Fall is a great time to get more involved in your town! An upcoming election relies on your vote, so read on to learn more about what will be on the ballot. Have you ever seen a Town Council meeting? Council meetings are a great way to get a snapshot of what's currently being discussed in your town. And it's convenient with several ways to join—from in-person at Town Hall, to viewing live on Channel 3 or YouTube, or offering public comment via Zoom. Start now!: Town Council meets tonight, Wednesday September 15 at 6pm. Watch here on YouTube. |
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COVID-19 Update: The state of Maine is categorized as having a high level of community transmission of COVID-19. Click Here to view the U.S.CDC county tracker map, updated daily. Face coverings are recommended in Town offices.
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After Labor Day: Off-Season at Town Beaches |
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After Labor Day-May 14: Dogs allowed on beaches; must be on leash from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. When off-leash dog access is permitted, dogs must be under voice and sight control.
Parking: Parking fees are no longer collected after Labor Day
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Tax Payments: First Due on October 15
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FY 2021-2022 assessments were committed on August 12, 2021. The mill rate is $15.02 per $1,000 valuation for taxes due. Fall tax bills were sent out in late August. This year's due dates are Friday, October 15, 2021 for the first half and Tuesday, March 15, 2022 for the second half.
How to Pay: Online, In-Person in the Revenue Office at Town Hall, or by mail to Tax Collector, 259 U.S. Route 1 / P.O. Box 360, Scarborough, ME 04070.
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If you have any questions, please contact the Revenue Office (regarding payments) at 730-4010 or the Assessing Office (regarding your property value assessment) at 730-4060.
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Election Day: Tuesday November 2, 2021
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The State Referendum Election and the Scarborough Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
Location: Scarborough High School, 11 Municipal Drive, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Early Voting by Absentee Ballot: Available beginning on Monday, October 4th at Town Hall during regular business hours.
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For further information on Absentee Voting and Voter Registration, please contact the
Scarborough Town Clerk's Office at (207) 730-4020.
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Your Vote Counts: Prepare to Cast Your Ballot
With Election Day around the corner, make sure you are ready to cast your ballot.
Once registered, you have two ways to cast your ballot:
Request an Absentee Ballot. Submit an electronic request form, or print the form and submit to the Town Clerk no less than one week before election day. All absentee ballots must be received no later than 8:00 p.m. EDT on Election Day.
Vote in Person. Vote at Scarborough High School on November 2, 2021. Maine State Law allows you to register and vote in person on Election Day.
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Click Here to learn more about requesting an absentee ballot, either electronically or printing out a form.
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Meet the Candidates: Thursday, September 30
The Scarborough Community Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Candidates Night forum on Thursday September 30 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Given the recent Covid-19 Delta variant surge, this year’s event will be virtual only with Chamber member Kevin Freeman serving as moderator.
Event Schedule
6:15-6:20pm Introductions
6:20-6:30pm Sanitary District
6:30-7:30pm Board of Education
7:30-9:00pm Town Council
The event will be broadcast live online via YouTube and Scarborough Community Television. Find links to view or participate on our Town Calendar (links will be made available as the date nears). |
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On the Ballot: Turf & Track Replacement Project
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The following question will be asked of voters on the November 2, 2021 Municipal Ballot:
Shall the Order entitled “ORDER AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF UP TO $1,900,800 IN BONDS OF THE TOWN TO FUND THE COST OF THE HIGH SCHOOL TURF FIELD AND TRACK REPLACEMENT” be approved?
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The original track was installed in 1979 and has been resurfaced twice in the last 42 years. The most recent resurfacing occurred in 2006 when the turf field was initially installed. At the time of installation, the turf field had a warranty period of eight (8) years which expired in 2014 and a projected ten (10) year useful lifespan which ended in 2016.
Much like the brakes on your vehicle, the track and turf field need to be replaced on a regular basis for safety reasons. The town has done general maintenance and upkeep on the facilities to ensure a safe playing surface over the years, including an extra 600lbs of rubber installed on the turf field to improve the cushion for our athletes. Over the past few years, mitigation efforts have become more costly and less effective at maintaining the safety of the facility. The fibers and seams are so worn down that the rubber pellets are rising up and often fill cleats and sneakers of anyone on the field. In the very near future, seasonal repairs will not be enough to maintain a safe standard for community and school use; a replacement is the only solution.
