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Community Newsletter

Issue #313

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.
Trash & Recycling Bus Schedules Parks & Recreation Programs Pay Taxes and Bills Online Online Services
Public Meeting Agendas & Information
All City Board & Committee Agendas and Packet material, including City Council Meeting material, may now 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!
The State Primary and School Budget Validation Referendum will occur on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.  All polling locations will be open from 7:00am until 8:00pm on election day. 
You can request your absentee ballot now, and it will be mailed to you.  The last day to request an absentee ballot without special circumstances is June 9.  Click here for more important dates and election information! Read More
Nomination petitions available August 1st for
November Municipal Election
 

Offices for Election: 

  • City Councilor - At-Large (2 seats) (for 3 year term)
  • School Board - Districts 1 & 2 (for 3 year term)
  • School Board - District 4 (for unexpired term which expires December 2024)
  • Warden - All Districts (3 year term)
  • Ward Clerk - All Districts (3 year term)

All candidates running for City Council and School Board are voted on "At Large", which means all registered voters of the City vote on these races. 

Interested residents are needed for the offices of Election Warden and Ward Clerk for all districts.  For more information about these critical positions, please reach out to the City Clerk at escully@southportland.org

 
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
Do you need to report a pothole, traffic hazard, broken streetlight, file a general complaint, or other issue on city property? 
Click here to file a complaint or issue using the Citizen Request Portal
Join us on Saturday, June 18th at 10:30am as we celebrate Maine's 200th birthday (plus 2!) with special guests Lynn Plourde and Mark Scott Ricketts. Read aloud, drawing demonstration, crafts, cake, and more! For more information, visit https://southportlandlibrary.com/happy-birthday-maine-with-lynn-plourde-and-mark-scott-ricketts/
Our 2022 Summer Reading Program starts on June 11th, and with a theme like "Oceans of Possibility", it's shore to be fin-tastic! This summer, there will separate programs for children, teens, and adults, each with their own challenges and prizes. For more information, visit https://southportlandlibrary.com/2022-summer-reading-program/
This summer and fall the City of South Portland will again be working with ecomaine to conduct inspections of recycling carts placed curbside during Thursday’s route, which includes Cash Corner, Pleasantdale, and Stanwood Park.

Beginning in June, ecomaine interns will tag carts with GREEN tags for a job well done, YELLOW tags for carts that need 1-2 changes, and RED tags for bins contaminated with an abundance of trash. The tags and information will include an explanation for the reason item(s) do not belong in the recycling stream.

This is a project designed to prevent recycling contamination, avoid ecomaine fees, and educate our residents about the importance of recycling correctly.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland is excited to begin the search for two homeowners for an upcoming build in South Portland. In order to apply for a home, those interested must first contact our Family Services Manager to select a time to attend a homeowner info session. These sessions are beginning on Saturday, June 11.

Partner families will be selected based on:
  • their ability to pay a low interest mortgage that does not exceed 30% of their gross monthly income.
  • their need for affordable housing. This could mean they are currently living in a situation that is overcrowded, in disrepair, or unaffordable based on their income.
  • their willingness to partner with Habitat by completing 275 hours of “sweat equity” building their home, taking homeownership classes, and volunteering in the community.
 
Anyone interested in learning more can reach out to Molly Brake, Director of Family Services via email (molly@habitatme.org) or through an online interest form (habitatportlandme.org/homeownership). The homeownership information sessions that will take place June 11-14 in South Portland.
 
It takes three to four months to complete the selection process and another six to nine months to build the home from the ground up. “It’s not a quick process,” said Executive Director, Tara Hill, “but it is well worth the wait for the families whose lives will be changed by becoming homeowners.”
 
Construction of this eight-home neighborhood on Sunset Avenue is expected to begin this summer. All homes are designated for households earning less than 65% of the Greater Portland Metro Annual Median Income as determined by HUD. Homeowners for the remaining six homes will be selected closer to when they will be built. Funding for this project is being provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that was allocated by Cumberland County, thanks to their prioritization of affordable housing.
Do you know about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)? The program provides each eligible household a $30 discount per month on your internet plan. Eligibility is based on income or participation in SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and other programs. Click on the link below to see if you qualify:
 
CONSERVATION CORNER
A message from the South Portland Conservation Commission
LEGAL NOTICE
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) GOAL
 
In accordance with US DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 26, the City of South Portland Bus Service (SPBS) is updating its DBE Program and Goal for its non-vehicle Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funded projects for Federal Fiscal Years 2023, 2024 and 2025 with a goal of 1.02% DBE participation.
 
The updated documentation is available for inspection between 8am-4pm Monday through Friday at the SPBS office for a period of 30 days following the date of this notice. Please contact:
 
Donna Tippett
SPBS Director
929 Highland Ave
South Portland, ME 04106
207-767-5556
dtippett@southportland.org
web: www.sopobus.org
 
Comments may also be sent directly to the Federal Transit Administration by contacting:
Ms. Margaret Griffin
Civil Rights Officer, Region I
Federal Tramsit Administration
55 Broadway Suite 920
Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel. (617) 494-2397
Email:Margaret.griffin@fta.dot.gov
 
FTA and SPBS will accept comments on this Goal for 45 days from the date of this notice
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