We're looking ahead... to summer, to the next fiscal year, and to planning for the future. The Town Council is in the process of reviewing next year's budget, and the School Building Advisory Committee continues to advance on options for a school solution. We also artfully recognize the conservation accomplishments towards our "30x30" goal thus far, and hear feedback on the proposed affordable housing project on Rt. 1. Meanwhile, our helpful staff is here to serve you at Town Hall—it's beach pass season, after all! Read on for more.

The first Hazardous Household Waste collection day of the season is coming soon! Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 17th (a new date) from 8:00am-Noon to drop off your household items at our Public Works facility. More details below.

Gearing Up for Beach Season

Parking Passes Available Now

Beach passes, used for parking in Town-operated lots during the summer season, are now available for purchase in our Clerk's office (sales begin in May each year). All beach passes must be obtained in person. Please bring your vehicle registration, as it is required for the purchase of a beach pass. Cash or check payment is recommended; cards are accepted with an additional convenience fee.

Beach passes cover parking at the following Town beaches:

• Higgins

• Ferry

• Pine Point (Hurd Park)

Passes do not apply to Scarborough Beach State Park.

The season for beach parking passes runs from the start of Memorial Day weekend (May) to the end of Labor Day weekend (September).

Dog Rules Change May 15

Beginning on May 15 through Labor Day, dogs are restricted from beaches from 9:00am-5:00pm. They are allowed off-leash from dawn to 9:00 a.m. They are allowed on leash from 5:00 p.m. to dusk. Please respect these rules for the courtesy of fellow beachgoers.

Please also note, there are some restricted areas on our town beaches where dogs aren't allowed (Higgins and Ferry/Western) or need to be leashed (Pine Point), which went into effect on April 1. Please pay attention to the signs that mark restricted areas. View the maps of restricted areas on all town beaches on our website (bottom of Beaches page).

Be Mindful of Plovers

Plovers are busy making their nests! Please keep them protected by staying a distance away if you see them and respecting the restricted areas if you have a dog.

Temporary Lot Closures at Hurd Park

Please be advised on the planned closures for the Hurd Park Main Parking Lot on May 1 (today) and May 12-14. The lot will be closed to all traffic and parking prohibited the time periods listed below:

May 1 (6:00am-7:00pm): Sweeping/Crack Sealing

The overflow parking lot (grass lot) will be open for alternative beach parking as well as designated marked on street parking. 

May 12-May 14: Sealcoat/Striping

The overflow parking lot (grass lot) will be open for alternative beach parking as well as designated marked on street parking. The Main Parking Lot will reopen to the public Thursday May 15. 

We apologize for any inconvenience. Please direct any questions to Scarborough Community Services at (207) 730-4150. 

This work is the completion of some improvements made over the past few months. Learn about the other Hurd Park upgrades.

FY2026 Budget: A Closer Look

Where We Are Now: Final Recommendations & Vote Next Week

The municipal budget was first presented in late March and has been open for public and committee review since then. The review process provides opportunities to learn more from individual departments and make adjustments. The combined budget starting point was nearly $90 million, and is 5.27% higher than last year. This would equate to approximately a 3.48% property tax rate increase. The focus of the initially proposed budget was to largely fund existing services and programs with minimal new investments.

The Town Finance committee met three times in April to review the department and capital budgets. Their final budget meeting is tonight at 5:00pm to put together their formal recommendations to the Town Council. Currently, the committee has proposed to add funding for full-time public safety positions, pickleball courts, and lights at Peterson Field, with a desire to keep the tax rate increase to less than 4%. After tonight's meeting (view on YouTube), the Town Council will hold their second reading and vote on the budget next week on May 7.

See the full budget calendar

What Are TIF Revenues?

And How We're Using Them in the FY2026 Budget

In this past decade of growth, the Town has been thoughtful with the establishment and expansion of Tax Incrementing Financing (TIF) Districts, which apply to designated growth areas as well as Oak Hill. The proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget incorporates the use of TIF revenues toward expenses. As growth in the TIF districts continues (and is predicted to do so over the next 15 years or so), the TIF revenues that are created will serve as an important way to manage the tax rate. 

What is the Purpose of TIFs?

