Depending on who you ask among Town staff and officials, you'll hear a different update for what's happening in Scarborough right now. That's a good indicator that there is a lot going on! Our Assessing department is organizing tax assistance applications, Community Services has a lineup of programs for all ages, Town Council is gearing up for budget season to kick off in April, and more. Read on for the full gamut, and have your pen handy for some important "save the dates" on upcoming deadlines, program event dates, and more. Take note of some "Kudos", too—retirements, promotions, and awards keep us abuzz with activity!

We're here to serve you. If you have an questions or comments, contact the corresponding department through the email/phone number listed on their page of the website. Or to reach the Town Council, you can email towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org. Thank you for staying connected with us!

Vaughan was hired as a full-time Patrol Officer in October 2006 after graduating from Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. He graduated the Basic Law Enforcement Training Program in May 2007 and has since held different positions within the department. He was a member of the Southern Maine Regional SWAT Team from 2011-2013 and became a Field Training Officer in 2014, tasked with training new officers when they were hired. In 2017, Vaughan joined the Special Enforcement Team, a combination of both uniformed and plain clothes policing.

Vaughan was promoted to the position of Sergeant in 2019 and has supervised the department's midnight shift for the past three years. Throughout his 15-year career, he has come to love the community he works for. "Our citizens have always supported us, which makes it easy to remain loyal to the department," he says. "We have a very dedicated group of patrol officers and I am excited to take this next step in my career as their Patrol Lieutenant."

Vaughan is originally from North Reading, Massachusetts and grew up vacationing in southern Maine with his family every year. He was drawn to a career in law enforcement because of his desire to help people and knowing that every day he would be experiencing something different or meeting someone from a different walk of life.

The second half of your property tax bill is due today, March 15. Payments can be made in-person at Town Hall or online. If you have a billing or payment question, please contact our Tax Collections department at (207) 730-4010. (How was the tax rate determined? Click Here to learn more).

The Town of Scarborough website received a recent upgrade! The goal of the refresh was to make the site easier to navigate and find the information you're looking for in an efficient way. To aid in this, you'll see features like a new look with more "quick link" buttons, a more prominent and improved search feature, and more accessibility tools available right from the homepage. Be sure to take a look.

You may be eligible for some tax assistance programs. All applications are available online or in the Assessing office, located on the lower level of Town Hall (come through the back entrance of Town Hall). Please note that some applications have an April 1 deadline.

Questions? Contact the Assessing office at (207) 730-4063 or efennell@scarboroughmaine.org.

Tim O'Brien has retired after serving 35 years with the public safety team. He began his career as a public safety dispatcher in October 1987 and worked in this capacity for thirteen years. Tim also served as a reserve officer for several years during this time period.

In 2000, Tim officially became our full-time Data/IT Specialist after assisting for many years as time allowed in dispatch. His knowledge and expertise was instrumental in the success of data conversions for our software platforms in the late 1980s and 2007. Tim also played a pivotal role in moving dispatch from the old Public Safety building to the new one in 18 hours without a loss of dispatch services.

Tim is a talented and humble person who will be greatly missed. In retirement, he plans to spend more time with his family and focus on his landscaping business. Congratulations Tim on your well-earned retirement and your service to our public safety team!

The Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) Urban Runoff 5K is happening next month! Scarborough is one of 14 towns in Cumberland County who collaborate on stormwater education and outreach with CCSWCD. We're forming "Team Scarborough" to represent our community in the upcoming Urban Runoff road race on April 23. When you register, be sure to select "Scarborough" in the Join a Team dropdown to help us earn the title of Largest Municipal Team! The Urban Runoff 5K can be completed in-person on April 23 or virtually throughout the month of April.

Senior Programs are opportunities for anyone age 55 or older to engage and socialize with fellow participants through an array of active, activity-oriented, and fun programming. There are programs happening nearly every weekday!

St. Patrick's Day Lunch: March 17, 11am

Brick Store Museum Trip: March 24, 9:45am-2:30pm

Flagship Cinemas: March 31, 11:45am-3:30pm

And more! Prices vary; Find details and registration links online. View the digital brochure or pick up a paper copy at the Community Services Hub (418 Payne Road) or Scarborough Public Library.

Don't forget! Every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger bag sold at the Scarborough Hannaford through March will earn the Scarborough Community Services Senior (55+) Programs a $1 donation.

