As fall arrives it brings with it a flurry of activity in the Town of Scarborough. Early voting begins next week and the Town Council and Board of Education will have new elected officials after the election—read on below to see what's on the ballot and make a voting plan. You'll also see more public transportation options in town next week that we encourage you to try using (free through the end of the month!), and there are plenty of fall programs to look forward to thanks to our Community Services department and public library. Thanks for being an active and engaged participant of the Town of Scarborough.

Metro Launches Microtransit & New Bus Route

Free Rides Through October 31st

In partnership with Greater Portland Metro, we're excited for the launch two new public transportation services to our community. Take advantage of the free ride period through the end of the month to try it for yourself at no cost.

Metro Connect

The Metro Connect van is a discounted on-demand service (think Uber within a set service area). You may have already started noticing it around town!



Service Area: Dunstan Corner to South Portland town line, including Scarborough municipal offices, schools, and MaineHealth medical campus. It also includes Kaler Vaill and Piper Shores retirement communities. Trips can start or end anywhere within the zone. Passengers may be directed to meet the vehicle a short distance away.

Reserve Your Ride: Search "Metro Connect Greater Portland" in the App Store on your mobile phone to download the app. Or, reserve online at https://gpmconnect.app.ridewithvia.com/ (must create an account). You can also call Greater Portland Metro customer service at (207) 774-0351 during service hours to book over the phone.

Fare Cost: $2.25 one way or $1.10 reduced fare for eligible passengers. All rides are FREE through October 31st!

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday: 6:15am – 9:30 pm

Saturday: 7:25am – 10:30 pm

Sunday: 8:30am – 4:45pm

Mike Tremblay of Greater Portland Metro introduces the new Metro Connect van

Route 25 Bus Service

Next up: A new bus route (Route 25) along a section of Route 1 and The Downs (ending by Cabela's) will launch on October 4th. Bus rides will also be free from launch day through October 31st.

Route 25 will serve destinations along Route 1 in Scarborough from Portland via the Veteran’s Bridge via Main Street in South Portland. Destinations include the VA Clinic on Commercial St., the MaineHealth medical campus and the Exit 42 Park-n-Ride for commuters’ easy access.

The dark purple line depicts the new bus service Route 25. The shaded area depicts the Metro Connect on-demand zone (book a ride to and from anywhere in this zone).

Happy hands-free transiting! Please email info@gpmetro.org with any comments or feedback on your experience as they fine-tune the service. 

Early Voting Starts This Monday, October 5th

Early Voting Begins October 5

Early voting will be available in Town Hall beginning on Monday, October 5th. Stop in during business hours, Monday through Thursday, 7:00am-5:00pm, to vote at your convenience. Early voting will be available through the month of October.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Voting will be at Scarborough High School from 7:00am-8:00pm (Look for the "Vote Here" banner at the entrance).

Request an Absentee Ballot

Request an absentee ballot to vote prior to Election Day. Absentee ballots will be mailed when they are available in early October. They can be dropped off any time on or before Election Day either in person at the Town Clerk's office or in the secure ballot dropbox at the Town Hall entrance.

Candidates on the Ballot

Town Council 3 seats, 3-Year term to expire 2029

• Isha Agarwal

• Larry Cain (Incumbent)

• Sam Cofone

• Sean Flaherty

• Denise Hamilton

• Jessica Sargent

• Wayne Werts

School Board 1 seat to fill a vacancy, term to expire in June 2028

• Andy Guillerault

• Stephen Zamierowski

Sanitary District Trustees 3 seats, 3-Year term to expire 2029

• Matthew Garrett

• Jason Greenleaf

• Denis Lafreniere Jr.

• Benjamin McDougal

Watch a Recording of Candidates Night

Candidates Night was held on Tuesday, September 22nd at Town Hall and was a chance to hear directly from each of the candidates to learn more about themselves and why they are running. Watch the recording on our YouTube channel.

Radio Upgrade Would Address Major Coverage Gaps

Audio sample of Police Officer attempting to communicate with Dispatch Center in an area with poor connection.

On the local referendum ballot in this upcoming November election 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. Hear a sample of what the radio coverage sounds like in many areas of Scarborough in the video above.

