While you may be making your own New Year's resolutions and aspirations, the Town Council sets their goals each January to lay the ground work for the year ahead. They're off to a strong start after an extended workshop last Saturday, and will vote on them in their next meeting. Some Town departments are looking ahead too, with Public Works ready to hop into the plow trucks at signs of inclement weather, Community Services keeping us entertained with programs and events, and Engineering staying apprised of road work projects coming up in 2026. Read on for details.

In 1894, the first dog license was issued in the Town of Scarborough. The 47th dog to be registered was a black Shepard named Christof, whose license is still available for viewing in the Clerk's office. Don't forget to register your dog by the end of the month to avoid a late fee.

Town offices are closed on Monday, January 19th for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday at 7:00am. Trash pickup remains on schedule for the week.

What's in Store for 2026

The start of the year is a fundamental time for preparing for the months ahead in the Town of Scarborough. The Town Council meets to establish clear goals to focus on, informed by both ongoing projects/issues as well as community sentiment from the well-timed survey responses received in early January. This theme continues into the spring as the proposed budget is developed for the year ahead. Based on the FY2026 budget, ongoing issues, and council goals, here are some anticipated areas we can expect to hear more about in 2026.

Traffic Improvement Projects

The Town will continue to make road improvements according to what was budgeted this year, with projects to enhance both pedestrian and motor vehicle transportation. This includes road work or designs for Spurwink Road, East Grand Ave, and lower Payne Road. Read more

Growth and Development

LD 1829, a housing law set to go into effect in July, will promote higher density residential development and reduce a municipality’s ability to limit it. Given the current capacity and effect on infrastructure/services, as well as concern expressed by the community, the Town Council is advocating for legislative changes. (Read more below)

Scottow Hill Road

Scottow Hill Road remains closed since late May 2025, when unexpected culvert failures left the road impassable. Due to the road’s proximity to a protected tidal stream, state regulations prohibit construction outside of a November-April period. Town staff has used this time as an opportunity to explore several options, which will be fully reviewed by the Town Council at a workshop scheduled for February 4. (Read more below)

...and more. Read the full article for additional projects and areas expected to be topics of significance in 2026.

Town Council Goals

The Town Council held their 2026 goal-setting workshop on Saturday, January 7. They worked to narrow their focus to a few broad categories of major relevance this year, including affordability, traffic and mobility on major corridors, land conservation, and growth. They are further refining their specific goals and will vote on them in their January 21st council meeting.

In case you missed it...

Town Manager Year-End Message

In his year-end reflection, Town Manager Tom Hall gives his recap on the significant accomplishments of 2025, including many forward-planning initiatives, the approved school capital project, financial positioning, policy issues, and more.

"While public participation and engagement is not always without contention and disagreement, it's hard to argue that an engaged public does not ultimately lead to outcomes that reflect our community."

Upcoming Public Meetings

Wednesday, January 21

Town Council Workshop: LD 1829 with Legislative Delegation, 5:30pm

Regular Town Council Meeting, 7:00pm

Wednesday, February 4

Town Council Workshop: Scottow Hill Road, 5:30pm

Regular Town Council Meeting, 7:00pm

All meetings are held in Council Chambers at Town Hall. Meetings are streamed on Zoom and YouTube unless otherwise indicated. Find links and times for all public meetings on the Town Calendar (links are typically added a few days prior to the meeting).

Town Council Takes Action Against LD 1829

The Scarborough Town Council passed a resolution to express concerns with LD 1829, legislation that significantly impacts a municipality's ability to regulate and manage growth. Passed in 2025 and set to go into effect in July 2026, LD 1829 "An Act to Build Housing for Maine Families and Attract Workers to Maine Businesses by Amending the Laws Governing Municipal Land Use Decisions", would significantly increase housing density and limit a community’s ability to control of the rate of growth. It requires municipalities to allow at least 3-4 units per residential lot, reduces minimum lot size requirements, and raises height limits for affordable housing developments. It also prohibits municipalities from enacting ordinances that would limit the rate of growth of residential development in a designated growth area. The Council resolution requests a repeal or delay until corrective action can be taken on a new piece of state legislation. 

