No heaps of snow yet, but plenty of generosity and holiday cheer throughout our community! Take note of some ways you can give back this season, like a blood drive with the Red Cross and CLYNK bag donations for Project GRACE's fuel assistance program. We also share some winter weather reminders and indtroduce you to some of the people helping to serve our town. Grab the eggnog and read on for details.

Here's a look at our Town Council, made up of elected Scarborough residents representing the interests of our community. Top row, left to right: Don Cushing, Scott Doherty, Karin Shupe, Cory Fellows, Jon Anderson (Vice Chair), Bill Donovan. Front row, left to right: Tody Justice (Town Clerk), April Sither (Chair), Tom Hall (Town Manager). Hear more from our councilors in the Council Corner at the bottom of every newsletter.

Holiday Closures

Town offices will be closed on Wednesday-Friday of Christmas week, December 25-27 (offices are normally closed on Fridays). Offices will also be closed on New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1. See below for the adjusted trash/recycling pickup schedule.

Trash/Recycling Holiday Schedule

Public Works would like to remind you that there will be changes to your curbside trash collection over the Christmas and New Year holidays. The weeks of December 25 and January 1 will be delayed by one day for Wednesday-Friday trash collection days. Monday and Tuesday collection days will remain unchanged.

• If your normal trash collection day is Wednesday, it will be picked up on Thursday.
• Thursday pickup will be on Friday.
• Friday pickup will be on Saturday.
• Collection on Monday and Tuesday will remain unchanged.

This day change applies for two weeks in a row, both the weeks of Christmas and New Year's.

*Snowy weather reminder!* If there is inclement weather, please help our plow drivers by placing your trash and recycle carts in your driveway, not on the roadside.

Questions? Contact Public Works at pwinfo@scarboroughmaine.org or (207) 730-4400.

Public Works Winter Tip: Clearing Driveways

Public Works will soon be plowing and could use your help keeping it efficient and safe. One tip is to be mindful of where you put the snow when clearing your driveway. Please do not shovel or snow blow into the roadways, as it creates additional dangerous and unnecessary conditions for everyone.

See below for a helpful way to clear your driveway. Clearing the area to the left of your driveway saves you a backache from the "second shovel" after the plow comes through.

Parking Bans

If a parking ban goes into effect, it will be announced on the Scarborough Police Department Facebook page. There is also a recording on the Town information line: 207-730-4300 opt 2.

Sign Up for CodeRED Alerts

Opt-in only notification system

Prepare for winter by signing up for our Town's CodeRED computer alert system. We occassionally use CodeRED to quickly notify large groups of people for emergency situations like criminal activity, severe weather, road closures, evacuations, and missing persons, but only those who are signed up receive these alerts. It's free and secure to sign up for cell phone alerts. Select how to receive alerts: text, phone call and/or email.

Helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Save your account login details so you can update your contact information if anything changes (like your phone number or email address).
• If your cell phone carrier has changed, even if the number is the same, your account has to be updated in order to receive alerts.
• Send yourself test messages from the site to ensure you're receiving alerts.
• If you're unsure if you created account, you can create a new one.
• If you signed up a long time ago, you may be signed up for Reverse 911, the program used prior to CodeRed. Sign up for CodeRed to receive any potential future alerts.

Dog Licenses Expire on December 31, 2024

Current dog licenses expire at the end of the year. Register or renew your dog license in person at the Clerk's office or online (If you register your dog(s) online, you will receive your tag(s) at the beginning of the next month). All dog renewals must be completed by January 31, 2025. The cost is $6 (spay/neutered) or $11 (not spayed/neutered). There is an additional $25 late fee after February 1st. To license for your dog, visit the Town Clerk's Office at Town Hall during our business hours, Monday through Thursday from 7:00am-5:00pm.

Why do dogs need to be licensed? Many reasons! Dog licensing ensures rabies vaccination which protects the health of your pet. Fees also go directly to the Maine Animal Welfare Program to fight animal cruelty and abuse, accounting for 95% of the State Animal Welfare Program’s entire funding. Without these fees, the State would be unable to protect the animals of this state.

Clerk's Office: CLYNK Bags to Support Our Community

Join the Town of Scarborough in a CLYNK Challenge to benefit Project GRACE's fuel program fundraiser. The program offers assistance to community members in need of fuel assistance, especially during the challenging winter months of home heating. Pick up a CLYNK bag in the Town Clerk's office so that your can/bottle returns can support the fund.

