City of South Portland, Maine | Official Website

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Community Newsletter

Issue #323

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:

City Council Inauguration takes place Monday, December 5 at 4:00 PM at SPHS. The next City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 PM (HYBRID).

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!

Accepting Nominations

Nominate your favorite local businesses for a 2022 South Portland Business Award! Submit your nominations by Monday, December 5!

Categories include:

• New Business of the Year
• Business of the Year (> 25 employees)
• Small Business of the Year (< 25 employees)
• Business Leader of the Year
• Santo "Sam" DiPietro Community Impact Award
• SoPo Sustainability Award

Submit your nominations today!

Holiday Events

Lyric Music Theater presents Scrooge! The Musical
Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows, December 2-18. Visit lyricmusictheater.org , call (207) 799-1421 or email boxoffice@lyricmusictheater.org for more info.

The South Portland Community of Kindness is organizing meal trains to show appreciation to the hardworking men and women of the South Portland Police, Fire, and Emergency Dispatch departments who work the holidays by delivering Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day brunch, plus baked goods & snacks for our fantastic South Portland transportation and public works teams. For more info and to sign up to contribute, see this post on the group's Facebook page, or email spcommunityofkindness@gmail.com.

School Board Vacancy

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

Public Health Resources

Community Health Needs Assessment: The City of South Portland's Board of Health is conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment. 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.

Public Health Information: Get information about Covid-19 vaccination, testing and prevention. Plus, get helpful web links and phone numbers for assistance with emergency/safety issues, food security, financial and housing assistance, and healthcare. Visit the Public Health resources page.

Announcements

The Swap Shop is Closed for the Winter!

The Swap Shop at the Transfer Facility has closed for the season and will reopen on April 1, 2023. A huge THANK YOU goes out to the volunteers who staffed and kept the Swap Shop organized all season!

Casco Bay Bridge Closed to Large Vehicles Dec. 5-9

Maine DOT announced that large vehicles (over 25 tons) will not be allowed on the Casco Bay Bridge December 5-9 to allow for maintenance. South Portland Bus Service will not be affected by this temporary ban.

New Emergency Tower Coming to Wainwright Sports Complex
Parks, Recreation & Waterfront will be installing a solar-powered Blue Light Tower (similar to the one pictured) at Wainwright Sports Complex near the softball fields by the railroad around December 5. Citizens will be able to make 911 calls from the tower in an emergency, and it features a loud speaker that can broadcast emergency notifications. A camera on the device will help ensure proper use. This tower was funded by Emergency Management Grant Funds secured by the Fire Department.

South Portland Skatepark Open to Skaters!
The upper portion of our new skatepark (located near the high school) is ready to roll! The public may now access and use this portion of the park. To help preserve the landscaping, we ask that all users enter and exit through the construction entrance at the corner of Nelson Rd. and Mountain View Rd. Construction is suspended for the winter and will resume in May. The full skatepark is expected to be completed in mid-June. Please note: We highly stress that using the park is at the user’s own risk as skating itself is an inherently dangerous sport and injuries can occur. Happy and safe skating!

Winter Spring Brochure Now Available!
The Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront 2023 Winter/Spring Brochure has been released. Be sure to check out the many exciting programs being offered for all ages and the upcoming registration dates. The brochure is available at: sopoparksrec.com. Hard copies will also be available at the Community Centers and all City buildings.

Winter Reminders

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 arranged for the first batch of buckets to be delivered on Sunday, Dec. 4. DPW will continue to take and fill orders and refills throughout the winter.

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 "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 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!

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.

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.

Coming Up at the Library

Weds., Dec. 7 at 3:30 and 6:30 PM: Winterization, Heating, and Energy Efficiency in South Portland. (See flyer above for details.)
Thurs., Dec. 8 at 6:30 PM: Author Talk with Ryan Britt, author of Phasers on Stun!, who will be discussing his new book all about the history and significance of Star Trek!
Weds., Dec. 14 at 6:30 PM: Wildlife & Ecology Lecture Series Presents: Stars & Constellations. Join SoPo Park Ranger Sydney Raftery to learn all about the winter night sky.

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
Mon., Dec. 12, 2022 - School Board Meeting

Some events are subject to change. Check spsd.org for up-to-date information.

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.

12-02-22 Newsletter