These facilities are used by the general community and our students on a near daily basis. Scarborough schools have 27 different teams using the full facility throughout the school year. From Fall 2018 to Summer 2019, there were over 1,100 hours of scheduled use by 18 different user groups. This does not include hours it was used recreationally by community members.
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Stay tuned over the coming weeks for opportunities to see the conditions and ask questions before the November 2 referendum. You can get in touch with the Town Council and Board of Education via email: towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org and boe@scarboroughschools.org.
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Coming Up: Another question on the November 2 referendum asks Scarborough voters if they are in favor of authorizing up to $725,000 in bonds to fund the cost of a new fire truck. We'll dive more into this in the October newsletter.
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Community Services: Child & Senior Programs
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Senior Program Highlight:
Movie Matinee
Come watch a movie with us! We're hosting a monthly Movie Matinee at our Hub (418 Payne Road) on Thursday mornings. Movies start at 10:00 am and there will be a brief intermission halfway through. First up, Casablanca! Please call to register by 2:00pm on the Thursday prior so we have enough seats and popcorn.
Community Services has more September programs for seniors! View the brochure online or for pick-up at the Library or Community Services Hub.
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Another fun one coming up: Active Game Day, September 30 (10am-12pm), Free. Come play some active games in our gym! We will have cornhole, shuffleboard, washer toss, darts, and bowling. No registration necessary. |
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Plover Program: A Few Spots Left!
Our enrichment program began this week and participants are already working on learning new routines, meeting new friends, and even working on letters. This weekday morning program is open to children ages 4-5 entering Grade K in school year 2022-23. There is still some availability: For more information, email comserv@scarboroughmaine.org or call (207) 730-4150 so we can answer your questions and schedule a tour of the space.
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We're learning the letter A this week! This includes "apple" prints and making applesauce. |
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Children's Program Highlights
Mini Kick Soccer Ages 2.5 to 4; October 5-26, Tuesdays at Noon
Soccer for the little ones! This program teaches basic soccer skills through fun games, giving kids the opportunity to interact and socialize in the team sport. Parents are encouraged to stay through the program.
NEW Lego Programs Check back for more dates!
When we announced our first Lego Program—Halloween themed—it reached capacity after only one day of registration! We are still accepting waitlist enrollments and are currently making plans for more Lego build sessions. Keep an eye out in Community Services emails and their Facebook page for additional dates.
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Learn more about the available kids recreational programs in the Fall Community Services digital brochure, updated regularly. Click Here to view a flip-through version of the digital brochure.
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Get Involved: Join a Town Board/Committee |
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Do you have an interest in a particular Town issue, and are ready to get more involved? The Town of Scarborough appoints members to several committees. Please consider volunteering! Serving on a committee is a wonderful way to learn more about our community, meet our neighbors, and contribute to our town’s success. |
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Current Vacancies
Board of Assessment Review: Reviews appeals from decisions of the Assessor regarding applications for abatement of property taxes. Learn More
Coastal Waters & Harbor Committee: Establishes regulations for marine activities within harbors, waterways and tidal waters. Learn More
Conservation Commission: Increase awareness of the value of our natural resources, identifies potential damage to natural areas and encourages stewardship. Learn More
Pest Management Committee: Develops and oversees a pest management program. Learn more.
Transportation Committee: Studies Town transportation issues and initiatives. Makes recommendations to the Town Council on system improvements. Learn more.
Zoning Board: Hears a range of different types of appeals and special exceptions as specified in the Zoning Ordinance. Learn more.
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Complete an online application or print one to return in person to the Town Clerk's Office.
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School Drop-Offs? Limit Vehicle Idling
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Happy back to school, Scarborough! With the return of school drop off lines, we want to remind you that you can save money and reduce air pollution by turning off your vehicle if you're idling for more than 10 seconds.
Americans waste nearly 4 million gallons of fuel by idling EVERY DAY! That's equal to:
- 5 Olympic-size swimming pools filled with fuel
- 40,000 tons of CO2
- And more than $14,000,000
On Facebook, we shared Sustainable America's 8 reasons for turning off an idling car. Click Here to take their pledge to be idle-free. |
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Can you guess the 8 reasons to turn off an idling car? See how many you can get, then head here!
