2023 may be falling farther into the rearview, but many of our ongoing Town projects and initiatives are continuing into this year. Read "What's in Store for 2024" below for many of these, and Councilor Anderson's recap of 2023 council goals (published in our January 1 newsletter) for examples of this continued work. There are further opportunities to connect with councilors in the coming weeks through a Council Corner Live event and some workshops. Read ofor details, and for some helpful reminders for the season.

Town offices are closed today, Monday, January 15th, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen on Tuesday at 7:00am. Trash pickup will remain on schedule.

What's in Store for 2024

Revaluation

The Assessing department will be conducting a town-wide property revaluation this spring. A revaluation is the process of updating all property values in town to reflect their current market value (i.e., to maintain reasonable estimates of what each property could sell for on the open market). The primary purpose is to create equitable distribution of the tax burden in order to ensure fairness to all property owners within town.

Learn more: The Town Assessor will be presenting about the upcoming revaluation to the Town Council this Wednesday, January 17 at 6:00pm. Agenda here or on Town Calendar.

Transportation Network Study

The Town is currently working with a consultant to develop a Transportation Network Study. The study will look at broad categories within Scarborough's transportation system with a goal to provide direction and focus for the Town's future capital spending related to traffic and transportation needs. The Town's transportation committee facilitated an open house last September and will continue to serve in an advisory capacity through draft review this spring.

Learn more: A first draft is expected to be available to the public this spring. Stay tuned!

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 FY2025 aims to address ways of sustaining the quality of Scarborough and will be largely driven by council goals, addressing concerns expressed in the community survey results, and meeting the demands of a competitive labor market.

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

Community Center Planning

The Town is continuing to take steps toward meeting the ongoing community interest for a community center. The interest is in a multi-generational community center that would meet the recreational and cultural needs of all demographics of the Town. An ad hoc community center advisory committee was formed in late summer 2023 and is working to produce a concept on a community center plan.

Learn more: Find the background on our website and access committee meeting minutes/agendas.

Open Space Plan

An Open Space Plan was approved in the FY2024 budget to identify locations for small and large open space areas for parks, trail connections, or other conservation opportunities. Its purpose is also to aid the Town in its 30x30 goal. The plan is currently out for a Request for Qualifications and the Town hopes to have a consultant selected in February. The process will be advised by a newly formed ad hoc open space committee, with members being approved at the next council meeting. The process is anticipated to take around nine months.

Learn more: More on the Open Space Plan will ramp up in the spring. Stay tuned!

Vulnerability Assessment

The Town is in a final selection process for a Vulnerability Assessment consultant this month. The assessment is part of a climate action and adaptation plan. It will identify areas and infrastructure that are most susceptible to damage from sea level rise, helping prioritize where investments are needed. Once a consultant is selected, the process will kick off in February and is expected to go through June 2025. Work will be supported by a steering committee made up of representatives from relevant advisory committees and residents of areas of town most vulnerable to climate change impacts (Higgins, Pine Point).

Learn more: More on the Vulnerability Assessment will ramp up in the spring. Stay tuned!

Red Brook Watershed Management Plan

The Red Brook Watershed Management Plan was approved in the FY2024 budget and will support the Council's goal related to sustainability, conservation, and climate change. Red Brook is listed as an Urban Impaired Stream by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. One of the increased requirements for the Town's stormwater discharge permit is to amend the 2011 Red Brook Watershed Management Plan. The amended plan will identify projects and initiatives to improve the stream's water quality and continue to restore the stream.

Learn more: More to come this year.

K-8 School Solution

After the school project was unsuccessful in the November polls, the Board of Education is reconvening to advance work toward addressing Scarborough's K-8 school challenges.

Learn more: Attend Council Corner Live on Thursday, January 25 to be part of an experimental session to design your own school solution (details below). Reach out to the School Board to see how you can be involved in its next phase of a School Building Committee (project info website).

New & Continued Town Council Goals

The Town Council set an ambitious agenda of goals for 2023, with key themes ranging from financial management, to residential growth management, traffic & transportation, and more. 2024 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 27 at 9:00 to discuss goal-setting for 2024. The public workshop is in-person only (in Council Chambers), and 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 2023. He acknowledges the school project, new Rate of Growth Ordinance, and conservation.

Nick Cloutier, our Town Assessor, will be presenting about the upcoming springtime revaluation to the Town Council this Wednesday, January 17 at 6:00pm. If you're wondering, What is a revaluation? Why are we doing this now? How will it affect me and my taxes?, this is a good time to learn more. Attend in-person or watch online (Zoom, YouTube). If you can't make it, there is a Revaluation FAQ on our website. We'll also continue to share more helpful information about the revaluation in our newsletters.