Signal Issues with Current Radios

In this video, Scarborough Fire Chief Rich Kindelan calls a fellow firefighter over the radio to show the coverage issues the department experiences on a daily basis when responding to emergency calls. The firefighter was driving in the area of Eight Corners, not far from the center of town and the Public Safety Building tower. Conditions worsen in areas on the edge of town like North Scarborough and the beach communities, and within certain buildings, including our schools. An upgraded radio system being requested in the November referendum election would address these signal issues as modernized equipment is used.

Find more resources, materials, workshop meeting links and more on the project page on our website. FAQ coming soon.

Town Council Workshop Held on Scottow Hill Road

The Town Council held a workshop yesterday evening (Wednesday, September 30) to discuss possible actions for Scottow Hill Road. The Town Council reviewed these options in a February 2026 workshop, but is discussing again now that we are closer to hearing back about grant funding and funding for all options are included in the FY2027 budget.

Options Being Considered

• Minimum culvert replacement, which would require local funding ($1.24 million) and is a short-term solution. Also to note, it would need to be replaced when the Payne Road and Route 1 culverts are upgraded.

• Resilient culvert replacement, a longer term solution that has the potential for grant funding; awards will not be known until later this month (Total project cost is $3.9 million; $900,000 local cost if the $3 million grant is received).

• Culvert removal and stream restoration, the lowest cost option but necessitates road closure; a grant has been secured to cover the majority of the cost ($322,000 cost to the town).

The consensus of the council was to keep the road open, and they gave preference for the resilient culvert option, pending grant support. Staff expects to hear this month on if the grant for the resilient culvert is received and plans to report back to the council in November, when a final decision is expected.

A focus of the discussion last night was an updated timeline given that design and permitting work has not begun. The council will need to make a decision on which option to move forward with by next month to stay on track for construction to begin in Fall 2027. If a decision is made after this November, it likely pushes the construction window to 2028-29. This is due to the necessary steps required to move the decision forward to be construction-ready, such as modeling, design, permit reviews, DOT review and approval, and construction bidding. This also takes into account the federally regulated November-April construction window due to the environmentally sensitive location.

Council Meeting Schedule Notes

No Council Meeting October 7th

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Town Council met on September 30th instead of their regularly scheduled meeting on October 7th. There will be no meeting on October 7th.

October Meetings Relocated to Public Safety Building

With early voting taking place in Town Hall Council Chambers through the month of October, all public meetings that typically take place in Chambers will be relocated to the Public Safety Building classroom.

Conversations With Councilors Series This October

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 "Conversations with the Councilors" events at different meeting places through the month of October. This popular series started last fall and has served as a valuable tool for our councilors to hear community sentiment outside of formal council meetings.

Conversations with Councilors Dates

• Monday, October 5: Eight Corners School, 6:30pm

• Thursday, October 8: Blue Point School, 6:30pm

• Thursday, October 15: Pleasant Hill School, 6:30pm

• Monday, October 19: North Scarborough Fire Station, 6:30pm

• Saturday, October 24: Public Safety Building, 10:30am **Weekend morning session**

Note: All sessions are in-person only due to low virtual attendance in the past and the nature of the event format. We hope you'll join us for this series as we engage and listen to the voices across our community. Questions? Email the Town Council at towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org.

Public Works Repairs Clay Pits Boat Ramp

Thank you Public Works for freshening up the Clay Pits public boat ramp! As you can see in the first "before" photo, the aging concrete was in poor condition and has now been filled in and stabilized.

October 13: Public Meeting on Proposed Low Impact Development Standards

Tuesday, October 13, 6:00pm

Public Safety Building

Attend the upcoming public meeting to learn about the proposed Low Impact Development (LID) standards. Low Impact Development is a planning and stormwater management approach that works the way nature does. Instead of letting runoff wash directly into waterways, it encourages water to soak into the ground, where plants and soil filter out pollutants.

Scarborough and 29 other Maine municipalities must adopt LID standards as part of their federal Clean Water Act permits. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) set minimum standards that every municipality must meet. At the October 13th meeting, staff will review the required standards and highlight where the Town plans to recommend stricter requirements based on studies, policies, and feedback from committees and community members to protect Scarborough Marsh and other water resources.

The Ordinance Committee will likely review the proposed ordinance revisions in early 2027. Following the Ordinance Committee’s review, the revisions will be considered by the Town Council and Planning Board.  

