This Tuesday is Election Day! Voting is is one of the ways you can take part in your local government, and it's an active year for it—absentee ballots returned so far indicate a turnout close to that of the 2024 presidential election. The start of November also brings us to thinking ahead for Thanksgiving and other seasonal community programs. We share these opportunities as well as some of the issues being covered by our Town Council. Thanks for reading and staying in the know!

Does the lighting look different outside today? Clocks went back one hour beginning at 2:00am.

Successful 5th Annual Junior Firefighters Muster

Last Sunday the Town of Scarborough Fire Department hosted its 5th Annual Maine Junior Firefighters Muster. The annual event invites Fire Departments and Vocational Technical Schools with junior and/or explorer firefighter programs ages (14-18) from across Maine to participate and test their skills. These programs are critical to the sustainability of our state's Fire Departments and the Muster is a great way to show these aspiring firefighters how important they and their programs are to the future of Maine's fire service. Thank you to all who attended, participated, and donated to make it another memorable year!

Election Day is this Tuesday, November 3rd

Election Day is this Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Voting will take place at Scarborough High School from 7:00am to 8:00pm (look for a large banner at the entrance). Early voting was available through the month of October at Town Hall and concluded last Thursday, unless you have a special circumstance allowing you to vote early on Monday, November 2 (contact the Town Clerk's office if this applies to you). Or, if you requested an absentee ballot be sure to drop yours off in the drop box at the Town Hall entrance before 8:00pm on Election Day.

For further information on Absentee Voting and Voter Registration, please contact the Scarborough Town Clerk's Office at 730-4020.

Scarborough Voter Guide

Need to know more about what's on the ballot to make an informed vote? See our Scarborough Voter Guide for details about the candidates on the local ballot for Town Council, Board of Education, and Sanitary District Trustees. There's also information about the radio project referendum question that will be on the back of the local ballot, and access to sample ballots for the state general election.

Free Public Transit Rides on Election Day

Greater Portland Metro is offering free rides on Election Day! Take either the Route 25 bus or the Metro Connect van if you need a ride to the polls.

Referendum Question: Town-wide Radio Upgrade

On the local referendum ballot is an ask for authorization for up to $6 million to fund a significant municipal two-way radio communications system upgrade for public safety, public service, and school departments in Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach. The total project cost is expected to be closer to $12.4 million; the Town is requesting a Congressionally Directed Spending grant to meet the remaining need not covered locally.

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. A modernized system would address this phase-out and streamline the variety of radio systems used by different departments into a single unified system. There are also coverage gaps that would be improved by modernizing the system.

Improving Communication Among Public Safety Workers

Connectivity isn't just convenience, it's safety. Dispatcher Andrew Bolduc explains the issues they experience when they can't get ahold of officers. Police officers face daily challenges with staying in communication with each other and the dispatch center. A modernized system would address coverage gaps among officers and dispatch. Having constant connection means that we can count on our public safety personnel to be reachable in times of emergency.

Find more resources, materials, FAQs and more on the project page on our website.

Were alternatives evaluated before selecting the proposed $12.4 million system?

An independent communications engineering firm evaluated multiple alternatives, ranging from basic "band-aid" updates to complete system replacement. The consultant provided two options:

• A complete rebuild of our VHF infrastructure including additional towers, or
• Infrastructure rebuild and system update to one that is state of the art, modern, and expandable. 

The Town moved forward with the second option, which is the only one that overcomes all the challenges identified in the needs assessment.

Another conducted analysis was limiting the system exclusively to Police and Fire instead of adding the other departments. However, leaving Public Works, Schools, and other municipal users on obsolete or separate systems would preserve dangerous communication silos during town-wide emergencies. Furthermore, because core infrastructure costs remain fixed regardless of non-public-safety user inclusion, excluding those departments would offer minimal capital savings while sacrificing critical operational connectivity.

See more common questions on our project webpage

November 25: Passport Day (No Appointment Needed!)

Wednesday, November 25, 9:00am - 2:00pm

Community Services Hub

418 Payne Road, Scarborough 

Scarborough Community Services assists the U.S. Department of State with the acceptance of U.S. passport applications. Passports applications are accepted at the Community Services Hub by appointment only, but we offer occasional days when school is closed and it’s a little easier on families.

