This Tuesday is Election Day! Voting is is one of the ways you can take part in your local government. 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 and staff in this newsletter. Thanks for reading and staying in the know!

Did you get a survey in the mail? That's from us! We could use your insight on how we're doing in areas like customer service in Town Hall, responding to emergencies, communicating with you, managing growth, and more. If you didn't get one in the mail, stay tuned for the online version opening in late November.

A Successful 4th Annual Jr. Firefighters Muster

Last weekend the Town of Scarborough Fire Department hosted its 4th 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.

Geraldine Hodgkin, 99, Awarded the Boston Post Cane

Longtime Scarborough resident Geraldine Hodgkin is the newest recipient of our town's Boston Post cane. The holder of the Cane must be 90 years old or older and have resided in Scarborough for a minimum of the past 20 years. Geraldine is 99 years old and has lived in Scarborough since 1941. She's been in her current home since 1953, where she raised six kids. In her recognition ceremony, she reflected fondly on the days when Town Hall was a two-room white clapboard building. "It's a wonderful town," she said, specifically expressing gratitude for Police, Fire, and the Town Clerk.

The Boston Post cane tradition was established in 1909 by The Boston Post newspaper. A special cane was presented to the Board of Selectmen in 431 towns in New England, to be presented as an honor to each town’s oldest resident. Scarborough still holds the original cane and presents the recipient with a plaque and lapel pin, donated by the Scarborough Lions Club.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th

Election Day is this Tuesday, November 4, 2025. 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 3 (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.

Candidates on the Ballot

Town Council 2 seats, 3-Year term to expire 2028

• Michelle T. Hayes

• Karin B. Shupe (Incumbent)

School Board 1 seat to fill a vacancy, term to expire in June 2027

• Crescencia Maurer

Sanitary District Trustees 2 seats, 3-Year term to expire 2028

• Anthony J. D’Amelio

• Write-In

Referendum Question: Request to Approve $130M K-8 School Project

There are two referendum questions about the K-8 Schools Solution on the ballot November 4th. Remember to turn your ballot over to weigh in on the proposed project!

Question #1 addresses all 5 schools serving Scarborough’s 2,000+ K-8 students, with a total project cost of up to $129.85 million. The plans address: 

• Overcrowding and increasing enrollment
• Replacement of temporary portables with permanent building additions
• Safety & security improvements
• Energy efficiency upgrades
• And more!

Question #2 proposes a larger addition to the Middle School to accommodate projected enrollment expected to enter the Middle School in 2034-35. The total project cost is up to $10 million. Question #2 is contingent on Question #1 passing.

See the plans for each of the schools.

FAQ: What does it mean that the "schools are overcrowded"?

Overcrowding is about more than just the number of students in a given school. It includes the availability (or lack) of space for legally mandated programs and services. 

When most of Scarborough’s schools were built, program and service requirements were significantly fewer than there are today. As those requirements have grown, additional space is needed to reasonably accommodate those needs. Some examples of these legally required needs for additional space are: 

• Accommodating and supporting our special education students
• Providing intervention services under Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for any general education student not making adequate academic progress
• Support for Multilingual Learners (MLL) students

Additionally, overcrowding also refers to having multiple programming needs share spaces that were not designed to accommodate this type of sharing. Some examples of this are:

• Music and art sharing the same small rooms, requiring significant restructuring of the room between classes.
• Physical Education (PE) and the food service cafeteria sharing the same space, resulting in crowding issues like folded up tables being covered in pads to prevent children from running into them during PE.

FAQ: Can the Town reduce the tax impact on residents?

The Town of Scarborough is actively exploring ways to try to reduce the tax impact on Scarborough residents. These options include updated impact fees that shift more of the tax burden to developers, bond restructuring, and operating budget adjustments.

On October 9, 2025, the Scarborough Finance Committee voted to send a proposed update to the school impact fees to the full Town Council. The updated impact fees are estimated to collect approximately $45 million, which would significantly reduce tax impact on residents. School impact fees are collected when new development happens, with the intention to offset some of the financial impact of new development.

