Town of Scarborough

Board & Committee Newsletter

In this season of gratitude, the Town of Scarborough recognizes the value of our volunteer citizens who serve on several boards and committees working to enhance our community. This special edition newsletter reflects back on some board and committee accomplishments throughout the year. As we approach 2025, we look ahead to what's expected on the horizon. Lastly, new committee term limits mean that we say farewell to some of our dedicated members. Read on for more, then visit our Boards & Committees page for access to meeting agendas and the Town Calendar for a look at recent meetings and links to recordings.

This is a special edition of our regular newsletter. We'll send these periodically for a deeper dive on topics we don't want you to miss.

New this Year: In September 2024, the Scarborough Town Council approved a change to Chapter 302A-Town Committees/Board Manual. Starting on January 1, 2025, committee/board members shall serve not more than three (3) consecutive full terms of office and until your vacancy is filled on all committees/boards with one (1) year off before they can apply to the same committee/board. With this new change, there will be several vacancies in the new year. Scroll to the bottom of these newsletter for details on how to apply.

Planning Board

A Look Back

This year the Planning Board reviewed and approved several site plans including the Portland Rugby Club on Two Rod Road, Dunstan Village restaurant and tenant space, a new hotel on Mussey Road, the Higgins Beach Market total rebuild and the new Intermed-Remedy facility on Scarborough Downs Road. 

There were also notable subdivision reviews, including a 10-lot residential subdivision off of Pine Point Road (March Bend). While not approved yet, the Planning Board has also spent several meetings reviewing the proposed Fed Ex facility at the former Beech Ridge Speedway site.    

A Look Ahead

We anticipate the Downs development will bring forward several site plan submittals for the Downtown core area and the Board will continue to review other submittals as they come in.

One of the plans reviewed this year was a new 31,200 sq. ft. medical office building for an InterMed surgery center, office, and urgent care. The project will be located at the intersection of Scarborough Downs Road and the future public way. 

Long Range Planning Committee

The Long Range Planning Committee is one of the primary committees tasked with implementing the Town’s Comprehensive Plan, a 2021 document outlining a vision for the future of Scarborough.

A Look Back

The Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) was busy in 2024. They started the year off finalizing recommendations to the Commercial Design Standards consolidation project concerning site layout and architectural standards (Learn More). The Committee then started the lengthy task off reviewing parking ordinance requirements. They wrapped up the year discussing and making a recommendation concerning mobile food vendors courts, which would allow mobile food vendor plazas or sites in specific zoning areas of town (Learn More).

A Look Ahead

In 2025, the LRPC will continue discussing the Light Industrial zone and its boundaries and permitted uses. Ongoing discussion has occurred about the rural farming district and several areas of town that a village or small area master plan would be an appropriate way to implement the Comprehensive Plan.  

Coastal Waters and Harbor Advisory & Shellfish Committees

A Look Back

The year was full of change, from new leadership to upgrades at the Pine Point pier and grant opportunities. New cranes for commercial fishers were installed in February. There were also upgrades to the pedestrian pier, as well as to the pier lights, electrical, and ladders. Ahead of active summer season, the commercial lot was resurfaced and Officer Daryen Granata was hired as the New Harbormaster/Marine Resource Officer (MRO).

Since then, there has been a focus on reconfiguring the mooring field, which allowed for the addition of 30+ new moorings into the harbor. Meanwhile, both the Shellfish Conservation Ordinance and Coastal Waters & Harbor Ordinance were revised by the respective committees to update fees and waitlist details.

In late October, a pier dedication was held on the Pine Point Co-Op Pier to recognize former Harbormaster/MRO Dave Corbeau. His legacy was honored with a plaque stating, "For his steadfast efforts to the Working Waterfront and 36 years of dedicated service to the Town of Scarborough and waterfront community."

A Look Ahead

The committees will support the Harbormaster's goals for 2025. One goal is to add more moorings as the federal navigation project allows. They are also looking ahead into 2026 for infrastructure and boat ramp upgrades. The Harbormaster obtained numerous grants for infrastructure upgrades and maintenance this year, which will support these plans. The Town was also awarded a few grants from Prouts Neck Association and the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund to purchase surveillance equipment.

