City of South Portland, Maine | Official Website

Community Newsletter

Issue #319

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.

See Public Meeting Agendas & Info

See the City Calendar for scheduled City board & committee meetings, including City Council Meetings, and 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.

PLEASE NOTE:

The next City Council workshop, discussing banning flavored tobacco, will be on Tuesday, October 11.

Report an Issue

Do you need to report a pothole, traffic hazard, broken streetlight, file a general complaint or communicate an issue pertaining to City property? Use the Citizen Request Portal!

Election News & Events

Election Day is November 8, 2022
or you can cast your absentee vote NOW!

To vote absentee, you can request to have a ballot sent to your home by clicking here, or you can request and cast your absentee ballot in-person at City Hall now through November 3. You do not need a reason to request an absentee ballot.
If you have already requested an absentee ballot be mailed to your home, it should be arriving any day if it hasn't already.
All absentee ballots must be returned to City Hall by Election Day, November 8, 2022.
All polling places will be open on Election Day from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM.
Have you recently moved? Changed your name? Not sure if you're registered? Call us at 207-767-3201 to make sure you're registered to vote!
For more information, please visit: www.southportland.org/elections

Submit questions you'd like asked to info@sopolandtrust.org or via social media (@sopolandtrust on Instagram and Facebook). Learn more about this Candidate Forum here.

Plus, check out these local election resources!

Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters (October 2022 video recording)
Candidate Interviews hosted by SP/CE Chamber of Commerce (September/October 2022 video recording)

Notice: The City of South Portland's presentation of information about candidate forums or debates is done solely for the purpose of making community members aware of these events. The City of South Portland does not make endorsements of any political candidates or causes.

Just Launched

Check out the map.

Dog Licensing

Dog Licensing begins October 15! Reminders will not be mailed to each home. If you have licensed your dog online previously, you will get an email reminder. (There will also be reminders on social media, website, newsletter and at all polling places on Election Day.)

All dogs in the City must be licensed. To be licensed, you must show proof of your dog's current rabies vaccination. If your dog has been fixed (neutered/spayed), you must show proof, and the cost is $6.00. The cost is $11.00 for an unaltered dog. Visit the City Clerk’s office or license your dog online! The deadline to license your dog is January 31, 2023. After this date, there will be a $25 late fee.

License your dog online.

Resources for Seniors

Our State Legislature enacted a new law creating the Tax Stabilization Program. Watch the video recording of our September 21 info session discussing the new program and how a citizen may apply. The Stabilization Program essentially "freezes" the amount of property tax a person pays who has lived in and owned a home in Maine for at least 10 years and will be 65 years of age by April 1, 2023.

Watch the video.

Age Friendly South Portland invites seniors, families, and the public to its Resource Fair on November 5, 2022 from 1-4 PM at the South Portland Community Center. Physical Therapists from Maine Strong Balance Center will provide free balance assessments. Many organizations will provide information and resources geared to support safe and healthy independent living.

For more information, contact Jill Vaughn (chipperfieldjill@gmail.com) or Kathy Adams (kadamsot@maine.rr.com)

Upcoming Events

For more information, click here.

Check SPFD's Facebook page for more info.

Learn more here.

Join PK Realty Management for a site walk to discuss the redevelopment of Yard South (the old Shipyard in South Portland next to Bug Light Park). Join to learn about the site history, project goals and share your thoughts. PK Realty Management will also be reviewing the contract zone exhibits and text prior to their submission to the City of South Portland.

Meet at: 1 Madison Street, South Portland, Maine, 04106
Date and time: Saturday, October 22^nd 10 -11 AM
Rain date and time: Saturday, October 29^th from 10 -11 AM

Please RSVP via email to info@pkrealtymgmt.com. Please note: If you’re unable to attend, PK Realty Management will be scheduling additional sessions in the future.

Scroll down to see more upcoming events at the Library.

Join us Friday, October 14th from 9 AM - 10 AM for this month’s virtual Coffee & Climate: Community Solar Edition! We will be joined by Tony Napolitano of Maine Community Solar and Thomas Tutor of ReVision Energy to talk all about community solar: what is it, how it works, and how to choose the best program to get started! With an abundance of community solar farms popping up in Maine, this is a great opportunity to bring any questions you may have and chat about community solar with topic experts!

Coffee and Climate is a monthly virtual office hours hosted by the One Climate Future team. This event occurs on the second Friday of each month and provides a regular time for community members to meet with the Portland and South Portland Sustainability Offices.

South Portland Land Trust (SPLT) is calling the community to action for an urgently needed clean up on the city’s South Branch Trail on Sunday, October 16 at 9 AM.

Learn more about this and more Land Trust events.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF
OCTOBER 22, 2022

Click here or call (207) 767-7635 for more info.

DRUG TAKE BACK EVENT
OCTOBER 29, 2022

Learn more here.

Get Involved!

Provide feedback on South Portland's Broadway Gateway Pilot Project, which aims to slow traffic and make it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists along Broadway. Email cstewart@southportland.org for more info.
Apply to be on a City of South Portland Board or Committee! There are a number of openings and opportunities for citizens to serve your community on a topic that matters to you!

Take the Transit Together Survey to help improve transit in our region.

Coming Up at the Library

Wednesday, October 12th at 6:30 PM: Student Loans: Forgiveness & Programs and What You Need to Know. Sophie Laing from Pine Tree Legal will be on hand to give a presentation and answer questions about student loan forgiveness.

Tuesday, October 25th at 6:30 PM: The Maine Community Cookbook Vol. 2 authors Margaret Hathaway, Karl Schatz, and Don Lindgren are coming to discuss their new book.

Thursday, October 20th at 6:30 PM: Our first Author Talk of the year is taking place with Cape Elizabeth author Richard Cass. He will be discussing his new book The Last Altruist. Books will be available to purchase.

Learn more about these and more events.

Honors

City of South Portland Stormwater Coordinator Fred Dillon was named a Clean Water Champion by the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and was recognized as key to Maine's success in transforming our rivers, lakes and beaches. Fred was honored at the Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary event in Lewiston recently, with guest speaker Governor Janet Mills. Congratulations, Fred!

Next School Board Meeting: October 11, 2022 at 6 PM
Homecoming Weekend Athletic Events: October 21-22
Band events: Oct 15th at Marshwood High School (performance at 5 PM); Oct 22 at Wells High School (performance at 5:15 PM)
Oct 29th at Biddeford High School (performance at 5:30 PM)

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 Drew and I'm very happy to serve as the City of South Portland's new 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 Newsletter is published by the City of South Portland. It is a compilation of the best available information at the time of publication. Events may be 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.

10-07-22 Newsletter