Happy peak summer! July brings along a number of events, updates, and ways to connect with fellow community members. Kick off the month with Fourth of July celebrations, then gear up for some free Park & Rec Month programs thanks to Scarborough Community Services, and evening concerts in Memorial Park. Read on for more updates, then unplug for the holiday weekend.

Scarborough Public Library is not only a go-to for books and movies, but also a wide array of free programs this summer. Scroll to the end of the newsletter for a few highlights, but know there are many, many more!

This Week: Garbage to Garden Starts Curbside Collection

This week begins the transition of Garbage to Garden as the Town's new trash and recycling collection provider (formerly Casella Waste Systems). Scarborough residents will continue to receive weekly curbside trash and single-stream recycling collection with no interruption in service. Collection routes and schedules will remain the same throughout town.

Transition Period Considerations

Please be patient in these first few weeks. We don't anticipate any major delays or challenges, but like any transition, there may be some circumstances that arise. Rest assured, Garbage to Garden prioritizes its customer service and will address any potential delays or other issues within 24-hours.

Curbside Compost Subscription Now Available

Households will also have the option for the opt-in service at a cost for a dedicated composting bin for weekly pickup of food scraps, yard waste, and other compostable materials alongside their regular trash and recycling collection. Two service levels are available exclusively to Scarborough residents:

• Scarborough Resident Rate Plan: Includes weekly pickup and a 12-gallon bin delivered at the start of service (residents clean their own bin).

• Full-Service Plan: Includes weekly curbside pickup on trash day and a clean bucket swap each week.

Both plans accept all food scraps, including meat, dairy, and cooked foods. Visit the Garbage to Garden website to sign up or learn more, or call (207) 332-0277.

Learn more about Garbage to Garden on their website. Questions? Call their customer service line at (207) 332-0277.

Common Questions

Will there be any changes to my scheduled pickup day? No, the scheduled routes and days will remain the same.

Will the bins stay the same? Yes, households will keep the same bins.

Will yard waste disposal at Casella still be available? Residents will still be able to dispose of grass clippings, leaves, and small amounts of household brush at the Casella Transfer Station free of charge with no changes. Learn more (under "Yard Waste Disposal").

Does the Town offer public drop-off sites for compost if I don't sign up for the Garbage to Garden curbside service? There will continue to be a public compost bin at Scarborough Public Works (20 Washington Ave) available to residents free of charge for household compost disposal.

Track Reopens in Early July

Scarborough Public Schools Update

The track was closed in June for final surfacing and stripe painting to complete its renovation. It is anticipated to reopen in early July. Due to materials staging outside of the fence on Wentworth Drive, we ask that citizens avoid driving through that area during this time. We appreciate the cooperation and patience of the many community members who enjoy using this facility, and we look forward to the completion of a beautiful, state-of-the-art restoration. The critical upgrades to both the turf and track will undoubtedly serve our students and larger community well for years to come. 

Skate Park Plans Underway

The former skate park, which was in deteriorating condition, was closed in late May and is the new site of expanded pickleball courts in the Memorial Park area (anticipated completion by late July). A new skate park will be relocated to the school campus in better proximity with its main user group. Engineering designs presented to the Planning Board on June 15th were met with a favorable recommendation, and Community Services held an engagement meeting last week to gather public input. They hope to have a Request for Proposal out by mid-July.

The new skate park will be located in the area across from the High School track and next to the tennis courts.

4th of July🎆

Fireworks Dos & Don'ts

With 4th of July celebrations happening this week/weekend, please be aware of the Town's Consumer Fireworks Ordinance and acceptable use areas:

• Fireworks can only be set off on July 3rd & 4th and December 31st & January 1st beginning at 9:00am until 10:00pm.

• Use of fireworks is prohibited in the Higgins Beach area (ocean side Spurwink Road beginning at the intersection of Black Point Road and Spurwink Road to the Cape Elizabeth line).

• A Notification of Intent must be submitted to the Scarborough Fire Department prior to use. This online form can also be found on the town website under the Residents menu.

There is no fireworks show put on by the Town for the 4th of July.

Trash Collection

No changes to trash collection for the week of the Fourth.

Neighborhood Parades featuring Scarborough Public Safety

Join the Pine Point community parade committee for their annual Kids Fun Run and 4th of July neighborhood parade at Pine Point! Registration for the fun run begins at 8:00am at Engine 4 Fire Station with an 8:45am start time. The parade begins at Hurd Park at 9:00am on Saturday, July 4th and ends at the Engine 4 Fire Station. Come see the Fire department and their muster truck, Police officers, and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) in the lineup, followed by complimentary strawberry shortcake in the firehouse! July 5th rain date.