Local Gifts & Events: Scarborough Holiday Guide

There is a lot to do and see in Scarborough this holiday season! It's been compiled into a 2024 Holiday Guide, brought to you by Scarborough Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), Scarborough Community Chamber of Commerce and Scarborough Buy Local. You'll find a list of events in Scarborough, a selection of regional events and a mini guide to gifts and offers. Many events have already passed, so be sure to catch any upcoming events while you can!

Winter Program Brochure: Register Now!

It's almost New Year's Resolution season and Scarborough Community Services is here to help! Their winter brochure has exciting new programs to help you learn a new hobby, focus on your fitness, or get social. SCS offers programs for all ages year-round—be sure to give it a look.

✨Program Highlight: Red Cross Babysitting Course

Saturday, January 11, 9:30am-3:45pm

$100; Ages 11-14

Register

Learn the responsibilities and qualities of being a good babysitter while in a fun and interactive environment. Upon completion of this course, participants will receive an American Red Cross Babysitting certification. 

Our Winter 2024-25 brochure has arrived and it’s packed with some frosty fun!

December 30: Family Magic Show

Monday, December 30

10:00am-11:15am

Register; $20/family

Community Services Hub, 418 Payne Road

Be dazzled by magic with your family during December school break! Phil Smith of Abracadabra Productions is four entertainers in one… a magician, comedian, juggler, and a mentalist! Coins will melt into thin air, solid objects will pass right through each other, and there may even be a surprise guest who does a card trick!

New Planning Department Staff Member: Helen Harman

Welcome Helen, our new Development Review Planner!

Helen Harman joins our Planning Department with a background well suited for this role. She studied City and Regional Planning at Pratt Institute and went on to work as a Planning Specialist for NYC Emergency Management. She chose city planning as a career path because of her interest in environmental justice, especially the ways in which planning can help communities adapt to climate change. 

As the Development Review Planner, Helen will be reviewing development applications submitted to the Department, and work with Town staff to ensure that any proposed developments are in alignment with the Town’s Zoning Ordinance. She will also provide staff support on the Planning Board and other committees as needed.

Helen is originally from Far West Texas and has lived in the Northeast for about 8 years. She has a sweet Bedlington Terrier named Elmer, who she enjoys taking on adventures and visiting the many local trails. Outside of work, she also likes to bake, craft, see live music, and volunteer.

Helen says, “I take a lot of pride in serving my community, so I am excited to join the Town of Scarborough's Planning & Codes Department!”

Town Completes Financial Audit in Record Time

Kudos to Finance Department Staff

Thanksgiving has passed so Finance staff typically attempt to recover from eating too much with family and friends, plan on how to complete our Christmas shopping, and put the finishing touches on the Town’s audit before December 31. Not so this year. The audit was completed on November 26, 2024—the earliest completion date since the fiscal year 2006 audit was completed on November 21, 2006.

Many people wonder “Why does the Town need an audit?”. The short answer is the Town Charter and State statutes require an annual financial audit. The annual audit is conducted by an independent firm of certified public accountants appointed by the Town Council. The goal of each audit is to receive an unmodified (or “clean”) opinion on the financial statements from the audit firm. The financial statements are included in an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (“ACFR”). 

There are other reasons the Town needs an audit. The Town issues bonds to raise cash for capital assets such as school buildings, buses, computer hardware and software, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, roads, snow plows, etc. The Town also applies for and receives various grants from the federal government. The spending related to these grants must be audited annually and reported to the federal government on a Single Audit report (also completed on November 26). 

Related to the annual audit, the Town of Scarborough School Department is required to prepare and file Summarized Financial Statements and a Reconciliation of Maine Educational Financial Systems (MEFS) to the Audited Financial Statements. Both of these were also completed on November 26.

Timely financial reporting by a public body is important to stakeholders. Stakeholders may be external (citizens, bond holders, ratings agencies, vendors, etc.) or internal (staff). Stakeholders use financial information to decide how they will interact with the public body. Timely financial reporting makes the information to stakeholders more relevant.

One component of financial information often asked about is Fund balance. Recently, the Town Council amended the Financial and Fiscal Policy to raise the minimum fund balance to ten percent of prior year’s budgeted operating expenses with a goal of exceeding 16.67%. The Town is making excellent progress towards that goal. The fund balance at June 30, 2024 was 14.46% of prior year’s budgeted operating expenses.

So, if you see the Town and School finance staff around town with a smile on their face, know that they are enjoying some well-deserved relief from audit stress this December.

Finance Director Norman Kildow will be giving an audit presentation to the Town Council on Wednesday, January 8th.

Draft Transportation Study Addresses Safety & Mobility

Give your feedback in submission form

The Town has been working with consultants for the past several months on a Townwide Transportation Study (view draft here).

