs? In the last 10 years our population has grown from approximately 19,000 to 24,000, making Scarborough one of the largest municipalities in the State. But what does Scarborough have to show for all this growth? While other municipalities our size have so much more to offer their residents, we seem to be focused on growth and not addressing the needs of our current residents.  

Currently before the Town Council is the proposal to create a TIF district in Dunstan. Do residents really want more development and growth in this area? Can we handle more growth in this area? The Dunstan Corner intersection was reconfigured back in 2013, but the changes made have provided little relief to the traffic. In 2018 the Southgate Apartments were approved and built in Dunstan with no plan for vehicle access to Route 1 North. If you spend 10 minutes in this area you will see residents have created their own access by cutting through the parking lot of the antique store next door or Mend Health. Now we have a proposal across the street from Southgate with the same access problem. With no safe way for residents, visitors, or emergency personnel to access Route 1 South, what creative, unsafe, or illegal way will people end up creating themselves?

Going through this proposed Dunstan TIF district is Phillips Brook. In 2012 Phillips Brook was classified as an urban impaired stream. If our Comprehensive Plan calls for targeted development that protects our natural resources, why are we promoting growth next to a stream that has been impaired for at least 13 years? And if the Scarborough Marsh is central to the Town’s identity, as stated in our Comprehensive Plan, why aren’t we doing more to protect it and the resources that connect to it?

I joined the Town Council because I want to protect and preserve our natural resources, but every step has been a compromise. Experts recommend a 100-foot set back from wetlands. We ended up with an ordinance requiring a 25-foot set back from wetlands. Are we going to continue to compromise away the characteristics of Scarborough that make it unique?

There are options available to the Town Council when it comes to regulating growth and protecting our natural resources. I am looking forward to discussing these issues and our options with my fellow councilors. 

Scarborough Town Council

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

Town Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month (third Wednesday only in July and August). Visit our Town Calendar for links to attend and view agendas.

Project GRACE "Back to School" Drive

Kids in K-12 grades will need essential supplies so they can start the new school year ready to learn. On the wish list are the usual: pens, pencils, notebooks, erasers, highlighters, and more. Can you help a student by dropping off a few supplies or a sturdy new backpack? Grocery gift cards for school snacks, as well as retail gift cards for kids' clothes and shoes are also appreciated.

Donations can be dropped off anytime inside the Scarborough Public Library (look for the box by the bulletin boards) or stop by the curbside drop off on Friday, August 22nd from 10:00am-Noon. If you prefer not to shop but want to help a child, you can make a gift online. Any amount will be a big help to the families and teachers preparing for the school year ahead.

Project GRACE is a Scarborough organization of "Neighbors helping Neighbors" with a mission to improve the lives of Scarborough neighbors by identifying both those in need and those willing to share their gifts, and coordinating the interchange in a compassionate, confidential manner.

Summer Learning at Scarborough Public Library

Dog Days of Summer Drop-in Program for Kids

Various dates and times

Learn More

Celebrate National Dog Month with us all August long during our Dog Days of Summer! Every week, meet real therapy dogs and their amazing human partners—no sign-up needed, just drop in and say hello! 🐶 We’ll have dog-themed crafts, games, and activities out all month—perfect for paws-itively fun, drop-in anytime visits. We'll end the month with a Dog Man Party & a showing of the movie (August 29)!

Craft & Chat: Miniature Books and Dollhouse Decor

Monday, August 25, 10:00am-12:00pm

No registration required

Let's chat and do a little craft! We'll be making miniature books and dolhouse decor. We can also turn mini books into earrings or charms! Lots of options. Adults deserve silly fun too! (Calm & accompanied kids/teens are also welcome!)

Creative Writing Workshop

Thursday, August 14, 2:00-3:00pm

Register (8 seats left)

Join other local authors and aspiring authors for writing exercises, brainstorming sessions, and sharing/critique of written work. All genres are welcome. Due to space limitations, please register. This is the last in the series. Looking for a Writers' Group? Fill out this form

Scarborough Public Library will be closed on Monday, September 1 for Labor Day