City of South Portland, Maine | Official Website

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Community Newsletter

Issue #322

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 will be on Tuesday, November 22.

All City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Rubbish & Recycling Collection: Thurs., Nov. 24 rubbish & recycling will be collected Fri., Nov. 25. Friday rubbish & recycling will be collected Sat., Nov. 26.

Bus Service: There is no bus service on Thurs., Nov. 24 (Thanksgiving Day). The bus service will be running a regular weekday service on Fri., Nov. 25.

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!

Just Launched

Community Health Needs Assessment

The City of South Portland's Board of Health is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment. The assessment aims to characterize leading health and social service needs, the City's strengths and resources, and opportunities for improvement.

The Board of Health wants to hear from individuals who live, work, and learn in South Portland. Please take the 5-minute survey to share your thoughts. Results will be published, along with a final report, in the spring of 2023.

Take the survey.

Leaf Pickup and Transfer Facility

Leaf Collection:
Curbside leaf pick-up began Monday, November 14. The deadline to have had leaves curbside was November 13. DPW makes a single sweep through the city. If bags in your neighborhood have not yet been picked up, you can still place leaves in biodegradable paper bags (no plastic bags, please) and leave curbside until collected. If DPW has already been through your neighborhood, you can continue to bring your leaves to the Transfer Facility for free composting.

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 Tuesday - Saturday 8 AM - 3:30 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).

Get Ready for Winter

Winter Parking Ban & Overnight Parking
The Winter Parking Ban is in effect from December 1 to April 1. During the winter months, public parking lots at Waterman Drive and the Boat Launch at Bug Light Park are available for City residents and their guests to temporarily park during the winter parking ban. Cars must be moved immediately once the storm is over. Learn more.

Shoveling Reminders
Snow and ice is not permitted to be plowed or shoveled into City sidewalks or City property. Snow must remain on the property owner's property and not in the right of way. Learn more.

Sand Buckets for Seniors
For older adult residents and residents with disabilities interested in receiving a five-gallon sand bucket and/or a refill of a bucket used in prior years, please contact DPW at 207-767-7635 or email at publicworks@southportland.org. Age Friendly South Portland has a group of young people ready to deliver sand buckets set for delivery the second week of December!

Volunteers Needed
Age Friendly South Portland has a snow shoveling program for our older adult neighbors in need of having key walkways cleared around their homes during the snowy winter months. If you think you may be able to provide snow shoveling services to at least one (1) older adult resident's household this winter, please consider signing up to become a volunteer by contacting Susan Henderson at 799-6350, or shenders@maine.rr.com.

Adopt-A-Hydrant
Do you have a fire hydrant near your home that you can volunteer to "adopt" and clear of snow? The City has over 600 fire hydrants that need to be cleared of snow after every storm (more than 2 inches). This is done by the on duty firefighters/paramedics as part of their daily duties (no additional staff is brought in), and must be done along with all other normal tasks, such as responding to fire and medical calls. To adopt a hydrant, simply thoroughly clear it (as pictured above) after every storm. The Fire Department really appreciates your help!

Upcoming Events

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.

Learn more on the Library website. Scroll down for more Library events.

Skatepark Update

Construction on South Portland's new skatepark is moving along nicely. The bowl and upper portion of the park is almost finished, then it will be onto the the "street" section next week. We are anticipating a completed park by mid-December, 2022 (weather permitting). A grand opening will take place in the spring of 2023, date/time TBA.

For your safety and to help keep the project on schedule, the skatepark is currently CLOSED to the public while under construction. No skating...yet! Thank you for your cooperation!

Learn more about the skatepark.

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.

License your dog online.

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.

Learn more about this program.

Email to learn more.

Opportunities with the City

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!

Click here to browse current job opportunities.

Learn more about SPSD here, or email the City Clerk to learn more about this vacancy.

New from SPC-TV!

Watch the 2022 Bug Light Car Show! See more South Portland Community TV productions here.

Coming Up at the Library

Sat., Nov. 19 at 10:30 AM: Bad Art, ages 5-12 (create something wacky with our art supplies!)
Weds., Nov. 30 at 3 PM: Dungeons and Dragons Club (Middle & High School ages)
Thurs., Dec. 1 at 6:30 PM: Author Talk with Lynn Steger Strong. She will be discussing her new book Flight

Visit the Library website for more information.

Fri., Dec. 2 4:30-6:30 PM - Holiday Tree Lighting, Mill Creek Park
Mon., Dec. 5, 2022 - School Board Inauguration
Sat., Dec. 10, 9 AM - 2 PM - High School Holiday Craft Fair
Sat., Dec. 10, 10 AM - 1 PM - Dora Small School Winterfest Craft Fair & Bake Sale
Mon., Dec. 12, 2022 - School Board Meeting

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 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.

11-18-22 Newsletter