To develop the study, consultants evaluated our transportation network and identified next steps for design, further study or additional efforts. They presented key elements from the study during a Council Workshop on December 4th (view recording here).

The purpose of the study is to support the Town of Scarborough in creating a multi-modal transportation network that promotes health, safety, economic viability, quality of life, and access.

Focus Areas

The Transportation Study covers mobility, connectivity, and safety of roadways. These metrics were used to analyze major roadways in Scarborough to see where corrective actions are most recommended. The study covers not only vehicles, but also bicycles and pedestrians. Here are a few highlights included in the study:

Mobility

Major intersections and segments identified for mobility improvements, such as:

• Segment of Payne Road from Gorham Road to Haigis Parkway
• Intersection of Running Hill Road and Route 114
• Intersection of Route 1 and Broadturn Road/Pine Point Road

Connectivity

• Enhanced connections to recreation areas like the Eastern Trail

• New sidewalks, bike lanes, and shared-use paths to close gaps in the network

• Pedestrian: Reviewed existing sidewalks
• Bicycle: Identified existing bike lanes or shoulders of suitable width for biking

Safety

• Review of speed limits, crash data, and daily traffic volumes

• Recommendation for Town to develop a Traffic Calming Toolbox

• Recommended corrective actions for high crash locations like:

• Intersection of Broadturn Road at Holmes Road
• Segment of Route 1 from Dunstan Ave to Broadturn Road
• Intersection of Payne Road and Cummings Road

This table (page 11 of Study) summarizes the locations within the Town where corrective actions are most recommended to enhance three key metrics (safety, mobility, and roadway connectivity/access management).

What Do You Think?

The working group relies on public input in this stage of the process. We ask you to review the Study on our website and complete this form with your feedback. This form will be open through January and comments will be discussed by the Transportation committee in their January meeting. We'll share out the meeting details in our January newsletters for anyone who would like to attend. The goal is for an updated version of the Study to go before the council this spring.

December 16: Mobile Food Vendor Ordinance Public Hearing

In the November 20th Town Council meeting, the Planning department proposed a mobile food vendor ordinance, specifically for food vendor courts (multiple food trucks set up at one site). The Council moved to approve the draft Mobile Food Vendor ordinance at first reading that evening. The draft will be forwarded to the Planning Board for a public hearing on December 16, 2024. Further Town Council action will be taken in January.

While there is currently a policy permitting mobile food trucks for one-time events, private events and catered events, several requests have come in for expanded opportunities. Planning staff received a request to consider a new use to allow for a mobile food vendor court. They've also received many requests over several years to allow for mobile food vending in some form. 

The proposed draft creates a new use “mobile food vendor court” that would be permitted in non-residential districts currently permitting restaurants. The new use would fall under the commercial site plan ordinance requirements in much the same way a restaurant would. Mobile food vendors would be subject to license requirements and would need to provide the approved location as part of the license requirements. This proposal does not contemplate mobile food vendors who would drive from site to site.

Draft Open Space Plan Available for Review Soon

After months of consultant work, a draft Open Space Plan will soon be available for the community to review later this month. The Ad Hoc Open Space Committee and Town staff have worked with consultants from Viewshed to develop the plan over the past seven months. Community input has been gathered along the way, and the public will soon have an opportunity to read the plan and provide additional feedback.

The draft plan will be available on the Town’s website and shared on social media, in The Leader, and the next newsletter. The public will have several weeks to review and comment on the draft plan. 

MaineDOT Informs of 2025-26 Pleasant Hill Road Project

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) released an on-demand public meeting to share information about an upcoming roadway infrastructure project in Scarborough. The meeting informs on scheduled maintenance work to replace the wearing surface on the Pleasant Avenue Crossing Bridge located on Pleasant Hill Road. This will help protect the bridge and prevent deterioration of the deck. 

Maintenance of traffic during construction will consist of two separate weekend closures and detours to occur during Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Fall 2026.

The MaineDOT project website includes meeting materials and a comment submission form. 

Proposed Ordinance Amendments on Wetland Setbacks

The Town Council held a first reading on December 4th on proposed amendments to ordinances regarding wetland setbacks. This was initially brought forward by the Conservation Commission, which has been working with the Planning Department to propose wetland standards be added to Chapter 405B, Site Plan Review Ordinance and Chapter 406 Subdivision Ordinance. The proposed amendments include having a minimum wetland buffer of 25 feet from the edge of a wetland to any building lot boundary for new development requiring site plan or subdivision approval.

The Council voted 5-2 to approve the first reading and refer the proposed amendments to the Planning Board. This will be an agenda item for the December 16 Planning Board meeting (6:30pm). A public hearing will be scheduled following these recommendations.

