GPBR Legislative Updates 

August 2025 Local Policy Tracking   

Several significant developments are unfolding. Gorham has approved a land sale to Amazon, Yarmouth has enacted a pause on all new development due to outdated sewer infrastructure, and Scarborough is facing growing opposition to tax credits and development from community groups such as Slow the Growth. Get full updates below! 

Nomination papers for local council seats are due in the coming weeks. If you’re considering a run for council, reach out to us, we’re here to support you!

Cape Elizabeth 

• September 8th - Last Day to Return Nomination Papers - 2 Open Council Seats 
• Cape’s Latest Newsletter here
• Town Council and Planning Board agendas. 
• Meeting calendar here.

Cumberland

• Completed 45 unit residential complex in Cumberland to be auctioned
• Property revaluations are ramping up in Cumberland and North Yarmouth, covered here by the PPH 
• Current Construction Project info here.
• Housing Task Force Committee here
• Town Council agendas
• Planning Board agendas

Falmouth

• Latest Falmouth Newsletter here 
• Calendar and agendas here

Freeport

• Nomination Papers available 1 Council Seat, more info here  
• Housing Task Force Committee here
• Calendar and agendas here 

Gorham 

• Deal to sell land to Amazon approved by the Council, covered here by MSN
• Gorham Election Information here - Three seats open on the Town Council 
• Town Council agendas

Gray

• Gray residents will vote on the revised FY26 budget in a town meeting tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. Only residents who attend the town meeting in person can vote
• Council meeting schedule here

New Gloucester 

• Council meeting schedule here

North Yarmouth

• Property revaluations are ramping up in Cumberland and North Yarmouth, covered here by the PPH 
• Comprehensive Plan Proposed changes to Land Use here. 
• Meeting and agenda here.

Portland 

• A Maine city’s push to expand low-income housing has driven developers away, covered here by BDN
• City Council Nomination Papers here
• Congress Square reconstruction project set to begin mid-September, covered here by News Center Maine 
• Portland approves temporary moratorium on new music venue developments, covered here by Maine Public 
• Construction Begins on $87.8 Million Affordable Housing Community in Portland, Maine, covered here BRET
• Meeting schedule here

Pownal 

• Pownal Annual Town Report here
• Pownal Election Information here 
• Meeting calendar here

Scarborough 

• “Slow the Growth” Movement & “Not so Fast Scarborough” 
• The 2nd Reading and vote on the Dunstan TIF is Wednesday, September 3rd 
• Not so Fast Scarborough Facebook here 
• Concerned Taxpayers of Scarborough Facebook here 
• Town boards and committees advance Scarborough initiatives | In the Know, covered here by the PPH 
• Town Council agendas. 
• Planning Board agendas

South Portland 

• November Election - Three Council seats open, more info here
• Comprehensive Plan Update here 
• Latest Newsletter here 
• South Portland City Council and Planning Board agenda

Westbrook

• Westbrook city candidates for the fall election, covered here by the PPH 
• Nomination Papers Available for Council Seats Available More info here  
• Meeting and events calendar.

 Windham

• Windham Town Report Available here 
• Windham Newsletter here
• Meeting calendar here.

Yarmouth 

• Yarmouth pauses development to ease strain on aging sewage treatment, covered here by the PPH
• Yarmouth Public Affairs Facebook 
• Push back from residents on tax increase - Visit FB Group One Yarmouth
• Meeting calendar here

Other State/National

• Made in Maine: Backyard ADUs delivers solution to Maine’s housing crisis box by box, covered here by WMTW
• Easing restrictions will spur more housing development in Maine, Opinion covered in the BDN
• Housing market continued to cool in July, covered here by Spectrum News
• Housing Advocates Celebrate Successes from the Maine State Legislative Session, covered here by the National Low Income Housing Coalition
• $600K in Cumberland County: Maine's housing market is the biggest it has been in years, covered here by WMTW
• Maine home sellers are overpricing their properties, covered here by WGME