While you may be setting your New Year's resolutions and aspirations in your personal life, the Town Council takes the approach of goal setting each January to lay the ground work for the year ahead. They're off to a strong start, with 19 goals drafted up to kick off their workshop at the end of the month. They'll likely streamline this through discussions, and we'll share the outcome in the next newsletter. 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 classes and more, and Planning/Engineering finalizing significant studies that will inform project funding for the years ahead. Read on for details.

Town offices are closed on Monday, January 20, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trash pickup will remain on schedule and offices reopen on Tuesday at 7:00am.

What's in Store for 2025

Transportation Network Study

The Town is finalizing a study which looks Scarborough's transportation system and provides direction and focus for the Town's future capital spending related to traffic and transportation needs. The Town's transportation committee is reviewing the public feedback that came in from the draft and it will go before council for adoption by spring.

Learn more: View the current draft and share your feedback by February 1

Open Space Plan

The Open Space Plan is a document that provides the Town with a comprehensive set of strategies to ensure the Town’s approach to land conservation is done in a way that serves the whole community and protects important natural resources. It will aid the Town in its 30x30 goal. A draft was published in late December and the committee is seeking public feedback.

Learn more: View the current draft and share feedback by January 24

Municipal Budget

The municipal budget is presented, reviewed, and approved by the Town Council each spring from March-June. The school budget process follows a similar timeline, starting earlier in March and concluding with voter approval in the June election. The FY2026 budget will be largely driven by council goals and continuing to maintain quality service to the community.

Learn more: The proposed municipal budget will be presented by the Town Manager at the end of March.

Vulnerability Assessment

The Vulnerability Assessment is well underway, with the consultants having completed data analysis, field visits at vulnerable sewer pump stations, and a drone assessment of Pine Point and Higgins Beach. The consulting team is developing an interactive StoryMap showing flood vulnerabilities throughout town. It will also include general adaptation strategies for areas and infrastructure to make Scarborough more resilient to flooding. Coming up, the team will identify pilot projects and more in-depth recommendations will be developed for the selected projects. This information will be used to seek grant funding or develop future capital projects. 

Learn more: The Vulnerability Assessment is scheduled to wrap up in the summer of 2025. 

K-8 School Solution

A second phase of the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) convened last fall and is working with consultants to find a final option to go to referendum in the fall.

Learn more: Attend a meeting (open to the public), Mondays at 6:00pm in January (locations vary; check the District Calendar).

Capital Planning

While there is general consensus that investing in our schools is the priority, will continue to conduct thorough capital project planning to ensure that the community center and library expansion remain important elements in the discussion.

Learn more: The Finance Committee meets monthly and continues to work around fiscal policies, capital planning, and debt modeling. Check materials or tune into their meetings for more in 2025.

New & Continued Town Council Goals

The Town Council set an ambitious agenda of goals for 2024, with key themes ranging from financial management, to residential growth management, traffic & transportation, and more. 2025 is expected to serve as a continuation of these efforts, which are largely ongoing and will take time to see through.

Learn more: There is a Town Council Workshop on January 25th to discuss goal-setting for 2025. Outcomes will be shared.

In case you missed it...

Town Manager Year-End Message

In his year-end reflection, Town Manager Tom Hall gives his reflection of the work accomplished in 2024 and how the Town Council listened to community concerns. He acknowledges the school project, and initiatives to address growth, traffic, and conservation.

Curbside Christmas Tree Pickup Through January

With Christmas in the rearview mirror, it's time to toss the tree! Public Works will make their way around town picking up real Christmas trees left on the curbside (no artificial ones) through the month of January. Tree pickup starts the week of January 6th and will be 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. Please also be sure that all lights have been removed from the tree. If there is a storm, tree pickup may be delayed as clearing roads will take precedence for our Public Works crew.

Winter Trash Cart Placement Helps Plow Drivers

Public Works would like to remind you to place your trash & recycling carts a few feet back in your driveway on trash day - not on the roadside. The "arms" on the trash truck can reach the carts placed a few feet back from the roadside. This will not only assist the plow truck drivers in their ability to clear the roadways but will also lessen the likelihood that your trash carts will get tipped over or damaged. 

Thanks in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions, contact Public Works at pwinfo@scarboroughmaine.org or 207.730.4400.

