It's Election Day! Have you voted on the school budget yet? If not, there's still time—head to the Scarborough High School before voting closes tonight at 8:00pm. While this is the most time-sensitive item on the "to do" list, you surely have several home projects somewhere on the list. It's the summer season when we most often hear from residents with project-related questions in regards to code and permit requirements. Save this handy FAQ cheat sheet for quick answers! While you peck away at the home and yard work, take a look at what the Town has been working on and see how you can get involved...

Congratulations to Scarborough seniors, Class of 2021...Oh, the places you'll go! An environmentally conscious reminder: When the celebrating is over, remember to place all balloons in the trash bin, and please avoid releasing them. (Balloons released into the environment become litter and can be harmful to wildlife). Share the #WhichBinWednesday post to spread the word!

As the 4th of July approaches, please be aware of the Town's Consumer Fireworks Ordinance and recent amendments made to acceptable use areas:

Scarborough Community Services is excited to launch Pitch In Pails, a new effort to help keep our beaches clean. Debuting at Hurd Park, Pitch In Pails encourage beachgoers to participate in their own mini beach clean-up.

Find the station at the beach entrance and grab a bucket to bring with you onto the beach. Collect litter on the beach and empty into the trash bin that is built into the station. The pail can then be returned for others to use. Pitch In Pails will allow anyone to "pitch in" to help keep the beach clean.

The interest in this concept is already high among community members—Community Services regularly receives calls asking about beach clean-ups. Town Council Chair Paul Johnson encouraged the Town to explore beach clean-up stations after a resident saw the success of a similar program in Florida and reached out with the idea. “I'm excited about this new opportunity to promote volunteerism and sustainability," says Johnson. "Whether you are a resident or visiting for the summer, please consider enjoying our beaches and taking care of them at the same time!".

Scarborough Public Works designed and built the Pitch In Pail station. If the Pine Point Pitch In Pails are a success, Community Services will bring them to other beaches and parks in Scarborough.

418 Payne Road, Scarborough

Come visit our new space! With school and remote care coming to an end, Scarborough Community Services is ready to open the doors to the public of their new space. Stop by and check out our new programming space, ask questions about upcoming programs and events, purchase discounted tickets, and register for summer programs.

At the end of June, the Assessing Department will mail valuation notices to properties that have an upcoming change to their assessment for Fiscal Year 2021-2022. Only properties experiencing an increase will receive a notice. Changes are due to the following:

The notice will include the property card so that any changes can be reviewed. Please bring any errors to our attention as soon as possible, as the proposed assessment will be the basis for your property taxes starting with the Fall 2021 bill.

Due to the extension of the state of civil emergency, there is a new deadline for Tax Exemption applications. Applications for these Exemptions must be submitted to our Assessing office by July 12, 2021. Here are some tax exemptions you may be eligible for:

There is also a Property Tax Assistance Program for eligible residents 62 and older (October 15, 2021 deadline). Eligibility details & applications available from our Assessing Department.

July is Parks and Recreation Month, and Community Services will be celebrating all month long! Summer is the perfect time to get outside and explore our local parks, trails, and beaches. We'll be hosting activities to do throughout the month of July, so stay tuned for details including a full calendar of events.

Check back on the Community Services News section of our website periodically to access information for their upcoming events. The full calendar of events & activities to celebrate Parks and Recreation month is coming soon!

Join the campout on the weekend of July 9-10 with families all across the state of Maine! The mission is for families to get outdoors and enjoy a camping experience in their own backyard. This could be traditional tenting or setting up “camp” in your living room!

Register your family before July 7 to receive our digital Maine Backyard Campout Handbook, chock-full of great tips and ideas for EVERYTHING camping. Each family that registers will be entered to win some AWESOME prizes, including a brand-new firepit or luxe s'more kits! Winners will be drawn the morning of Thursday, July 8, so families can arrange pick up for the weekend event. One entry per household.

Come down to Memorial Park on Thursday, July 1 at 6:30pm to enjoy live music with friends and family, concessions from Rotary Club, and our popular raffle! The event is free to attend for all ages.