The establishment of a TIF is intended to be financially beneficial for the Town as well as an asset to enhance the community’s economic development and quality of life for residents. TIFs allow the Town to “shelter” (or shield) new assessed value created in the district from Scarborough’s overall State valuation. State valuation impacts how much of a State education subsidy the municipality receives, how much a municipality pays in county taxes, and what portion a municipality receives as subsidy from State revenue sharing. Because the new value is sheltered, it allows the Town to receive higher State subsidies (General Purpose Aid to Education and Municipal Revenue Sharing), while also decreasing our proportional share of County tax. In addition to the value within TIF districts being sheltered, any tax revenues from within the district are designated for specific uses that enhance the community.

TIF Revenues in FY2026 Budget

TIF revenues (property taxes paid on the sheltered value within our TIF districts) have been steadily increasing, and FY2026 marks a watershed moment where TIF revenues serve to reduce impact on all Scarborough taxpayers. The proposed budget allocates approximately $5 million in TIF revenues to offset operational expenses, pay existing debt service, and cover capital expenses that would either need to be bonded (financed) or appropriated. Approximately $3 million will be used to offset operating budget expenses (staff costs, infrastructure, etc.). Nearly $1 million in TIF revenues will be used to pay existing debt service to cover half of the Public Safety Building debt and Gorham Road improvements. The remaining $900k will be used to pay for capital expenditures that would otherwise need to be in the operations budget and impact the tax rate, or be bonded for future repayment. 

Capital Budget Project Highlights

Hear from our Town staff

Service Improvements

In addition to investing largely in maintaining critical infrastructure, the Town is still investing in some improvements. The Spurwink Road project is one area that the Town plans to continue upgrading; Phase II is requested in the FY26 budget for a total of $600k. It will address the section from Pleasant Hill Road to the Cape Elizabeth town line to fix some drainage and alignment issues, plus widen the shoulders for overall improved safety. Town Engineer Angela Blanchette tells us more in the video above.

Future Planning & Design

A smaller percentage of the capital budget (9%) is allocated for future planning and design. This includes design work largely for traffic-related projects, as well as a $75k funding request for a Trails and Sidewalk Master Plan. The Plan would build on the information gathered in a recent Transportation Assessment and create a clear path forward for future sidewalk and trail connections. Scarborough Director of Planning and Codes Autumn Speer tells us more.

We've continued to build out a collection of articles, videos, and informational updates on the FY2026 Budget page of our website. Be sure to take a look if you're curious about the process. Our Budget in Brief is a great resource, too!

School Building Process: Take the Final Survey

New Survey Launched This Week & Seeks Public Feedback

Help Inform the Next Steps

This period critically relies on public involvement to make sure the community is influencing what will be on the ballot for a November referendum. Here's what the timeline looks like:

• April 30: A Community forum was held yesterday evening (Missed it? View recording)

• Late April-Early May: The community survey open until May 12 and seeks public feedback on the two options. Take the survey (online, or pick up a paper copy at the Library or Town Hall and return it by May 9)

• June: SBAC will recommend a preferred option—stay tuned

The School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) is currently refining two potential plans, one of which is a Three-Primary “Neighborhood” School option and the other a K-2 Consolidated School option. 

Option 1: “Neighborhood” School

Maintains Scarborough’s three-primary-school model and a new build to replace Eight Corners Primary School. Neighborhood School Draft Site Plans

Option 2: K-2 Consolidated School

Considers centrally located sites, each about one mile from the municipal campus, plus renovations to Middle School and Wentworth School. Consolidated School Draft Site Plans

How Would This Affect My Taxes?

Both proposed school solutions are estimated to cost approximately $133 million. The Town has developed a Tax Impact Calculator to help you determine an estimate of future property taxes with the school investment, and what it would look like otherwise. To use the tool, enter your property's assessed value and a spreadsheet will populate with the upcoming fiscal years, tax amount, and percent change over the previous year.

Custom Display Represents 23% of Land Conserved

Two years ago, the Town Council made an ambitious "30x30" goal to protect 30% of Scarborough by 2030. This was a target set at state, national, and global levels as a way to preserve landscapes and ecosystems that are needed to address species extinction and climate change.