Sign Up for CodeRED Alerts

Opt-in only notification system

Sign up for our Town's CodeRED computer alert system for emergency alerts. We occasionally send out an alert for 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.

Deputy Town Clerk Promoted to Town Clerk

Congratulations to Kristen Barth!

Kristen Barth has worked in our Clerk's Office since February 2023, and as of this month she has officially transitioned to the role of Town Clerk. Be sure to say hello the next time you stop in!

What does the Town Clerk's office do?

"The Town Clerk’s office has many roles. We are the keeper of records which date back as far as 1658. The office issues vital records and many licenses, including shellfish, food handlers, special amusements, dogs, and cannabis. The Clerk’s office works to ensure the integrity of the election is upheld. Weekly, we work with other Town departments and the Town Council on committee agendas and minutes."

How has your time working for Scarborough prepared you for the Town Clerk role?

"When I was hired in February 2023 as Deputy Town Clerk, the plan was always to transition into the Town Clerk role after the 2024 Presidential Election. I was fortunate enough to work and learn under the Town's long standing Town Clerk over 23 months. This unique opportunity provided me with skills I would not be able to learn from trainings or reading the Town's Charter or Ordinances." 

What is something the public may not realize about the Clerk position?

"While the Clerk's Office has a lot of face to face interactions, there is a large amount of work that happens behind the scenes for all licenses, meetings, vital records, and elections. Elections are a perfect example of this. We started working on the November Election in July; it is now January, and we are still working on reporting voter participation to the State. Some of our new election staff were shocked to learn all the behind the scenes checks and balances that go into it."

What will be your biggest challenge/reward?

"Gaining the respect and confidence from the community. Having a new face in the Town Clerk's role will be a big change for a lot of residents. I hope to make them proud."

What do you like to do outside of work?

"My friends and family play a big role in my life. I live in Old Orchard Beach with my husband, daughter and our dog. When I am not working, I am spending time with my friends and family, skiing, or horseback riding."

Former Town Clerk Tody Justice will still be a regular face at Town Hall! She has transitioned fully to the role of Executive Assistant to the Town Manager and will assist in the Clerk's office as needed. Tody will also retain her existing duties to support Town Council meetings.

Dog License Late Fee Starts February 1st

2024 dog licenses expired on December 31st. 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 to avoid a late fee. 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.

Winter Reminder: Dog Leash Rules on Beaches

Take advantage of the quieter off-season winter months for your beach walks! Our furry friends are welcome at all hours during this time of year, but please keep the following leash rules in mind:

• 1:00pm-3:00pm Dogs must be on leash at all Town beaches

• Other times Dogs may be off leash; must be under voice and sight control

Click Here for our beaches page for details and a link to our Animal Control Ordinance.

2023 photo contest entry "Happy for Higgins" taken by Erin Bouchard.

February 1: Scarborough's Passport Day

Saturday February 1, 2025

9:00am to 2:00pm, Drop-in

Community Services Hub

418 Payne Road, Scarborough

The Scarborough Community Services Office has assisted the U.S. Department of State with the acceptance of U.S. passport applications for the past ten years, and each year the need continues to grow. Passports applications are accepted at the Community Services Hub by appointment only Tuesday-Thursday. While we also do hold limited Saturday hours throughout the year, we also try to offer days when school is closed and it’s a little easier on families.

Our next Passport Day is Saturday, February 1st, bumped up from our typical March date to allow more time for those looking to travel during April break. Staff members will be on hand to answer all of your questions, assist you through the process, and accept your applications. This will be drop-in only (no appointments) and we expect it to be busy, so please plan to arrive early to be sure that your application can be accepted.

Each applicant will need the following materials:

• Evidence of Citizenship
• Photo Identification
• Passport Photo
• 2 Checks or Money Orders

Additional documents may be required depending on individual circumstances.

For more information on what is required to apply for a passport, please call the Scarborough Community Services Office at 207-730-4150, or you may visit the only official website for passports at Travel.State.Gov.

February 8: Fuel Rally Community Fundraiser

The 13th annual Fuel Rally community fundraiser by Project GRACE will be Saturday, February 8th from 10:00am-Noon at the Scarborough Public Library. The rally raises critical funds for fuel assistance for neighbors in need, with a goal of $25,000—about 7,000 gallons of oil or k1, or about 70 'helps' to get a neighbor through the winter.

