June 1st—the unofficial start of summer! Beaches are now fully open and staffed and there are some fun outdoor events on the horizon. Meanwhile there are a number of initiatives getting underway to support our community. Some of them are part of the recently adopted Fiscal Year 2023 budget to address ongoing feedback from residents. Others are responses to issues that are being discussed at a larger scale, from homelessness to school safety and gun violence. Learn more about the ways our town departments and partner organizations are taking action and making our community stronger.

Piping plovers are starting to hatch on our town beaches! Volunteer Beach Monitor Bruce Small used a high-zoom lens to capture these sweet photos from a safe distance.

Did someone say beach season? That's an easy question, but you may have several more—let us answer those for you. Check out the FAQs on our website, and here are some quick points in the meantime:

• Scarborough is home to Ferry Beach, Pine Point Beach (Hurd Park), Higgins Beach, and Scarborough Beach State Park. All are town-operated except for Scarborough Beach.

• Beach passes are available for purchase at Town Hall (Resident, Non-Resident, Senior Resident).

• Parking fee collection began Memorial Day weekend and ends Labor Day weekend.

• No dogs on the beach from 9-5 daily.

• It’s piping plover nesting season. They are endangered, so be respectful of their nests.

Beach passes and boat launch passes are available for purchase at Town Hall, valid at all three town-operated beaches (Ferry, Pine Point, Higgins). Passes must be obtained in person in the Town Clerk’s Office.

The Scarborough Town Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 municipal budget at their May 18, 2022 council meeting. From the proposed budget first presented on March 31 to the adopted budget, there were $1.397 million in adjustments that produce an estimated final mil rate increase of less than 3%. “I offer this proposed budget in response to the current needs of the community with a specific focus on key investments,” said Tom Hall, Town Manager, of the initial proposed budget.

Through the budget review process and adjustments, there were no eliminations to department capital budget requests. These include improvements like a new machine for sidewalk maintenance, added pedestrian lanes, and increased police visibility. It also includes the start or continuation of longer term processes, such as a Townwide Transportation Network Study to identify existing and future demands on our infrastructure, an evaluation of the Route 1 marsh crossing, and design work on a future Community Center. Watch the videos below for an explanation of these community benefits from the staff behind the scenes.

Angela Blanchette, Scarborough Town Engineer, explains two road construction projects planned in the year ahead and corresponding bike and pedestrian improvements proposed as part of the scope of work. Both Spurwink Ave (from the Ocean Ave intersection to the Cape Elizabeth town line) and a one-mile stretch of Highland Ave are anticipated to see improved pedestrian amenities, such as bike lanes and sidewalks.

Community Services Director Todd Souza is on site at the Hub, a multiuse space for hosting community programs for participants of all ages. He gives insight to the community's desire for a Community Center, a designated space designed specifically for various user groups and a reflection of community input and intentional design. Learn more about the next phase of this process as it is proposed in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

Over the past few years, Scarborough has been experiencing increased demands from local and regional traffic. Planning Director Jay Chace describes the Townwide Transportation Network Study that is included in the FY2023 budget to address the concerns. The study will analyze the current state of use and demand, and will provide a holistic review of long-term solutions.

When developing the municipal budget, departments look for alternate sources of funding when possible to maintain fiscal responsibility and ultimately minimize the impact on the taxpayer. Fire Chief Rich Kindelan describes two projects in this year's Fire Department budget which will be funded mainly through a grant and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Tuesday, June 14 is Election Day and there are a number of items on the ballot:

• School budget referendum election

• State of Maine primary election (Determines each party’s nomination of candidates for federal offices and State and County offices. Candidates elected at the Primary qualify to appear on the November election ballot).

Read our Election Guide newsletter for more on the voting process and details of what appears on the ballot.

View sample ballots and learn more about Scarborough elections on our website.

Request an absentee ballot and return it any time before Election Day. It can be dropped off in the ballot box at the Town Hall entrance, mailed to the Town Clerk's Office, P.O. Box 360, Scarborough, Maine 04070, or in person in the Town Clerk's office. Be sure the back of the envelope is signed. More information.

For more information call (207) 780-0501 or email [email protected].

Our annual summer concert series is hosted by the Scarborough Community Chamber of Commerce and Scarborough Community Services. Concerts are held on Thursdays beginning at 6:30pm in Memorial Park.

June 30: Time Pilots

July 7: Sixties Invasion

July 14: Don Campbell Band

July 21: Motor Booty Affair

July 28: Something Stupid

August 4: Running Down a Dream

Scarborough Community Services is already accepting registrations for their Fall Soccer program! Players will learn the skills need to play this fun and fast-paced sport with grade-level teams.

Registration is accepted for those in PreK (must be four by October 15, 2022) through Grade 5 this fall. The program begins September 10 and consists of six weeks of practices (one per week) and games (one per Saturday). Registrations will be accepted up through July 8. $55 per child before 6/8, $65 per child on or after 6/8.

New to Scarborough? Set up an account on our Webtrac page or by calling us at 207-730-4150.