Our next Passport Day is Wednesday, November 25 (day before Thanksgiving). Staff will be on hand to answer your questions, assist with the process, and accept your applications. This will be drop-in only (no appointments). We expect it to be busy, so plan to arrive early to be sure that your application can be accepted.

Each applicant will need the following materials:

• Evidence of Citizenship

• Photo Identification

• Passport Photo

• 2 Checks or Money Orders

Additional documents may be required depending on individual circumstances.

For more information on what is required to apply for a passport, please call the Scarborough Community Services Office at 207-730-4150, or you may visit the only official website for passports at Travel.State.Gov.

Fall "Conversations With Councilors" Tour Concludes

Thank you to all who attended a Conversations with Councilors listening session this October! It was a great community-building opportunity that brought together councilors, staff, candidates, and residents for some interesting discussion about town issues. This popular series has served as a valuable tool for our councilors to hear community sentiment outside of formal council meetings.

Upcoming Town Council Meeting Topics

November 4, 5:30pm: Farewell Reception for Outgoing Councilors

The public is welcome to recognize the years of service of outgoing councilors Bill Donovan and Jon Anderson. Those present will have the opportunity to speak, and cake will be served.

November 4, 7:00pm: Regular Meeting

Below are some agenda items that are subject to action (second reading) in the upcoming Council meeting. View the full agenda.

→Data Center Definitions (Zoning Ordinance Amendments)

The Town Council enacted an emergency 180-day moratorium for data center uses in June, citing concerns about electrical power consumption, noise, heat, emissions, water usage, traffic increases, strain on public infrastructure, and the lack of a mechanism in the Zoning Ordinance to address such concerns. The Sustainability Committee made recommendations for the Zoning Ordinance, which the Town Council approved of in their September 16th meeting at first reading and referred to the Planning Board.

→Timber Harvesting (Zoning Ordinance Amendments)

The Town Council is reviewing proposed amendments to Chapter 405 of the Zoning Ordinance to add and amend definitions about timber harvesting to address uses. The amendments would also update Commercial Zoning Districts to increase streetscape buffer minimum requirements to 20 feet for all streets not otherwise designated. These changes come in an effort to address tree clearing and site disturbance concerns.

→Immigration Enforcement Ordinance

On September 30, the Town Council held a first reading to establish a new ordinance entitled “Municipal Policies Regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement.” The purpose is to establish a municipal ordinance that incorporates the provisions of LD 1971, which clarifies the relationship of local law enforcement agencies with federal immigration authorities, and extends those same standards, restrictions and guidelines to non-law enforcement municipal employees. The Scarborough Police Department has had a standard operating procedure in place for a number

of years pertaining to limitations on cooperation and coordination with immigration enforcement. Following vocal community concern with federal immigration authorities and actions, and the passage of LD 1971, the Town Council will consider this ordinance that clarifies and limits the ability for non-law enforcement Town employees and resources to aid or assist immigration authorities with immigration enforcement.

Transfer of Town-Owned Properties to Scarborough Land Trust

The Town Council will have a first reading on November 4th on a Parks and Conservation Land Board recommendation to transfer ownership of eight Town-owned parcels to the Scarborough Land Trust. This is to assure permanent conservation, as all properties under consideration are adjacent to contiguous SLT properties, therefore increasing lands secured by conservation easements. Learn more

November 18: Welcome Reception & Regular Meeting

Prior to the following Town Council meeting on November 18, there will be a reception to welcome the newly elected councilors. This will also be the first meeting of the new council.

Staff Spotlight: Derek Hockenberry, Parks Crew

Two years ago, when Derek joined the Town of Scarborough, he was looking for a more regular work schedule and less stress. His role as a Parks Maintenance Worker, keeping up with the care of Scarborough’s public recreation spaces, is a full 180° from the several years he spent as a 9-1-1 communications dispatcher working night and weekend shifts. Now he describes his work as “a breath of fresh air”—literally.

Derek starts his shift at 7am, always with a brief meeting with his four fellow crew members, their supervisor, and the Parks and Grounds Manager to get assignments for the day. Today’s main task for Derek is to mow the outfields of a few athletic fields—specifically the varsity baseball and softball, and JV softball fields. In total, there are 34 athletic fields that need to be maintained this fall. Each season is a different sport, and the fields need to be prepped accordingly. It starts with measuring the area, squaring the corners, and painting lines. This was a big undertaking back in August: to set up, line measure, and paint the field hockey and soccer fields takes about three hours each. Once it’s ready for the season, the Parks crew keeps them mowed and repaints the lines routinely through early November.