There are also neighborhood parades at Prouts Neck and Higgins Beach featuring the Fire department and their trucks: the Higgins Beach parade is on July 3rd at 4:00pm and Prouts Neck on the 4th at 3:00pm.

Summer Outdoors Photo Contest Starts July 6th📸

Outdoors is the place to be this summer in Scarborough—its parks, nature preserves, and beaches provide the perfect setting for the season. We want to see these spaces through your lens, so we're launching our 4th annual "Summer Outdoors" Photo Contest on July 6th. Snap photos while you're out enjoying scenery or time with family, and share with us for a chance to win some great local prizes!

Beginning July 6th, submit up to three photos with a title and caption (optional). They must be taken in Scarborough and outdoors to qualify! For each photo, select which category to enter it into:

Categories

• Beach Days
• Nature & Wildlife
• Golden Hour
• Scenic Views
• Community & Summer Fun

Photos will be uploaded to Facebook on a rolling basis in mid-July. The photo with the most 'Likes' in each category will win a gift card from a local Scarborough business. Thanks to Dairy Corner, El Rayo, and Cafe Luna for the great prizes!

A Look Back at Last Year's Winners

Nature & Wildlife Category Winner: "Watering Hole" by Linda Karwacki

"Our resident raccoon 'Rocky' was very thirsty!"

Parks & Paths Category Winner: "Boat Reflection" by Amy Taylor

"This boat is at the edge of the river in the marsh, off the Eastern Trail."

Pets, Family & Fun Category Winner: "Gone But Not Forgotten" by Cameron Dolan

Scenic Landscapes Category Winner: "Sunset at Ferry Beach" by Dory Sangiovanni

Beaches Category Winner: "Beauty of Scarborough" by Dawn Freedman

Beach Season is Here

Check out the FAQs on our website for some reminders (dog times, plover protection, lot fees, and more). Heading to the beach often? Purchase a beach pass from Town Hall to avoid daily parking fees.

July is Parks and Rec Month!

Join us and the National Recreation and Park Association as we celebrate and recognize the people, spaces, and programs that create a sense of belonging in our community. Join us for yoga with Scarborough Yoga, martial arts with Ji-Beh Martial Arts, beginner weightlifting with Iron Legion, and free dance classes throughout the month. Be sure to see the full calendar to join in on the fun!

For 40 years, communities across the country have celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. This year’s theme, “The Power of”, celebrates the many ways parks and recreation—and the people who make it all possible—reveal the power of what connects us.

Kids Jamboree

Monday, July 13, 5:00-7:00pm

Free

Join us in Memorial Park for a kids-centric celebration, our annual Kids Jamboree featuring inflatables, face painting, an ice cream truck, games, and family fun for all ages!

What's Next: Radio Communications Upgrade Approved in FY27 Budget

Later this summer the Town Council will vote on whether to include a significant town-wide radio investment on a referendum ballot in the November 2026 election. They approved it in the FY2027 budget, but it would also need voter approval.

Project Background & Need

The Town of Scarborough is exploring a significant municipal two-way radio communications system upgrade for its public safety, public service, and school departments in Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach. The issues were fully identified in a January 2025 study of the infrastructure and needs assessment of the two-way communications system in both towns, completed by an external consultant.

Many key components of the existing radio infrastructure have reached or exceeded their expected service life and are no longer supported by the manufacturers to repair or replace when failures occur. This presents a significant risk to system performance, increasing the potential for communication outages that could impact public safety operations.

Project Impact

Reliable communications are a critical part of emergency response. A system upgrade would address major coverage gaps and the safety risks this brings. Another goal of a system upgrade is to streamline separate radio systems into a cohesive network. Currently, a variety of radio systems are used across both towns by Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, Schools, Community Services, Recreation, Lifeguards, the Sanitary District, and Wastewater. Having them all on one system would improve interoperability and simplify long-term support.

Hear more about the proposed $9.4 million project firsthand from Deputy Emergency Communications Manager Jay McAdams. This video was made during the FY2027 budget review process—the project was approved in the budget but still needs to be voted on by the Town Council to determine whether it will move forward to referendum this fall for voter approval.

Short Term Rental Ordinance Registration Coming Soon

The Short Term Rental Registration Ordinance was officially approved by the Town Council on May 20, 2026. All short term rental operators will be required to register with the Town by December 31, 2026 and annually thereafter. A safety inspection is also required with new registrations. The registration process will be launched in July/August with a December 31st deadline—stay tuned for more information.

Please reach out to Autumn Speer at aspeer@scarboroughmaine.org with any questions.

New Digital Assistant on Town Website

The Town of Scarborough has launched Ask Scarborough on our website, a cutting-edge AI-powered customer service solution designed to make town services more accessible. Ask Scarborough gives residents seamless, around-the-clock access to town services, helping them quickly find information, submit service requests, and connect directly with town staff.