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Council Corner: Tax Rate Set & Future Investments
By Jon Anderson, Town Councilor
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It’s that time of year! Tax bills arrived in the mail and new capital investments will be coming on the November 2nd ballot for referendum (read more above on how you can vote!). The Town Council plays a critical role in shaping both of these efforts. Early in 2022 budget planning, the Council set a goal for the residential property tax rate (often referred to as the mil rate) to not exceed 3%. We met this goal by approving a budget with an estimated mil rate increase of 2.78%, and its final rate was calculated even lower, at $15.02, or a 1.08% increase from 2021. |
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This was a tough year for many due to COVID, and the Town deliberately deferred many expenses in 2021 to fiscal year 2022. The increase in property values, additional state revenues, increase in excise taxes, and GPA support has allowed Scarborough to limit the impact to taxpayers while recovering deferred expenses. This excludes the nearly $2M in federal funds that have yet to be allocated (except to providing hazard pay to our public safety employees), which may be able to help stabilize the tax rate in future years.
In addition to maintaining this stability, Scarborough continues to invest in our future. Because all capital expenditures over $400K require voter approval, two items which will come to referendum in the Fall election for voter approval are a 1996 fire truck replacement ($725K), and turf and track renovation ($1.9M). (A third project, renovations of the Hurd Park/Pine Point beach facility and parking, is being deferred and will be reconsidered as part of a broader parks and recreation facilities renovation plan).
The fire engine has been in service for 26 years and is being replaced in accordance with the Fire Department's replacement program. It was originally assigned to the busiest station before it was transferred to Pine Point halfway through its life. It’s now used as a reserve apparatus that fills when another truck is out of service for maintenance.
The School put forward the Turf Field and Track Replacement again after it did not pass in the 2019 referendum. At that time, voters were asked to approve the $1.2M replacement, but 54% were not in support. The Town and School have continued to maintain the field, but a 2021 Field Condition Assessment Report again recommended it be replaced. The longer we defer this, the more costly it will become. I encourage everyone to learn more and support it at the
polls this November. Look for more communication from the Schools on this and please don’t forget to vote on November 2nd.
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This article has been excerpted. Click the button above to read the full article. |
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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council. |
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Scarborough Town Council
Paul Johnson, Chair • Don Hamill, Vice Chair • Jonathan Anderson • Jean-Marie Caterina • John Cloutier • Ken Johnson
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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. |
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Work With Us: Now Hiring 9-1-1 Dispatchers
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Join the Town of Scarborough Public Safety team and serve our community as a dispatcher. Responsibilities include communication equipment operations in a law enforcement communications center, communications support and computer information processing to the Police, Fire and Rescue response to requests for assistance from the public. Apply online by September 19.
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Spend Time Outdoors with Scarborough Land Trust
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Scarborough Public Library: Library Card Sign-Up Month
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Mapping Maine with Osher Map Library
Tuesday, September 21 at 6:30pm
Dr. Matthew Edney will deliver a virtual presentation on the Osher Map Library’s Maine Bicentennial Exhibition, Mapping Maine: The Land and Its Peoples, 1677-1842. The overview will show images of the exhibit and additional items from the OML collection. Digital maps of Scarborough’s marshes – an important part of Scarborough’s early and present history – will also be included. Registration is required.
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Butterflies of Maine: Biology, Identification, & Conservation
Tuesday, October 12 at 7:00pm
The Friends of Scarborough Marsh join the Library to present Dr. Phillip deMaynadier, who will introduce us to the butterflies of Maine, including those we can expect to see in Scarborough. Butterflies and moths are a diverse and ecologically important group of animals who are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Learn more from a wildlife biologist who has been studying at-risk wildlife and their habitats with Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife for 22 years! Registration is required.
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Library Hours
Monday – 9am to 5pm • Tuesday – 9am to 7pm • Wednesday – 9am to 7pm • Thursday – 9am to 7pm • Friday – 9am to 5pm • Saturday – 9am to 5pm • Sunday – Closed
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Click on the calendar event to view Town Council meeting Zoom links |
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Our mission is to keep you informed about town events and activities. |
Your Newsletter Team
Tody Justice, Town Clerk • Lucy Norvell, Public Library • Jill Deering, Community Services • Donald Begin, IT • Magdalena Slawiec, SEDCO • Brian Longstaff, Codes & Planning • Kelly Johnston, Scarborough Public Schools • Michael Thurlow, Fire Department • Kim Sperlich, Police Department • Ruth Porter, Finance • Leona Oceania, Public Works • Allison Carrier, Communications
Please note our website is the central repository for information on Town government.
If you have ideas for stories, please email us!
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