What a mild winter it's been so far, but there's still plenty of time for flurries, snow days, and plow runs! We're not waiting around though—Community Services has a lineup of programs that reach all age groups in our community. And other departments are making a big impact in our community, too. Read about our newest Police Academy graduates and how successful our Fire Department was with their 2022 blood drives. There's plenty more in store for 2023, and we're grateful for your interest and involvement along the way.

Looking for a new career in the new year? The Town of Scarborough is a great place to work! Check our Job Board to see current openings, and revisit periodically as positions continue to be posted on an ongoing basis.

Town Hall Hours: Monday-Friday, 8am - 4pm; 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month, 8am-6pm

Town Hall will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. (No changes to trash pickup)

In case you missed it...

Town Manager Year-End Message

In his year-end reflection, Town Manager Tom Hall expresses his gratitude for staff for their steadfast approach to challenges faced in 2022. He expands on the impact of the Emergency Rental Assistance program on our community resources, and shares insight on the high internal retirement rate experienced this year. He then looks ahead at the plans outlined for 2023 to address growth and its subsequent impact on transportation, conservation, and affordable housing.

Our Town's CodeRED computer alert system is used to quickly notify large groups of people in emergency situations like criminal activity, severe weather, road closures, evacuations, and missing persons. It's free and secure to sign up for cell phone alerts. Select how to receive alerts: text, phone call and/or email. Help us keep you informed and safe.

In the class of 62 cadets, Officer Hilbie (left) ranked 8th overall and Officer Sholl (right) ranked 6th overall. Class ranking is comprised of the cadet's scores in the academic, physical, practical skills and professional values categories.

This past December, Officers Evan Hilbie and Andrew Sholl graduated from the 42nd Basic Law Enforcement Training Program, more commonly known as the Police Academy. After an intensive 18-week training, these two outstanding officers are now certified, full-time “Blue Pin” police officers. 

During the graduation ceremony, the class recited the Law Enforcement Oath of Honor: “On my honor, I will never betray my badge, my integrity, my character, or the public trust. I will always have the courage to hold myself and others accountable for our actions. I will always uphold the constitution, my community, and the agency I serve.”

This oath is a reflection of Scarborough Police Department’s values listed in our own mission statement: Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Honesty, Fairness, and Empathy. These two new officers, as with all of our officers, are responsible for protecting and serving our community. This responsibility can only be entrusted to those with the highest moral integrity and character. They must always remember to do what’s right, especially when no one is watching.

Congratulations Officers Hilbie and Sholl. We are very proud to have you in our ranks and wish you safe and successful careers!

Ready to be free of your Christmas tree? Public Works is conducting curbside pickup for real trees (nothing artificial) throughout the month.

• Place your tree on the curbside on the same day as your trash collection any week in January.

• Place it far enough from the curb that it will not get hit by a car or covered by a snowplow, but still within reach for our crew.

• Put out your tree on the DAY of your trash collection so it doesn't freeze to the ground.

Trash & tree pick up will not be happening at the same time; Public Works does tree pickup separate 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 dangerous road conditions) our crew will be plowing rather than picking up trees. Thank you for your patience!

The Scarborough Fire Department hosted their last blood drive of the year on Friday, December 30 in honor of Madison, the niece of one of our firefighters. They have hosted three successful blood drives at the Public Safety building in 2022, and this most recent one was no exception:

• 88 donors were registered at the drive

• 11 donors opted to donate Power Reds for 20 units collected between them.

• The Red Cross had a goal to collect 80 units of blood. Altogether they managed to collect 98 units of blood.

In total for the three blood drives in 2022, the Fire department supported the collection of 283 units of blood. This equates to 849 lives potentially saved because of your support.

"On behalf of all of the patients who received this lifesaving blood and their families, we thank you for all of your help throughout the year," says the American Red Cross. "We would truly be lost without the support of people like you."

Bring your dog's current rabies certificate, written proof that the dog(s) has been spayed or neutered (if applicable), and payment. If you have already shown proof to the Town Clerk's Office, additional proof is not necessary. Licenses are $6 for spayed/neutered, $11 if not. The Clerk's office is to the left through the main floor entrance and open weekdays 8:00am-4:00pm (until 6:00pm on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday).