How to Use

Residents can access Ask Scarborough’s web chat directly from Scarborough’s website by clicking the chat icon in the bottom left corner of their screen. From there, they’ll be greeted by a friendly AI assistant ready to help them navigate town resources and submit requests. If a resident needs further assistance, Ask Scarborough can escalate requests to Town staff for personalized support.

This new feature is an important step toward building a more inclusive and accessible community for all residents.

July 11: Household Hazardous Waste Day

Scarborough Public Works offers collaborative, multi-town opportunities to safely dispose of your household hazardous waste materials. This is a free service to residents of Scarborough, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Biddeford for all three events (proof of residency is required).

The upcoming dates for the 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days are:

• Saturday, July 11 (8am-Noon), Saco (15 Philips Spring Road)

• Saturday, September 12 (8am-Noon), Biddeford (371 Hill Street)

These are a collaborative cross-town events: Disposal is free for residents of Scarborough, Saco, and Biddeford at all three events. Please reference this flyer for a list of accepted materials and paints.

Pedestrian Safety Demonstration Project Coming in July

A temporary pedestrian safety demonstration project will be installed along Route 1 near Hannaford Drive and Little Dolphin Plaza at the end of the month. This project is part of a regional Vision Zero safety initiative led by the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) and Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG). The project will test median refuge islands and enhanced crosswalk treatments designed to improve pedestrian safety at a location with a history of serious crashes and no existing pedestrian crossing. The installation is planned for this week, with work occurring between approximately 4:30am and 6:30am to minimize traffic impacts. The demo is expected to be up until November 15th at the latest.

View the demonstration project proposal

July 2: US Army Band Concert🎶

What better way to celebrate warm summer nights than free outdoor concerts! Concerts are now underway in Memorial Park on Thursday nights, thanks to Scarborough Community Chamber of Commerce. All concerts begin at 6:30pm and will feature food trucks for your dinner/snack needs.

Upcoming

July 2: Army Band

July 9: Delta Nights

July 16: Stolen Mojo

July 23: Don Campbell

July 30: Under the Covers

For more details about concerts, frequently asked questions, or to inquire about concert sponsorships or chamber membership, please visit the Chamber of Commerce website, or email chamber@portlandregion.com.

New Traffic Flow for Summer Concerts

Please note a change to traffic flow for this year's Summer Concert Series:

• A portion of Durant Drive, from the Sawyer Road entrance, will be closed during concerts to accommodate food trucks and provide additional safe pedestrian space.

• Concert parking will continue to be available in the High School parking lots, with vehicle access from Municipal Drive.

• Shuttle service between the parking lots and Memorial Park will also continue.

• Limited handicap parking remains available within the park; however, access must be made via the upper end of Durant Drive rather than Sawyer Road.  

Rules Around Temporary Signage

There has been an uptick in signs being posted throughout town and on telephone poles. Here is a brief summary of our temporary sign regulations. View the full rules on our website.

• Temporary signs in the right-of-way are permitted for up to 12 weeks and must be removed after that time. They shall not be placed within 30 feet of another sign with a similar message, or in a position that obstructs traffic or creates a disturbance to the welfare of the general public.

• There are specific ecologically sensitive and scenic areas in town where temporary signage cannot be placed. There are also restricted intersections with high traffic volumes. View the full list.

• Temporary signs on private property are permitted for up to 6 consecutive months.

• Temporary sandwich board signs may be displayed on commercial properties for commercial uses, limited to 8 square feet, and limited to the walkway leading to the main entrance. They may only be displayed during business hours.

Save the Date! National Night Out on August 4th

Council Corner: Early Summer Check-in with Councilor Doherty

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.

Councilor Scott Doherty is a lifelong Scarborough resident and works on the water as a commercial lobsterman. He joined the Town Council in 2024 and is serving a 3-year term. His ongoing campaign message has been in opposition to raising the tax rate, and he has said that his goal on the Council is “don’t try to fix it” when it comes to adding new rules and regulations. We sat down with Scott to learn what is front of mind for him as a councilmember as we head into the summer season. 

A recent topic was the Council vote to approve a Short Term Rental Registration Ordinance in the May 20th meeting. Speak to your reasoning for voting against it.

The new registration process just makes it so difficult, I’m opposed to it. The real problem is the out of state investors buying up the starter homes—that’s an issue. They did at least get as far as giving residents two weeks available to rent your home, like if you’re going on vacation, but I would go farther. Scarborough residents shouldn’t have to deal with the bureaucracy when it’s the out of state buyers that are the issue.

Looking ahead, what are some other Town topics that residents should be aware of?