Since then, an ad hoc committee and consultant worked to develop an Open Space Plan, which was formally adopted by the Town Council at last week's council meeting. The plan includes recommendations and strategies the Town can implement to increase the amount of protected open space in Scarborough. It also determined how much is currently conserved: 23% (6,973 acres), 7% shy of the conserved land goal.

As part of the acceptance of the Open Space Plan at the last Town Council meeting, staff presented a visual display to track our 30x30 progress. This sculpture was the product of talented members of staff; Jill Deering of Community Services created the design and Tom Bernier of Public Works did the construction and metal work. 

Councilor Karin Shupe poured sand into the display to represent newly conserved land. This piece is set up at the entrance to Council Chambers at Town Hall and will serve as a continuous reminder of the Town's achievement and further efforts toward conservation.

Planning Board Reviews Dunstan Area Affordable & Workforce Housing Project

An affordable housing project is being proposed by the South Portland Housing Authority at 578 US Route One, the former site of the Southern Maine Indoor Flea Market and Marshview Restaurant. It was reviewed at an April 22nd Planning Board meeting and will move to the Council next Wednesday, May 7th for a first reading and to schedule a public hearing (view Town Calendar for agenda and participation links as it gets closer).

Originally introduced in December of last year during a joint Town Council/Planning Board workshop, the South Portland Housing Development Corporation has requested a preliminary site plan review for the development of two separate multi-family housing developments referred to as Marshview Housing. The nearly 8-acre site is currently a mix of developed and undeveloped land. The southeastern side is currently undeveloped land. 

The proposed project would include 60 low income affordable one-bedroom apartment units for residents ages 55+ and 36 units of workforce housing. The 60 apartment units are proposed in a 4-story building and would include solar panels on the roof, EV charging, tenant community rooms, and resident services. The project will be funded using federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits in partnership with Maine Housing. The 36 workforce units are proposed as three 3-story townhouse buildings, offering a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. Shared amenities include nature walking paths, a playground for families, and outdoor community spaces. 

While the real and perceived impacts of continued commercial and residential development are concerns shared by many in the community, the Town’s current and previous Comprehensive Plans call for an increase in housing affordability. Per the plan, “(t)he Town’s vision for the future prioritizes housing that meets the needs of a wide range of household types (traditional families, younger households and singles, empty-nesters, retirees and pre-retirees, elderly, etc.) with a broad range of incomes.” Additionally, the 2023 Community Survey found that half of the community believed that the development of income restricted affordable housing or workforce housing options was too slow/much too slow and over half (54%) of the community was dissatisfied/very dissatisfied with availability of affordable housing. 

Due to the varied zoning on the parcel, the project would ultimately require a contract zone approved by the Town Council. The other expected components, to include an expansion or creation of a tax increment financing district, and the expected request for a credit enhancement agreement, will necessitate multiple actions of the Town Council. As such, there will be multiple opportunities for public engagement and feedback as the Council considers the project. 

Buy Tickets: Spring Fling Family Formal Dance

Saturday, May 3

6:00-8:00pm, Wentworth Cafeteria

Buy ticket; $8 per person

Our 4th Annual Spring Fling Family Formal is this Saturday! Have you gotten your tickets yet? This year’s theme is Red Carpet, so dress to impress and get ready to shine like a star! Walk the red carpet, strike a pose, and enjoy a night of glitz, glamour, and unforgettable memories with your loved ones.

• Professional DJing by Joe Lerman and Rob Steele

• Professional photography by Bruce Haskell Photography

• Red carpet-themed selfie station

• Light refreshments and treats, including Nothing Bundt Cake goodies

• Door prizes and raffles

New this year! Stop by Nonesuch River Brewing from 4:00-6:00pm for apps, dinner, or drinks, and mention the Family Formal Dance. NRB staff will present you with some extra glam accessories ahead of the dance!

Out Now: Summer Program Brochure

Police Department Hosts Youth Leadership Camp

Looking for a Summer Camp for your child entering 6th, 7th, or 8th grade this summer? The Scarborough Police Department is hosting a youth leadership experience called “Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders”. It will be held at the Scarborough Police Department from July 14 -19, and includes a two-day overnight rafting experience from July 17-18. Cost per camper is $200 (non-profit) for the entire camp which includes all material, activities, lunches, snacks, and rafting.