Have you checked out the Scarborough Community Services winter brochure for adult and youth programs yet? Even if you have, check again! The digital design of the brochure means they're continually updating the pages with new program offerings. Here are some recent additions:

Saltwater Classroom (Grades 3-6)

Open Gym (Grades 3-5)

Spring Cross Country (Grades 1-6)

Spring Theater (Ages 8-12)

Teen Nights (Grades 6-8)

Movie Night March 18

Volleyball Clinic May 20

Nerf Game Night May 27

Jazzercise Fitness Class Ongoing

Donuts with Grownups March 18

All youth and adult program details can be found in the Winter/Spring Brochure.

9:00am to 2:00pm

Community Services Hub (418 Payne Road)

Did you know Scarborough Community Services assists the U.S. Department of State with the acceptance of U.S. passport applications? Applications are accepted at the Community Services Hub by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Our Spring Passport Day will be held on Saturday, April 30, at the Community Services Hub, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm to accommodate those unavailable during our weekday hours. Staff members will be on hand to answer all of your questions, assist you through the process, and accept your applications. Our goal is to make your appointment as quick and painless as possible!

Please contact us at (207) 730-4150 to book your individual or family appointment. Instructions will be provided via email for what to bring to your appointment. For more information on what is required to apply for a passport, please call Community Services or visit the official website, Travel.State.Gov.

Scarborough Community Services was awarded this week with a 2022 Facilities of Merit Award by the Maine Recreation & Parks Association at their Annual Conference. This award was in recognition of the new Community Services Hub at 418 Payne Road. In the last two years, this facility has significantly enhanced recreation opportunities in Scarborough, including increased types of uses and greater accessibility to users. It demonstrates innovation and creativity, as well as a local commitment to offering programs in a designated space. Congratulations on your hard work and dedication to our community, Community Services team!

The department was recognized again at the conference with a 2022 Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award for Scarborough resident Art Dillon. This honor goes to a community volunteer who supports the development and creation of recreation programs, facilities or services.

Art Dillon was nominated for his contributions to Community Services and Scarborough’s community as a whole. He serves as the current chair for the Community Services and Recreation Advisory Board and is active on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors where he coordinates the free summer concert series held in Memorial Park each year.

“Art has served on numerous other ad-hoc committees and boards over the last 24 years and is always willing to use his voice to advocate for recreational programming and access to safe and beautiful parks,” says Community Services Director Todd Souza (pictured right, with Dillon, left). “His dedication to our community is unmatched and we are fortunate to have his support.”

Various roads in Scarborough have been posted, meaning that vehicles weighing over 23,000 pounds will not be allowed access on these roads. The purpose of the restrictions is to prevent as much damage as possible to the roadways while they are thawing and in a vulnerable state. As the season shifts toward spring and the temperatures rise, the melting snow and ice saturates the ground under the roads, weakening the base below the asphalt. This weakened base cannot support the stress of heavy loads, and can result in costly and avoidable road damage.

A temporary lift of these restrictions happens occasionally when the roadways are “solidly frozen.” For a roadway to be considered “solidly frozen,” the air temperature must be 32°F or below and have no water showing in the cracks of the road. Both conditions must be met in order for Public Works to consider the temporary reprieve of travel restrictions. All exemption requests must be submitted and approved by the Public Works Department. Exempted vehicles include: heating oil trucks, trash trucks, and school buses.

Click Here for a list of posted roads (available on the Public Works section of the Town of Scarborough website). You may also call (207) 730-4400, and press 2 for updates.

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

This document establishes that all town functions (except for the schools) will be administered by a manager who is appointed by and answerable to the Town Council. The manager is the chief administrator of Scarborough. The duties and responsibilities of the manager are many and are addressed by a full section of the Charter (Article Three). It determines that Scarborough will be known as a town, not a city, regardless of its size. It lays out a very involved and rigorous process for recall of elected officials. Other matters covered by this very important document include Elections, Budgets, Tax Administration, and Municipal Development, among other topics. The Planning Board, Board of Appeals, and Long Range Planning Committee are specifically established in the Charter as is the mandate to establish and maintain Ordinances.

A review of the Charter is required every ten years (Article X, Section 1008). In 2021, the Town Council established a committee to undertake this review process. The committee was comprised of nine citizen volunteers, two Councilors, one School Board member, the Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and Town Clerk. This committee met regularly in early 2021 and crafted a set of final recommendations for the Town Council.