The implications of LD 1829 on Scarborough are concerning to the Town Council and staff. It would allow for significantly more growth at a time when Scarborough is working to keep up with the pace of growth that is already being experienced in our community over the past decade. It will lead to far greater density growth at a speed that is expected to outpace the Town’s ability to keep up with the supporting services. Read more

While LD 1829 was created to address Maine’s housing shortage by reducing local barriers to development, Scarborough has already taken a proactive role in creating affordable housing. 209 total units were added from 2020 to 2024, including Village Commons pictured above.

February 4: Scottow Hill Road Workshop

To Consider Repair Options, Timeline, & Funding

The Town Council has scheduled a workshop for February 4th to review all material regarding a solution for the ongoing Scottow Hill Road closure. The road has been closed since late May 2025 due to multiple culvert failures that pose a safety risk for drivers. Due to construction timing and funding limitations, the Town has used the last several months to understand potential options and repair costs. It also explored the opportunity of grant funding for some options. Factors weighed when considering options were the overall cost, environmental impact, traffic capacity, and convenience. Now that this work has concluded, the Council will review all options, engage with the public, and make an informed decision ahead of the FY2027 budget process.

Potential Options (to be discussed in February 4 Workshop)

Option 1: Culvert Replacement

1a) Replace with minimum regulatory requirements (no grant funding)

1b) Replace with resilient-designed culvert to withstand future flooding scenarios, as recommended in Town's Vulnerability Assessment (potential grant funding)

Option 2: Culvert Removal & Restoration (Permanent Road Closure)

2a) Use grant funds to remove culverts and restore Beaver Brook

2b) Use grant funds to remove culverts and restore Beaver Brook; construct a new road outside of the stream crossing, or evaluate and implement other necessary traffic mitigation improvements in locations that the diverted traffic is experiencing impacts.

New Ambulance Now in Operation at Black Point Station

Last week, a third ambulance was added to our fleet and recognized with a historic “push-in ceremony”. Current and former members of the department pushed it into its official spot at Black Point Station. As of this fall, we have enough staff for it to be fully operational and ready to respond to emergencies 24/7. This milestone addition helps support the nearly 6,000 calls for service the department receives annually. 

Program Coordinator Gail Platts Helps Spread Joy

If you haven't taken a look at our Active Adults programs, now is the time. Active Adults Program Coordinator Gail Platts organizes a diverse variety of weekly community lunches, games, crafts, educational programs, trips, and more. With nearly 55% of Scarborough's population over the age of 45 (2023 American Community Survey), we want these events to be a valuable resource to keep the majority of our community engaged and connected to each other.

Gail was recently featured in a Maine Monitor article highlighting a free happiness course she offered over six weeks last year. She will run the Happiness Habits class again this spring from March 24-April 28 (free, registration required). Registration will open in mid-February, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out our Winter Programs Brochure for a look at other upcoming offerings.

Gail Platts guiding weekly bingo, held on Mondays at the Community Services Hub.

Curbside Christmas Tree Disposal Through January

Public Works continues to make their way around town picking up Christmas trees left on the curbside (no artificial ones). Tree pickup is on your normal trash pickup day. Please place it beside your trash bin (not in it) and don't leave it out too far in advance—if it freezes in a snowbank we will not pick it up. Be sure that all lights have been removed from the tree.

Public Works is picking up your tree separately from the trash collection, so if you see the trash truck come and go, and your tree is still there, we will get to it!

Pickup may be delayed with any storms, as clearing roads will take precedence for our crew. If this occurs and we are unable to pick up your tree the week you place it curbside, please try again the following week - hopefully the weather will cooperate!

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.