A conservation goal for 2025 is to start green crab trapping earlier during their molting season in April and May. The Shellfish Committee works on conservation efforts to maintain a sustainable shellfishery. As part of Scarborough's Shellfish Conservation Ordinance, harvesters are required to volunteer their time to protect soft shell clams. Part of that work entails mitigating the invasive green crab population, which has surged and is destructive to Maine's native shellfish populations. Additional new crab traps were purchased by the Town this summer, with a goal to have 20-30 added over the next few years.

Thank You

Thank you to Paul Erickson, whose term ends in 2024, for his continued commitment to the Shellfish Commission.

The Harbor Master/Marine Resource Officer has a Facebook page! Follow for updates, images and information on the marine resources and harbor management for the Town of Scarborough.

School Building Advisory Committee is on Phase II

A Look Back

After a defeat of the proposed unified school on the November 2023 ballot, a School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) formed in February to work on Phase I of finding a solution for Scarborough's schools. They developed exploratory concepts for four new school solutions and made their recommendations to the Town Council on June 27 to move the concepts forward. They were:

Concept 1: Build a fourth primary school (Renovate existing K-2s & add Pre-K)

Concept 2: New Grade 2-3 school (Consolidated; Existing primary schools become K-1)

Concept 3: Preserve the primary schools and Middle School (Build new additions at existing schools)

Concept 4: New K-3 community school (Consolidated; New build and repurpose existing school buildings)

A Look Ahead

In Phase II, the concepts will be vetted by professional design and engineering teams and will likely evolve. Costs will be validated and land options will be explored during this phase as well. The consultant selection is now complete and a joint workshop was held on November 21st with the Town Council and Board of Education to inform on the consultant selection process. After careful deliberation, the subcommittee unanimously recommended Harriman, a Portland-based firm, to lead this project. Harriman’s proposal stood out for its detailed alignment with the 15 RFQ criteria and its reflection of community feedback gathered through Scarborough’s Spring Community Survey. 

With Harriman now on board, the SBAC and the firm will work collaboratively to finalize a school solution that addresses the town’s educational needs and aligns with community priorities. The goal is to present this plan to voters in a referendum scheduled for November 2025.

Sustainability Committee Proposed New Ordinance & More

A Look Back

This year, the Sustainability Committee successfully advocated for Scarborough to adopt a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) ordinance. The ordinance provides commercial entities access to low-interest loans for energy efficiency projects. They also helped coordinate another successful Sustainable Scarborough Day in October. 

A Look Ahead

In 2025, the Sustainability Committee will explore an update to the Town's EV Charging Ordinance, seek funding for a Climate Action Plan, and begin work on a feasibility study for a municipal solar array.

Thank You

Thank you to Rick Meinking (member since 2009), Chair, and David Kirstein (member since 2013) for their service to the Sustainability Committee, as their terms come to an end.

Sustainable Scarborough Day 2024

(Credit: Frank Kastenholz)

Conservation Commission

A Look Back

The Conservation Commission focused on recommending improved vegetated buffers and increased setbacks around Scarborough's water resources. This effort is ongoing.

A Look Ahead

The Conservation Commission will continue to advocate for protections around Scarborough's water resources, especially wetlands. They will also begin work on a tree protection ordinance. 

Thank You

Thank you to committee member Marla Zando for her dedicated service to the Conservation commission! Her term ends at the end of 2024.

Transportation Committee: Transportation Study

A Look Back

This year the Transportation Committee has been focused on moving the Townwide Transportation Study forward. This included engaging with regional resources to become educated on what the State of Maine is focused on as well as the Region. Examples included PACTS Complete Streets Policy Update, Vision Zero program, and grant opportunities to improve our Transportation network. Over the past several months, the consultants evaluated our transportation network and identified next steps for design, further study or additional efforts. The Town's Transportation Committee has reviewed and provided comments along the way.

The Transportation Study is now ready for public review on our website. Town staff and consultants Barton & Loguidice and TYLin will be presenting key elements from the study during a Council Workshop on December 4th at 5:30pm. The Town is seeking public feedback on the Study, too. A form is available on the website to share your comments and will be reviewed by the Transportation committee. An updated version will go before the Council in the spring.