Seeking Public Review: Draft Climate Action Plan

Last fall, the Town began work on Sustaining Scarborough, a community-supported Climate Action Plan that aims to be a practical, responsible, and crucial roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas pollution throughout town. After 12 months of data analysis, community input, and expert support, the draft Sustaining Scarborough Plan is available for review. It can be viewed at SustainingScarborough.org, and a comment form is available for the public to provide feedback.

A Town Council workshop highlighting the planning process, goals, and implementation strategies is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21. 

Sustaining Scarborough Halloween Swap at Library

Saturday, October 3

1:00-3:00pm

Scarborough Public Library

Before you spend $50 on a costume your kid (or you) will wear exactly once, come check out the Halloween Swap hosted by the SCARY-borough Public Library and Sustaining Scarborough!

How it works: Bring your gently used costumes, accessories, and decorations (or just come empty-handed!). Browse the tables. Take home whatever sparks your spooky side. No cash, no catch. Bring as many items as you like, or take what you need. Everyone's welcome, even if you have nothing to donate.

A treat for your wallet. Costumes and decorations add up fast, and items that are no longer needed clutter closets. Grab outgrown or unwanted costumes and join us at the Library. You may find some ghoulish treasures without spending a cent!

A treat for the planet. Most costumes are worn once and tossed, and many are made of synthetic materials that linger in landfills for ages. Keeping them in circulation means less waste, less demand for new plastic production, and fewer trips to the store. 

Want to contribute? Drop off clean, gently used items at the start of the swap. Library staff will show you how to sort items by size and category (kids, adults, accessories, décor, etc.). Leftovers will be donated to local groups for others in need.

So dig out those old costumes, gather your friends and neighbors, and come join the fun! This Halloween, the best deals are totally free!

Sustaining Scarborough is the Town’s Climate Action Plan, which aims to make Scarborough resilient, responsible, and ready for a future shaped by climate change and extreme weather events. The draft plan is available for review at sustainingscarborough.org.

New! Adult Pickleball Programs This Month

New to pickleball? Or looking to improve your game? Scarborough Community Services is offering sessions this month for all skill levels. These will be held at the municipal pickleball courts behind Town Hall.

Adult Beginner Lessons

Sundays, October 11-25, 5:00-6:30pm

$90 per person

Register

Join us for this multi-week instructional program designed to help you build confidence and skills on the court. Participants will learn how to properly strike the ball, sustain a rally, keep score, and understand the rules and fundamentals of gameplay. By the end of the session, players will have the foundational knowledge and skills needed to begin playing Pickleball with confidence.

Adult Practice & Play

Tuesdays, October 6-20, 9:30-11:00am

$90 per person

Register

Ready to take your pickleball skills to the next level? Join us for this exciting multi-week program designed to refine your shots, sharpen your strategy, and build confidence on the court. This program is ideal for players who have completed our Beginner Lessons or already have a solid understanding of pickleball fundamentals and are looking to advance their game. Come do drills then play in friendly, coached competition.

Check out Scarborough Community Services' latest email newsletter full of October programs and events! Subscribe for emails like this sent directly to your inbox.

October 15th Deadline: Senior Property Tax Assistance

The Senior Property Tax Assistance Program applications are due by October 15th. The program is one of multiple forms of tax relief that Town of Scarborough has for residents looking for assistance with their property taxes. If your annual property tax burden exceeds 5% of household Adjusted Gross Income, you may be eligible for a return of up to $1,200 at the end of the year. For residents who rent, including owners of properties within a Manufactured Home Park, rent paid is considered part of your property tax burden.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicant is age 62 or older as of the application deadline

2. Applicant has been a Scarborough resident for at least 10 consecutive years as of October 15, 2026

3. Federal Adjusted Gross Income (household) does not exceed $60,000

Applications for the Property Tax Assistance Program are available online or in the Assessing Office. The deadline to apply is October 15, 2026.

When you submit your application, we will need to see identification and proof of income, either in the form of your 2025 Tax Return or your 2025 Year-End Social Security Benefit Statement, if you don’t file taxes. If you rent, we will also need a statement of rent paid between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Please contact the Assessing office at (207) 730-4060 or visit our office on the lower level of Town Hall if you have any questions.