Youth: Indoor Soccer (Grades Pre K-4)

Grades Pre K-4

Saturdays only, 2/11 to 3/25

$50 per child

Apply by January 23

Continue all the fun and excitement of fall soccer indoors! This fast-paced indoor soccer program allows kids to work on skills they learned during the fall soccer season. Divisions will be broken up by grade and gender. Teams will be co-ed if needed to run. 

Teens: STEM Challenge Night

Grades 6-8

Friday, February 10, 6:00-8:00pm

Community Services Hub

$35 per child

Open to Scarborough students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Come to our very first STEM challenge night at the Hub! There will be 4-5 individual and group STEM challenges for everyone to try. DIY sandwich bar and drinks will be provided.

Seniors: Owls Head Transportation Museum Trip

Ages 55+

Monday, January 23, 8:00am-5:00pm

Bus meets at Community Services Hub

$20 resident, $25 non-resident

Owls Head Transportation Museum Trip

Explore an amazing collection of aircraft, automobiles, bicycles, carriages, engines, and motorcycles from years past and learn something new about the evolution of transportation. Don't forget to honk the various horns throughout the museum and stop by the gift shop for a souvenir. We will stop for lunch after our visit.

Check out all the upcoming programs for our 55+, Adult, Teen, Youth programs and Special Events in our 2022-23 Winter Programs brochure. View it online or pick up a printed copy at the Hub (418 Payne Road) or Public Library.

Family Fun Pop-Up Events

Friday Night S'mores Socials

Fridays January 27 and February 10

6:00 to 7:30pm

Municipal Ice Rink (near Wentworth School)

Join us for a winter evening social! Grab your skates for an evening of skating, music, and free hot cocoa and s’mores. No ice? No problem! If the ice is not safe for skating we will move the hot cocoa and s’mores to the Hub for some indoor play.

Family Trivia Night

Friday, February 3, 6:30-8:00pm

Community Services Hub

$35 per team, Register

Use your noggin to answer questions for all ages in a multitude of formats. Each team of 2-6 players will submit their answers through the provided tablets. Light refreshments and goodies will be provided. Trivia presented by Trivia Maine by Play207.

Scarborough senior citizens in need of sand for their driveways and sidewalks can have a bucket of sand delivered FREE to their residence. Please call Officer Tanner Mann at (207) 730-4328 or email your request to tmann@scarboroughmaine.org. Please be sure to leave your name, telephone number, and address.

The Town Council has six standing committees; each committee is made up of three councilors. Each councilor (with the exception of the Council Chair - trust me, he has plenty to do!) serves on three committees in addition to their other liaison roles. Unless otherwise noted, all committee meetings are open to the public. Meeting dates, times, and location can be found on the Town calendar. 

The Appointments and Negotiations Committee meets to review applications for vacancies on the various Town committees/boards and makes their recommendations to the Council. The Committee also provides analysis and recommendations about the Town’s collective bargaining strategy and compensation planning. 

Chair - Karin Shupe; Members - John Cloutier, Don Hamill 

The Appointments and Negotiations Committee meets as needed the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm. 

The members of the Communications and Public Engagement Committee provide direction, policy oversight, and business decision support for all communication efforts of the Town Council. The Committee also reviews and offers feedback on the Town’s current mechanisms for promoting Town Council and community engagement. The Committee may identify new strategies and resources that will foster and promote a positive and productive dialogue with community members and may help facilitate improvements to existing and new communications mediums. 

Chair - April Sither; Members - Jean-Marie Caterina, Nick McGee

The Communications Committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 3pm. 

The Fair Hearing Authority is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that general assistance is administered in accordance with the state law and local ordinance. 

Chair- Don Hamill; Members - John Cloutier, April Sither 

Due to the nature of the hearings, this committee meets only when necessary, and meetings are not open to the public. 

The Finance Committee is charged with reviewing appropriation requests and revenue estimates for all offices, agencies, and departments of the Town. The Finance Committee prepares recommended line item appropriation amendments, with the exception of the Town Department of Education Budget, to the proposed budget to the Town Council prior to the public hearing and final reading. In consultation with the Town Manager and staff, the Finance Committee may prepare and recommend for approval by the Town Council, policies and/or procedures relating to the financial affairs of the Town. 

