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Presidential Preference Primary
Tody Justice, Town Clerk
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Absentee Ballots are now available at Town Hall in Council Chamber B during regular business hours. Copies of the sample ballots are on
our website. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, February 27, 2020. Voters who would like to have an absentee ballot mailed to their home can call the Town Clerk's Office at 730-4020. Phone requests must be received before 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
Voting will take place at the High School Gymnasium on Election Day, Tuesday, March 3, 2020, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. For further information on Absentee Voting and Voter Registration, please contact the Scarborough Town Clerk's Office at 730-4020.
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Public Safety Building Update
Thomas Perkins, Dirigo Architectural Engineering, LLC, Owners Representative
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The end is in sight! Excitement is growing in our police, fire and dispatch community as the completion of the new Public Safety Building is nearly within reach. If you have driven by the site lately, you have probably noticed the exterior landscape and hardscape treatments that were installed just prior to winter, and watched the talented masonry crew stack brick after block on the Route One façade. On the inside, over 100 craftspeople are installing tile, carpet, paint, cabinets, lighting, sinks, and all of the other finishes that will provide a home for our first responders in the very near future.
The building is designed for a 40-year lifespan, and is sized to accommodate the anticipated public safety growth over the next 25 years. Provisions have been made in the structure of the building to allow for future expansion, and much of the layout is shared between departments, creating a more efficient use of the space and fostering communication among the dedicated professionals who will staff it. Additionally, a community room has been created with a dual purpose of a training classroom and a public meeting room which can be reserved through the public safety staff. The building is also connected to the tri-gen power unit installed next to Town Hall a few years ago, fulfilling its intended design capacity and providing cost-effective energy to both facilities.
Click here for the complete article
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Learn About the Planned Public Library Expansion
Catherine Morrison, Scarborough Public Library
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 The Scarborough Public Library invites you to view its new website detailing its plans for expansion
. Photographs from libraries across the country help illustrate the possibilities an expanded library would provide and opportunities to share your ideas and support are available on the website. Feedback from Scarborough residents has and will continue to play an important role in the planning process.
For more than 120 years, the Scarborough Public Library has provided consistently high-quality services to a growing Scarborough community. The current building was constructed 30 years ago for a population of 12,000. Straining to meet the demands of our current population of 20,000 and anticipating a population of 27,000 by 2040, a library expansion is necessary now.
Even in this digital age, demand for physical materials has remained steady and the need for community connections increasingly vital. Annual visits surpassed 133,000 in 2019 and are projected to reach 185,000 in the next twenty years.
Planning for the library expansion began as part of the 2016 three-year Strategic Plan. Community surveys and discussions in 2018 identified a need for more "people space": additional seating, and areas for increased programming and collaboration. In 2019, nationally recognized library space planning consultant Anders Dahlgren and Portland-based Scott Simons Architects were hired to help design an enlarged space capable of meeting our growing community's needs. In addition to significant community engagement in the planning process and a ballot measure this November, the Library is committed to raising additional private funds in a capital campaign.
Please visit the expansion website, read the FAQs, and give us your feedback about our plans!
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Security Starts with You
Don Begin, Director of Information Technology
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Let's have a brief introduction to the topic of Security Awareness. The information below can apply to both your home and business. As you may be aware, a growing number of organizations have been struck by hackers that have managed to infiltrate and lock public (and private) data networks. Once locked, these hackers then demand a sum of money (ransom) prior to allowing staff further access to those systems. To increase our ability to prepare for such an attack, Scarborough IT has been conducting a system-wide Security Awareness training series for staff over the past several months.
The "90/10 Rule" can often be used to describe a good security awareness program. 90% of security safeguards rely on the computer user ("You") to adhere to good computing practices. 10% of security safeguards are technical. The same principles that you use to secure your home apply in technology security. Checking to see if your door is closed, ensuring others do not prop your door open, keeping control of your keys, and remembering to lock your lock is 90% of your security practice. The actual lock on the door is the final 10%. You need both parts for effective security.
This means that everyone who uses a computer or mobile device needs to understand how to keep their computer, device and data secure. Take steps to ensure that your computer is protected by using the latest operating system and software updates. An unprotected computer can become infected or compromised within a few seconds after it is connected to a network. It is important to understand that a compromised computer is a hazard to everyone else, too - not just to you. Technology security is everyone's responsibility, and these practices work at both work and home!
Click here for the complete article
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News from the Finance Department
Ruth Porter, Finance Director
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I am pleased to announce that Gina Clukey, Deputy Finance Director, has been promoted from Deputy Treasurer to Treasurer for the Town of Scarborough. Gina has been working for the Town since December 1989 and will assume her additional role as Treasurer effective February 1, 2020. Gina received her Certification as Treasurer from the Maine Municipal Tax Collector's and Treasurer's Association.
Additionally, I am pleased to announce that Lisa Saulle, Deputy Tax Collector, Deputy Treasurer and Customer Service Manager has been promoted from Deputy Tax Collector to Tax Collector for the Town of Scarborough. Lisa has been working for the Town since August 2002 and will assume her additional role as Tax Collector effective February 1, 2020. Lisa received her Certification as Tax Collector from the Maine Municipal Tax Collector's and Treasurer's Association.
Congratulations Gina & Lisa!
