It's been one year since the world shifted and disrupted the normalcy of our daily lives. A number of lessons have come out of the course of this time, but one that stands out is that togetherness doesn't necessarily mean being in the same room. By living and working in Scarborough, we are all a community even while miles apart. Read on for updates from the town that ties us together:

While Town Hall remains open to the public during regular hours, all council and committee meetings are virtual. See the Town Calendar for agendas, Zoom & YouTube links (posted by end of day Friday of the week prior)

The second half of your property tax bill is due today, Monday, March 15, 2021. Use our convenient and safe portal to make an online payment. Click Here to make a payment.

The Town of Scarborough has tax relief available to residents. Exemptions are:

*Full details & requirements on our website

Additional resources are available for eligible senior residents. Click Here to learn more.

Exemption applications can be emailed to ebehn@scarboroughmaine.org (with a wet signature, electronic signatures are not accepted), mailed, or dropped off at Town Hall.

When & Where?: Explore & solve to find out!

A very special bunny is planning a surprise visit to Scarborough this spring! Can you find all the clues around town to find out when and where? Use this template to decode the location, date, and time of our EGGciting drive-thru event!

How to Solve: Five of our local parks hold the answers you’ll need to fill in the blanks. Visit to find the eggs at:

"Today, some 44 years later, I am announcing my retirement on July 3, 2021. It truly has been an honor. As the time gets closer I will have many more thoughts to share about our great community, the support that I have received from three terrific town managers, the cooperation that exists between all town departments, and certainly the wonderful men and women that I have had the pleasure to work with as officers, dispatchers, support staff, animal control, marine resource, VIPS, fire/police officers, crossing guides, explorers, and custodians. Each and every one of these folks serve a vital part in making our department successful and I am very proud of their efforts and accomplishments."

Please be aware of upcoming construction happening this spring on Gorham Rd (Rt. 114) through the summer months: Unitil Corporation, a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, will be replacing 3,000 feet of pipe on Gorham Road between the Nonesuch River near Ridgeway Road and Dragon Fly Drive as part of a coordinated effort with the Scarborough Sanitary District and the Town of Scarborough.

This gas pipe replacement work is being done in conjunction with the replacement of the sanitary force main to relocate existing pipelines in advance of a planned Municipal Roadway Improvement Project on Gorham Road in this same area next year. The gas and force main pipeline work is expected to begin this spring and last through the end of August. During construction activities, speeds will be reduced within the work zones and heavy truck traffic will be detoured to Haigis Parkway and Payne Road. There will be no interruption to the natural gas service.

The press release includes a map of the area impacted by construction.

The last twelve months have been a period of uncertainty almost none of us have ever encountered, emotionally, professionally, and economically. As we arrive at the onset of the municipal budget season—the same stage we were at when the pandemic shuttered Maine last year—we humbly enter this new budget season with a priority for restoration. The COVID-19 pandemic placed multiple challenges and constraints on the Town Council when formulating the current FY21 budget.

Many of the deferred costs from the past year will need to be fully realized in the FY22 budget. On March 31, I will be presenting a proposed FY22 budget to the Town Council commencing July 1, 2021. Like much of the rest of the country, we are looking forward to a return to some level of normalcy in FY22. We look forward to engaging with our community through the upcoming budget process and continue to meet the needs and demands of Scarborough.

If there's one takeaway from this winter, for Josh Roy, Public Works Assistant Operations Supervisor, it's the need for ongoing safety awareness when driving in poor conditions. "I have had a dedicated plow run for my entire 14-year career here at Scarborough Public Works and have experienced every type of weather that a Maine winter has to offer. Over the last few years, despite the numerous flashing amber lights on my plow truck, I’ve had more and more 'near misses' with traffic coming the opposite direction on a two-lane road." Learn more about the new lights being adhered to our fleet for the 2021/22 season.

Household hazardous waste collection days are scheduled for the following dates:

Scarborough residents may participate in all three events at no cost. Proof of residency required.

Click Here to view full flyer

A full year after the pandemic was declared, the Scarborough Fire Department has vaccinated more than 1,200 public safety professionals representing Cumberland County, State Police, County Sheriffs, Wardens Service, Forest Service, State Fire Marshal’s office, Marine Patrol, and courthouse security officers.

