As we head further into the fall season, we will see a change in elected officials on Town Council, an outcome on the three local referendum questions, seasonal programs, and more. We'll be sure to share election results on our website and social media next week, and in the meantime we encourage you to vote on Election Day. Don't forget that clocks go back this weekend, too! Read on for more.

Check our Town Calendar for a look at upcoming meetings. The next Town Council meeting is this Wednesday, November 6. It will include the certification of election results.

Election Day is Next Week

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024 for the Municipal and State Referendum Election. Voting will be available at the High School from 7:00am to 8:00pm. Look for the large "Vote Here Tuesday" sign at the building entrance.

If you have any questions, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (207) 730-4020.

What's on the Ballot?: Read Our Voter Guide

We've put together a voter guide to help you make a voting plan, including when and where you'll vote, what's on the ballot, and more.

Farewell to Three Influential Town Councilors

In this local election we vote on three new candidates to fill the seats of Councilors Jean-Marie Caterina, Don Hamill, and Nick McGee, whose terms are ending. Take a look at the accomplishments and memories a couple of them shared about their service to the community:

Nick McGee (Chair)

Nick first began serving the Town in 2013 as a member of the Planning Board. He remained in that role until 2020, then joined Ordinance Committee, Transportation Committee, and Charter Commission (Chair). He served on the Town Council from 2022-2024, fulfilling former councilor Paul Johnson's remaining term.

Accomplishments

Two big issues stand out to me:

• Work on the Growth Management Ordinance (GMO) with Councilor Anderson - I think we have a revised policy (now the Rate of Growth Ordinance) that is working to slow growth in the community; it is clear and it is sustainable.  

• Forming the School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) - basically turning the school solution over to a community-led process. It had its hiccups in the beginning, but if you look at where we are now, it was the right move. Bringing the community together to be a part of the problem solving and hitting the reset button was essential for the long-term health of the schools, our children and our community.

Memorable Moments

So many...A few big ones that stick out—watching Jean-Marie sit through her last meeting with a tiara and a sash was fun. The energy brought by the community surrounding the Gorham Connector, Cannabis, first School bond and budget discussions were also unforgettable. And then there is Nina McKee - always such a pleasant addition to our public comments. I'm sure she'd win the sweetest lady in Maine award if my Mom wasn't in consideration :)

I truly enjoyed my time on the Council. While I personally need a break from all of the excitement and extracurricular activities in my life to better focus on my family, I do hope to one day return to public service. We live in such a wonderful community and I'm proud to call it my home. 

Jean-Marie Caterina

Since moving to Scarborough in 1988, Jean-Marie immediately jumped into public service. She joined Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) that year to bring attention to traffic issues in North Scarborough. She then served on a Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) group that addressed preserving Red Brook in the early 1990s. She was also an election worker every year until joining the council. Jean-Marie joined the Town's Conservation Committee in 2012, and then on the Town Council from 2013-2016. During this time she held the roles of Council Vice Chair and Chair of Ordinance committee. She continued to serve three more terms (2017-2020, 2020-2023, 2023-present).

Accomplishments

• Served on Councils that consistently maintained stability in tax rates.

• Helped develop and expanded tax relief program for Scarborough Seniors.

• Supported the continued development of a diverse tax base.

• Supported the development of the smart growth area known as The Downs.

• Consistent supporter of the development of affordable and workforce housing.

• Keeping us going during COVID.

Memorable Moments

There are so many of them, truly! My first meeting as a councilor was so scary! Being on TV and in front of all those folks ranks right up there!

Read more of Jean-Marie's reflection in her final Council Corner article below.

Don Hamill

Don served on the Town Council for 6 years. Be sure to read his final Council Corner article that was published in the last newsletter.

Engaged Residents Can Influence Town Council Actions

This November, the Town Council will be made up of three new members representing the priorities and concerns of our community. While we rely on our elected officials to make rational decisions with the sensitivities of the public in mind, councilors in turn look to the public to participate in dialogue. The Town Council is committed to ensuring that the feedback they receive from residents has a real impact on the outcomes of their decisions. In the past year, the current councilors displayed efforts of participating in—and responding to—the public process.

The budget planning process from late March through May is a significant opportunity for the council to sway the spending priorities and other ways of adjusting the tax rate. The finance committee spent hours going through each line detail of the proposed budget by department and hearing the rationale for needs. The budget largely emphasized maintaining the quality services that residents expect, with a few areas of investing for the future. However, this was also a revaluation year that meant many homeowners would have their tax bills affected by their new assessed values. The council treated this as a major consideration and kept homeowners at the forefront of decision making. 