Thursday, January 25

6:00pm, Public Safety Building

In-person only

There seems to be a lot of agreement that we need to find a solution to increases in the number of kids in our school, but there are many views about what that solution should look like. We need to work together to build consensus around the best ways to meet the growing need for more classrooms.

The School Board and the Town Council have agreed to work together with you to

find solutions that reflect the community’s needs, values and budget. In our first Council Corner Live of 2024, we invite you to an interactive session to build your own school solutions alongside members of the School Board and Town Council. What do we need? Where do we need it? What things should we prioritize in our budget? What are the characteristics of a great school? Let’s share our ideas around these and other questions in an interactive forum and see what we come up with. Attendees will get a sense of what serving on the school planning committee might be like and a chance to volunteer. 

The Board of Education and Town Council are asking for volunteers to join the School Building Committee. The application and governance document has already been reviewed by the Board and Town Council will vote on the document at their next meeting on January 17th.

Requirements for volunteers:

• Be a resident of Scarborough
• Commit to the attendance requirements as outlined in the governance
• Submit application by February 9, 2024

What scored high?

• Satisfaction with Public Safety services
• Customer service received from Town employees
• Public beaches and waterfront parks
• Solid waste services
• Quality of life in Scarborough

What should receive most emphasis over next two years?

• Flow of traffic and ease of getting around town
• Maintenance of streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure
• Public education

The survey findings was presented to the Town Council on Wednesday, January 3. Click Here to watch the recording.

The survey was also open online to any residents who had not received a mailed copy. Those results are tabulated separately so as not to interfere with the statistically valid method, and will be made available as data on the survey webpage when available.

View the Findings Report

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.

Leave Your Tree Curbside in January—it will be picked up!

Over the next couple of weeks, Public Works will pick up your discarded Christmas tree if they haven't done so already.

• Place your tree curbside (only “real” trees, nothing artificial) on the same day as your trash collection any week in January.
• Please place it far enough from the curb that it will not get hit by a car or covered with snow by a snowplow, but still be within reach for our crew.
• Put it out on the day of your trash collection so it doesn't freeze to the ground.

Please Note: Trash and tree pick up will not be happening at the same time; Public Works is doing tree pickup separately from the Pine Tree Waste trash/recycle pickup. If it is snowing on the day you plan to put your tree out for pick up, please wait until the following week. If snowing (or otherwise dangerous road conditions), our crew will be plowing and treating roads rather than picking up trees. Thank you for your patience!

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

2023 dog licenses are now expired, so be sure to register or renew your dog license. All dog renewals must be completed by January 31, 2024. There is a $25 late fee starting 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. Or, renew online (If you register your dog online, you will receive your tag at the beginning of the next month). The cost for a spayed/neutered dog is $6, or $7 if completed online.

Why do dogs need to be licensed? Many reasons! Dog licensing ensures rabies vaccination which protects the health of your pet. Also, dog license fees 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.

Take advantage of the 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.

Request Your Absentee Ballot (March Election)

2024 is a presidential election year. The presidential primary election will be on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Absentee ballots may now be requested. Complete the Application for an Absentee Ballot and mail to or drop off at the Clerk's office. Alternatively complete the online request form. Absentee ballots will be mailed to those who requested it when they are available.

To better reflect the needs of passport applicants while working within existing staff capacities, Community Services has changed their U.S. passport acceptance hours:

• Tuesdays, 9:00 - 11:00 am
• Wednesdays, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Thursdays, 9:00 - 11:00 am

Passports are accepted by appointment only. Please call 207-730-4150 to set up an appointment. If you are in need of a same-day or same-week appointment, please call and we can check availability. We do not keep a cancellation call list due to the nature of passport appointments.

Thursday, February 1

8:00am-11:30am

$7/resident, $12/non-resident

Top Secret Location, ME

Change up your morning routine and start your day with a delicious surprise! This program includes transportation; breakfast cost is on your own.

Sand for Seniors

See more programs and offerings like these in the Community Services winter program brochure.

Temperatures aren't consistently cold enough for our municipal skate ponds. We'll share information about them in our next newsletter.

Police Chief Reflects on LEAD Program & New Software

Police Chief Mark Holmquist highlights two of the top initiatives of the Scarborough Police department over the last year:

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program

The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program continued to thrive this year as a strategic and proactive way to divert individuals to a community-based, harm-reduction intervention for law violations driven by unmet behavioral health needs. The three-year Office of Justice Comprehensive Opioid Stimulant and Substance Use Site-Based Program grant awarded to Scarborough Police Department in 2021 continued to fund the full time LEAD Case Manager position and support some of the adverse challenges, including participants experiencing transportation costs and psychiatric care when an individual is waiting to secure insurance.