The goal of the wetland setbacks in development to enhance protections to Scarborough's wetlands and create standards during the development process. The amendments would provide clear requirements for resource protections to create understanding among developers, staff, and the Planning Board.

View the materials provided in the December 4th Town Council meeting agenda packet.

December 27: Fire Department Hosts Blood Drive

Friday, December 27

9:00am-7:00pm

Public Safety Building, 275 US Route 1

Sign Up

Please join us for the 12th Blood Drive in Honor of Madison Charland, the niece of one of our firefighters. In March 2021, Madison Charland was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at only 10 months old. She went through a grueling 2 ½ year treatment plan which included many rounds of chemotherapy. Now at 4 years old, Madison is doing great and thriving!

Madison needed many blood and platelet transfusions to win her battle. There are more children who need life-saving blood just like Madison did. Blood drives in her honor have collected over 800 units of blood. We thank everyone who has donated at her past drives and hope to see you at this one as well!

According to the American Red Cross, “Patients fighting cancer need more blood than patients fighting any other disease, using nearly one-quarter of the nation’s blood supply. In fact, five units of blood are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the United States give blood. More people are needed to donate regularly to help meet the need”.

Take Survey About Electric Vehicle Adoption

The Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) is identifying possible locations for new electric vehicle charging stations in our region. The regional planning agency uses transportation data and public input and wants to hear from you— Use this survey to tell them your priorities and concerns about EV adoption and where charging locations would be most helpful. Your feedback will help local decision-makers understand community priorities and foster collaboration to improve EV charging infrastructure. Thank you for participating!

January Town Council Meetings

Due to New Year's Day falling on the first Wednesday of the month, January council meetings will be moved to the second and fourth Wednesdays. The meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, January 8th and Wednesday, January 22nd. Agendas and links will be posted on the Town Calendar a few days prior to each.

Town Council Corner: Goal Setting: A Collaborative Approach to Building a Strong Community

By April Sither, Town Council Chair

The new year brings with it a renewed sense of purpose for our Town Council, as we prepare to begin a thoughtful and inclusive approach to goal setting. Our focus is to build upon the progress already underway while incorporating the valuable input of our community members. This process aims not only to reflect what our residents want but also to develop measurable, actionable goals that will guide us toward a future that benefits everyone. We are committed to creating a transparent and accountable path forward, ensuring that our community’s aspirations are translated into tangible outcomes.

One of the key strengths of this goal-setting process is the collaboration at its core. We recognize that the people who know our town best are those who live and work here every day. As such, we are reaching out to a wide array of stakeholders—town staff, citizen committees, and residents—to gather feedback on what matters most. This input will help us identify priorities and ensure that our goals align with the needs and desires of those who call our beautiful town home.

In engaging with town staff, we tap into the expertise and experience that drives day-to-day operations. They are the individuals who work tirelessly to maintain our town’s infrastructure, deliver essential services, and ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. Their insights will help us refine our goals, ensuring they are both practical and forward-thinking.

Citizen committees also play a vital role in this process. These groups, made up of volunteers from our community, provide a valuable perspective on local issues and priorities. They have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that our town faces, and their input will help guide us in making informed, well-rounded decisions.

As we gather input, we are focused on what is already in process. Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel but to build on the work that has already been initiated. From infrastructure improvements to environmental sustainability projects, there are numerous ongoing efforts that are laying the groundwork for a more vibrant, resilient community. Our aim is to continue these initiatives, monitor their progress, and, where necessary, make adjustments to ensure their success.

This brings us to the concept of measurable goals. It is not enough to simply have ideas or intentions—we need to set clear, achievable benchmarks that allow us to track our progress. Whether it’s enhancing our recreation opportunities, improving transportation options, or expanding green spaces, each goal will be paired with measurable outcomes. This way, both the Council and the community will be able to see tangible results and feel confident that progress is being made.

One of the most important aspects of goal setting is ensuring that we have the resources to meet our targets. This means carefully assessing the financial, human, and physical resources required to achieve each goal. Whether it’s securing funding, collaborating with regional partners, or expanding our team, identifying the resources needed is essential to ensure that our goals are not just ambitious but also achievable. We are committed to making responsible decisions about resource allocation to maximize the impact of every dollar spent and every effort made.

I will close by saying it is both humbling and exciting to serve the council in my new role as Chair. I love this town, and the opportunity to serve has enhanced my life in countless ways. I promise to continue to lead with heart and humor as I always have. Please don’t hesitate to reach out; I would love to hear from you. 

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.