October 25: 5th Annual Jr. Firefighter Muster

Sunday, October 25

10:00am-3:00pm

Rain Date: Sunday, November 1 (same time)

Scarborough Fire Department, 275 US Route One, Scarborough

The Town of Scarborough Fire Department is excited to announce it will be hosting the 5th Annual Maine Junior Firefighters Muster. The 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. The public is invited to watch the events as spectators! 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 will be free for all and the public is encouraged to attend!

This event is made possible thanks to several local sponsors.

Council Corner: Your Voice Matters

By Michelle Hayes, Town Council

My first year on the Town Council has passed in what has felt like a "blink of an eye!" I anticipated many issues that would come before the Council but I couldn't have imagined the variety of topics and challenges our Town has faced in 12 short months. I am grateful for the learnings and the support from seasoned councilors, staff experts, and citizens who have patiently shared their knowledge, opinions, and ideas. As we enter election season, I started thinking about the VOICES that have influenced our Town Council in 2026.

One of my favorite moments this year was when a 100-year-old resident spoke during our public comment segment. The Council was discussing the proposed routes for our new METRO bus pilot which begins on October 2. The Black Point Road route was projected to end before reaching the Kaler-Vaill Independent Living residence, home to 15 retired women. The caller stressed that their residents were ideal customers for the METRO transit as many residents don't drive and need to attend regular appointments. The Council supported the request and our Town Manager successfully expanded the METRO pilot's route. I applaud these women for using their VOICES and advocating for change. I hope when I'm 100 I'm as sharp and articulate as the Kaler-Vaill women! My beloved mother-in-law lived to 98 and would have been a perfect addition to this intelligent group of women.

Scarborough residents can use their VOICES to communicate with our Town Council in a number of ways. You can call, email, attend our quarterly Conversations with Councilors sessions, share comments at committee meetings, and speak at the podium during the public comment segment of our bi-monthly Council meetings. Personally, I enjoy many constituent conversations in the aisles of Hannaford while grocery shopping, on my Eastern Trail and beach walks, and during my visits to the Sunday morning Farmer's Market. These informal meetings are terrific.

The Town Council receives thousands of comments throughout the year and your feedback informs our thinking and decisions. As I reflect on 2026, here are a few topics that were greatly influenced by YOUR input:

• The finalization of the Town's Short-Term Rental ordinance to include a STR rental registration requirement (12/2026), rules for owner occupied versus non-owner occupied STRs, and the establishment of a Coastal Beach Overlay Zone. 

• The Maine Department of Transportation proposed closing one of our northbound lanes on Route One across the Scarborough Marsh during the summer of 2026. Their goal—good in theory—was to test converting the closed lane into a temporary multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians while studying how traffic handled the change. The Council received overwhelming feedback to keep the lanes open for traffic, so we voted not to advance the test.

• The ICE facility located at 40 Manson Libby Road has been in the spotlight and the Council has spent considerable time educating ourselves, working with outside legal council, and listening to our residents. At last evening's Town Council meeting, we authorized our Council Chair to send a letter on behalf of the Town Council to the Department of Homeland Security requesting a tour of the facility to gather information regarding activities at the ICE Facility. We also had a first reading and will schedule a public hearing and second reading to establish a new Ordinance entitled "Municipal Policies Regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement."

• Traffic is a top concern we hear from residents. A group of citizens helped write the traffic calming policy we use today. Feedback from citizens regarding confusion over the Route One speed bump pilot led to clarifying signage. A current opportunity to influence traffic flow in Scarborough is to get involved in the MaineDOT Portland West Traffic Study. Their goal is to develop potential solutions to improve safety, mobility and congestion along the Route 114 and Route 22 corridors west of Portland. The study area includes Scarborough, South Portland, Gorham, and Westbrook. Their website is excellent and you have an opportunity to take their survey to have your VOICE heard.

• The current Data Center moratorium was influenced by hundreds of concerned citizens leading us to pause and study the issue extensively.

• Thoughtful growth was a key reason I ran for Town Council and a topic near and dear to so many Scarborough residents. Your VOICE informed many of the actions the Town pursued to influence the State regarding its introduction of LD 1829 which removed tremendous local control over growth management. Your feedback and our advocacy ensured a better outcome for Scarborough.

