It's a time of transition as we reacquaint with back-to-school routines, off-season beach rules, and gear up for the November election. The Town Council will prepare for the transition of new councilors after the election. Early voting begins on October 5, so read on below to see what's on the ballot. There are also community engagement events coming up, like Candidates Night, library programs, and Conversations with Councilors. Thanks for being an engaged participant of the Town of Scarborough.

Summer Photo Contest Winners Announced!

The 100+ entries we received in our summer photo contest are a great reminder of the active community and beautiful setting we have here in Scarborough! Thank you to all who shared their summer memories in categories ranging from "Golden Hour" sunsets to "Beach Days" (lots and lots of beach days!). We're excited to announce the winners, chosen by your vote...

Winners will be notified directly and will receive a gift card prize from one of several Scarborough businesses: Cafe Luna, The Dairy Corner, El Rayo, and Nonesuch River Brewing.

Beach Days Category Winner: "Sunset on the Beach" by Maddox Thornton

Nature & Wildlife Category Winner: "Tiny Dancer" by Michelle Blake

Golden Hour Category Winner: "Sunset Grande" by Ken Sabatini

Scenic Views Category Winner: "Wildflowers" by Karie Kennedy

Community & Summer Fun Category Winner: "Fisherman's Co-op, Night Shift" by Ken Sabatini

Fiscal Year 2027 Tax Rate Set, Tax Bills Mailed

FY 2026-2027 assessments were committed on August 19, 2026. The mill rate is $11.68 per $1,000 valuation for the 2027 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. The new rate applies to the taxes due on October 15, 2026 and March 15, 2027. Fall tax bills were mailed last week.

Pay your property taxes online, by mail, or by coming into our Revenue Office (main floor to the right of the entrance) during business hours.

Town Council Meeting This Wednesday, September 16th

The Town Council has a regular meeting this Wednesday, September 16th at 7:00pm. They will also have an executive session at 5:30pm to consult with legal counsel regarding Federal immigration activities.

Regular Meeting (7:00pm)

Here are some highlights for tomorrow's Council meeting. View the full agenda.

First Reading on Proposed Changes to Temporary Signs: The Town became aware that the existing Temporary Sign regulations were not in compliance with state law, and need to make substantive changes in order to address this. For the time being, seasonal political signs will adhere to the existing regulations until the revisions are adopted.

First Reading on Proposed Changes to Ordinance regarding Data Centers: The Town Council will review the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to the definitions of Data Center uses. This comes after the Council enacted an emergency moratorium for Data Center uses on June 3rd, which provided the Town 180 days to study the impact of data centers and make amendments to the ordinance. After Sustainability Committee and staff review, and Ordinance Committee discussion, it is recommended that data center use not be permitted in any zoning district. If this first reading is approved as recommended, it will go to the Planning Board for review and then back to the Town Council for a public hearing.

Other Upcoming Council Topics & Schedule Notes

Council to Meet on September 30th (Rescheduled from October 7th)

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Town Council will meet on September 30th instead of their regularly scheduled meeting on October 7th.

October Meetings Relocated to Public Safety Building

Due to 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.

Scottow Hill Road

The Town Council received notice that notification of a grant award, which they were expecting to hear this month, has been delayed. In light of this, they will hold a workshop on September 30th at 6:00pm to discuss next steps and options for moving forward.

Climate Action Plan

See below for details on a newly released draft Climate Action Plan, which will ultimately serve as a roadmap to reduce greenhouse gas pollution throughout town. The Council will host a workshop on the plan on October 21st.

Portland West Transportation Study

While there is no set workshop or active council involvement, the Council plans to stay engaged in the Maine Department of Transportation's Portland West Project (the next iteration of the Maine Turnpike Authority's Gorham Connector). MDOT has a set of five alternatives to improve safety, mobility, and congestion along the Route 114 and Route 22 corridors west of Portland. This will be discussed by the Transportation Committee in their September 29th meeting, and there are also community meetings on Tuesday, September 22 (5:00-7:30pm, Shaw Gym in Gorham) and Thursday, September 24 (6:00-7:30pm, Virtual - Register).