4:00-10:00pm

Kippy Mitchell Sports Complex, Scarborough

The Town of Scarborough will host their 1st Annual Relay For Life of Southern Maine benefitting the American Cancer Society on Saturday June 25. As the world’s largest grassroots fundraising movement, Relay For Life mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and provide the community with an opportunity to fight back against cancer together with their neighbors, colleagues, family and friends. This family friendly event includes music, games, activities, themed laps, food, survivor celebrations and emotionally charged ceremonies.

Scarborough Community Resource Sergeant Steve Thibodeau states, “No one should have to fight cancer alone. When the community pulls together, whether it is to help keep people safe or to fight cancer in our community, we are stronger when we fight crime or cancer together.” Sergeant Thibodeau is currently the number one fundraiser for this year’s event, a member of Team Scarborough, and a Tri-Lead for the event.

For more information about the upcoming Relay, please contact Diane Nicholson at 631-379-7778 or [email protected] or visit www.relayforlife.org/southernme. To join the community in saving lives from cancer, log onto www.relayforlife.org/southernme.

Homelessness has never fully been absent from the Town of Scarborough, often only hidden and overlooked. Encampments were concealed behind the trees with these individuals unnoticed unless they created a commotion or a disturbance. Cars and tents that were being utilized as “homes” camouflaged themselves within the normalcy of town. Families were being sheltered for a night or two and then returning to the unknown of what the next day would bring. But now, Scarborough needs to sound the alarm on the growing homelessness crisis in our suburban town.

The visibility of individuals experiencing homelessness is highlighted through the increased panhandling at our busy interactions and individuals seen combing through trashcans for their next meals. This “problem” and these “sights” can feel unsettling to a community as such a complex social issue doesn’t “just go away”. Scarborough Police Department and their Social Services Division has taken a proactive approach to address homelessness within the community. The model has changed from ignoring that this problem exists, to starting the conversations with individuals including, “How can I help you?” and “What do you need?”.

We understand the very real concerns surrounding school safety and tragic events that have taken place in other communities. Our team and our staff will continue to work hard to provide a safe community and a safe school for all of our kids K-12. Our building and district leaders continue to meet with our School Resource Officers, and Scarborough Public Safety (police and fire departments) to regularly review, revise, and strengthen our crisis management plans, share best practices with staff, and make sure we are prepared in the event of an emergency.

The District Emergency Management Team (DEMT), inclusive of all these town departments, have met regularly for years to be as proactive as possible to ensure your child, our staff, and our community can be safe in our schools, and on our school campuses. Our next scheduled DEMT meeting is for early June, where we will continue to revisit, revise, and improve our safety protocols, emergency drills, and crisis plans. Scarborough Schools is also investing in school emergency software for staff in all buildings, which will serve to improve our communication and make our management of emergency drills more efficient and effective.

As your new superintendent, I have been impressed with the degree of professional expertise and collaboration that occurs across town departments, and in particular, in addressing the issues around school safety and emergency procedures. Our School Resource Officers are experienced and effective; the DEMT is well established, represents all town departments, and addresses issues of safety/crisis management across schools and other municipal buildings. There is considerable ongoing collaboration and proactive planning taken throughout the Town’s leadership, from the Town Manager on down. This is very much a strength of the Scarborough community, and it is very much appreciated for a new school leader! Our efforts and desire to keep the community safe will continue as we strive to always improve and get better. Read the full Emergency Management Plan on the Scarborough Schools' website.

8:00am - 11:00am (Rain or shine)

Historic Hunnewell House, Scarborough

Corner of Winnocks Neck Rd & Black Point Rd

The Scarborough Garden Club will be selling a large selection of plants for a Maine garden, including traditional perennials as well as a selection of uncommon perennials, annuals, herbs, shrubs...and more! Proceeds from the sale help support the Club's community projects including: Wreaths for Christmas in various public buildings in Scarborough, Green Thumb Awards Contest, Scarborough Community Garden, Project GRACE, scholarship fund, University of Maine 4H Summer Camp at Bryant Pond, flower arrangements made monthly and delivered to area nursing home residents, and other memorial gifts.

There are programs happening nearly every weekday for ages 55+. Take a look at the May-July Brochure for a schedule and registration details. Here are just a few:

Wednesdays at 11:00am

Community Services Hub (418 Payne Rd)

$8/person, Register

June 10, 12:30-3:00pm

$8/resident; Register by June 2

Join us for an out of this world day! We will see the show Journey to a Billion Suns about mapping the stars. The Planetarium is located in the science building at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus.

June 16, 12:00-3:00pm

$10/resident; Register by June 9

Join us for a fun summer day of ice cream and mini golf. Martel’s features a beautifully maintained 18-hole miniature golf course. They also have an ice cream shop where they serve their own ice cream in over 40 flavors. This day is sure to be a hole-in-one!

Scarborough is not only a great place to live and recreate, it's a great town to work for as well. The Town of Scarborough hires for various positions within Town Hall, Public Works, Public Safety and other departments on an ongoing basis. Check back regularly for a position that aligns with your skills.