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Join Wildlife Biologist Gil Paquette and SLT Executive Director Rich Bard for a casual wildlife tracking walk/snowshoe. We will explore the trails, stopping to discuss the various tracks and signs of wildlife that we see along the way. In recent years, we have identified signs of coyote, fisher, deer, fox, woodpecker, small rodents, snowshoe hares, turkey, raven, and many, many more! We'll also talk about how many of these animals have adapted to survive Maine's brutal winters.
No animal tracking experience is necessary! The trails are relatively easy but please be prepared for the weather and snow conditions. Dress warmly and bring any drinks or snacks you might need to be comfortable. Snowshoes or ice creepers are optional but encouraged if the conditions warrant. If you don't have snowshoes but want to attend, please get in touch with our office.
The walk is open to everyone who can walk up to 1.5 miles in potentially difficult snow conditions. Please leave dogs at home.
Date: Saturday, February 29
(alternate date in case of storm or no snow: March 7)
Time: 10:00 am
No RSVP needed, but don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the Wildlife Walk by email
or by calling (207) 289-1199.
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Councilor's Corner
Ken Johnson, Town Council
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 The Councilor's Corner section of the Newsletter is a place where councilors can share their view point and understanding of items before the Council.
My name is Ken Johnson and I am a first term councilor. I am the Communications Committee Chair, a member of the Ordinance Committee and liaison to the Planning Board. In future publications of the newsletter I will share my view on issues before these committees and other topics of interest including:
- Pipeline projects that are brewing but have yet to reach the council such as The Hurd Park project at Pine Point or the Library expansion initiative.
- Workshop sessions such as the joint Board of Education and Town Council on
- Eight Corners modular budget shortfall or Growth and School Enrollment
- Follow up items such as the Turf and Track bond item rejected by the voters
- Council Committee work such as the Ordinance Committee charge to review the Growth Management Ordinance and best practices and the Rules and Policy Committee charge to develop a process to review the Town Charter
- Council appointed Committee work such Planning Board development review where all citizens should be aware of what is in process and have the option in choosing to participate and not just immediate property abutters.
- Ad Hoc Committee work such as the Community Center Committee report
- 'Fun Fact' about the council and its rules and procedures such as 'Executive Sessions' . What exactly is an Executive Session and when is it used?
I believe when everyone has the same set of facts in the same context at the same time discussions are more constructive and productive.
This newsletter is one place where you can 'Be Informed'. To get as many folks informed as possible with this publication I ask for your assistance. Please send this notice to friends and family members that are not current subscribers. We owe it to ourselves to 'Be Informed' and help others join the effort. If there is any specific topic you would like to see addressed in the Council Corner please
email the Town Council or
me directly and it will be a topic in an upcoming newsletter. Thank you.
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Meet Your New Town Employees
Kailey Dubuque, Human Resources
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On Monday, February 3rd, Trystan Snyder joined the Information Systems Department as the newest Network & Telecommunications Administrator with the Town of Scarborough and Scarborough Public Schools.
Trystan has an extensive background in technical support, having worked with several software programs and hardware. Trystan is originally from Vermont, where he worked as a HP Product Support Specialist, Comcast Connections Technician, and in other technical capacities. Since 2017, Trystan has been the owner and Systems Engineer of Open Echo LLC, a secure technology product and service provider in Westbrook, Maine.
Working for the Town, Trystan will maintain network and telecom infrastructure, perform system maintenance, coordinate with system vendors, and other duties as determined by the department. Congratulations and welcome to the Town of Scarborough!
 On Monday, February 3rd, Joe Fuss joined Scarborough Public Works as a Fleet Maintenance Technician II.
Joe has worked in the past for a few different company's in Maine including O'Connor Motor Company as a Diesel Technician, Sappi NA part of the outside maintenance crew, and Daigle & Houghton as a Diesel Technician.
Within these positions, Joe performed diagnostic, repair, and maintenance on heavy trucks and equipment.
For the Town of Scarborough Public Works, Joe will perform similar duties as his previous work including inspection, diagnostics, overhaul and repair required for the maintenance of Town vehicles and equipment. Congratulations on becoming a member of the Town of Scarborough and the Public Works Team!
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About the Scarborough Town Newsletter
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Welcome to the official newsletter of the Town of Scarborough, Maine. Brought to you by a team of Town staff, our mission is to keep you informed about town events and activities.
Please note that the newsletter articles are intended to be brief and will often point you back to a link on the Town's Website or Facebook page. The website is the heart of the communication network within town and is the central repository for information on Town government.
Your newsletter team:
| Tody Justice, Town Clerk |
Catherine Morrison, Public Library |
| Stephen Kramer, Community Services |
Donald Begin, IT |
| Kailey Dubuque, Human Resources |
Brian Longstaff, Codes & Planning |
Kelly Johnston, Scarborough Public Schools
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Michael Thurlow, Fire Department |
| Kim Sperlich, Police Department |
Ruth Porter, Finance |
| Leona Oceania, Public Works |
Larissa Crockett, Administration |
| Magdalena Slawiec, SEDCO |
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Paul Johnson, Chair
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Don Hamill, Vice Chair
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Jean-Marie Caterina
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John Cloutier
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Betsy Gleysteen
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Peter Hayes
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Ken Johnson
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