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 on Wednesday, October 21. 

Share Feedback in Post-Installation Survey

Do you pass through the Little Dolphin/Hannaford Drive area of Route One and have thoughts on the temporary traffic safety installations? As the project nears its conclusion, project lead Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) wants to hear your input in a post-installation survey.

Project Background

The Greater Portland Council of Governments and Town of Scarborough are working to improve safety for everyone who uses our roads—especially for people who walk, bike, or roll.

This summer, three demonstration projects were implemented in the Greater Portland region through the Safe Streets for All grant program, guided by Vision Zero, and with the goal of addressing safety concerns on critical corridors and intersections.

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by changing the way we design our roads and systems to ensure safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. A central part of the Vision Zero action plan is to install a series of low-cost, temporary road safety improvement projects.

A demonstration project uses low-cost temporary materials to test out proposed improvements before investing large sums of money. They also give the community a chance to provide feedback on proposed improvements before they become permanent. Learn more about the project.

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.

November Election: Meet the Candidates

The following candidates will be on the ballot this November to fill the open seats:

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

Isha Agarwal

Lawrence W. Cain (Incumbent)

Samuel J. Cofone

Sean P. Flaherty

Denise R. Hamilton

Jessica Sargent

Russell Wayne Werts

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

Andrew N. Guillerault

Stephen Z. Zamierowski

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

Matthew P. Garrett

Jason A. Greenleaf

Denis J. Lafreniere Jr.

Benjamin T. McDougal

Candidates Night is September 22

All candidates on the ballot will be invited to partake in a Candidates Night for the public to learn more about them and their background. It will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:00pm in Council Chambers (Town Hall) and recorded for YouTube (Scarborough Maine Public Meetings channel). Moderator Kevin Freeman will introduce candidates and have them give opening statements and answer a series of questions. It will be in Council Chambers at Town Hall and recorded.

Early Voting Starts October 5

Early voting will be available in Council Chambers at Town Hall beginning on Monday, October 5th during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday, 7:00am-5:00pm). Vote early to avoid election day lines and come in on your own schedule.

Radio Project on the November Ballot

The radio project referendum question will ask if voters approve a total cost of up to $6 million for investments into a new radio system for several Town and School departments as well as Old Orchard Beach.

Issues With Current Radio System

Outdated equipment: Pictured here is the current radio in the Public Safety Mobile Command Center, which is used as on-the-ground dispatch for major events in town to divert those calls from going to the main dispatch center. Radio equipment upgrades would make the mobile command center more efficient and streamline processes.

Coverage gaps: All public safety vehicles, like the Fire Chief truck pictured here, include radio equipment. The farther away from radio towers they are, the more likely they are to experience coverage gaps when trying to communicate over the radio. This brings safety concerns and difficulty operating efficiently in emergency situations.

November Election: Request an Absentee Ballot

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. If you plan to vote prior to election day or want to avoid the lines, it's time to request an absentee ballot.

Request an absentee ballot online. Absentee ballots will be mailed when they are available in early October.

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

Now Hiring: Election Warden

The Town of Scarborough is seeking an Election Warden to oversee municipal elections. There are typically two elections each year. The Election Warden is responsible for enforcing the law governing voting and counting procedures at the voting place over which the warden has jurisdiction on election day. This part-time position is expected to work up to 8 days per year. On Election Day, the Warden must be available for the full day, generally from 5:00 a.m. until approximately 10:00 p.m., with scheduled breaks for provided lunch and dinner. The Warden must remain at the polling place while the polls are open and throughout the counting of ballots. Some elections may also require the Warden to work one or two half-days in the days leading up to the election to assist with absentee ballot processing.

All job applicants are required to apply online. Applications must be received by Sunday, September 27, 2026. For additional information call (207) 730-4020 or email kbarth@scarboroughmaine.org.