The Parks and Grounds crew maintains Willey Park off Tenney Lane, Black Point Park, Springbrook, Peterson Field, the Blue Point tennis courts, Snowberry Ocean View Park at Pine Point, Memorial Park, and Hunnewell House. They also maintain the fields in the school complex (High School, Middle School, and Wentworth), and the Scarborough segment of the Eastern Trail. 

Read more about Derek and the Parks Maintenance crew in the "Day in the Life" feature story of the latest Scarborough Living magazine issue, available for free at many local businesses throughout town.

RSVP for Scarborough Community Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it's time to make your reservation for the 11th Annual Scarborough Community Thanksgiving Dinner! Join Scarborough Community Services, Police Department, and other community partners at Scarborough Community Thanksgiving for a traditional turkey dinner at Wentworth. It will be held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, from 11:00am - 1:00pm. This event is completely free and made possible by generous sponsors.

RSVP by November 20th, online or by phone (207) 730-4171.

Our Pumpkin Carving Night was as popular as ever! We loved seeing kids of all ages get creative with their designs and create one of a kind works of art. Thanks to all who attended!

Council Corner: Moving Forward Together, With Gratitude

By Jon Anderson, Town Council

For the past six years, you have given me one of the greatest privileges of my life: the opportunity to serve as your Town Councilor. As that chapter comes to a close, the feeling I have more than anything else is gratitude.

Thank you for trusting me, supporting me, challenging me, disagreeing with me, and working alongside me.

I certainly didn't get every vote right, and I know there were decisions where some of you wished I had voted differently. But I can honestly say that before every important vote, I tried to put aside politics, personalities, personal opinions and pressure (that’s a lot of Ps) and ask one question: “What is best for Scarborough?”

That question rarely belongs to any one person. Our greatest successes came when we listened to each other. When residents spoke up. When staff shared their expertise. When volunteers gave their time in our committees. When councilors with very different perspectives sat around the same table and found a compromise. Scarborough moved forward not because any one of us had all the answers, but because so many people cared enough to help find them together.

And we accomplished a lot together.

We passed six school budgets on the first vote. We made a generational investment in our schools. We fought for our community on the Gorham Connector. We strengthened growth management and impact fees, advanced our 30x30 conservation goal, improved our budget process, expanded public engagement, navigated a difficult revaluation, brought public transit to Scarborough, held our state and federal government accountable when they went against the values or our community and tackled countless other issues, large and small (thankfully marijuana cultivation is finally under control – at least I hope it is…).

I'm proud of those accomplishments. But I'm even prouder of how so many of them happened: through partnership, persistence, respectful disagreement, and compromise.

Six years ago, my campaign slogan was “Moving Forward Together.” I believed in those words then. After six years of serving this community, I believe in them even more today.

If there is one thing I hope that is carried forward with the next Council, it is that spirit.

Our country will continue to wrestle with division. Scarborough doesn't have to follow that path. We can disagree without disrespecting each other. We can hold strong convictions while still listening. We can compromise without abandoning our principles. And we can remember that the person sitting across the table usually loves this community just as much as we do, even when they see the path forward differently.

To our residents, volunteers, Town staff, School staff, and everyone who has been part of these six years: thank you. You made me a better councilor, and you made Scarborough a better community.

Serving you has been one of the greatest honors of my life, despite the grey hairs and additional twenty pounds I put on.

I also want to recognize Bill Donovan and thank him for his many years of service to our community. Serving with Bill these past two years has been a highlight, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned from him and for the opportunity we’ve had to work together. Our time together has been another reminder that good local government is built on relationships, listening, partnership, and a willingness to find common ground. To the remaining and new councilors who will be elected in just a few days, I wish you the very best. Listen to one another, listen to our residents, trust our incredible staff, and never lose sight of why you are there: to do what you believe is best for Scarborough. I’ll be rooting for you and for the continued success of our community.

God bless you all, and God bless Scarborough.

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.