The council’s sensitivity was specifically focused on Scarborough’s more economically vulnerable population that would be disproportionately affected, seniors living on fixed incomes. With the anticipation of the residential revaluation impact, combined with the discontinuation of the State’s property tax freeze program, the Council preemptively increased both the eligibility threshold (from $50,000 AGI to $60,000 AGI) and the overall benefit (from $750 to $1,000) for Scarborough's local Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) for eligible seniors. The council also expressed an interest in a final budget that focused on maintaining the status quo. The final budget came in at a 4.21% increase, below their 5% goal and equivalent to a 1.47% tax rate increase in a non-revaluation year, compared to 3.77% last year. This was also a decrease from the budget that was initially proposed at the start of budget season.

The Town Council not only considers the community impact of its decisions, but also is responsive and reactive to community concerns as they arise. Earlier this year, residents of the Maple Ave area approached Town staff and the council about pedestrian safety concerns in their neighborhood with frequent speeding cars. The collaboration of neighbors with the Town Engineering, Public Safety, and Public Works departments led to the creation of a Traffic Calming Policy, approved by the Town Council in March 2024. Now residents can request an analysis to assess concerns and receive an appropriate data-driven solution by Town experts. 

In certain cases, the public process involves the Town Council changing their stance on an issue as details emerge and the public weighs in. This was the case with the Gorham Connector, a 5-mile highway proposed by the Maine Turnpike Authority to address heavy traffic congestion along Routes 114 and 22. The February 2024 announcement of the highway’s path quickly garnered media and public attention. As is typical for controversial issues like this one, the Council received steadily increasing comments from the community in opposition to the plan. In an extended public comment period of a September workshop, commenters cited the plan's environmental impact, concerns with urban sprawl, and skepticism of the plan’s overall efficacy. The largest concern was with the plan’s impact on Smiling Hill Farm and it being in direct conflict with the original intent of the MOU. 

After public workshops, several months of ongoing public feedback and an organized social media campaign, the Scarborough Town Council wrote a resolution withdrawing its support for the project as it is currently defined. The Town Council meeting on October 2nd included on its agenda “Act on the request to approve Resolution No. 24-005 - Withdraw Town Of Scarborough’s Support From The Gorham Connector As Proposed By The Maine Turnpike Authority.” It passed with a 6-1 vote and made Scarborough the first of the four communities to take action.

This is how a public process, seeking input and feedback, with an elected body listening to their community, should work. Prior to their vote, Councilor Don Cushing, who worked with Councilors Anderson and Caterina to bring the resolution forward, stated, "The lesson here tonight, big time, is at least this council does listen."

The Town Council is influenced by critical points of the public process: the public comment period of meetings, emails sent to the council, Council Corner Live listening sessions, and more. This will continue into 2025 with three new councilors and a host of infrastructure projects, concerns, and foresight to consider in future planning.

Recap: Council Corner Live on "Prioritizing the Priorities"

The Town Council hosted a Council Corner Live event on Wednesday, October 30th on the topic "Prioritizing the Priorities" (view here). This is a term the Town Council has been using this year to consider, given the major costs of projects and initiatives being discussed in Scarborough, which come first? Finding a school facilities solution has been an urgent need, and time and resources have also been invested into opportunities like the Library expansion and a potential community center. Meanwhile the council has made it a goal to maintain a stable tax rate, and taking a concerted effort on conservation.

Among the convening group, there was general consensus that finding a school solution is a priority and should happen within the next five years. There were varying opinions about the Library expansion and a potential community center, both on how essential they are and what a timeline could be.

Now Through Next Week: Road Work Near the Marsh

Starting last Monday October 28th, the Maine Department of Transportation has geotechnical subconsultants doing road work by the marsh. They are drilling test borings for data collection along portions of Route One at the marsh crossing and on Pine Point Road near the Audubon Center. The work is anticipated to be complete on or about Friday, November 1 for the Pine Point portion and Friday, November 8 for the Route One portion.



This work will cause potential traffic delays and lane closures, which will generally occur between 8:30am and 4:30pm (adjusted based on weather conditions). We ask that motorists pay attention in these work zones and drive safely.

Next Week: Second Reading & Vote on Plover Ordinance

The Council will hold a second reading and vote on the proposed changes to the Piping Plover Ordinance in their meeting on Wednesday, November 6. The first reading was October 2, followed by a public hearing in their last meeting on October 16.