Honoring National Police Woman Day

Top: Sergeant Mary Pearson (Retired), Deputy Chief Marla St. Pierre (Retired); Middle: Officer Melissa Diclemente, Detective Holly Thompson, Officer Sarah Fasulo, Officer Alyvia Cormier, Officer Robyn Gudaitis; Bottom: Officer Taylor Owen, Officer Samantha Allen, Officer Lauren Bartlett, Digital Systems Technician Kristie McLaughlin

Saturday, September 12 was National Police Woman Day, set to recognize the contribution of female police officers. Only about 10% of the police force in the United States is made up of women. Scarborough Police Department extended the recognition to a full week to honor our nine female police staff (and two retired). 

Ask & Answer: Where do I go for passport services?

Did you know that Scarborough Community Services can help you submit your passport application? We take appointments at the Community Services Hub (418 Payne Road) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am - 11:00am and on Wednesdays from 9:00am - 5:00pm. 

If an appointment during the work and school day isn’t convenient for you, we are offering a drop-in Passport Day on Wednesday, November 25th from 9:00am - 2:00pm (day before Thanksgiving). We will have several agents and stations ready to accept passports on a first come, first serve basis. Stop in to prepare for your next trip, or simply to ask questions and learn more about the process!

Passports are currently taking around 4-6 weeks to process, but there is an option to pay an additional $60 for expedited service which will shorten the processing time to 2-3 weeks. These estimations do not include mailing time, so please be sure to factor additional time for that. While we send everything Priority, you will also have the option to update your mailing to Priority Express. All of these additional services and their associated fees can be discussed during your appointment.

For more information on what is required to apply for a passport or to set up an appointment, 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.

Mark Your Calendars! Passport Day

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

Community Services Hub

418 Payne Road, Scarborough 

See all programs and instructions to register

Clay Pits Boat Ramp Closed Friday for Improvements

The public boat ramp at Clay Pits Road will be closed this Friday, September 18 from 6:00am to 6:00pm for routine maintenance. Thank you for your patience as we make some improvements.

Save the Date: 5th Annual Jr. Firefighter Muster on October 25th

The Town of Scarborough Fire Department will host the 5th Annual Maine Junior Firefighters Muster on Sunday, October 25 from 10:00am-3:00pm. This event is open to all Maine Fire Departments and Vocational Technical Schools with Junior and/or Explorer Firefighter Programs for youth ages 14–18, and the public is encouraged to attend as spectators. These programs are essential to the future of the fire service in Maine, and this muster is a great opportunity to recognize and support the next generation of firefighters.

People of Scarborough Receive Land Trust's Award

We are honored that the Scarborough Land Trust selected the People of Scarborough as the recipient of its annual Conservationist of the Year Award for 2026. Scarborough's residents have shown a decades-long commitment to conservation, most recently with their support of the Town's 30x30 initiative (to conserve 30% of land by 2030) and replenishment of the land bond in the 2025 referendum election to continue to conserve land parcels as opportunities arise. 



Town Council Chair, Cory Fellows, accepted the award on behalf of residents at SLT's recent Broadturn Farm Bash event.

Vacancy on Parks and Conservation Land Board

Interested in supporting conservation in Scarborough on a deeper level? Consider joining the Parks and Conservation Land Board (PCLB), which meets every other month to recommend and advise the Town Council on land acquisitions. Fill out our online application form to express interest in this committee, where there is a current vacancy to be filled.

Coming in October: Conversations With Councilors Neighborhood Listening Sessions

While dates are still being confirmed, be on the lookout for information coming soon on the next round of our Conversations with Councilors series. This is where 2-3 councilors hold evening sessions in neighborhoods throughout town, coming to residents to learn about the issues in their area and engage in informal discussions to connect community members together. More to come!

Council Corner: Notes on a Season of Change

By Cory Fellows, Town Council Chair

Happy New Year! That may sound odd in mid-September, but in some ways the period following Labor Day can feel like a time of new beginnings. Summer crowds and traffic give way to commuters and school buses. Children begin their educational journeys or start new grades with new teachers and new material. Football, soccer and other fall sports ramp up. Autumn colors start to emerge. And the air just feels different, even on those lingering warm days that make this time of year the favorite of many year-rounders.