Scarborough Police firmly believes that leadership qualities and traits start at an early age. Our goal through this Leadership camp is to have the camper recognize what leadership means and how leadership traits can influence them in a positive way and learn to become a good leader by setting a positive example. We also have a heavy focus on the teamwork approach.

We recognize that parents searching for camps in this age group experience challenges finding affordable, quality leadership programs that are both educational and fun. This leadership camp is offered on the premise of providing that affordable, positive learning experience which will build a foundation of leadership skills for life! This will be an activity-driven camp with a great mix of classroom learning and outdoor activities. Instructors will be leaders right here from our community, including educators, sports figures, military personnel, and public safety personnel. The camp is community service based and is designed for 6th through 8th graders who are motivated and inspired to become our next generation of leaders.

For more information, please contact Lt. Tim Barker at (207) 730-4303 or tbarker@scarboroughmaine.org.

Tuesday, June 10th Election

The June 10 election will include the School Budget Validation and to fill seats for the Board of Education and a remaining term on the Town Council. Candidate details will be shared shortly. In the meantime, save the date for voting in person that Tuesday at the High School (7:00am-8:00pm), or request an absentee ballot.

Request Your Absentee Ballot Online

The Town Clerk's office is now accepting absentee ballot requests for the June 10th election. Make the request in person, via phone at 730-4020, or through this online form.

May 17: 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 dates for the 2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days are:

• Saturday, May 17 (8am-Noon), Scarborough (20 Washington Ave) **New date
• Saturday, July 19 (8am-Noon), Saco (15 Philips Spring Road)
• Saturday, September 13 (8am-Noon), Biddeford (371 Hill Street)

Disposal is free for residents of Scarborough, Saco, and Biddeford at all three events. Please see the flyer for a list of accepted materials and paints.

Saturday, May 3: Project GRACE Tri-Town Food Drive

Three Food Drives in South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and Scarborough

This Saturday, our communities are working together to host food drives to benefit the South Portland Food Cupboard, Judy’s Pantry, and the Scarborough Food Pantry. In addition to the nonperishable foods donated to "pack the pantries", volunteers hope to raise $10,000 in critical funds for the three pantries. Stop by any of the three food drives on Saturday, May 3rd (10:00am-Noon) with donations of nonperishable food or cash or checks payable to the South Portland Food Cupboard, Scarborough Food Pantry, Project GRACE, or Judy's Pantry.

Funds raised and food collected will be shared with all three pantries serving the communities of South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth.

"We're helping the pantries with this three-town food drive, because the three pantries work together to feed our three communities," says Steffi Cox, executive director of Project GRACE. "We're glad to be able to help give lift to this collaborative community effort."

News Update: Leader No Longer Being Mailed

The Scarborough Leader local newspaper that has historically been delivered free to residential addresses is now digital only. The paper was a main source of town news for many residents. In the absence of the paper edition, we encourage you to continue accessing Town news through this newsletter, our website, and the online articles provided free of charge. See the online Leader articles or E-paper.

Council Corner

Growth In Scarborough: Let's Talk About This Greedy Town

By April Sither, Scarborough Town Council Chair

Not a day goes by that I don’t read or hear someone call Scarborough’s elected officials or our Town Manager “greedy.” It’s a common refrain, especially on social media, and I think it’s time we talk about it, honestly and openly.

What is at the root of that narrative? Is it just a sound bite? Do people genuinely believe that we would take “backroom” money from developers? Or is it frustration over the perception that we aren’t listening? If so, let me be clear: we are listening, and I’m not interested in committing a felony. But listening doesn’t always mean saying yes. It means considering many factors and making decisions that serve the entire community, not just for today, but for decades to come.

Scarborough is growing. That is a fact, not a goal statement. That growth isn’t driven by the Council; it’s driven by market demand and private landowners exercising their rights. Many of the developments causing concern are on privately owned land, zoned for the kind of development being proposed. When developers follow these rules, established through public processes, town staff is legally obligated to process those applications. We cannot, and should not, deny projects simply because they are unpopular.

We often hear: "Why doesn’t the Council just change the zoning to stop all this building?" It’s a fair question, but zoning laws are not just policies, they are legal frameworks. Property owners have rights to use their land according to the zoning in place when they purchase it. If the Town were to change zoning to block a specific project, it could lead to lawsuits, financial consequences, and undermine public trust. Zoning changes are possible, but they must be part of a formal, transparent process that includes public hearings and legal reviews. Zoning is not a tool to halt change; it’s a tool to guide it.