The proposed amendments to the Charter range in significance and complexity. An example of a more complex change to the Charter includes the development and presentation to the Town Council of capital spending plans no less frequently than every three years. Another change is to move elections of the Town Council and School Board from November to the second Tuesday of June. In all, there are 19 changes recommended. These recommendations are being reviewed this Spring and the Town Council will choose which recommended Charter changes will go to the voters for approval in November.

The Town Council had the first workshop on these recommendations on March 9 (Click Here to view). The Council reviewed the changes in sequential order, identified which matters require more in-depth discussion and research, and set times and dates for further review and discussion. At all stages, the public will be asked to weigh in with thoughts and ideas. Once the proposed amendments have been thoroughly vetted by the Council, the Council will vote on which, if any, will go to the voters in the November elections. It is the Council’s duty to make that choice.

I suggest going to the Ordinance section of the website and look up Chapter 201-Charter. I would then watch the March 9 workshop to get up to speed. You can follow along in the process from that point moving forward. I am happy to answer any questions or concerns you might have. My email is jcaterina@scarboroughmaine.org. My phone is (207) 318-3440.

We're excited to announce a new feature we’re calling “Councilor Corner Live”. This in-person discussion (option to tune in virtually) will be hosted by two councilors and centers around a specific topic, this time on Growth. Join councilors Jon Anderson and Paul Johnson as they discuss the subject with you, fellow Scarborough residents. Community engagement is a critical component of navigating Town issues, and we value your thoughtful discussion. Please join us to ask questions, share your thoughts, and hear from your councilors. Council Corner Live will meet at Town Hall on Thursday March 31 at 5:30pm. To tune in via Zoom, find the link on the Town Calendar a few days prior to the program.

Want to share your thoughts? Councilors can be contacted via email at towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org.

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

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

The Scarborough Public Schools Board of Education is underway with the Fiscal Year 2023 budget review process. Here is the full School budget meeting schedule:

March 14: School Board/Leadership Council FY23 Budget Workshop

March 15: School Board/Leadership Council FY23 Budget Workshop

March 17: School Board Meeting - 1st Reading of FY23 Budget

March 30: Town Council/School Board FY23 Budget Presentation

April 28: School Board FY23 Budget Public Hearing

May 4: Town Council/School Board FY23 Budget Workshop & Public Hearing

May 5: School Board Meeting - 2nd Reading of FY23 Budget

May 19: School Board Meeting - FY23 Budget Adjustments (if needed)

Head to the District Calendar for times and links to participate. Click Here for meeting agendas.

Movie: Belfast (PG-13; 98 mins)

Movie Matinees are back! Due to reduced seating, registration is required. Call our Reference Desk at 883-4723 option 4 to reserve your seat. Monday Movie Matinees are free and open to the public.

National Library Week is coming up soon—the week of April 3-9! To kick things off, the Library will host an Open House on Sunday, April 3 from 2pm to 4pm. Stop by, tour around, enjoy refreshments, and see the architectural drawings and plans for our much-anticipated, long-awaited building expansion.

Everyone is welcome to be part of One Day Maine Edition. People of all ages are welcome to help chronicle and capture a random day in Maine—Saturday, March 19. The poetry, photos, videos, sketches, and many other creative offerings will be compiled in chronological order and screened in a virtual Showcase on Wednesday, April 20.

Submissions are due on Tuesday, April 12. If you would like additional assistance, or a personalized tutorial on creating a simple two-minute video, Scarborough Public Library staff are ready to help! Stop by the Reference Desk on Saturday, March 19 (yes, THE DATE of One Day: Maine Edition) from 10am-noon for some inspiration or quick pointers. For editing and submission assistance, the SPL Meeting Room will be dedicated to drop ins Monday, March 21 between the hours of 10:00am and noon and Monday, April 11 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Contact askspl@scarbroughlibrary.org or call 883-4723, option 4, to schedule an in-person or telephone consultation. One Day Maine Edition is open to all as part of our Three-Community Read with Thomas Memorial and South Portland Public Libraries.

Thursday, April 14 at 6:30pm (Zoom)

The Library will host their second Let’s Talk Scarborough program virtually at 6:30pm on Thursday, April 14. The guests will be two members of the Town Council: Jon Anderson and Ken Johnson. Dana Morris Jones and Janice Cohen from Scarborough Community Connections (SCC) will interview the councilors about the recent Community Survey results and how they are being used to inform planning and goal setting for the town. Registration for the Zoom link opens soon.

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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