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Community Newsletter

Issue #333

Having difficulty viewing the newsletter? View this and past issues here. 
In this Issue:

Upcoming City Council Meetings
Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 PM - City Council Budget Workshop #2 (hybrid)
Tuesday, May 2 at 6:30 PM - City Council Meeting (hybrid)

See the City Calendar for all scheduled City Council and board meetings + locations/links to participate. All agendas and packet material can be found on BoardDocs. This material will be posted by 4:30 PM on Friday the week prior to the scheduled meeting. See summaries of past Council meetings here.

Upcoming Budget Meetings & Votes
April 25 at 6:30 PM - Second budget workshop. Members of the public have up to 3 minutes to address the Council after each allotted slot. View the agenda here. The schedule is as follows: (Note to the public: these times are estimates. Each slot could finish sooner or later than scheduled).
  • 6:30 - 7:00 PM: Public Works
  • 7:00 - 7:30 PM: Parks, Recreation, Waterfront, Golf Course
  • 7:30 - 7:45 PM: Facilities, Energy
  • 7:45 - 8:00 PM: Library
  • 8:00 - 8:30 PM: Sustainability, Code Enforcement, Economic Development
  • 8:30 - 8:45 PM: Bus Service
  • 8:45 - 9:15 PM: Water Resource Protection, Street Openings
  • 9:15 - 9:30 PM: Review & clarify requests for information, items to reconsider ("parking lot")

May 9 (tentative) and May 23, 2023 at 6:30 PM - Additional budget information will be discussed. The public has up to 3 minutes each to comment at these meetings.

May 16, 2023 - City Council will vote on the final School budget.

June 13, 2023 - Voters (you!) decide fate of School budget at this June referendum. Absentee ballots may now be requested by calling the City Clerk’s office at (207) 767-3201. All voting will take place at the South Portland Community Center. This polling place will be open from 7 AM - 8 PM.

June 20, 2023 - City Council gives final approval to the City portion of the budget.

Celebrate Earth Day with South Portland Land Trust

ADUs Ordinance Info Session

Join us for this info-packed presentation about the City's Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) Ordinance on Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 PM at the South Portland Public Library!

ADUs are additional housing units that meet certain criteria on residential lots. South Portland City Council recently updated ADU regulations as one strategy to address the local housing shortage. The changes make these units easier and faster to build than ever in South Portland. Speakers include representatives from the South Portland Planning Division and South Portland Code Enforcement, as well as members of the local business and non-profit community to speak on property management, tenant management, and financing.
 

Protect Against the Browntail Moth

If you’re planning to enjoy the outdoors this spring and early summer, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry urges you to take precautions to protect yourself from the browntail moth. This moth is an invasive species of both forest and human health concern. Maine is the only state in the U.S. currently experiencing widespread problems with this moth. The microscopic hairs found on browntail moth caterpillars, shed skins, and cocoons can cause skin reactions and breathing problems. Caterpillars are active from April to early July. Learn how to recognize the browntail moth, prevent its acceleration, and protect yourself from its effects at: http://www.maine.gov/dacf/knockoutbtm

Learn more.
 

Upcoming Events

Contact Det. David Stailing with questions at 799-5511 ext. 7454.

There is still space in A Matter of Balance, a 4-week workshop led by Southern Maine Agency on Aging being offered at the South Portland Public Library. The class focuses on reducing fear of falling and increasing activity levels, and meets weekly on Mondays and Wednesdays from May 1 to May 24 from 10 AM to 12 PM. This class usually fills and has a waitlist, so get your spot now by registering at: https://www.smaaa.org/events.html
 

Join in person at the Hús on Thursday, May 11th from 4:30 - 7 PM for this month’s Coffee & Climate “Gulf of Change: A Discussion on Climate Change and Resiliency in Maine's Aquaculture Industry.” 

One Climate Future is collaborating with the New England Ocean Cluster to host a panel discussion on climate resilience in Maine’s aquaculture industry and the opportunities in developing sustainable and resilient local food systems. Together, our panelists Libby Davis (Lady Shuckers), Jesse Baines (Atlantic Sea Farms), Bill Needelman (City of Portland Waterfront Coordinator), and Peter Stocks (City of South Portland Harbor Commissioner) will share the ways they’ve learned to adapt and how the aquaculture industry is working to stem the tide of climate change in Casco Bay. Preregistration is required. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gulf-of-change-tickets-617842632947
 
Coffee & Climate is a monthly speaker series, hosted by Portland and South Portland Sustainability Offices, which breaks down a given sustainability or climate topic with the help of guest speakers. Our 2023 programming includes a range of topics including sustainability in the arts, aquaculture, plastics, environmental justice and more!
 

The South Portland War Veteran's Memorial Association is sponsoring the following Memorial Day Programs:
 
Saturday May 27th : Veteran Grave Flagging Program - Meeting at American Legion Post at 8:30 AM then departing at 9:00 AM, in designated groups, to place Grave Site Flags at various South Portland cemeteries.
 
Monday May 29th : Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony - The Memorial Day Parade will form at Southern Maine Community College Parking Lot at the North end of Broadway, starting 9:30 AM and will step off at 10:30 AM sharp. It will continue down Broadway to the Veteran’s Monument, just beyond Pratt and Abbott, where there will be a short Memorial Day Recognition Service.
 
For more information or to participate, call 799-3997.
 

Work With Us!
The City is currently accepting applications for several openings, including the following positions:
  • Wainwright Recreation Facility Site Supervisor - The Supervisor provides a presence and makes sure individuals follow all policies at the Wainwright Farm Recreation Complex, on a daily basis...read more.
  • Planning & Technical Specialist - The Planning and Technical Specialist will work closely with the Director and Operations Supervisor to assist with the daily operations and planning required to run a public bus service...read more.

Coming Up at the Library
  • Tues., April 25 at 6:30 PM: Accessory Dwelling Unit Informational Session. We will be joined by the South Portland Planning and Code Enforcement departments, plus others, who will give a presentation and answer questions about ADUs (see flyer above).
     
  • Sat., April 29 at 2 PM: Author Talk with Jeri Theirault. Local author Jeri Theriault will be joined by a group of South Portland High School students to read their own poems in celebration of National Poetry Month.
  • Various dates - South Portland High School sporting events
  • Mon., May 8 at 6 PM - Regular School Board Meeting
  • Weds., May 10 9:45 AM - 12 PM - SPHS Career Fair - email Sheree Inman at inmansh@spsdme.org or call 767-3266 to get involved.
  • Thurs., May 18 11 AM - 1 PM - SPHS Hiring Fair
  • Weds., May 24 at 6:30 PM - All-City 5th Grade Band Concert at the South Portland High School gym.
Some events are subject to change. Check spsd.org for up-to-date information.

Conservation Corner

Submitted by Barbara Dee, Chair of the Conservation Commission
Hello, my name is Shara Dee and I'm very happy to serve as the City of South Portland's Communications Officer!

I'd love to hear your feedback on our newsletter and other City communications, so feel free to send me a note any time at news@southportland.org.
The City of South Portland Community E-Newsletter includes information about City sponsored events, projects, and special announcements from South Portland's non-profit community. It is a compilation of the best available information at the time of publication. Events are subject to change without notice in the time between publication of this e-newsletter and the actual event. To send information to be considered for inclusion into this newsletter, send to news@southportland.org.
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