Earlier this week we delivered our last 120 second doses to successfully complete our mission. Based on the close proximity of the mass-vaccination clinic in Scarborough, we have consciously decided not to take on a public vaccination role at this time. However, we are willing to fill any gaps and support any current programs if the needs arise in the future. Thank you to our EMS professionals for a critically important job very well done!

Signs of spring signal that it's time to freshen up our living and working spaces. The crews at the Dunstan Station, under the direction of Lt. Nate Bennett, recently underwent an annual inventory and gear inspection process for structural protective equipment in the Fire Department. This is an important step in prolonging the life cycle of our protective clothing and planning a replacement timeline. It also ensures the gear is in safe condition for use. Get a glimpse from Lieutenant Nate Bennett on what it entails to maintain the fire gear.

Watch the video to learn more!

Start making your summer plans! If you or anyone you know is looking for seasonal work in an outdoor setting, apply to one of these positions before March 28.

While you are dreaming of fun adventures amidst these current travel restrictions, take this as an opportunity to renew your passport or apply for your first-time passport. Due to COVID-19, there have been significant delays with mail and passport operations, leading to increased processing times. Once submitted, expect to receive a passport in 10-12 weeks. If you have plans to travel sooner, the U.S. Department of State has reintroduced the option to expedite passport applications ($60 per application, received within 4-6 weeks). 

Community Services is your local passport acceptance facility. Passport services available by appointment Tuesday-Thursday, 9:00am-3:00pm at 418 Payne Road in Scarborough. Please contact our Acceptance Facility Manager at 207-730-4158 to set up an appointment.

For more information, including forms and fees, please visit Travel.State.Gov.

The Charter Review Committee began meeting in January and is made up of 9 residents, 3 liaisons (two town councilors and one Board of Education member), and Town staff. The committee takes input from many residents for suggested charter amendments on an ongoing basis. They are tracking all potential amendments in a tracker document. 

So, what comes next? The Charter Review Committee will wrap up its work over the next several weeks and send recommendations to the Town Council. The Town Council will then begin the process of reviewing the CRC recommendations and voting on which amendments to send to referendum for the November 2021 ballot. The town will seek to communicate the process and the amendments throughout the process in various forums to help educate voters before the election. Your input and participation are crucial in shaping this “taproot expression of local control”.  It’s your town. It’s your charter. Be a part of the process!

The full Committee meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. The subcommittee meeting times vary, but all are posted on the town calendar. All meetings are held virtually (Zoom links listed in each agenda). Public participation at every meeting is highly encouraged and is very helpful to the process, but meetings are also recorded and minutes are posted for those unable to attend. Additionally, you can email the entire committee or submit an online comment to provide input. Please also feel free to reach out to your Town Councilors with input and questions about the charter.

Scarborough Town Council

Paul Johnson, Chair • Don Hamill, Vice Chair • Jonathan Anderson • Jean-Marie Caterina • John Cloutier • Betsy Gleysteen • Ken Johnson

Town Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7 PM. Visit our online calendar for links to attend and view agendas.

Jen Adams • Laurie Alves • Patricia Brigham • Aiden Bristol • Cathy Ducey • Alicia Giftos • Amy Glidden • Amy Johnston • Leanne Kazilionis • Sue Ketch • Alison Marchese • Sarah Mullen • Julie Mueller

The committee will undergo interview training on March 15 and conduct interviews with board-recommended candidates on March 22 and 23. The committee will then make recommendations on which candidates will advance to the next round of interviews with the full board.

Please reach out with any questions or comments at boe@scarboroughschools.org.

Thursday, March 25 at 6:30pm

Frith Farm's Sarah Coburn will share how to get started for the very beginner, using examples from her farm. Whether the pandemic has inspired you to grow vegetables or you’ve dabbled in growing vegetables on your own, there’s a lot to know and do in the important months of the winter and early spring. Set yourself up for a successful spring and a significant summer bounty by focusing on preparing beds and starting seeds at the right time! Click Here to learn more and register.

There are several openings on the Library's Board of Trustees to be filled this spring as long-serving members approach the end of their terms. The Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations. Learn more about these essential volunteers and how to nominate.

Monday 10am-5pm • Tuesday 10am-5pm • Wednesday 10am-6pm • Thursday 10am-5pm • Friday 10am-5pm • Saturday 10am-2pm • Sunday Closed

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