February 10: Virtual Meeting on East Grand Ave Design

Review Design Plans—Available Online Next Week

Residents of the Pine Point area (and any others interested), save the date for a February 10 virtual meeting to review design plans for the East Grand Ave complete streets improvement project. The meeting will be from 6:00-7:30pm and virtual-only to accommodate seasonal residents (register on Zoom). Design plans will be posted on the Town website for review ahead of the meeting, likely by mid- to late next week. The Town is seeking public feedback on these designs; submit your feedback on a website form when plans are posted next week or attend the meeting to share your thoughts.

Pine Point Water Line Replacement Work Starts Soon

The Town is coordinating with Gorham Sand & Gravel and Maine Water on water main replacement work in Pine Point that is scheduled to start in February. There is a July 1st completion deadline, with full paving work to follow in the fall of 2026 or spring of 2027. Schedule and construction details are forthcoming, but in the meantime expect minor delays on the side streets (Avenues 1-5) to start. There will be no water service disruption for this initial work.

Seeking Public Input on Defined Street Types in Town

To Support the Development of a Complete Streets Manual

The Town of Scarborough is developing a Complete Streets & Traffic Calming Guidance Manual with consultants to help the Town make streets safer and more accommodating to all modes of transportation. The goals and objectives for the manual are to:

• Develop design guidance that promotes safer, more complete streets and outlines the benefits and tradeoffs of traffic calming 

• Craft a framework for developers to support consistent complete streets implementation

• Balance priorities for right-of-way allocation

• Ensure safety remains the top priority for all modes of transportation

The process is heavily informed by community input in public meetings and through direct feedback to staff. The Manual is currently in development and in draft form, but part of the process has been defining street types. All public roads have been labeled as one of the following:

• Neighborhood Street (Connector, Beach, Local)

• Major Corridor

• Rural Connector

• Industrial/Business Access Street

• Village/Town Street

Have they all been labeled correctly? Please review the interactive map of Town streets to see how they've been labeled, and let us know in the feedback form if you have thoughts on how they are defined.

Interactive map showing the defined streets types for all public roads in Scarborough. We are seeking public feedback on how they are defined and if any labels should be changed.

Outdoor Municipal Skating Pond & Ice Rink

Public skating available! Skate ponds are located at 20 Municipal Drive between the high school turf field and Wentworth School (skating and hockey permitted). A new ice rink is located next to the tennis courts on Wentworth Drive (ice skating only, no hockey). Parking is available at Wentworth School or along the high school fields and tennis courts.

Hours of Operation (subject to change!)

Monday-Friday: 10:00am to 9:00pm

Saturday-Sunday: 9:00am to 9:00pm

View current status: On our website and pinned to the top of the Community Services Facebook page (by noon on weekdays and by 4:00pm on Fridays for the weekend). Check day-of before you plan your visit.

Satisfaction with Town Services Exceeds U.S. Average

The Town recently completed its third community survey since 2021 and results offer many takeaways to be proud of. In fact, Scarborough rated above the U.S. average in 47 of the 51 areas surveyed. Satisfaction with the overall quality of Town services is 25% higher than the U.S. average, and satisfaction with customer service from Town employees was 53% higher than national trends.

Avoid the Late Fee! Renew Dog License by January 31

Register your dog for a new license, valid through December 31, 2026. 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, 2026. The cost is $6 (spay/neutered) or $11 (not spayed/neutered). There is an additional $25 late fee after February 1st. To receive a license for your dog, please come into 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.

Apply to Join New Tree Care Advisory Board

The Town is now seeking members for its new Tree Care Advisory Board! The Board was established as part of a new Tree Care Ordinance, adopted last fall in an effort to preserve and enhance Scarborough's natural beauty and encourage healthy ecosystems. It regulates planting, maintenance, and removal of trees and shrubs on Town-owned properties and public rights-of-way.