The skate park project is a good example of something that nobody knows about until it’s happening. The point is – there is never a vote on it, it just happened. Who decided this? I have no idea what the budget is now for it, but I can’t imagine it’s under $150,000. The council talks about how important communication is with the people, and then they do stuff like this. It’s another example of a process that we’ve seen before. 

Another typical thing that happens is they say they’ll do something (like rebuild this skate park), but then they’ll go way overboard with it. That’s what happened with the Public Safety Building, and with Town Hall. And in the case of this skate park, they can spend up to $600,000 without any voter approval. The only way to control that is to not give them enough money to be able to buy it. Projects get moved through the budget process without much discussion.

There are areas where some would argue spending is necessary, like fixing roads. 

I’m all for roads. Roads have to be kept up, and we do not want to close roads—that’s ridiculous. I can’t imagine, as the town is growing, I can’t imagine they would even contemplate it, like they did with Sawyer Street. 

Scottow Hill Road needs to reopen soon too. I’ve tried and tried to talk about Scottow Hill Road and getting an estimate from local companies. The galvanized steel culverts there now have deteriorated, but they’ve been there for at least 40 years. Now they make plastic ones that will last even longer. It shouldn’t cost $1.4 million. That is a really high-end way of doing it. Being a lobsterman, we always try to find the most economical way to do it. It’s a cost to benefit ratio.

One more thing I’ll say about roads: we need to fix the potholes. There are potholes on Maple Avenue that I’ve been talking about for a year. You can pave the skate park over for pickleball courts, but you can’t take a bit of that to cover up some potholes?

I imagine this resonates for some. How can people can get involved?

August is coming—that’s when you have to get your papers to run for council. There will be three open seats. If you want change you have to do it. I’m not going to be quiet now that I’m here. And it’s not that much, it takes up your evenings but I’d probably be sitting watching TV anyways.

You can also sign up for town newsletter and if you keep up on it maybe you’ll hear about things sooner. But things come up quick – a first hearing, and then two weeks until second reading. But it does have an impact – there have been votes that changed by the second reading. So be sure to follow along with what’s happening in town.

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.

Upcoming Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Fun Run Kindie Rock Band Show & Family Picnic

Wednesday, July 8, 6:00-7:00pm

Kick off summer with an evening of music, movement, and community connection! Bring a blanket, pack a picnic dinner, and join us as families come together to celebrate summer learning, laughter, and play. Dance, sing, and groove along with the high-energy sounds of Fun Run while kids and grown-ups alike enjoy a relaxed evening outdoors with friends and neighbors. We will supply drinks and watermelon. All ages welcome.

Earth's Greatest Enemy: Film & Discussion with Peace Action Maine and Veterans for Peace

Tuesday, July 7, 1:30pm-5:00pm

In-person and online; Register

A foreign policy reporter and her Iraq veteran husband turn their sights on the hidden impact the US military has on the planet, after the birth of their first child creates anxiety about the climate crisis. Their investigation exposes a secretive and constantly- expanding web of pollution, cover-ups and unaccountability by the world's biggest polluter. Film time: 2 hours, followed by an optional discussion.

Earth’s Greatest Enemy reveals a hidden truth rarely questioned in mainstream reporting: the role of the U.S. military as the world’s largest institutional polluter, tracing the link between war, empire, and ecological destruction. Drawing on powerful testimonies from veterans, scientists, and frontline communities, it uncovers how military operations poison ecosystems, accelerate global warming, and sacrifice the future for endless expansion. From Alaska’s melting glaciers to contaminated bases across the U.S. and toxic battlefields abroad, Earth’s Greatest Enemy delivers a provocative and unflinching examination of the untouchable institution playing an outsized role in the climate crisis.

Peace Action Maine is a member based and driven state-wide organization. It is a state affiliate of Peace Action, the largest peace and justice organization in the United States. Since 1982, Peace Action Maine has been a voice in Maine to abolish nuclear weapons, to promote US and global disarmament and to end war. It is a 501(c)4 organization. (Maine Peace Fund is the sister 501(c)3 organization to Peace Action Maine).

QiGong, Gentle Yoga, & Guided Meditation

Monday, July 13, 10:00am-11:00am

Register

QiGong-style yoga combines gentle, flowing movement with mindful breathwork to support balance, relaxation, and overall well‑being. Each class includes a simple movement practice followed by a calming guided meditation that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. This class is accessible to all levels and offers a peaceful space to reconnect and restore. Due to space limitations, registration is required.

Led by LAM Yoga, a warm, community‑focused studio dedicated to making Yoga and Meditation accessible to everyone. Through partnerships with local adult education programs, the studio creates welcoming spaces where all bodies feel comfortable, supported, and seen.