There is a similar feeling of anticipation and change on the Scarborough Town Council. With just three meetings left before the next iteration of the Council is sworn in, we are working hard to advance and achieve resolution on key items such as a data center ordinance, a plan for Scottow Hill Road, and potential action related to ICE’s Scarborough presence. There will of course be areas in which our work will carry over into the next Council year; we will need to continue to manage growth, pursue transportation improvements, and invest prudently in our schools while remaining mindful of property tax burdens. And that doesn’t count the inevitable surprises that will crop up and require attention.

This November’s Council transition will be especially noteworthy since three seats – including two open ones – will be on the ballot. That means we will welcome at least two new members, and I look forward to serving alongside whoever the people of Scarborough elect. That transition will be eased by the excellent staff at Town Hall, who provide invaluable support for Council deliberations and implement the policies that the Council enacts. They also serve as a critical source of continuity since the Council’s staggered terms mean it is always evolving.

Seven people have stepped up to run for the three contested Council seats this cycle, along with two for the one open Board of Education seat. There are also multiple candidates running for three Sanitary District seats. This is an unprecedented level of candidate participation, and I’m highly encouraged that so many from our community have chosen to step up. I urge everyone to attend or tune into Candidates Night on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:00. The SEDCO-sponsored forum will be held at Town Hall in the Council chambers, and a video recording will be available. 

In addition to the local races mentioned above and several state and federal contests, the ballot will include a referendum question on a proposed $6 million bond to support a Scarborough Public Safety radio communications upgrade. This is a substantial investment in replacing outdated critical communication infrastructure used by our first responders. More information about that proposal and the funding that is being actively pursued through other sources will be available as election day approaches. 

In keeping with the themes of change and appreciation, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the two Councilors who are stepping away from us: Jon Anderson and Bill Donovan. Both have given an immeasurable amount of time and energy to Scarborough through their Council tenures and their service on numerous boards, committees and community organizations. Jon has done so while raising school-aged children who are active in sports and other activities, and while working at a demanding “day job” – all with a relentlessly positive and solution-oriented attitude. Bill has served multiple non-consecutive Council terms spanning some of the most consequential periods our town has experienced. His measured approach and municipal law background served him and the town well, and he has been a tireless champion of causes such as the Scarborough Public Library and piping plovers – for which he is a dedicated beach monitor. Both have been models of preparation, service and leadership, and I wish them the best. Of course I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of them, and for that I’m also grateful.

As always, please feel free to contact me at cfellows@scarboroughmaine.org with your thoughts or questions. 

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.

Upcoming Programs at Scarborough Public Library

Potluck & Games for All Ages!

Friday, September 18 (Fridays monthly)

5:00-7:30pm

Drop-in

Bring the whole family, a couple of friends, or come on your own for this intergenerational party! Play games, 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.

Immigration in Greater Portland, Past and Present

Tuesday, September 22, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Register

Historian Seth Goldstein will discuss the various waves of immigration that have contributed to Portland’s current diversity, from the migration of the Wabanaki to Casco Bay, to the forced migration of enslaved Africans during the colonial period. He then shares information about immigration to the region from western, southern and eastern Europe and migration to Greater Portland in the 21st Century. 

Dismantling Democracy: 53 Days in Nazi Germany

Thursday, September 24, 12:00pm-1:00pm

Register

This program explores the critical weeks following Hitler’s appointment as chancellor in 1933, when the Nazi Party legally and systematically dismantled the democratic foundations of the Weimar Republic. Grounded in primary sources and historical context, the program offers an opportunity to learn and talk about this pivotal moment in history—one that reminds us how quickly democratic institutions can erode.

How to Talk About Climate Change, with Keith Carson

Monday, September 28, 1:00-2:00pm

Register

Climate change is one of the most important issues in the world, but there's a problem— messaging around the topic has turned many people away. Drawing on almost 20 years of statewide feedback communicating about climate and the environment, Keith Carson will explain which words, phrases, and messages spur action and which send people into their political bunkers. He will cite specific campaigns that worked and others that backfired, while offering advice each audience member can apply to their role in the fight for the environment and against climate change.