Town Council members have also discussed restructuring the bonding process to lower initial tax impact by deferring early interest payments. While this would shift some cost to later in the bond repayment cycle, it is an example of the Town’s commitment to exploring all avenues of reducing tax impact during the years that are projected to have the highest costs to taxpayers.

The current tax impact estimates do not account for new school tax impact fees, recent interest rate reductions, bond restructuring, or operating budget adjustments.

Use the Town of Scarborough’s Tax Impact Calculator Tool here: Town of Scarborough Tax Impact Calculator

Growth in Scarborough: 1964 Plan Identifies Urban Areas

Much of the work of Town Council and staff is forward-thinking towards the future of Scarborough and putting frameworks in place to set us up in this planning. But looking back in time can help inform us, too. Our Planning Director's office is home to Scarborough's Comprehensive Plans dating back to 1964. These plans serve to offer a direction for future development and conservation, and are developed with significant community engagement. While the population was only 6,418 back then, the 1964 plan addresses similar themes that continue to be discussed today:

"Due to its physiography, Scarborough has developed as several small settlements separated from each other by considerable distances and often by water or marshes. Some of the villages have well established separate identities and none is acknowledged as the 'center' of the town."

"One of the basic planning goals of the community should be to encourage concentration of residential development in areas which can be sewered and economically provided with other municipal services and to discourage the continuation of residential sprawl."

The 1964 plan recommends that the density of development in each part of town be "related primarily to the feasibility of providing municipal services, especially sewers and water", and otherwise remain "largely rural" if sewer isn't likely in the foreseeable future. This intentional plan for more concentrated growth areas close to municipal services is depicted in a land use map and is largely consistent with the map of areas in the 2021 comprehensive plan.

This look back at the 1964 comprehensive plan was a large part of a recent workshop on the topic of growth and "how we got here", held on October 15th. Watch the 2-minute video of Councilor Jon Anderson covering growth areas as mapped in the plans.

November 19: Growth Workshop (Part 2)

The second workshop in the 2-part growth series will be on November 19th at 5:30pm. It will cover “where we are going” with consideration for recommendations from recent plans, as well as new state laws going into effect. 

This meeting is timely. The community has expressed concerns in surveys, in council meetings, and online about the pace of growth and how it is being managed. We’re nearly halfway through the 10-year Comprehensive Plan (adopted in 2021) and preparing for the Council’s goal-setting session for 2026.

Road Work: Libby Corner (Gorham/Payne Intersection)

Please be aware of an upcoming intersection improvement project that will be occurring on weekdays from November 3-14. It will take place on Libby Corner, the intersection of Gorham and Payne Road. Work will be occurring on weekdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm. The area will be passable in all directions but it is anticipated that there will be traffic backups and delays to those traveling through this intersection in all directions. Motorists are urged to plan for this, and seek alternate routes during this time.

Great Portland Metro to Extend Service to Scarborough

Big advances in public transit through Scarborough: Greater Portland Metro announced its partnership with the Town of Scarborough and Maine Turnpike Authority to provide a new fixed-route transit service between Scarborough and Portland along Route One. 

“Widely available public transportation is essential as we work to manage growth responsibly in Scarborough as it helps ease traffic, serves our community, and supports our sustainability goals,” said Scarborough Town Manager Thomas Hall. “We have an eye toward improving traffic flow and safety, and recently completed a Town-wide Transportation Study to inform our priorities. Expanded public transportation is a critical component of our vision for Scarborough’s traffic and transportation goals.”

The new service is expected to be available in 2026, but specific details are still in development.

Read the full announcement article by Greater Portland Metro for details on the collaborative effort and funding sources.

Greater Portland Metro Needs Local Input

Greater Portland Metro is seeking feedback from people who live, work, and visit South Portland and Scarborough to help design new and updated bus services. You may have heard that new funding has been secured to bring enhanced public transit service to Scarborough. At the same time, Metro is ready to reevaluate bus service in South Portland. This is an exciting time to provide input that can shape the new and updated services! 

Next Stop South Portland & Scarborough is Greater Portland Metro's initiative to update bus service in South Portland and also to design new bus service for Scarborough.