First band in the lineup: Don Campbell Band

Band Genre: Country Bluegrass

Click Here for the Facebook event to let others know you're going!

15 Phillips Spring Rd (Saco Public Works)

Scarborough Public Works has scheduled collaborative, multi-town opportunities to safely dispose of your household hazardous waste materials. This is a free service to residents of Scarborough, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Biddeford (proof of residency is required).

Click Here for the Facebook event to be reminded.

Donate blood in honor of Madison, the niece of one of our full-time Firefighter/Paramedics, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was only 10 months old and continues to undergo treatment.

Don’t miss your shot to get a COVID-19 vaccine! COVID-19 vaccination appointments are available in Old Orchard Beach at a mobile clinic this week.

Date: June 15 – June 18

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Location: 77 Milliken St, Old Orchard Beach

• Appointments and walk in options are available to anyone 18+.

• This clinic is offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

• To check availability and register for an appointment, visit VaccinateME.maine.gov or call the Community Vaccination Line at:

1-888-445-4111.

Over the past four years, the Long Range Planning Committee has relied on public engagement to develop the Comprehensive Plan. Now as the Plan nears completion with an anticipated Town Council vote at the end of June, we continue to encourage community input.

Join the Town Council for scheduled public meetings in June to review the latest draft. Please review the latest draft and attend the upcoming meetings to offer comment and learn more:

Wednesday, June 16, 7:00 PM: Town Council, Planning Board, & Long Range Planning Committee Public Hearing

Wednesday, June 30, 6:00 PM: Town Council & Long Range Planning Committee Public Hearing; Potential adoption

Links to join available on Town Calendar

Click Here to read the latest draft of the 2021 Comprehensive Plan

We took a balanced and prudent approach of trying to restore certain services while also putting some funds aside for the future by creating a place for cash reserves on things that were typically funded by additional bonding. A solid job by any practical measure. We also face a ‘golden-plated problem” for this in Scarborough and many other towns in Maine. This is due to an increased cost structure that will require continued use of cash and capital that will be an ongoing burden for many years – long after the stimulus funds are gone. But this too should be within our ability to manage with the right approach.

The key to success is our community engagement and involvement. We depend on you - the public - for success serving you as elected officials and town staff. We count on you to tell us what you think and if we are on the right track. Many individuals put words into action and stepped up this past year to participate in the work of the town including; speaking out on Town Council meeting and committee Zoom calls, serving on committees, volunteering to deliver food, contributing to Project Grace, helping our fellow Mainers get vaccinated and many other ways.

We are on the last leg of our summit of a mountain of work this month. The Charter Committee is coming forward with its recommendations for revising the foundation of our form of government under Home Rule. The Downtown Committee will provide us with suggestions for how to create a welcoming community gathering place in the Downs. The Comprehensive Plan Update was presented to the Town Council last week for public review, approval, and acceptance this month. One last sprint to the finish line. You can keep current and lend a hand by watching for more on all of this in our town communications.

As the summer approaches I hope that we will all have the chance to take some time off and catch our breath. Take some time away from the grind of the past year of life and work and crises. Time to “go outside and play” like your Mom used to tell you. To take time to read a favorite book on the beach, to go on the hike, jump on that bike for a ride.

Time to take a deep breath and be thankful for where we live, for our families, neighbors and friends.

Have a great summer everyone. Thank you.

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.

Youth Summer Reading Program—Register now!

Children and families are invited to join us at Memorial Park at 6 pm on Tuesday, June 22 for the Summer Reading Kickoff, Tuneful Tales, featuring Jennifer Armstrong, fiddler, piper, storyteller, author, and singer! This event is free and open to the public; masks are required.

Dungeons & Dragons—Register now!

Registration for D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) ends on Friday, June 25. In addition to middle school and high school adventures, there’s a special adventure for adults and another for “intermediates,” entering grades 3-5 (accompanied by an adult family member.)

The Bicentennial programming, paused in March of 2020, has resumed and the first event is happening the afternoon of Sunday, June 27.

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

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