GPBR Legislative Updates 

  October 2025 Local Policy Tracking Report

One Message This Month: VOTE. 🗳️

Local elections are underway, and several communities are making decisions that directly shape housing, planning, and development. If these are conversations you care about and you live in Cumberland, there’s an opportunity to get involved: The Town of Cumberland is seeking an Alternate Planning Board Member.

Having a REALTOR® voice at the table helps ensure balanced, informed decision-making on issues that affect our neighborhoods. 

Town Land Use & Growth Zones:

We are hearing that some towns are evaluating or adjusting growth zones as part of their development planning. If your town is discussing this, we’d like to learn more.

Scroll below for:

• Polling locations and hours

• Local council candidate information

Send us a note with what you’re seeing locally: advocacy@greaterportlandrealtors.com

Cape Elizabeth

• Sawyer Road, linking Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, will not be cut off, Cape voted against Scarborough voted in favor, covered here by the PPH
• Cape Town Council Report Here
• Cape Town Manager’s Report Here
• Cape Newsletter here
• Meet the candidates on the ballot in Cape Elizabeth
• Council Candidates as follows: Four candidates are running for two seats on the Town Council, including incumbents Penny Jordan and Caitlin Harriman. Former Town Councilor Timothy Reiniger will attempt to return to the council, and newcomer Cynthia Troiano will join the race.
• Town Website for election information HERE

  Where: 320 Ocean House Road

Cumberland

• Cumberland is in the middle of the comprehensive planning process where, per Maine state law, growth areas can be revised - Growth Area - Cumberland.png
• In Cumberland, Great Falls Construction breaks ground on school expansions
• Recently completed 45-unit residential complex in Cumberland auctioned for $15.75M
• Cumberland seeking application for alternate Planning Board Member, more info here
• Cumberland Election Information here
• Town Website for election information HERE

         Where: 290 Tuttle Road     

Falmouth

• Virtual Coffee with Councilors - Tuesday, November 18, 2025 12-1pm (Councilors Mahoney & Tracy)
• Falmouth Town Council sends public works renovation to the ballot
• What Falmouth voters can expect on their November ballots
• Falmouth Election Information here
• Latest Falmouth Newsletter here 
• Town Website for election information HERE   

Where: High School Gym, 74 Woodville Road 

Freeport

• New Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Council here
• Freeport Election Information here 
• Housing Task Force Committee here
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Freeport High School Gymnasium, 30 Holbrook Street 

Gorham 

• Gorham developer beefs up Robie Street housing plans 391 to 511, covered here by the PPH
• Gorham quarry expansion application pulled before final vote, covered here by WMTW
• Meet the 6 candidates contending for 3 Gorham council seats
• Who’s in and who’s out for upcoming Gorham election, covered here by the PPH
• Six candidates are running for three 3-year terms on the Town Council in the Nov. 4 election. They are Kelly Dearborn, Philip Gagnon, Charles Hamblen, Timothy O’Leary, Sam Puiton, and Seven Siegel, covered here by the Gorham Times
• Gorham Election Information here 
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: click for your ward HERE

Gray

• New housing complex in Gray adds 26 affordable apartments for older residents
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Newbegin Gym, Henry Pennell Complex at 24 Main St

New Gloucester 

• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Fire Station, 611 Lewiston Road

North Yarmouth 

• Yarmouth, North Yarmouth will decide whether to replace water charter. Why?
• Meet the candidates for North Yarmouth Select Board
• North Yarmouth Election Information here
• Comprehensive Plan Proposed changes to Land Use here.
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Wescustogo Hall & North Yarmouth Community Center 120 Memorial Highway

Portland

• Portland councilors weigh future of moratorium that halted Live Nation project
• Proposal to build 30-story tower in the Old Port gets mixed reviews
• Grants aim to turn Portland-area 'brownfields' into developments of housing, hotel, child care center
• Portland mulls doubling affordable housing fee for hotel projects
• Portland’s Social Housing Task Force holds inaugural meeting, covered here by the PPH 
• Portland City Council rejects jetport parking lot proposal
• City Website for voting information HERE

Where: Find your polling place

Locations: View a List of Portland Polling Places

Pownal

• Pownal Voting Information here
• Pownal Annual Town Report here
• Pownal Election Information here 
• Town Website for election information

Where: Mallett Hall, 429 Hallowell Road

Scarborough 

• Scarborough officials seek feedback from residents 
• Town Meeting on Growth Control 11/15 - More Info here
• Ordinance Committee advanced a plan to adopt a process whereby STRs would formally register with the Town - This will be headed to the Council for a vote   
• Who’s on the ballot in Scarborough
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Scarborough High School in Alumni Gym, located at 11 Municipal Drive

South Portland 

• South Portland Housing unveils $16M, 52-unit affordable housing development
• South Portland wants redevelopment ideas for five city-owned buildings
• Meet the candidates on the ballot in South Portland
• Comprehensive Plan Updates 
• November 5 and 19, 2025: CPC meetings to finalize the draft plan and send to the community for input.
• November 24, 2025 through January 28, 2026: View the complete draft plan, submit feedback online or in person at both libraries.
• February 4, 2026: CPC meets to review feedback and finalize plan for Council's review.
• Meet the Candidates, covered here by the PPH
• November Election - Three Council seats open, more info here
• Comprehensive Plan Update here 
• Latest Newsletter here 
• City Website for election information HERE

Where: Find your polling place 

Westbrook

• Rairdon, McLellan face off in Westbrook City Council race
• McCambridge, challenger Sleight to square off in Westbrook Ward 1 race
• Morse the lone mayoral candidate on the ballot in Westbrook, covered here by the PPH
• Westbrook city candidates for the fall election, covered here by the PPH 
• Westbrook Election Information here
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Westbrook Community Center 426 Bridge St. in Westbrook

Windham

• 'Windham is booming,' and new owners of a shopping center are responding 
• Meet the candidates for Windham Town Council
• Windham School Board candidates pitch themselves to voters
• Windham Town Report Available here 
• Windham Newsletter here
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Windham High School, 406 Gray Road  

Yarmouth

• Citizen initiative prompts Yarmouth to vote on changing petition requirements
• Here’s what Yarmouth voters will decide at polls Nov. 4
• Town Website for election information HERE

Where: Yarmouth High School Gym, 286 W Elm Street

Other State/National

• Maine Housing Program receives national recognition, covered here by MaineBiz
• The number of Maine homes for sale hits a post-pandemic high
• This is the best time to purchase a house, covered here by the BDN
• Homes must be the top priority for Maine’s next legislative session | Opinion By Laura Mitchell of MAHC, covered here by the PPH

GENERAL VOTER INFORMATION