• Full Time Assessing Administrative Assistant

• Call Company Firefighter

• Emergency Communications Dispatcher

& more!

6:30-8:00pm (In-person or Zoom*/YouTube)

Council Chambers, Town Hall

Join us for the return of Council Corner LIVE, a two-way conversation and a chance for you to get to know your councilors and talk with them candidly about hot topic issues in town.

The session will hosted by Councilors Jon Anderson and April Sither on the topic of Conservation & Sustainability in Scarborough. Let us know your thoughts in a comfortable, open setting.

I had the pleasure of attending an event this week where Bill Nemitz was the keynote speaker. For those who might not be familiar, Mr. Nemitz is a longtime journalist for the Portland Press Herald who got his start, as it turns out, covering municipal meetings in the 1970’s. What struck me about his speech was the poignant reminder that no matter how heavy the world gets, communicating and connecting with one another keeps our community strong. And so with that spirit front of mind, I will use the rest of my space this week to highlight some of the things I have seen around our community recently that have lifted my spirits…maybe if I am clever I can find a way to tie them back to the budget.

I will start with my own 4-year-old, who is basically joy personified. She is quite smitten with a young man she saw being picked up at the middle school way back in September. This young man, 8 years her senior, happens to be the son of a friend of mine, so we frequently exchange messages about my daughter’s affection and the many cards, drawings, and trinkets she lovingly creates for him. While all of her cuteness certainly brings me joy, it is the sweet smile and the kind way he always says “thank you” when presented with a handful of wilted dandelions that really shines. Thank you parents and caregivers for raising kind kids who demonstrably put others first.

The next one I will share is from our local “buy nothing” group on social media. The concept of the buy nothing group is to offer people a way to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude within the community. People give away things from moving boxes to refrigerators, and everything in between! Recently someone was in need of a lawn mower, which is no small request. Within hours, not only had someone offered to mow their lawn, but within days multiple people had offered their old mower. Thank you for fostering a community that takes care of each other.

This last one might sound strange, but hear me out. I am grateful to have attended a lot of town meetings recently. And while no one loves to sit in meetings, what strikes me is the sheer number of volunteers we have in this community. I sit on committees with no less than 20 different individuals who prioritize their time for weeks and months to offer their expertise, exchange ideas, and advise decision making. And those are just my committee assignments! There are also dozens of volunteers making youth sports happen on nearly every town field, not to mention our many service groups here in town. Thank you for being a community that answers the call to service.

While the world might feel heavy, I am comforted by all of the connectivity I see within our community, and I feel strongly that this year’s school and municipal budgets reflect our values and priorities. See, I knew I could get back to the budget. As we head into summer, I hope that everyone reading this makes a point to vote in our municipal election on June 14th. Early voting is happening now at Town Hall, and while you are there, don’t forget to grab your beach pass!

John Cloutier, Chair • Ken Johnson, Vice Chair • Jonathan Anderson • Jean-Marie Caterina • Don Hamill • April Sither

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

Join Scarborough Schools and their Building Steering Committee on Monday, June 6th from 6-8pm for a virtual community forum presentation on the K-8 Strategic Project & New Primary School.

The presentation will inform on the process of selecting a school site, site analysis, reviewing the site selection criteria, and how this data is translated into identifying possible locations for a school. Participants will engage in two interactive exercises facilitated by Harriman Architects and site selection consultants.

Find more Building Steering Committee information on the School website. This includes all agendas, minutes, slideshows, and presentation materials related to the K-8 Strategic Project & New Primary School, and a link to the recording of the first community forum presentation on May 11. The Zoom link for the June 6 forum will be made available here closer to the event date.

Join us for a viewing of King Richard: Armed with a clear vision and a brazen 78-page plan, Richard Williams is determined to write his daughters, Venus and Serena, into history. Rated PG-13; 2 hours, 24 minutes.

Maximize the Benefits of your Library Card with this Hands-On Demonstrations Led by our Adult Services Team. Learn the ins and outs or our eBook and eAudiobook platform. cloudLibrary is compatible with Apple, Android, and Kindle Fire tablets, smartphones, computers, and Nook and Kobo eReaders.

Julia Bouwsma will read her poetry for the inaugural event in the Library’s Ann P. Hammond Poetry Series. Bouwsma lives off-the-grid in western Maine, where she is a homesteader, editor, teacher, librarian, and Maine’s sixth Poet Laureate. She is the author of two poetry collections, both of which received the Maine Literary Award for Poetry Book (2019 and 2018).

Did you know the Town of Scarborough conducted a survey of residents last fall? Learn more about why it was done, what the results were and how the Town is using the input to help make decisions that affect us all. Town Councilors Ken Johnson (Communication Committee Member) and Jon Anderson (Communication Committee Chair) will be interviewed live by Janice Cohen and Dana Morris-Jones of Scarborough Community Conversations (SCC), with Q&A to follow.

Sign up just to listen and/or get your own questions answered. Click Here to register for the Zoom link.

Learn about and register for upcoming Library programs 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

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