Mark Holmquist, Scarborough Chief of Police

The Social Services Manager, Lauren Dembski-Martin, has been diligently working with the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office and other community stakeholders to develop a presumptive diversion program throughout Cumberland County. Scarborough’s LEAD program has been a highlighted model in this process as the County continues to develop a strategic approach, which would allow for officers to offer a pathway out of the criminal justice system and into intensive case management and other support services.

Core Public Safety Software

Scarborough Public Safety utilizes a core public safety software suite comprising three main components: Law Enforcement Records Management (RMS), Fire Department Records Management (FMS), and Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD). These software systems are critical to a successful modern public safety system. After a comprehensive selection and vetting process with the guidance of the Information Technology department, the Town of Scarborough entered a contract with Tyler Technologies to replace and modernize our core software system with Tyler’s Enterprise Public Safety software suite. The Public Safety Team, in partnership with Tyler Technologies, has begun the development and implementation of this new software and it is due to be fully operational by summer of 2024.

I am proud to serve with each member of our department and continue to be impressed with the way they conduct themselves with compassion, professionalism and integrity. Our department will continue to strive to meet today’s societal challenges impacting law enforcement while remaining community focused in the service we provide to our citizens.

Fire Department Asks for Help With Hydrants

With each snow storm, our firefighters have to clear snow from the nearly 1,500 hydrants in Town. Any help that you are able to provide our crews by clearing snow from the hydrant closest to your home or business is outstanding and much appreciated!

Report Damage from Saturday, January 13 Storm

Thank you everyone for your cooperation with road closures and safe driving during the heavy rain and wind storm on Saturday, January 13. Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is accepting reports for any damage.

Homeowners can use the Individual and Household form to report uninsured damages to their residence (primary dwelling only). 

• Individuals & Households Initial Damage Assessment Survey (online)
• Individuals & Households Initial Damage Assessment Form 9-14-23 (pdf)

This is not an application for assistance nor a guarantee of financial assistance. Submission of damage information will help the State of Maine best understand the extent of damage from the storm. Individuals who sustained damages to their primary residence are encouraged to document and report that damage by filling out the Individuals & Households Initial Damage Assessment Survey (online), or by calling 2-1-1. This is also not an application for assistance nor a guarantee of financial assistance. Those reporting damages are encouraged to submit their damage assessment information by Monday, January 22nd. 

Damage assessment is ongoing and critical at the local level. Individuals and businesses can help MEMA assess the need to request potential federal emergency support by documenting the impact of the storm. It’s important to accurately document your damages as soon as possible (e.g., within a week). 

Individuals of private industry and privately owned commercial infrastructure who sustained property damage from the storm, including wharfs, floats, vessels, etc. are urged to document and report that damage by filling out the Business and Agriculture Initial Damage Assessment Survey (online).

Please note that if you require assistance filling out the forms, please dial 2-1-1. Learn more at https://www.maine.gov/mema/.

Talking Traffic: Reminder on Alternate Merging

An alternate merge is when a two-lane road becomes one lane, and vehicles take turns merging into the single lane like a zipper. The State of Maine implemented Alternate Merges on our roadways in 2019 after a decade of positive results in other areas of the country.

How to Use an Alternate Merge:

1. Watch for signs that will alert you that a merge is ahead.

2. While using both lanes, all drivers should stay in their lane until the merge point. Resist the urge to merge early.

3. At the merge point, take turns slowly and smoothly merging into the right lane. Each car in the right lane should allow one car to merge in front of them, creating a zipper effect.

Benefits of an Alternate Merge:

• Reduces differences in speeds between two lanes. Changing lanes when traffic is the same speed is easier and safer.

• Can reduce the overall length of a traffic backup by as much as 40%.

• Eases congestion by fully using both lanes for as long as possible.

• Drivers have a sense of fairness and equity, since all lanes are moving at the same rate and everyone knows when it’s their turn to go – which leads to reduced incidents of road rage.

'Talking Traffic' is a segment brought to you by the Scarborough transportation committee. They'll answer commonly asked questions and highlight upcoming projects that are mitigating the effects of traffic and making Scarborough roads safer.

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.

The results of the community wide survey are in! For a recap of the methodology, to read the full results, and/or watch our council workshop, you can click here or go to the Town’s website homepage and click on the “Projects” button. 

As expected, the 2023 community survey paints a complex picture. While the town boasts tremendous strengths in the areas of public services and public safety, and our town hall staff once again earned top marks, we also face challenges that will require policy changes, information campaigns, and introspection on the part of the council. It is not at all surprising to me that the highest priority issues to our residents are pace of growth, traffic, and taxes. All three have the power to create uncomfortable pressure points which negatively affect our quality of life.