The event will also feature other community organizations like Scarborough Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, Friends of the Library, and the Historical Society, along with the Town's Public Safety crew. Soup and chowder will be available to purchase by donation in advance (check the Project GRACE website to register as it gets closer). Activities include:

• Bake sale
• Bottle drive
• Book sale
• Valentine craft for kids
• Chili/chowder/soup catered by Bread & Butter
• Music by Hadacol Bouncers

Project GRACE is a Scarborough nonprofit 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.

Community Services

Kayak Storage Rack Lottery

Tired of lugging your kayak to and from the beach? The Town of Scarborough has 16 spaces at the Pine Point Co-Op, 16 spaces at Ferry Beach, and 16 at Clay Pits boat launch that are leased to Scarborough residents/taxpayers on a seasonal basis each year.  The lottery registration for 2025 opens in February—stay tuned for details or check back on the Community Services department page of our website.

Free Chair Yoga

Wednesdays (Year Round), 9:00-10:00am

Community Services Hub, 418 Payne Road

Free; no registration required

Join Anne Esguerra, a c-IAYT certified Yoga Therapist, for in-person chair yoga sessions every week. She offers a practice that leans into the curiosity of self study filled with avenues of accessibility, permission and exploration. We'll move, breathe and notice. What you choose to do with that is up to you. Thanks to a partnership with Martin's Point Health Care, we are able to offer these weekly classes for FREE! No registration is required but if you would like to be added to our email list, please give us a call at 207-730-4150.

If you cannot make the in-person classes, be sure to check out the Zoom sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Martin's Point.

Municipal Skate Ponds

Thanks to these frigid temps, Scarborough Community Services has open our municipal skate ponds for the season. The rink is located at 20 Municipal Drive between the high school turf field and Wentworth School. Parking is available at Wentworth School or along the high school fields and tennis courts.

Please note the status of the ponds are subject to change based on daily conditions. A post is pinned on the Scarborough Community Services Facebook page and is updated daily with the current status. We recommend checking day-of before you plan your visit.

Thanks to our Parks crew for maintaining the skate ponds!

A Few Spots Left! Family Trivia Night

Friday, February 7, 6:30-8:00pm

Wentworth School

$35 per team; Register (only 2 spots left)

Rally your friends and family members and join us for our Annual Trivia Night! Each team of 2-6 players will use their noggins to answer questions for all ages in a multitude of formats using the provided device. Prizes will be awarded for the top three teams! Pizza, drinks, and desserts are included. Trivia presented by Play207.

Heartsaver CPR & AED

Wednesday, February 19

6:00-9:00 pm

Public Safety Classroom, 275 US Route One

$60, pre-registration required

Scarborough Community Services is collaborating with the Fire Department to offer public safety courses to our community. The Heartsaver CPR AED course trains participants to give CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. The course is designed for anyone with limited or no medical training who needs a course completion card in CPR and AED use to meet job, regulatory, or other requirements. This course teaches how high-quality CPR improves survival, the concepts of the Chain of Survival, recognition of when someone needs CPR, how to perform high-quality CPR for an adult, child and infant, how to perform CPR with help from others, giving effective breaths using mouth-to-mouth or a mask for all age groups, how to use an AED on an adult and child, and when and how to help a choking adult, child and infant. 

Committee Recommends Beach Fee Changes

This past fall, the Community Services Advisory Board reviewed beach fees based on a collection summary of the past few years. Beach fees were last amended in 2017. The Town Council will consider the board's recommendations in February (date TBD).

Proposed Changes

• Resident season pass would remain at $40. No changes to the additional vehicle and resident senior passes either.

• Non-resident pass is recommended to increase from $150 to $180 (20% increase).

• Limit the number of non-resident passes to 425 (currently no limit).

• Daily parking rates (for non-passholders) would be streamlined to one flat rate of $20. It is currently $15 weekdays between 9:00am-3:00pm, $5 from 5:30-9:00am and 3:00-6:00pm, and $30 on July and August weekends.

2024 had the highest number of non-resident beach passes at 435, up 37% over the prior year and nearly double the average from 2019-2022. Stay tuned for a set Town Council meeting date when this will be discussed. Email towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org to share your thoughts.

School Building Advisory Committee

Get Involved: Attend a Community Forum, Take Online Survey

Community Forum

Tuesday, January 21, 6:00-8:00pm

Scarborough Middle School Cafeteria/Zoom

Learn about the initial options being considered and provide feedback. This will help inform which option moves forward into "preferred options".

