Town of Scarborough, Maine

09/07/2026

Town offices are CLOSED today, Monday, September 7th for Labor Day. We will reopen on Tuesday at 7:00am. Trash pickup remains on schedule!

09/06/2026

September 8-11: Temporary Lane Closure on Payne Road

Please be aware that travel on Payne Road at Scottow Hill Road and Beech Ridge Road will be reduced to one lane between 8:30am and 4:00pm from September 8-11, which may cause minor delays. The temporary lane closure will allow geotechnical experts to drill soil borings for Payne Road and Scottow Hill Road culvert design projects.

This work was approved as part of the FY2027 budget and includes developing climate-resilient culvert designs for the Beaver Brook crossings on both roads. Scarborough will be notified shortly on whether it will receive a $3 million grant to install an upgraded culvert on Scottow Hill Road—the Town Council is awaiting this information before they make a final decision on a solution for the road. The soil boring work will be needed regardless of the final plans for the culvert work.

Questions about this work can be directed to Angela Blanchette, Town Engineer, at [email protected].

09/06/2026

Heads up! Trash collection will remain on schedule (no changes) for Labor Day week, September 7-11, 2026.

If you have a question directly related to trash collection, please contact Garbage to Garden directly at (207) 332-0277.

For any other questions, contact our Public Works department at [email protected] or (207) 730-4400 during business hours, Monday-Thursday, 6:00am-4:00pm.

09/05/2026

✨Welcome Gretchen Anderson, our new Stormwater Program Coordinator

Gretchen joins our Engineering and Technical Services Department after nearly a decade working in stormwater and environmental program management, both for municipalities and regional planning organizations. In her role, she is responsible for the administrative, field, and technical side of Scarborough's stormwater system, officially known as the MS4 program. A big part of it is being out in the field doing erosion and sediment control inspections, keeping an eye on construction sites, checking outfalls, and sampling water quality. She's also tracking down any potential illicit discharges. On the technical side, she'll review infrastructure specifications, collect data, and help keep our GIS system and inspection records current so we stay in compliance with our permit.

Gretchen has a BS in Environmental Science from the University of Southern Maine and pursued municipal work because, as she says, "helping a town manage its stormwater system means directly protecting local water quality and the everyday life of the community. I love that the work is technical, but also deeply local and personal."

Gretchen grew up in Kittery Point and now lives in Buxton with her husband and their rescue dog, Maisy. When not working, you'll find her hiking, running, or in the garden, and checking out new local restaurants and breweries.

09/04/2026

is back in session and fall is right around the corner! Check out our Fall 2026 Brochure for upcoming Active Adult, Teen, and Youth programs. Here are some highlights:

🏓Active Adult Programs

Beginner Pickleball: Build your pickleball skills and confidence in this multi-week instructional program (18+, 2 sessions, Sunday evenings in Sept or Oct, $90)

Happiness Habits: Discover simple habits that can make a meaningful difference in your everyday life in this 6-week program (55+, Monday mornings Oct-Nov, Free)

Plus several trips & travel opportunities!

🎮Teen Programs

Corn Maze: Spend the afternoon with friends at Pineland Farms for this autumnal activity and test your skills! (Grades 6-8, Oct 14, $30)

Retro Game Nights: We’ll be setting up a variety of classic game consoles to play and compete on. Pizza and refreshments provided (Ages 13-17, Fridays in Nov, $40)

🎯Youth Programs

Explore Archery: This beginner-friendly program is designed to learn archery in a fun and supportive environment (Ages 10-17, 3 sessions, Thursdays in Sept, Oct, or Nov, $135)

DISCover Ultimate Day: A nationwide series of free clinics designed to introduce middle-schoolers to the sport of ultimate. Each participant will receive a disc to use during the clinic and take home (Ages 10-14, Sept 19, Free)

🎃Special Events

Pokemon Painting: Choose a Pokémon to paint! We supply all the supplies, a canvas with your favorite Pokémon already outlined, and a picture to work from (All ages, Sept 23, $20)

Pumpkin Carving Night: Show off your pumpkin carving skills and leave the clean up to us! (All ages, Oct 23, $8 per pumpkin)

View the full brochure for all programs and instructions to register: https://www.scarboroughmaine.org/departments/community-services/brochures

Scarborough Community Services

09/03/2026

Our Finance department was awarded for its excellence in financial reporting! Here they are proudly displaying their Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Town of Scarborough was awarded this for the annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2025. This is Scarborough's 21st consecutive year of receiving the prestigious award.

The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

📸From left to right: Diana Cronin, Lisa Saulle, Donna Rosacha, Kim Elliot, Liz Hernandez, Norman Kildow (Finance Director), Rose Wills, and Emma Clark

09/03/2026

Scarborough residents are welcome to participate in the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Day in Biddeford to be held on Saturday, September 12th, from 8:00 am to Noon. (371 Hill Street, Biddeford)

Biddeford will host a collaborative HHW Day on Saturday, September 12th, from 8:00 am to noon. The event is being offered to Scarborough, S**o, Biddeford, and Old Orchard Beach residents, free of charge. (Proof of residency will be required) The event will be held at the Biddeford Public Works, located at 371 Hill Street, Biddeford.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or 207.730.4400.

09/02/2026

Town Council Workshop & Meeting TONIGHT, Wednesday, September 2

Workshop (6:00pm): County-Wide Option Sales Tax

Discussion on a regional revenue-sharing strategy aimed at reducing reliance on property taxes for municipal and school funding. A presentation will be led by Jamie Garvin, GPCOG Director of Community Affairs, about this new approach to property tax stabilization consisting of a countywide 1% optional sales tax. This was first proposed out of a regional effort; GPCOG convened a Regional Property Tax Policy Committee in Summer 2025 to review options to mitigate the property tax burden and broaden local fiscal tools.

View workshop agenda: https://scarboroughmaine.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=432

Regular Meeting (7:00pm)

Second Reading on Radio Project Ballot Question: The Town Council will vote on whether to include a question on the November 3rd municipal ballot authorizing up to $6 million in bonds to upgrade the municipal two-way radio communications systems for Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works, Community Services, and the School Department.

First Reading on Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments Regarding Timber Harvesting: The Town Council will discuss the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Section VI, to add and amend definitions pertaining to timber harvesting and to increase streetscape buffer minimum requirements in Commercial Zoning Districts. The aim is to address tree clearing and site disturbance concerns. Staff has provided updated definitions for the ordinance, and it has also been discussed/reviewed by the Conservation Commission and Ordinance Committee. If the first reading is approved, it would be referred to the Planning Board for review before returning to the Council for a public hearing.

View full meeting agenda: https://scarboroughmaine.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=431

09/01/2026

What a summer! As we head into back-to-school and the fall season, take a moment to read through some Town updates shared in our September 1st newsletter. We cover:

👉New tax rate for upcoming tax bills (due October & March)
👉Welcome two new employees in Engineering & Public Works
👉Quick highlights on tomorrow's Council meeting & workshop (Wednesday, September 2)
& more

Read the full newsletter for details:

Email from SEDCO Latest updates from the Town of Scarborough September 1, 2026 Town of Scarborough Newsletter         The start of a new school year has arrived and Fall is approaching! Town operation

09/01/2026

That's a wrap on photo contest submissions for this summer! A huge thank you to all who captured these memories and shared them for our community to enjoy! 'Like' all of your favorites and the one with the most likes in each category will earn a local gift card—winners announced in our September 15th email newsletter.