The purpose of the Board is to act in an advisory capacity to the Town Arborist, coordinating Arbor Day activities, supporting public awareness, review town tree care concerns, and more. Terms range from 1-3 years for initial appointments and the Board will meet a minimum of four times each year with additional meetings as needed.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining this committee, we encourage you to apply soon using the Board & Committee Application Form on our website. Applications for all committees are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Council Corner: Won't You Be My Neighbor?

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.

Scarborough is turning into one of the largest municipalities in the state. With approximately 50 square miles of land, we are a diverse community of coastlines, forests, farms, commercial zones, and residential zones. As our population has exploded over the last ten years, going from 18,000 in 2015 to over 24,000 today, we have seen and felt the impact of this growth. 

Within these 50 square miles of land, we have many different types of neighborhoods. We have residential neighborhoods and developments through our town that provide residents with the quintessential New England living experience. With over 8 miles of coastline, the marsh, and thousands of acres of forest, there is a variety of living experiences available within Scarborough. 

I have lived in Scarborough for twenty years. Ten years ago, I moved from the woods of Broadturn Road to the Blue Point neighborhood. I am fortunate to be next to Blue Point School and experience the community that comes with living in a residential neighborhood; an experience I want to remain for generations to come.  

When you think of residential neighborhoods you think of a family friendly environment that creates a sense of community and connection; a sense of safety from knowing your neighbors. Short-term rentals can diminish a neighborhood's sense of security and neighborhood connection. By allowing transient guests into residential neighborhoods, we expose our residents to increased safety issues, noise, parties, parking problems, and decreased property values because of these issues. 

When you check Airbnb, you can find over 120 active listings for short-term rentals in Scarborough.  That’s 120 homes that are not available to families that want to join our community.  120 homes with transient guests eroding at the qualities of residential life our residents moved here for. 

When the state keeps telling us we need more housing stock why do we continue to allow homes in residential neighborhoods to be used as short-term rentals? The Scarborough Town Council has never defined short-term rentals nor approved any policy or ordinance to create guidelines for this use. The communities surrounding us have implemented short-term rental ordinances while we have remained silent on the issue.  

In the upcoming months a short-term rental ordinance will be coming before town council. My question to the residents of Scarborough is, who do you want to be your neighbor? When I moved here, I did not expect to be living next door to a revolving door of vacationers, did you? 

Scarborough Town Council

Cory Fellows (Chair) • Larry Cain (Vice Chair) • Jonathan Anderson • Scott Doherty • Bill Donovan • Michelle Hayes • 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.

Take the Board of Education Survey

We want to hear from you! The School Board is conducting a short survey to better understand what topics matter most to our community and what conversations you’d like to take part in through future community roundtable discussions. We’re also hoping to learn:

• How you prefer to engage with the School Board

• What barriers may be making it harder for you to participate

Your input will help guide more meaningful, inclusive conversations and ensure we’re creating opportunities that work for our community.

👉 Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts by completing the survey.

Thank you for helping us build stronger connections and better communication!

Upcoming Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Armchair Traveler: The Animals of Madagascar

Friday, January 23, 1:00-2:00pm

Register

A three-part series with Dr. Kristine Hoyt, attend one or all! Future sessions are on Friday, January 30 and Tuesday, February 10.

Board Game Night for ALL AGES

Friday, January 23, 5:00-7:30pm

Registration not required

Bring the whole family, a couple of friends, or come on your own for this intergenerational party! We have new and classic games for adults and kids. This is a great way to have some fun and maybe make a new friend. Pizza included, thanks to The Enclave of Scarborough.

Paper Pop-Up Art Workshop

Saturday, January 24, 1:00-3:00pm

Register

Have fun making a special and unique pop-up card from the heart! Artist Allison Villani will guide us through how to create a pop-up that looks quite complicated, but is actually fairly simple after you learn the basics. It's magic! We will focus on Valentine cards, but feel free to interpret that however you like. Regardless, you will gain some skills to use and expand on. The possibilities are endless!