As we approach the midpoint of my term as Scarborough’s Town Council Chair, I thought it would be timely to highlight some of our work to date:

1) Economic Development: We received approval for our revised Downtown Tax Increment Financing District application. This revision added some key projects to the list of allowable project costs. As a result, 50% of the debt service associated with the new Public Safety building is now being paid for by new development in the District. In paying for these expenses in this way, we also realize a “Shelter Benefit” in that we avoid a hefty tax from the State and County that would typically cost 58% of each new tax dollar. In addition to other exciting projects, we are also now eligible to expense 100% of the construction costs associated with a new Community Center in the same way, should the community decide to pursue one.

On the development front, we declined a proposal to convert a local hotel into workforce housing. We received a contract zoning application for a new development on Mussey Rd, which was later withdrawn in pursuit of a less environmentally friendly development that did not require Town Council Approval.