Community Survey

Following the forum, postcards will be mailed to residents inviting them to take an online survey about the initial options. Alternatively, the survey link will be available in the Town Newsletter, School Department Newsletter, and Scarborough Leader. Printed copies will be at the Library and Town Hall, with instructions for how to submit it.

Deadline Extended: Give Open Space Plan Feedback

Share Your Feedback by January 24th

Over the past eight months, an Ad Hoc Open Space Committee and staff have worked with consultants to develop an Open Space Plan. A draft was recently published and outlines priorities and strategies to increase open space in Scarborough.

The community is invited to review the draft Open Space Plan and provide feedback. The deadline to review the plan and provide comments has been extended to Friday, January 24th. The working team will then make revisions, and a revised plan will be presented to the Town Council at a workshop in February (TBD).

Transportation Study: Give Feedback by February 1

The Town has been working with consultants for the past several months on a Townwide Transportation Study (view draft 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. Key elements were presented in a Council Workshop on December 4th (view recording here).

Provide Your Feedback

Thank you to the many residents who have shared their feedback already! The Transportation Committee reviewed comments in this week's meeting, and has set a deadline of February 1 for any additional comments. They will spend time going through the feedback and updating the document before it goes back in front of the Town Council.

Town Council/School Board Joint Workshop

Tomorrow, January 16 at 6:00pm the Town Council and School Board will have a joint workshop to hear an update from the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC). There will be a 30-minute update and presentation from the SBAC and Harriman (consultant), followed by questions and discussion. Zoom

Town Council Meeting

The next Town Council meeting is on Wednesday, January 22nd. Agendas and links are posted on the Town Calendar a few days prior. The regular meeting will be preceded by a workshop at 6:00pm on the CEA policy (Credit Enhancement Agreement). Learn more about a new affordable housing CEA policy in Councilor Anderson's article below.

Council Goal-Setting Workshop

The Town Council will hold their annual session to set goals for the year on Saturday, January 25th from 10:00am-2:00pm (In-person only, Council Chambers). As Council Chair April Sither said in a recent Council Corner article, the Council's goal "is not to reinvent the wheel, but to build on the work that has already been initiated". Last year's goals fit into seven categories: Financial, Housing, Growth/Development, Capital Improvements & Facilities, Conservation & Sustainability, Traffic & Transportation, and Communications (view all here). We will keep you informed of their 2025 goals next month.

Town Council Corner: How Do We Keep Scarborough Affordable? Part 2

By Jon Anderson, Town Council

In November, I wrote a Councilor Corner on how residential and commercial growth is one strategy that helps to keep Scarborough affordable. Town staff will be working with the Council Communications Committee on a more in-depth communications and engagement plan to share more financial details on growth as a lever to help keep taxes lower in the near future.  

Unfortunately, today the major source of revenue for municipalities is property taxes. So in order to have predictable and stable tax increases around 3%, through our Comprehensive Plan we moved away from suburban sprawl to focus on higher density in our designated growth areas around Route 1.

This means more visible growth in Oak Hill, the Downs, Dunstan, Haigis Parkway and a few other areas in Town where we are targeting development, and less in our more rural areas. Higher density lowers the cost to serve and as I shared in Part 1, may even enable the Town to operate at a profit to offset tax impacts. The new taxable value created in these growth areas generally has a positive impact on the Town’s bottom line, which helps offset increased costs to deliver level services or new investments.  

Increased value and diversity in our tax base is also viewed favorably by credit rating agencies. As we grow, we will need to borrow more money to invest in infrastructure and facilities at the best interest rate possible, which will save taxpayers’ dollars. I’m proud to say at this point, we are well positioned for an upgrade in our rating in part due to our growth strategy. With a school solution being vetted as you read this, it is super important to ensure our financial house is in order before we go to bond to minimize the tax impacts of borrowing. 

