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Community Newsletter

Issue #324

Having difficulty viewing the newsletter? View this and past issues here. 
In this Issue:

Upcoming City Council Meetings
Tuesday, December 20 at 6:30 PM - City Council Meeting (hybrid)
Tuesday, December 27 at 6:30 PM - City Council Workshop (hybrid)

See the City Calendar for all scheduled City Council and board meetings + 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. See summaries of Council meetings here.

City Holiday Schedule
City Hall and most City offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2. Some City offices and services will have adjusted schedules due to the holidays. 
 

Winter Reminders
 
 Winter Parking Ban is In Effect - Cars may not be parked on City streets between 12AM-6AM now through April 1. Parking ban hours may need to be extended during a heavy or long-lasting storm. Check our website and Facebook page for updates.
 
 
 Public Parking is Available - Public parking lots at Waterman Drive, the Boat Launch at Bug Light Park, and the Willard Beach parking lot on Willow St. are available for temporary overnight parking, including during weather events. Vehicles should be removed or relocated to an already-plowed area of the lot immediately following a storm. Learn more here.
 
 Bus Transportation to Lots - For those who don't live near the public lots, South Portland Bus Service has lines that stop near all three lots. For schedules and routes, click here. (Check their Facebook page for weather-related schedule updates during a storm.)
 
 
Snow Shoveling - 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.
 
 
 Sand Buckets for Seniors - Five-gallon sand buckets for older adult residents and residents with disabilities are available through our Public Works Department. To get a bucket, contact DPW at 207-767-7635 or email at publicworks@southportland.org.
 

Thank you to the South Portland Swim and Dive team for their recent delivery of sand buckets to our residents, and Age Friendly South Portland for helping to coordinate the effort!

Upcoming Events

New Resources!
City Council Meeting Summaries

You can now find summaries of City Council Meetings and Workshops on our website! The summaries are designed to provide a brief overview of each meeting. You'll also find direct links to the full meeting agenda and video recording.
 

Visit the Summaries page.

Watch the video, get answers to frequently asked questions, and see action items the City is taking in response to our November 14, 2022 public forum on the Broadway Traffic Signals at Evans and Lincoln Streets.
 

Watch this information-packed video featuring experts from Efficiency Maine, South Portland Sustainability Department, South Portland Social Services Department, South Portland Housing Authority, and Age Friendly South Portland.
 

Employment Opportunities

Start your new year with an exciting new position where you'll make a difference in your community! Visit our website to learn more about the positions below, plus browse more opportunities.
 

The application for this opportunity will be available next week. To view the application and apply, visit: southportland.org/departments/human-resources/job-opportunities

Portland Regional Communication Center (RCCD) is hiring! This shared Center serving Portland, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth is based in Portland and answers 911 and non-emergency calls, and dispatches police, fire, and EMS units. Applications for the following positions are currently being accepted: Telecommunicator Supervisor & Telecommunicator (911 Dispatcher). Learn more about these positions and how to apply here.

Planning Department Updates
Comprehensive plan update kicks off!
  • The consult team working on the Comprehensive Plan Update will be doing a tour of the City on December 20.
  • The Comprehensive Plan Committee will be hosting the Consultants on the evening of the 20th to kick off the project. Please join us!
  • Visit the Comprehensive Plan Update website for more information on the planning effort: www.southportland2040.com
Housing Accessibility
  • The City Council adopted housing goals to help steer policy and other work to address the affordable housing shortage in the city. Read more here.
  • Accessory Dwelling Units are now easier and faster to build than ever, thanks to the Council’s recent update to ADU regulations! Reach out to the Planning Division to learn more, by emailing: erubin@southportland.org.
Active Projects Map

WRP Updates
Innovation Excellence Award

Last Month, South Portland's Water Resource Protection (WRP) won the Innovation Excellence Award from VUEWorks, the software the department uses for its Asset Management System. VUEWorks honored Tim Parks, Senior CAD Technician in the Engineering Division, by presenting this "best of the nation" award.

The Collection Systems Division

WRP's Collection Systems Division achieved major accomplishments last fiscal year! Read all about it in their annual report.

Keeping Me Warm Fund
Want to help keep a neighbor warm this winter? The City is accepting donations to our Keeping Me Warm Fund. The fund is used to help South Portland residents in need of assistance with heating costs. To donate, make your check payable to the City of South Portland with "Keeping Me Warm Fund" in the memo line, and send to: South Portland Social Services Dept., 25 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extend allowed by law.

If you are in need of heating assistance, reach out to our Social Services department at: (207) 767-7617.

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. The survey closes December 31! 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.

Video: Holiday Tree Lighting
Check out SPC-TV's latest production, this year's Holiday Tree Lighting at Mill Creek Park! Whether you weren't able to make it to the December 2nd event or want to re-experience this special night, this video brings the event right to your home.
 

Coming Up at the Library
  • Sat., Dec. 17 11 AM - 5 PM: Legopalooza! It's an all-day, all-ages building bonanza! 
     
  • Sat., Dec. 31 at 11:30 AM: Noon Year's Eve Party. Celebrate the New Year during this annual all-ages event featuring crafts, stories, snacks, a countdown to noon, and a balloon drop!
     
  • Thurs., Dec. 22 at 6:30 PM: Starlight Stories. Kids of all ages are invited to snuggle up before bed at the Main Library for stories, songs, and rhymes.
Visit the Library website for more information.
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.
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.
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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