The council first reviewed proposed changes back in February, when they were requested by volunteer beach monitors who sought to also include endangered least terns, further define "recreational activities", increase penalties for violations, and provide information specific to the Higgins Beach Wildlife Management Area (as requested by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, who owns and manages the area).

At that time, the Council noted a number of issues with the proposed changes. A group of stakeholders was convened to discuss and refine the proposed language, including residents of Higgins Beach and Pine Point, volunteer beach monitors, and members of the Dog Owners of Greater Scarborough (DOGS). It was also reviewed by the Conservation Commission and the Community Services Advisory Board.

Proposed Revisions

1. Extend protections to endangered least terns, which also nest on Scarborough’s beaches.

2. Clarify areas of Scarborough’s beaches where these rules apply.

3. Clarify timeframe for when this ordinance is in effect.

4. Update recreational activities prohibited in proximity to shorebird nesting areas to include devices that were not readily used when the ordinance was originally written (e.g., drones, one-wheels, etc.) and to address enforcement gaps noted by volunteer beach monitors.

5. Update penalties for violating the ordinance to be in line with other Scarborough ordinances, including Chapter 604, Animal Control Ordinance.

6. Include addendum for the Higgins Beach Wildlife Management Area at the request of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Have a friend or neighbor who should be getting these updates? Let them know! Simply go to www.scarboroughmaine.org/stay-connected to sign up. Thank you for helping to make our town more informed.

Exciting 3rd Annual Junior Firefighter Muster

Last Sunday, the Scarborough Fire Department hosted its 3rd Annual Maine Junior Firefighters Muster. The event invited 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 departments and this is a great way to show these aspiring firefighters how important they and their programs are to Maine's Fire Service Future.

This event was made possible thanks to critical members of staff and contributions by community sponsors. "It’s inspiring to see how teamwork and passion came together to create such a memorable experience for everyone involved," say Fire Captain Daryen Granata, who helped put the event together.

Daylight Savings: Clocks Go Back This Weekend

Don't forget to set your clocks back an hour this weekend for Daylight Savings Time, which officially ends at 2:00am on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Here are some helpful reminders from the Scarborough Fire Department:

While you’re changing your clocks, the Scarborough Fire Department urges all residents to check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and practice a home fire drill. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the busiest time for home fires is during the fall and winter months. A working smoke alarm provides critical early warning of a fire, resulting in more time to react and put an escape plan into action. “Taking a few minutes this weekend to perform these safety checks can truly be a life saver,” says Deputy Fire Chief Brennan.

The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11pm and 6am (when most families are sleeping), and experts say that you may have less than 2 minutes to escape a fire, making a working smoke alarm critical. Help keep your family safe by following these fire safety tips:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement (finished or unfinished) and in all sleeping areas. If you have a larger home, you'll want to consider adding more alarms. Interconnected alarms will alert you to an emergency sooner. Be sure to check out all the "smart" features available – alarms can also alert your phone and more!

• Smoke alarms expire: Most smoke alarms have a 10 year service life.

• Plan and practice home fire drills. Decide in advance who will help family members that may need assistance escaping (young children, older adults or people with disabilities) and, establish an outside "meeting place" where everyone will meet.

• Make sure children recognize the sound of your smoke alarm and how to respond to its signal.

Community Services: Chair Yoga on Wednesdays

Wednesdays Year-Round

(No classes 11/20, 11/27, 12/25 or 1/1)

9:00-10:00am

Community Services Hub, 418 Payne Road

FREE!

Join Anne Esguerra, a c-IAYT certified Yoga Therapist, for in-person chair yoga sessions every week. She offers a practice that leans into the curiosity of self study filled with avenues of accessibility, permission and exploration. We'll move, breathe and notice. What you choose to do with that is up to you. Thanks to a partnership with Martin's Point Health Care, we are able to offer these weekly classes for FREE! No registration is required but if you would like to be added to our email list, please give us a call at 207-730-4150.

If you cannot make the in-person classes, be sure to check out the Zoom sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Martin's Point (Register Here).

November 27: Passport Day

Wednesday, November 27

9:00am-2:00pm

Community Services Hub, 418 Payne Road

Drop-in, no registration required

The Scarborough Community Services Office has assisted the U.S. Department of State with the acceptance of U.S. passport applications for the past ten years, and each year the need continues to grow. Passports applications are accepted at the Community Services Hub, located at 418 Payne Road in Scarborough, by appointment only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. While we also do hold limited Saturday hours throughout the year, we also try to offer days when school is closed and it’s a little easier on families.