Attend Workshops (Register)

In-Person: Saturday, Nov 1st from 2-4pm at the Main Library, South Portland 

Zoom: Wednesday, Nov 12th from 6-7

In-Person: Saturday, Nov 15th from 2-4pm at the Public Safety Building, Scarborough

Take the online survey. Your feedback will be used by Greater Portland Metro to determine route updates, stop locations, and micro-transit operations that will help ensure transit access for everyone.

Printed copies of the survey are available at Scarborough Public Library or can be downloaded at gpmetro.org/nextstop.

Spurwink Marsh Restoration & Sawyer Street Removal

Sawyer Street in Scarborough, which becomes Sawyer Road in Cape Elizabeth, has been in discussion for potential removal since 2022. It is prone to flooding during astronomical high tides and storm events, and was listed as a "priority road" in the Town's recent Vulnerability Assessment, where 30 top roads were prioritized for adaptation. A 2019 culvert assessment found that it would cost $2.5-5M to replace the culvert, and the road would still flood. In 2024, the Towns of Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth received a $1.59M grant from the Maine Natural Resource Conservation Program to remove 1,400 feet of road from the marsh.

This is a collaborative process between both Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth. Both towns held their first readings on the road removal on October 15 during their respective council meetings. In that meeting, the Scarborough Town Council approved an order to consider discontinuance and scheduled the public hearing for November 5th. However, Cape Elizabeth voted not to move forward with the road closure. Scarborough will continue to hold the public hearing on November 5th as scheduled to discuss next steps.

Questions? Contact Jami Fitch, Sustainability Manager, at jfitch@scarboroughmaine.org.

November 26: Passport Day (No Appointment Needed!)

Wednesday, November 26, 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 26 (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.

See all the fun programs and events offered this season in our Fall brochure.

It's Time to "Fall Back"

Our clocks and watches turn back an hour on Sunday, November 2 at 2:00am for the end of Daylight Savings Time. Sunrise and sunset will occur an hour earlier as well. Bonus, you will get an extra hour of sleep!

Community Surveys Mailed to Select Households

A town-wide community survey was mailed to over 4,000 randomly selected Scarborough households requesting feedback. The statistically valid survey covers questions regarding satisfaction with town services and the direction the community is headed. A minimum of 600 responses will be needed. After the completion of the statistically valid portion of the survey, an online version will be made available in late November/early December to share your thoughts for anyone who did not receive the mailed version. The Town will use the results of the survey to set council goals and inform projects/initiatives.

Adding Third Ambulance to Black Point Station

The Scarborough Fire Department is excited to announce the addition of a 24/7 advanced life support ambulance to its fleet. This will be the third ambulance in full operation and is made possible with increased staffing and budget approval. The new positions and third ambulance will enhance our ability to provide the highest quality emergency medical response that our community has come to expect. 

After a review of call volumes by area, Black Point Station was selected to house the new ambulance. Learn more from Fire Chief Rich Kindelan in this video!

RSVP for Scarborough Community Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it's time to make your reservation for the 10th 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 27, from 11:00am - 1:00pm. This event is completely free and made possible by generous sponsors.

Cake with the Councilors: Coming Soon!

Our Councilors are hitting the road and coming to you! In an effort to learn more about what's going on across all areas of town, they'll be hosting "Cake with the Councilors" events at different meeting points periodically through the end of the year. And since managing the town is not always a "piece of cake", there will be cupcakes on hand as they engage and listen to people in Scarborough. The upcoming dates are:

• November 5: Senior Lunch at the Hub (418 Payne Road, Scarborough Community Services), 11:30am*

• November 20: The Hub (Scarborough Community Services), 6:00pm

• November 25: Scarborough Public Library, time TBD

*Call to pre-register for lunch ($8), 730-4150

We hope you'll join us for this sweet series. Stay tuned as more dates are announced!

Council Corner: A Final Reflection

By April Sither, Council Chair

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.

As my time on the Town Council comes to an end, I’ve been thinking a lot about what these seven years have meant to me, to my family, and to the community I’ve had the privilege to serve.

When I was first elected, I couldn’t have imagined how much this experience would shape me. Local government is not glamorous work. It’s long nights, thick agenda packets, hard conversations, small victories, and the occasional heartbreak. But it’s also the most human kind of service there is, neighbors working together, trying to do what’s right for the place we all call home.

