City of South Portland, Maine | Official Website

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Community Newsletter

Issue #311

This City of South Portland Community E-Newsletter includes information about City sponsored events, projects and special announcements from South Portland's non-profit community. Sign up if you would like to receive the newsletter directly to your inbox. Having difficulty viewing the newsletter? The newsletter and archives are posted on the City's website here. Please report broken links to news@southportland.org.

Public Meeting Agendas & Information

Starting January 31, all City Board & Committee Agendas and Packet material, including City Council Meeting material, may be found on BoardDocs. All packet material and agendas will be posted by 4:30pm on Friday the week prior to the scheduled meeting. Bookmark this link!

Don't forget -- you will need a Transfer Station Sticker! Residents may pick up a free Transfer Station sticker at City Hall or at the Municipal Services Facility.

Get yours at Municipal Services or City Hall by providing two forms of proof of residency (preferably your driver's license and vehicle's registration). See below for additional info:

RESIDENTIAL STICKERS
New Residential stickers are orange and are valid until 12/31/23. Limit 2 per residence (the first one is free; the second is $5.)

PROPERTY OWNER STICKERS
New this year, property owners who do not reside in South Portland but are permitted to use the Transfer Facility for disposing of yard waste (no other use is permitted) from their South Portland properties will have their own (brown) sticker. Property owners must obtain a sticker by showing two forms of proof of property ownership, as well as your vehicle registration. 2022 Property owner stickers are valid until December 31, 2023.

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS
Landscape contractors may use our facility for disposal of landscape debris (leaves, grass clippings and brush) from South Portland residential properties. A Contractor's permit must be obtained for an annual fee of $150. (Additional permits cost $20 per vehicle.) Contractors must show proof that the material they are disposing of is from a South Portland resident by providing the resident’s permit number. 2020 Stickers (blue) will expire on December 31, 2021. 2022 Landscape Contractor stickers (green) are now available from Municipal Services or City Hall, and are valid until December 31, 2022.

Street Sweeping has begun! Street sweeping helps to prevent sand and sediment, especially after winter sanding/salting operations, from getting into the City’s catch basins and drainage system, while increasing road safety for motorcycles, bicycles and others. Public Works and contracted help will sweep the entire city through May 11. Street Sweepers will be moved to another route to account for trash day and will not run on the weekends. Click here for the 2022 Street Sweeping schedule.

The Police Department has just announced a new Citizen Services Program which is a way the public can access, and request, certain kinds of information from the police department. Main features are completing limited on-line police reports, submitting anonymous tips, viewing a crime map, viewing crime statistics and more. It’s still work in progress with more features to roll out in the near future. You can also access this link on the South Portland Police Department webpage. Bookmark the link: https://southportland.prophoenix.com/

The State Primary and School Budget Validation Referendum will occur on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. You can request your absentee ballot starting March 14. Voters looking to change party enrollment must do so by May 27. Click here for more important dates and election information! Read More

Landcare Management Advisory Committee Vacancy:

There is an open seat for a resident or taxpayer representative on the Landcare Management Advisory Committee, which assists with implementing the Landcare Management Ordinance. The LMAC’s responsibilities include:

Advise the City Council and Sustainability Director on any problems encountered or amendments needed to successfully implement the Landcare Management Ordinance.
Review and act upon waiver applications when applicable.
Develop and implement outreach and education resources in coordination with the Sustainability Director.
Seek the participation, advice and counsel of experts in the fields of organic turf and landscape management, maintenance of trees and shrubs and organic pest management protocols.
Encourage broad community participation in LMAC activities.
Review annual data and issue a summary report annually to the City Council.
Beginning on 5/1/19 and every three years thereafter, evaluate the ordinance and provide recommendations to the City Council and Sustainability Director for any ordinance amendments needed as appropriate.

For more information on how to apply for the position, please click here.

The City Council is seeking people to serve on a number of city committees. There is a committee for everyone's interest! If you are interested in applying, please click here for more information: https://onboard.southportland.org/

Apply Now

ANNOUNCEMENT
Friends BookShop, located in the lower level of South Portland Public Library, has reopened after a two-year closure due to Covid-19
Now open from 10am - 3pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday
All books on sale and proceeds help
support many library programs!

Events & Event Permits
As warmer weather approaches, the City would like to remind residents and groups planning an event taking place on City property of the need to submit an Event Application. The application can be obtained at the City Clerk's office and needs to be completed and returned to the Clerks' office at least 30 days prior to the event date. Read More

Short Term Residential Rentals & Registration
Short-Term Rentals (defined as hosted or non-hosted temporary rentals of less than 30 days) are required to be registered through the City Clerk's office. Non-Hosted Short-Term rentals are prohibited in residential zoning districts. Click here to read more and to apply to register your Short Term Rental online. Read More

The South Portland War Veterans Memorial Association, made up of the American Legion and VFW, will be hosting the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30, 2022 starting at 10:30am from the SMCC Parking Lot down Broadway, and ending at Mill Creek Park Veterans Monument for a brief service following the parade.

CONSERVATION CORNER
A message from the South Portland Conservation Commission

PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Applications MUST be RECEIVED by May 1, 2022. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the application, please contact Vicki Inman at 767-7609. Click here to download the application and view the FAQs.

On April 5, 2022, the City Council passed ORDINANCE #17-21/22, making several key changes to the City's Property Tax Assistance Program taking effect for the 2021/2022 season:

Lowering the minimum age from 68 to 65;
Requiring an applicant to have been a resident of South Portland for seven of the past ten years, instead of ten of the last 12; and
Increasing the potential benefit amount from $400 to $500.

The deadline to apply is May 1, 2022. Click below for more information and for a copy of the application! (Note: These changes take effect April 25, 2022. If you have already submitted an application for this year, you do not need to submit another.)

04-29-22 Newsletter

Community Newsletter

Issue #311