Sustainability Committee

Purpose

The Scarborough Sustainability Committee promotes energy and environmental sustainability in Scarborough and researches energy programs, projects, and policies through conservation and alternative energy use.

Meetings

The Sustainability Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, beginning at 8:00 AM at Town Hall and on Zoom. The public is invited to attend.

Project Highlights

Sustainable Scarborough Day

The Sustainability Committee supports the coordination of Scarborough's annual Sustainable Scarborough Day. The event brings together everyone from the environmentally conscious to the eco-curious for a day of learning and fun. The family-friendly event includes displays, activities, and information from local businesses and organizations; live music; food trucks; giveaways; and more! The event is held on the first Sunday of October at Wentworth School. 

ordinance updates

The Sustainability Committee recommends ordinance updates to help make development in Scarborough more sustainable. Two notable changes to the Zoning Ordinance include adding commercial solar development as an allowable use in Scarborough and changing the off-street parking rules to require electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to be planned for during the site development process. 

LED Street light conversion

The Sustainability Committee supported the Town's effort to convert all street lights on public ways to energy-efficient LED fixtures. The project, which was completed in 2020, included purchasing all of the Town’s streetlights from Central Maine Power. After an initial $700,000 investment, the Town projected an annual savings of $94,500, making the payback period for the project roughly 7.5 years. 

Increase Recycling in Scarborough

The Sustainability Committee explored ways to increase the recycling rate and reduce solid waste and costs associated with disposal. This analysis included consideration of a Pay-As-You-Throw program to incentivize recycling. The Committee's Final Report on Reducing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is linked. 

Rooftop Solar Installation

In 2014, the Town entered into a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with ReVision Energy to install solar arrays on two Town buildings - the Community Services maintenance building and the North Scarborough fire station. Through the PPA, the Town bore no upfront cost to install the arrays because ReVision Energy retained ownership of the systems. The Town paid ReVision for the electricity generated by the solar arrays at a rate $0.02 lower than CMP’s standard offer. The Committee estimated that the Town saved nearly $20,000 on electricity costs between 2014 and 2021.

The Town Council allocated $72,000 in the FY22 budget to buy out the arrays, based on the analysis and recommendation of the Sustainability Committee. By purchasing the solar arrays outright from ReVision, the Sustainability Committee estimated that the Town would expect $168,000 in net savings over the remaining useful life of the arrays.

The Sustainability Committee is exploring opportunities to add solar arrays to other municipal buildings. 

The Comprehensive Energy Plan will guide the Town of Scarborough towards an energy management system that is financially and environmentally sustainable.

2017 Comprehensive Energy and Sustainability Plan

Energy Tips

• Do a Home Energy Audit! (Home Energy Audit Instructions | Home Energy Audit Checklist)
• Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
• Turn things off when you are not in the room such as lights, TVs, entertainment systems, and your computer and monitor.
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120°F.
• Take short showers instead of baths and use low-flow showerheads for additional energy savings.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.Air dry clothes.
• Check to see that windows and doors are closed when heating or cooling your home.
• Drive sensibly; aggressive driving such as speeding, and rapid acceleration and braking, wastes fuel.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR® label on light bulbs, home appliances, electronics, and other products.

Deb McDonough | Chair | 2028
Lydia Jopp | Vice-chair |2028 
Ronald Allen | 2027
J. Anton Bodor | 2026
Patrice Kastenholz | 2026
Dan Shapiro | First Alternate | 2027
Vacant | Second Alternate | 2027

Jami Fitch
Staff Liaison
Phone: (207) 730-4035
Email: jfitch@scarboroughmaine.org

William [Bill] Donovan
Town Councilor
Phone: 207-883-9168
Email: wdonovan@scarboroughmaine.org

The Sustainability Committee meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, at 8:00 AM at Town Hall and on Zoom. The public is invited to attend.

Energy

Efficiency Maine helps businesses and residents use energy more efficiently, reduce energy costs, and lighten the impact on Maine's environment from the burning of fossil fuels.

Efficiency Maine programs provide incentives, training, and technical assistance to residents and businesses to save energy and money. They have special programs to help low-income Mainers and small businesses save energy and money. Visit their website to learn more about their current programs.

Waste Management

Trash & Recycling

Scarborough provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection. Information about curbside collection is available on Public Works' Household Waste page. 

Food Waste

Household Hazardous Waste

Scarborough partners with the Cities of Biddeford and Saco to offer three household hazardous waste collection days throughout the year. Visit Public Works' Household Hazardous Waste page to learn more about the events and to see the items that are collected. 

Lawn Care

Growing a healthy lawn without chemicals, like weed and bug killers, is important for the health of humans, pets, and the environment. Scarborough has a series of healthy lawn care fact sheets to help grow a beautiful lawn without harmful chemicals. 

The Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District also offers healthy lawn care workshops and resources.