I’ve often described Scarborough as both a launch pad and a landing pad. It’s where so many of us begin our stories, and where just as many hope to return, to live out our days by the beach, close to the people and places that raised us. That’s what makes this community so special - its deep roots and strong spirit. Over my years on the Council, I’ve tried to keep that balance in mind: protecting what we love about Scarborough while making room for the next generation to love it too.

There have been difficult moments, and not everyone will agree with every decision we’ve made. But what I’ve come to appreciate most is that disagreement is not the opposite of community; indifference is. The passion people bring to our local issues is proof that Scarborough matters deeply to those who live here. What we cannot allow is for our disagreements to devolve into distrust. At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team, doing our best to care for this town we love. And that’s something to be proud of.

Councilor Sither with her kids in 2020 when she was on the Board of Education (serving as Chair from 2020-21)

All I have ever wanted was to be part of the fabric of this town that has given me and my family so much. Over these past seven years, I’ve learned that you do that by showing up; for meetings, for conversations, for one another… one stitch at a time. So while my role might be changing for now, I will never stop showing up for this town that I love. Because I’m in the fabric now.

To my fellow councilors and town staff, thank you for showing up day after day. You are some of the finest people I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. Also, keep laughing, it’s good for us all! And to all the residents who have reached out, whether to challenge, support, or simply ask a question, thank you. You’ve made me a better listener, a better leader, and a better neighbor. Lastly, to my husband and four extraordinary kids, thank you for your patience, your encouragement, and the countless evenings without me. While I am so excited to be at the ballfield more… I probably still won’t know what’s for dinner!

It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve Scarborough. I’m excited to see where we go from here, together.

Scarborough Town Council

April Sither (Chair) • Jonathan Anderson (Vice Chair) • Larry Cain • Scott Doherty • Bill Donovan • Cory Fellows • 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.

Upcoming Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Travis Kennedy, Maine Author Talk

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

Register

Let's hear from Travis Kennedy, Scarborough resident and acclaimed author of The Whyte Python World Tour. "Rikki Thunder, twenty-two-year-old drummer for the scorching new ’80s metal band Whyte Python, is about to have it all: absurd wealth, global fame, and a dream girlfriend. But an unwitting role as an international spy? That was definitely not part of the plan." Kennedy's work has been featured in the Best New England Crime Stories and Best American Mystery Stories anthologies, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and McSweeney's Internet Tendency. He is the grand prize winner of Screencraft’s 2021 Cinematic Book Contest for “Sharks in the Valley,” to be published as Welcome to Redemption. He lives in Scarborough with his wife and their two children. The Whyte Python World Tour is his debut novel.

Chief Holmquist, Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Friday, November 7, 10:00-11:30am

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. Mark Holmquist has been the Chief of Police in the Town of Scarborough since December 2021. Prior to joining the Scarborough Police Department, Mark was a 24-year veteran of the Maine State Police where he retired in November 2021 at the rank of Lieutenant. 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. 

Unplug: How to Break Up with Your Phone and Reclaim Your Life

Thursday, November 13, 6:30-7:30pm

Register (Online only)

The average American spends the equivalent of more than 75 full days a year looking at their phone. Join author Richard Simon to learn why we should be horrified, and to learn the tips and tricks to reduce unnecessary smartphone usage. Turn off your phone and turn on your life with step-by-step instructions and success stories from dozens of people who’ve set healthy boundaries with their devices. Online only, in partnership with Prince Memorial Library.

Oldies Trivia: 1950s through 1999

Friday, November 14, 5:30-7:00pm

Register

Are you "a person of a certain age" or a young person with old-fashioned tastes? Join us for Trivia from the 1950s through 1999! Nothing before or after! Tell us how many are in your team if you have your own crew. We'll also make teams when we get here so if it's just you that's fine! 

Gentle Sound Bath & Guided Meditation

Sunday, November 16, 1:00-2:30pm

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-- sometimes that's hard enough! Bring a blanket, yoga mat, or pillow for yourself (chairs also available).