A Look Ahead

In the next year, the Transportation committee will be supporting the grant implementation of a "Safe Streets 4 All" federally funded Department of Transportation grant for two projects in Scarborough:

1) Multi-modal preliminary design work at the intersection of Route 1 and Sawyer Rd

2) Demonstration project for pedestrian crossing on Route 1 at Little Dolphin Rd 

A Look Back

Last January the Parks and Conservation Land Board (PCLB) made a recommendation to the Council to place a referendum question on the November 2024 ballot for residents to vote on authorizing the Town of Scarborough to issue new bonding authority in the range of $5 to $10 million. It was put on the November 5, 2024 ballot as $6 million along with a formal recommendation by the Town Council, and passed with a majority vote.

Meanwhile, the board continued their process of evaluating conservation land acquisition applications. Their recommendations were approved by the Town Council and the real estate transactions closed in 2024 for the following conservation land areas:

- Silver Brook Preserve - 50 Hanson Road - 18 acres

- Expanding Pleasant Hill Preserve - 162 Spurwink Road - 22.8 acres

- 80 Beech Ridge Road - 30.5 acres

-Silver Brook Preserve II - 65 Hanson Road - 129.7 acres (approved but real estate transaction hasn't closed yet)

A Look Ahead

The PCLB will continue their process of evaluating applications on an ongoing basis. They will also work on creating evaluation tools for all Land Bond authorized activities (e.g., historic preservation), as the current evaluation tool is for traditional land conservation.

Thank You

Thank you to member Rachel Hendrickson for her dedication to the board!

A Look Back

During 2024, the Community Services Advisory Board (CSAB) reviewed and inventoried their goals, focusing on broader community outreach and the work of the Community Center Ad Hoc Committee (concluded in July). They supported all of the work of this ad hoc committee and its recommendation to the Town Council. 

The CSAB also supported other Town issues relating to ordinances and fees. They reviewed several ordinances including Piping Plover and Animal/Dogs and provided recommended edits and updates to these policies. They reviewed Beach Fees and provided recommendations to the Town Council.

A Look Ahead

The CSAB will continue to work with other town committees, including the School Building Committee, to keep the momentum of the Community Center project. With the departure of Community Services Director Todd Souza, they are eager to welcome and work with the new Community Services Director. Meanwhile, they will continue to review and evaluate Community Services offerings to ensure that they meet residents needs and expectations.

Thank You

Thank you to Rick Murphy for his many years of dedicated service. The CSAB benefitted from his wisdom and experience!

Thank you to Community Services Director, Todd Souza for his incredible leadership. 

Both Todd and Rick will be greatly missed. 

Ad Hoc Community Center Committee

The Ad Hoc Community Center committee met from November 2023 to July 2024 and was tasked with reviewing the specifics of a potential future community center. The committee and consultants gave their final presentation on a Feasibility Study to the Town Council on August 21. After hearing the presentation and weighing in, the Town Council chose to hold on moving the project forward until there is a plan in place for a school solution. They planned to have it go to the Finance committee, which is working toward developing a multi-year Capital Facilities prioritization list representing $5M+ investments over the next 20 years. Having a feasibility study for the community center project ensures that the work is ready to move forward when and if the time comes.

Watch a Committee Meeting

Committee meetings are a great starting point for you to participate in particular topics of interest—they are less formal than Town Council meetings and allow ample opportunity for discussion. Find agendas on each individual webpage (all listed here), tune in on the Town's YouTube channel, or participate in person or on Zoom (link in the agenda). Committee meeting dates are listed on each committee page or on the Town Calendar.

Apply to Join a Committee

We also invite you to consider joining a committee. Your time and expertise would have tremendous impact on the Town. Our municipal government relies on the volunteer service of residents on boards and committees. If you are interested in serving on a committee, apply online today.

The following boards/committees currently have vacancies:

• ADA Advisory Committee

• Senior Advisory Board

With terms expiring and reappointments not guaranteed, there are a lot of possible openings on December 31, 2024. Be sure to check our website for a revised list of vacancies in the new year, or submit your application with the anticipation of upcoming vacancies.

Applications are reviewed monthly by our Appointments and Negotiations Committee.