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Community Newsletter

Issue #321

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
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:


There is no City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 8. The next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, November 15.

All City offices, including the Transfer Facility and Public Works, will be closed on Friday, November 11 for Veterans Day.

In order to upgrade a computer system to better serve you in the future, the Finance office will be closing at 4:30 PM on Thursday, November 10 and the Finance, Code and City Clerk's offices will be opening at 12 PM on Monday, November 14.
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
Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022
  • All polling places will be open on Election Day from 7 AM - 8 PM. Find your polling place here: www.southportland.org/elections
  • Absentee voting without cause ended Thursday, November 3.
  • All absentee ballots must be returned to City Hall by 8 PM on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
  • If you have recently moved or changed your name, you must update your voter registration. Stop by the City Clerk's office before Election Day or at your polling place on Election Day.

Leaf Collection & Transfer Facility
Leaf Collection:
Curbside leaf pick-up will be conducted beginning Monday, November 14. Place leaves in biodegradable paper bags (no plastic bags, please), and leave curbside until collected. Trucks will make one sweep through the city, so bags must be curbside by Sunday, November 13.

Transfer Facility Hours:
The Transfer Facility will be open every Sunday in November from 8 AM - 3:30 PM, in addition to the regular hours of Monday-Friday, 7 AM -  3 PM. The Swap Shop will also be open during these Sundays in November (weather permitting and provided there is a volunteer available to cover the shift).

Upcoming Events
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).
The South Portland War Veterans Memorial Association, comprised of the local VFW and American Legion, is hosting its annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11. The parade kicks off at 10:30 AM at SMCC, travels down Broadway and ends at the Veterans Monument in Mill Creek for a short service honoring our veterans.
Do you want to better understand why traffic signal changes were made at Broadway and Evans and Lincoln Streets (near Amato's)? Join our Nov. 14 public forum! Learn about the history of these intersections and the impact the changes have made. Plus, get your questions answered! Join in person at City Hall Council Chambers or online.
The Greater Portland Council of Governments—a regional planning agency responsible for transportation investments in Greater Portland—is working to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the region. Join the agency for a public workshop Nov. 30 from 5:30-7:00 pm at South Portland City Hall to tell planners where you feel unsafe. At the workshop there will be maps where you can circle streets, crosswalks, intersections, etc. that you think are dangerous. Your insights are important!
 
There will be pizza/refreshments at the workshop! To learn more about this effort, watch this video, listen to this podcast, and/or go to visionzerogreaterportland.org.
 

Announcements
Last week, we cut the ribbons on South Portland's newly completed 12,746-panel solar farm on the City's former landfill! Mayor Dhalac, City staff, our partners ReVision Energy and Calibrant Energy, and South Portland residents gathered to celebrate this achievement. The solar farm is projected to offset 63% of the City's municipal operations, saving taxpayers more than $20 million over the 40-year lifespan of the panels. Combined with other solar projects across the City, more than 80% of the City’s municipal electric load will now be offset by solar. This is a big milestone in reaching goals we’ve set out in One Climate Future, South Portland and Portland’s joint climate action plan.
 
 
South Portland Sustainability Director Julie Rosenbach was recently awarded Natural Resources Council of Maine’s 2022 Conservation Leadership Award. NRCM recognized Julie for her work with Portland's Troy Moon on leading sustainability efforts in South Portland and Portland. They led the development of “One Climate Future,” a comprehensive sustainability and climate plan for both cities, which NRCM calls “one of the most ambitious local climate plans in the country.” (Photo: NRCM)
 
South Portland Public Library Outreach Coordinator Lisa Joyce and Age Friendly South Portland member Tony Grande have been chosen to participate in a 10-month Leadership Academy sponsored by the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Lisa and Tony were chosen to participate because of their leadership role in Age-Friendly South Portland and in recognition of the significant progress South Portland has made to become more age-friendly. Noel Bonam, State Director of AARP Maine said, "Age-Friendly South Portland is poised to become a national age-friendly leader. I nominated Lisa and Tony for the Age-Friendly Leadership Academy knowing they will  inspire other communities and hoping they will bring ideas home to share with the network in Maine."

Dog Licensing
License your dog by January 31, 2023! 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! After January 31, there will be a $25 late fee.
 
 

Resources for Seniors
Applications for the Property Tax Stabilization for Seniors program are due by December 1 to the Assessor’s office. Learn more and watch a video of a recent presentation about the program and how to apply at the link below.
 

Employment Opportunities
Join our team! The City of South Portland offers competitive pay and a robust selection of employee benefits, including an excellent health plan with affordable family coverage, matched retirement options, dental, vision, life, income protection, long term disability, flexible spending accounts and more. The City of South Portland is proud of its talented and dedicated workforce and provides employees with inspiring leadership; stability; a positive, family friendly workplace where work/life needs are valued and supported; and the support, encouragement and tools for successful careers. The City of South Portland values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and embraces sustainable operations. Come join our team dedicated to service excellence!
 
 

Coming Up at the Library

Friday, November 4th at 1 PM: In-person Spanish language learning group!

Saturday, November 5th at 1 PM: Construct & Create. Build with LEGOs and so much more!

Saturday, November 5th at 2 PM: Writers’ Group. Find writing inspiration, feedback, and community. Writers of all genres welcome. Register for Zoom link

Wednesdays in November at 3 PM: Dungeons and Dragons club! Open to middle and high school age kids.

Learn more about these and more library events.
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 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.
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