12-30-22 Newsletter

 

If your home or small business incurred uninsured damages in the recent rain and windstorm Elliot, there may be relief ahead. The State is requesting those who incurred damages not covered by insurance—including loss due to flood, tree impact, vehicle damage, and refrigeration failure—to file a preliminary damage assessment. Any losses not covered by insurance may qualify.

To complete the assessment, the form must be printed, filled out, scanned, and submitted by email by January 2, 2023. The form can be found at: https://www.maine.gov/mema/sites/maine.gov.mema/files/inline-files/IA_PDA_9-29-22.pdf

The completed form, plus any pictures and other supporting documentation, should be emailed to: CCEMA-EOC@cumberlandcounty.org

This information will be forwarded to the Maine Emergency Management Agency for a request for a federal Individual Assistance (IA) declaration. While there is no guarantee of an IA declaration, every application provides evidence that Maine residents and businesses need assistance in recovering from the storm.

Contact Cumberland County Emergency Management Agency Planner Margaret Cushing with questions at: 207-892-6785 or cushing@cumberlandcounty.org.

The City will be collecting discarded Christmas trees for two weeks beginning January 3 and ending January 13. Place trees curbside by 7 AM Tuesday, January 3 and leave curbside until collected. Please be sure to remove stands, tinsel, ornaments, etc.

Christmas trees may also be brought to the Transfer Facility, free of charge, during normal hours of operation (Tuesday - Saturday, 8 AM -3:30 PM).

Contact Public Works with any questions at 767-7635 or publicworks@southportland.org.

Meet South Portland and Cape Elizabeth's new Animal Control Officer, Maggie Maxwell! Maggie is originally from Upstate NY and has been living in Vermont since college with her husband. Maggie has two hound mixes, four cats, and likes to foster mother cats with their babies. Read more about Maggie in the interview below!

How did you get into the Animal Control Officer biz?
 
I originally went to school for International Business and Marketing intending to work overseas rescuing animals. Right after I graduated, I had a job opportunity at my local vet. My favorite job while in college was helping at a dog rescue, so I thought I’d try the vet field for a bit while looking for a marketing job.
 
Growing up I was scared of euthanasia and seeing hurt animals. After working at the vet for a while, I became one of their lead technicians. I expanded and began working in veterinary surgical and dental practice, and then went into the emergency field. While there, I learned that often the owner’s financial means dictates whether a pet is euthanized, since many don’t have funds for the necessary treatments. I knew there were only few people in the world that could handle seeing animals in such poor conditions and situations. I thought that since I could, I should help those ones.
 
I started my Master’s in Veterinary Forensics in hopes of getting to become a cruelty investigator someday. A first step to that includes animal control. The only way we will ever change the ways that animals are treated is through education—that’s what I want to be to this community, someone that can help community members with their pets and explain the local ordinances so that they and their pets have the best lives possible, together.
 
 
What’s your wildest story about interacting with wildlife?
 
On my way home from an overnight shift in the ER, I saw a coyote that had been hit by a car deep in the snow. I saw his tail moving, so I pulled over to investigate. I am rabies vaccinated, so I cautiously went over to see the coyote. I pulled the body out of the snowbank to the coyote injured pretty bad—head trauma. He wasn’t aggressive, just trying to get away. I had to hold him down, preventing him from running back into the road. In the state of Vermont, our Animal Control is volunteer based, so they have full-time jobs and aren’t required to go in certain situations. I called the local police department to discover someone had called in about the coyote 3 hours earlier, stating it was a dog. I was frustrated that no one had come out to help this animal. Eventually, sitting on the side of the road for some time, people driving by offered to dispatch the coyote, putting him out of his misery. I am notorious for checking on animals hit by cars, and if domesticated, helping to find the owner.
 
What’s your favorite animal and why?
 
Cats. They all just are so different from each other and really don’t care about anyone else’s agenda. If reincarnation is a thing, I want to come back as a huge, fat orange indoor cat.
 
How do you like to spend your time when you’re not on duty?
 
I love snowboarding. This past year I got my first motorcycle. I like paddleboarding a lot. I also like taking our dogs out to swim and hike. I cuddle with my cats and like day naps. I love true crime, and listen to lots of podcast and watch documentaries. I spend summers going to concerts. I am one of the lucky people who got tickets to Taylor Swift!
 

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to our five new South Portland Police Officers! Officers Drew Meader, Akos Szekely, Rachel Lovell, Sarah Clark, and Ibrahima Camara completed 18 weeks at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy studying things like criminal law, constitutional law, motor vehicle law, use of force and de-escalation, responding to people in mental health crisis, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation, firearms, and so much more. Here they are, at the recent swearing in ceremony. Welcome aboard!

• Visit the Community Center and ask for rentals. No upfront payments needed!
• A balance will be placed on your recreation account during your lease.
• Use the leased equipment for up to 5 days of outdoor fun!
• Return the equipment (in good condition) to the Community Center and the balance on your account will be removed.