November 17: Community Forum on School Project

What's the latest on the school building project that was approved by voters last fall? Join the Post Referendum Building Committee on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00pm in the Public Safety Building classroom to learn more. They'll provide building project updates for the schools, next steps, and an opportunity to ask questions. The schools in the project scope are:

• Eight Corners School (Replacement with new school on the existing site)
• Wentworth School (Small addition)
• Middle School (Renovations and additions)
• Pleasant Hill School (Renovations and additions)
• Blue Point School (Renovations and additions)

Upcoming Events: Give Back to Scarborough Community

Stop by the Enclave of Scarborough on Saturday, November 7th from 10:00am-Noon for a food drive to to prepare the food pantry for Thanksgiving staples. Thanks to the Scarborough Kiwanis, the Scarborough Food Pantry has the turkeys for Thanksgiving, but they need our help with the "fixings" ingredients for a traditional holiday meal: cranberry sauce, instant stuffing and mashed potatoes, mushroom soup and crispy onion topping for green bean casserole, cornbread mix, pie filling and crust mix, and grocery gift cards.

Village Center Auto Care and the Grondin family and friends invite you to help raise much needed funds for our neighbors warm their homes. The event will be held at Village Center Auto Care, 239 US Route 1, Scarborough, on Saturday, November 14th from 10:00am-2:00pm. This timely community fundraiser benefits the new Scarborough Wood Bank and the Project GRACE fuel fund. Raffles, and prizes, and more! 

November 14 Drop-in: Prepare Your Home for Winter

Saturday, November 14: Snug it Up Home Weatherization Event

Scarborough Public Library, 9:00am-12:00pm

It's time to be preparing for the winter ahead. Save the date for this November event, where Project GRACE will be at the Library with weatherization tips and DIY samples. Look for the pop-up tent alongside the Friends of the Scarborough Library's book donation drive. Village Center Auto is also doing a fundraiser on November 14th for keeping families snug—proceeds will benefit Project GRACE's fuel fund and the newly established Scarborough Wood Bank.

Upcoming Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Art Dingley, Maine Author Talk

Thursday, November 5, 6:00-7:00pm

Register

Art Dingley is a former attorney and a retired physician, and author of the new novel Charmed. About Charmed: Isaiah Boltrey, known to his friends as Bolt, has just returned to Maine from Kenya where he was working with an NGO, and where, he believes, an enemy has had him bewitched. Suffering from strange physical ailments, he begins seeing both an African shaman and a psychiatrist, and also renews an affair with an old girlfriend. All the while he is being stalked by a mysterious Arab woman, who reveals herself to be a powerful and dangerous jinn, and who has an assignment for him he cannot refuse. Returning to Mombasa, he finds himself entangled in webs of conspiracy, both political and magical, that threaten not only his own life but the lives of people he loves.

Emerson Lecture: Atlas of Kinship

Friday, November 6, 6:00-7:30pm

Register

As part of the Friends of the Scarborough Library Emerson Lecture Series, please join us for author Alice Hotopp's talk about Atlantic Puffins and other seabirds who breed on desolate rocks along the Maine coast. In this collection of short essays, Alice Hotopp tells the story of Atlantic Puffins and other seabirds who breed on desolate rocks along the Maine coast, and the heroic efforts of generations of biologists whose dedication has kept their nesting colonies safe and flourishing. She will be joined by illustrator Coco Faber, whose stunningly authentic portraits of seabirds and island life are featured in the book.

Fun Fridays: Middle schoolers, join us on Friday afternoons (2:30-4:00pm) for fun games, crafts and activities! A great way to start the weekend.

Gentle Sound Bath & Guided Meditation

Sunday, November 8, 2:00pm-3:30pm

Register

Has stress got you down? Let's breathe, relax, and zone out to the gentle peace brought by a Sound Bath & Guided Meditation with Kristine Keegan from Scarborough Yoga. This is not yoga, so the only experience you need is the ability to close your eyes and relax!

Tuskegee Airmen, a Maine Connection

Thursday, November 12, 12:00-1:30pm

Register

James Sheppard was one of a small group of men with ties to Maine and NH who served during World War ll with the fighter squadron known today as the Tuskegee Airmen. For more than a decade Bob Sheppard has talked to audiences about his dad's experiences as part of the effort by the US Army Air Force to train black pilots to fly military aircraft, at a time when they were normally relegated to menial roles. The presentation by the former broadcast journalist includes a portion of a documentary on his late father, along with personal photographs and images from the National Archives, as well as the stories of three other men with ties to Maine and NH who served as Tuskegee Airmen.