Currently, we are in a housing crisis in the state - particularly as it relates to affordable and workforce housing options. I recently saw in Scarborough Living Magazine that the average sale price in Scarborough this fall was over $700,000. That’s just crazy! I hope that as we continue to grow, the Town focuses more on strategies that will help create more homes that are diverse and affordable - $700,000 is a lot of money. However, affordable housing options may also come with a cost to taxpayers. In order for affordable options to come to Scarborough, particularly deed restricted housing, it can be a challenge for affordable housing developers to secure financing without support from the municipality. A municipality’s support can make or break a project from getting the state and federal funding needed to make the project a reality. This typically comes with a request to the Town for a Credit Enhancement Agreement, where the Council negotiates a percentage of the property’s taxes to be refunded to the project to help finance its existence. Allowing this in some cases may mean less money to offset property taxes from the new value generated, which needs to be weighed against the importance of housing diversity and affordability for different individuals (e..g a new college graduates working as a teacher, a young family looking to establish roots, seniors on fixed income looking to downsize, and other situations where affordable and workforce housing options may be helpful.)

Jocelyn Place, which recently opened in Oak Hill, is a great example of a senior affordable project where past Councils approved a CEA to support the project. 3iHomes, a first of its kind affordable project that is supportive to adults with disabilities in the Downs, has an approved CEA that will be coming in the near future. The Council recently reviewed a request for a new project in the Dunstan area that will also create senior affordable and workforce housing units that may also require a CEA to finance the project. Each of these projects will go through a rigorous public process. The Council will be holding a workshop on January 22nd to review a refinement to our existing CEA policy, outlining detailed parameters for an affordable housing CEA that will establish more rigor for how we evaluate affordable housing projects. This new policy will likely have action at our February meetings to implement the policy, and the Dunstan project will likely be the first to go through this process.  

While property taxes are the primary source of revenue for municipalities, and growth is a key component to help with tax stabilization, I encourage everyone to pay attention to what is happening in Augusta. Legislation is being proposed that may offer new ways for municipalities to generate revenue or reduce costs that may help to reduce reliance on property taxes. I hope to see a workshop with our state delegation in 2025 to talk about this legislation and advocate for more options for the Town to generate revenue that limits the impact to your personal property taxes. I encourage you to pay attention, get involved and advocate for legislation you would support that reduces reliance on property tax.  

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 Updates

Personal Device Policy

The Board had a round table meeting regarding the proposed Personal Device Policy on January 9th and there was a great turnout! This was a new process and different approach for the board, and many turned out to share their perspectives on the proposed policy as well as share their general thoughts and opinions about devices in schools. 

Senior Citizen Appreciation Dinner

The second annual Senior Citizen Appreciation Dinner will be held on April 8th at 4:00pm at the Wentworth School Cafeteria! Signups will be available through Community Services and will be in the Spring Brochure (coming soon). 

Important Dates

January 16, 6:00pm: Joint Town Council and School Board with an update from the School Building Advisory Committee. 

January 16, 7:00pm: Regularly scheduled School Board meeting with a Wentworth School Presentation, committee reports, and a student representative project report update. 

February 6, 7:00pm: Regularly scheduled School Board meeting

View the meetings and documents on the School website

Events & Programs at Scarborough Public Library

The Library is celebrating its 125th anniversary all year long!

This year marks a major milestone for Scarborough Public Library as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. It was in 1900 that the one room library located on Black Point Road, with kerosene lamps to read by and heated by a single fireplace, opened it doors. Thus began a long tradition of loaning books to the community. The library will present two programs in January to celebrate its beginnings, as well as the many advancements that have subsequently taken place and the future it aspires to.  

A Library Comes to Scarborough

Saturday, January 25, 2:00pm-3:00pm

Register

Join us in celebration of 125 years of Scarborough Public Library with historian Linda Snow McLoon from the Scarborough Historical Society.

McLoon will regale us with the tales of the Library's early beginnings in 1899, its role as technology inovators starting with electric lights and moving us into the digital age. Learn how the library turned into the one you know and love today, and how it shaped the Town of Scarborough. Reception to follow.

125th Anniversary Reception with the Wentworth School Chorus

Saturday, January 25, 3:00pm-4:30pm

No registration required

Join us in celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Scarborough Public Library with a reception, including a performance by the Wentworth School Chorus at 3:30pm. Included in the concert will be the song, “We Go for Scarborough,” which was written by composer John Redmond for the Town’s 300th anniversary in 1958. The reception is open to all.

Celebrating Modern Library History & Path Forward

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

Register

Join the past and present library directors Nancy Crowell and Chip Schrader as they talk about modern library history (the current building) and plans for the future.

The library was innovative then-- what does being an innovative library mean today?