Scarborough Board of Education

Upcoming Events

The Scarborough School Board meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month. Here are a few upcoming dates:

December 16: School Building Advisory Committee meeting (meets Mondays weekly at 6:00pm). Zoom link See their update below; Finance Committee meeting at 5:00pm

December 19: Board workshop at 6:00pm on “Understanding AI”, presented by IT Director Jenn Day and Curriculum Director Katie Vetro. Regular Board meeting at 7:00pm.

Past Meeting Highlights

• The cast of White Christmas performed 4 songs, highlighting the hard work they did for their recent performances. A must see!

• Community Dinner date to be set soon

• Negotiations: Custodial Staff/Food Service Contracts are complete and work will start on teacher contracts next

• The policy committee met on 1December 5 to discuss JFCK, Student Use of Cellular Technology and Other Devices and JFCK-R, Student Use of Cellular Technology and Other Devices. This work will continue on January 2, 2025 at 5pm.

• View meetings and documents

School Project: What's Different About this Project?

From the School Building Advisory Committee

The Scarborough School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) has entered Phase 2 of its effort towards the development of a solution to current and future space deficiencies within the K-8 schools. Here’s how this effort is different from the last one:

1. Exploring Multiple Options:

Instead of focusing on a single solution, such as a consolidated school, the SBAC is evaluating four alternatives identified last spring:

• Building a fourth neighborhood school and renovating the existing ones.
• Constructing a new grade 2–3 school and renovating the current schools.
• Renovating and expanding the three neighborhood schools and Scarborough Middle School.
• Building a single consolidated elementary school.

Each option has its unique strengths, challenges, and trade-offs. The committee may also consider additional ideas or modifications as it considers the best school solution.

2. Expert Guidance and Community Input:

Harriman, an architectural firm familiar with our schools' strengths and deficiencies, is assisting in refining and evaluating these options. The SBAC will conduct two community surveys to both inform residents about the options and gather feedback to identify a solution that will garner broad community support and meet the needs of the school district.

3. Budget-Driven Planning:

This time, the process starts with a target budget. Based on Spring 2024 community survey results, it is estimated that a proposal in the $70–$130 million range, or slightly higher, is likely to gain community approval. The Building Committee is working from a target in the range of $100 million. This budget focus ensures that critical design elements are prioritized without exceeding financial limits.

4. Enhanced Community Engagement:

Recognizing the importance of keeping the entire community engaged, especially those without ties to the schools, the SBAC is implementing a comprehensive outreach communication plan. This includes:

• Multiple community forums to update the community and seek input that will inform the final supported solution.
• Two community surveys, with accompanying informational pieces, to inform the community about the options being considered, and to solicit feedback on the options as the committee evaluates them.  
• A revamped website with FAQs and a contact link for questions and input.
• Regular updates via the town’s and school district’s newsletters, The Leader, and social media.

What comes next? Upcoming opportunities to make your voice heard:

1. Attend upcoming Community Forum #1: January 21, 2025

• Learn about the 4 Options and provide feedback 
• Participate in an interactive session: Crafting the Design Statement

2. Take our first Community Survey on the options: Late January/Early February

• This is your chance to make your voice heard on the 4 initial options.
• Feedback from this survey will inform the decisions the SBAC makes as they work toward the final supported solution.
• More detail on the survey to come! Stay tuned! 

The SBAC is committed to developing a fiscally responsible solution that meets Scarborough’s needs and has community support. Stay tuned for updates!

Events & Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Cookie Swap

Thursday, December 19, 1:00-2:00pm

A Cookie Swap is a fun little party where you bring one variety of homemade cookies and leave with a variety. Please plan to bring two dozen (24) homemade cookies on a plate, platter, or bowl, and a container for yourself to bring home your new variety of cookies! We'll have music and coffee/cocoa/tea, so it's like a little party! This is not affiliated with a holiday, so ALL are welcome.

Please let us know what kind of cookies you might be bringing here so we don't end up with 10 different platters of chocolate chip: Cookie Swap Sign Up Sheet.

Emergency Preparedness

Monday, January 6, 10:00am-11:30am

Register

Join Chief Sandler, Chief Kindelan, Aaron Milroy, and Nancy Crowell as they share their expertise in the field of Emergency Preparedness.

Sponsored by Age-Friendly Scarborough, Scarborough Community Services, Project GRACE, and Scarborough Public Library.

Big Conversations in 10 Shorts Minutes

Thursday, January 9, 6:30-7:30pm

Register

Three conversations in an hour with other people in Maine.

The prompts are simple. The conversations are non-political. What might you learn about (or from) your fellow humans? Let’s find out. Discover a little pocket of meaning.

This program is part of MECollab, a collaborative programming partnership between libraries throughout the state of Maine.