Chair - John Cloutier; Members - Don Hamill, Karin Shupe 

The Finance Committee meets the second Wednesday of each month at 5pm. 

The members of the Ordinance Committee review proposed ordinances or amendments and make recommendations thereon to the Council for final action. Ordinance proposals may come from elected officials, citizens, staff, or Town committees and boards. 

Chair - Nick McGee; Members - Jean-Marie Caterina, April Sither 

The Ordinance Committee meets the third Thursday of each month at 4pm.

The Rules and Policies Committee reviews proposed Policies Chapter 101 – Town Council Adopted Policies and Chapter 302 – Rules & Procedures from time to time to ensure that it is in compliance with State Law and the local Charter. 

Chair - Jean-Marie Caterina; Members - Nick McGee, Karin Shupe 

The Rules and Policy Committee meets as needed. Meeting times and locations will be posted to the Town calendar. 

Each committee will be meeting in the coming weeks to discuss their goals and priorities for the year. Alignment with the 2021 Comprehensive Plan, as well as overall Council goals, will be central to our work across committees. On a personal level, I am thrilled to take on the role of Communications chair, and am eager to expand on the outreach efforts that the committee launched this past year. I wish all of my fellow council members the best as we take on the work that the year will bring! 

I would be remiss if I did not thank all of the dedicated and knowledgeable town staff that support committee work in too many ways to mention, as well as give a shout out to all of our residents who volunteer their time to serve on citizen committees. I maintain, as I always have, it is the people that make Scarborough such an amazing place to live…the beaches are just the cherry on top!  

Scarborough Town Council

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

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

Scarborough Public Library News

Books on Tap

Monday, January 16th, 4:30-5:30pm

Join our Books on Tap book discussion group at Sea Dog Brewing Company, 3 Cabela's Way in Scarborough. This month's read is Africa is Not a Country: Notes on a Bright Continent written by Dipo Faloyin. A lively, entertaining and informative portrait of modern Africa that pushes back against harmful stereotypes.

Camden Conference in February

The Library is partnering with the Camden Conference to present supplemental, local programming leading up to the 36th annual conference on February 17-19. The theme of this year’s conference is Global Trade and Politics: Managing Turbulence.

Monday, January 23, 6:30pm

Rodger Cuzner, Consul General of Canada in Boston, will discuss and answer questions via Zoom about the incredibly important bilateral trade relationship between Canada and the United States. Attend directly on Zoom or participate from the Library.

Wednesday, February 1, 6:30pm

Peter Dugas, Maine State Coordinator for Citizens Climate Lobby, will discuss how various policy proposals impact climate change as well as international business and trade. He will demonstrate the EN-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator, a freely available tool that provides the public with a means to explore various climate solutions and will discuss how Maine can influence the nation and world on climate policy. Join us at the Library for this in-person event or attend virtually via Zoom.

These programs are part of a collaborative programming partnership with the York Public Library, Kennebunk Free Library, Patten Free Library in Bath, and Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland. Visit the Library’s Camden Conference Events page to view a list of all programs and to register.

Nature's Naptime: A Hibernation Storytime

Monday, January 30, 10:00am 

Scarborough Land Trust volunteer youth educator Kelly Pietrzak will be exploring hibernation with us in this fun and interactive program. We will learn about different types of hibernation and which Maine animals are true hibernators (hint: there are only 3). Children are encouraged to bring along a stuffed animal that can be seen in Maine. We will discuss how the real animals manage in our winter environment. If the weather permits, we will be outside for story time so dress warmly and bring something to sit on. 

Blind Date with a Book

Tuesday, February 14, 2:00-3:30pm

Readers of all ages are invited to join us for this fun Valentine's Day celebration of book love! Cupcakes, books and families will make this Valentine's Day special! Books will be wrapped in brown paper and grouped by age. Only a few clues will be given to help you choose your "blind date". This is a fun way for all readers to expand their horizons and find some fantastic new reads! Stay tuned for more information.  

Youth Services offers weekly recurring programs and activities like Preschool Learning & Discovery Time, Mind Readers: A Middle School Book Club, Rhythm & Rhyme (for babies and toddlers), Lego Block Party and more. View a complete listing and details on their website.

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