What we can do is manage where and how growth happens. Through Scarborough’s Comprehensive Plan, we focus higher-density development in designated “growth areas”. This approach is intentional: it preserves open space by avoiding sprawl and helps us manage infrastructure costs more effectively. It’s more efficient and fiscally responsible to serve 40 new households in a compact development near utilities than to spread services across a sprawling single-family subdivision. 

One common concern is the impact on schools. Generally, single-family homes contribute more students per unit than apartments or condos. Thoughtful multifamily development in the right areas can add housing options without overburdening schools. In fact, new development helps by broadening the tax base to support needed school expansions and improvements.

Speaking of schools, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the upcoming school referendum. This is a critical moment for our community, and your voice matters. I encourage all residents to stay informed and take the time to fill out the latest survey. This is a chance to weigh in on how we address school needs in the face of growth. Voting “no” on a school solution won't undo the growth or the deferred maintenance on our schools. Instead, it could delay critical repairs and exacerbate the challenges our education system already faces. I also want to be clear, recent development is not the primary driver for needing a school solution. The portables at the middle school, which were necessary the day the school opened in 1996, predate all of the development that we talk about today. Decades of deferment, coupled with a drastically different educational landscape, are the biggest drivers. Of course the school building committee is thoughtfully planning for the children we know have already been born, but enrollment is just one piece of the complex conversation. Let’s approach this with a long-term view that balances both the growth of our town and the needs of our children.

We’re also investing in infrastructure to handle growth responsibly: traffic studies, road upgrades, fire department resources, land conservation, and school planning. We’re not ignoring the challenges, we’re planning for them.

If you have concerns or questions, I encourage you to reach out directly. It takes a little more effort to seek answers from your elected officials than to speculate online, but it’s the best way to engage in meaningful dialogue. Social media has its place, but productive conversations happen when we talk directly, ask questions, and listen openly.

No one on this Council is chanting “Grow, Scarborough, Grow.” We’re managing inevitable growth in a way that protects what people love about living here, while ensuring the town stays financially stable, service-oriented, and well-planned for the future.

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.

Scarborough Town Council

April Sither (Chair) • Jonathan Anderson (Vice Chair) • Don Cushing • Scott Doherty • Bill Donovan • Cory Fellows • Karin Shupe

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

Connect 2050 Plan & Survey Request

The Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) is updating its long-range transportation plan and needs your input. The new plan, Connect 2050, will lay out a vision for the future of the Greater Portland region’s transportation system.

The transportation projects included in a long-range transportation plan are expected to guide investment decisions for the next five years and beyond. We want to know what is important to you so we can make the most of limited funding. Take the survey, and if you want to stay up-to-date about the project, join the project update mailing list.

Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Scarborough Public Library is hosting a wide range of authors and styles for May:

May 6: Author and journalist Roger McCord will be sharing his picture book Flight of the Phoebes: Baby birds all leave the nest, and so will our curious children. Learn more

May 8: Local businessman, author, and philanthropist Derek Volk "pitches game-changing principles he gained on the softball field" as found in his latest book Go for Third. Learn more

May 9: Author Jule Selbo talks about Book #4 in her 10-part Portland based mystery series, 7 Days: A Dee Rommel Mystery. Learn more

May 12: Pet grief writing workshop with Lynne Schmidt, 2025 Maine Arts Fellow and author of the latest collection Dying Dog Poems. Learn more

May 23: Local author Sheri Aube tells tales of a journey of discovery, self, and new friendship from her debut book A Loop of the United States. Learn more

May 29: Author talk with acclaimed Maine author Agnes Bushell, whose latest, Verity & Perpetua, is set in England under Elizabeth Tudor. Learn more

For Kids: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament

Ages 10 & up

Wednesday, May 7, 2:00pm-3:00pm

Registration required: Sign up at the Youth Services desk or call 396-6277

Kids ages 10 & up are invited to join us for a Super Smash Bros. gaming tournament! Do you have what it takes to SMASH the competition? 

Summer Saturdays Start May 24

The Library will be open from 9am-1pm on Saturdays until after Labor Day.