There's no better way to use your VOICE than to cast your vote. Election Day is November 3 but early voting begins at Scarborough Town Hall on October 5. We have 13 candidates on our local ballot this election cycle. Seven people are running for three Council seats, two individuals are running for one Board of Education seat, and four individuals are running for three Sanitary District openings. If you weren't able to attend Candidate's Night, I encourage you to watch the event on YouTube before you vote. The candidates were knowledgeable and impressive! Thank you to our 13 neighbors who have stepped up with the hope of serving our Town! 

Our Town Council will say goodbye to Councilors Bill Donovan and Jonathan Anderson. Both men have given thousands of hours of their time and expertise because of their passion and love for Scarborough. I will miss partnering with them and their leadership! Councilor Larry Cain is running for reelection and has been a fantastic partner during my first year of service. I want to give a shout out to our Council Chair, Cory Fellows, for his leadership during a tremendously busy year and for navigating numerous challenging meetings. I look forward to welcoming our new Council members in November.

I want to close with an update on the newly formed Scarborough Wood Bank. Their steering committee (Jeremy Grondin, Art Ledue, Steve Hammond, Patrick O'Reilly) presented their idea to the Town Council in July and we unanimously approved it. The goal is to provide 20 to 30 cords of seasoned firewood for the 2027 heating season for neighbors in need. Steffi from Project Grace informed me the Wood Bank has already helped two Scarborough households! It is going to be an extremely challenging heating season so the timing of the Wood Bank's creation couldn't be better.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can donate your time or resources, please check them out at www.scarboroughwoodbank.org. My husband and a few others will be back at the site with their chainsaws this Saturday. You can apply to volunteer on the Wood Bank website. Jeremy Grondin has offered to host a community fundraiser "Warm Up Scarborough" at their Oak Hill Village Center Auto Care site on November 14. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Project Grace heating assistance programs and the Scarborough Wood Bank. Thank you, Jeremy, and I hope to see our neighbors on November 14. Let's help everyone stay warm this winter!

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.

This Saturday: Scarborough Marsh Fall Clean-Up

Saturday, October 3

9:00am-12:00pm

Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center

Join us for this fall tradition to clean up the marsh and beaches, and winterize the Nature Center. Meet at the Nature Center; registration is not required but it’s nice to know if you’re coming! Refreshments provided. Groups and companies are welcome. Dress in layers, as the marsh can be cool, and wear shoes/boots that you do not mind getting wet and muddy.

Upcoming Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Halloween Costume Swap

Saturday, October 3

1:00-3:00pm

Drop-in

Come swap your Halloween costumes for something new-to-you! We'll also have a decor table if you want to retire a ghost and pick up a ghoul instead! Please, only clean things of the quality you would hand off to a friend, and no early drop offs! In partnership with Town of Scarborough's Sustaining Scarborough.

A River Runs Through It

Thursday, October 8, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Register

Good News: Aquatic systems need clean water to thrive. The paper industry resulted in the nation's most polluted rivers occurring right here in Maine—the Androscoggin and Penobscot particularly. The Clean Water Act of 1972 resulted in manufacturing changes that eliminated the worst biosolid and chemical discharge practices, and our rivers are once again full of life. Bad News: Many chemicals are persistent and some are persistent forever. Sediments in the major river deltas are loaded with mercury and dioxins that still require remediation 60 years later. And where river waters do run clear, climate disruption and invasive species are wreaking havoc. In partnership with Scarborough Land Trust and Town of Scarborough's Sustaining Scarborough.

What Helps When Children & Families Struggle, with Dr. John Stewart

Thursday, October 15, 7:00pm-8:00pm

Register

Written for both families and clinicians, What Helps When Children and Families Struggle offers an introduction to attachment theory as it relates to family life. The authors weave a simple and clear discussion of what families can do to support strong connections and what to do when things have fallen off track. Consistent with a relational focus on mental health the authors strongly advocate the use of family therapy as the entry point to mental health services when a family member is struggling. Through the use of metaphors, the text is a highly practical guide for the ups and downs of family life. Dr. Stewart is a clinical psychologist in Portland, Maine and clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Potluck & Games for All Ages

Friday, October 16, 5:00-7:30pm

Drop-in

Bring the whole family, a couple of friends, or come on your own and plan to play games or have a chat with anyone! We'll have new and classic games for adults and kids. This is a great way to have some fun and maybe make a new friend. This is a potluck, but we'd rather have you than your food, so if you can't contribute that is A-OK. The Library will provide plates, forks, napkins, and drinks.