Our Fall Passport Day will be held on Wednesday, November 27th, at the Community Services Hub, from 9:00am to 2:00pm (drop-in, no registration required). We will have multiple staff members on hand to answer all of your questions, assist you through the process, and accept your applications. These days have previously been 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.

RSVP: Scarborough Community Thanksgiving

Be sure to reserve your spot for the Annual Thanksgiving Scarborough Community Dinner.

Town Council Corner: Hail and Farewell

By Jean-Marie Caterina, Town Council

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.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent all the people of Scarborough since 2013. I came in with the dogs and plovers on the beach and will leave with The Gorham Connector. There have been major changes in Scarborough over the ensuing years. As is true with all things, life changes. It is how we “roll” that matters.

I am proud of the town that Scarborough has become and will continue to be if we follow our Comprehensive Plans limiting growth to areas of town where it can be handled and encouraging the permanent conservation of land in areas designated rural. We continue to work to protect the marsh and seashore – gems of the town. As a Council we have maintained stability of taxes. I am most proud of helping to introduce and expand property tax relief for seniors, a program copied by other municipalities.

I am hopeful that the future councils will continue to encourage and develop housing for working class folks. I am fearful that Scarborough will become another expensive “bedroom community” lacking diversity of residents and opportunity for young families to move here. Strength of economy and community comes from diversity of population.

As a former teacher, I am beyond frustrated with the attitude towards the education of our children. In the past, public education was celebrated and supported by everyone. There was no, “I don’t have kids in school. Why should I pay for it?”. New schools were built, programming was supported, parents were involved, and grandparents celebrated our accomplishments. Call me old, but I fear that we are heading down a road we will regret as a society. Our children are our future. Let’s support them with high quality facilities and programs. Someone did that for you.

Finally, I cannot emphasize enough the quality of staff in town at all levels. Town Councilors come and go, but they are here for the long run. Thanks to them, we have a town that is the envy of many in the state. The next time you go to Town Hall, please take a minute and thank folks for what they do.

So……as I depart to assume the mantle of Cumberland County Commissioner as a former Latin teacher, I shall leave you with a classic Latin farewell. Ave atque vale. Hail and farewell! Please stay in touch!

Front, left to right: Tody Justice (Town Clerk), Nick McGee (Chair), Tom Hall (Town Manager)

Back, left to right: Karin Shupe, Jon Anderson, Don Cushing, Jean-Marie Caterina, April Sither, Don Hamill

Scarborough Town Council

Nick McGee, Chair • April Sither, Vice Chair • Jonathan Anderson • Jean-Marie Caterina • Don Cushing • Don Hamill • Karin Shupe

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

Events & Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Mini Golf in the Library

Sunday, November 3, 10:00am-1:00pm

Register

We are turning the library into a mini golf course! Golfers of all ages are invited to come play and support the Friends of Scarborough Library. 

This event is free to the public with a suggested donation at the door. Reserve your group so we know how many to expect! We have "tee times" at 10am, 11am, 12pm, & 1pm.

Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier With Scarborough Police Chief Mark Holmquist

Tuesday, November 12, 12:30-2:00pm

Register

Scarborough Police Chief Mark Holmquist will speak about his military service as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located in Arlington National Cemetery.

Holmquist has been the Chief of Police for the Town of Scarborough since December 2021. Prior to joining the department, Mark was a 24-year veteran of the Maine State Police and retired in November 2021 at the rank of Lieutenant. During his career, Mark served for 12 years with Troop A in Alfred conducting rural patrol in York County and 12 years in the Major Crimes Unit in Gray. Mark was promoted to Lieutenant in 2017 in the Major Crimes Unit and finished the final year of his career as the Troop Commander at Troop A.

Mark also retired as a First Sergeant from the US Army Reserves in December 2021. Mark served for 25 years in the US Army, Maine Army National Guard and US Army Reserves. The highlight of his military career was his service as a Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery from 1992-1993. The majority of his Army Reserve service was in the role of Senior Drill Sergeant, assigned to a training unit specifically tasked to turn citizens into Soldiers during basic combat training.

Snug It Up: Home Heating Resources

Friday, November 15, 12:00-1:30pm

Drop-in; No registration required

Learn how to reduce drafts and retain heat in your home this winter! We'll have insulating tape and window coverings to give away, plus loads of information about how to maximize heat efficiency and keep yourself warm as the weather gets colder. This event is provided by Project GRACE with support from sponsors Ace Hardware, AARP, Prouts Neck Association, and Higgins Beach Association.