The survey is a useful tool for identifying areas for improvement; it does not provide a lot of insight into why people feel the way they do, nor does it offer suggestions for how to improve things. As a councilor and more specifically as chair of the communications and community engagement committee, I feel a tremendous responsibility to get to the root of our challenges. The survey is just the beginning of the community-wide conversations we need to be having. I already know that people don’t like traffic; what I need to know is how I can help improve your quality of life as it relates to traffic. Perceptions are only a snapshot; our community is counting on its leaders to dig deeper. I want to have open and honest conversations about what the council can and can’t control. I want residents to understand the efforts already underway. Most of all, I don’t want to talk past each other! I have ambitious goals for increased community involvement in the coming year. 

Council Corner Live is an interactive forum that the council has hosted quarterly for the past two years. Perhaps you have seen my promotional videos on social media? My teenage daughter loves those by the way, and is definitely not mortified when she sees me setting up my tripod in the yard. Our next CCL will be on January 25 at 6:00pm at the public safety building. The topic for the forum will be “Partnering with your neighbors to brainstorm school solutions.” Given that many people agree our schools are facing some legitimate needs, we thought it would be exciting to get the community together to brainstorm solutions. If you enjoy the CCL, I hope you will consider applying to be on the newly restructured school building advisory committee (SBAC). Information about how to volunteer for the SBAC will be coming soon! 

We live in an amazingly beautiful location, in a town overflowing with some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. While there is always room for improvement, and it is healthy and necessary to identify our challenges, it is equally important to take time to celebrate all the things that people truly love and appreciate about this special town. Thank you to all of the residents who took the time to fill out the 2023 community survey, and a big shout out to those residents who attend meetings, send emails, volunteer their time, and work to improve the quality of life for us all. Cheers to a healthy and joy filled 2024!

As I wrap up, I also want to thank the entire public safety and public works staff for their tireless efforts to deliver invaluable services over the past 10 days. I hope that with these most recent storms behind us, you are able to catch up on some well deserved rest. 

Town staff and the Town Council are supported by the efforts of the many volunteers who make up our citizen-led boards and committees. There are currently vacancies on the ADA Advisory Board, Historic Preservation Implementation Committee, Senior Advisory Board, and Sustainability Committee. Learn more about these committees and access the online application form on our Boards & Committees page. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by our Appointments & Negotiations committee.

Every year in January, the Council meets outside of their scheduled Town Council meetings to develop their priority initiatives for the year ahead (view 2023 goals). The Council plans to meet on Saturday, January 27 at 9:00am in Council Chambers for this year's goal-setting workshop. It is open to the public and will be in-person only. More information will be shared in February.

Scarborough Town Council

Nick McGee, Chair • April Sither, Vice Chair • Jonathan Anderson • Jean-Marie Caterina • Don Cushing • Don Hamill • Karin Shupe

Town Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month. Visit our Town Calendar for links to attend and view agendas.

Save the Date: Project GRACE Fuel Rally on February 10

The 12th annual Fuel Rally community fundraiser by Project GRACE is being held on Saturday, February 10. The rally raises critical funds for fuel assistance. It will be held from 10:00am-Noon at the Scarborough Public Library. 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.

Scarborough Public Library: Upcoming Programs

The Library is closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today, Monday, January 15.

Big Conversations in 10 Short Minutes

Thursday, January 18, 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. In the dark moments in winter, let's connect with other Mainers on Zoom and discover a little pocket of meaning together.

Here's a brief video example, or read about it in the Forecaster.

A collaboration with people from Curtis Memorial Library, Prince Memorial Library, Scarborough Public Library, Thomas Memorial Library and Windham Public Library.

Mother Brain: How Neuroscience is Rewriting the Story of Motherhood

With Chelsea Conaboy

Thursday, January 25, 6:00pm

Register

The Friends of the Scarborough Library present an Emerson Lecture on neuroscience and parenting with author Chelsea Conaboy. Chelsea is a health and science journalist, and Mother Brain: How Neuroscience Is Rewriting the Story of Parenthood, published by Henry Holt & Co., is her first book. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Portland Press Herald, Politico, the Boston Sunday Globe magazine, National Journal, The Week, ParentMap, and WBUR. 

Registration is required due to space limitations.

Save the Date: Friends of the Library Book Sale

Monday – 9am to 5pm • Tuesday – 9am to 7pm • Wednesday – 9am to 7pm • Thursday – 9am to 7pm • Friday – 9am to 5pm • Saturday – 9am to 5pm • Sunday – Closed