Council Outlook
2024 Council Goals
In January of each year, Town Council holds a goals workshop to develop their priority initiatives for the year ahead. Their goals for 2024 are as follows:
Financial Goals
- Net Budget increase less than 5%
- Update financial modeling, Cost-to-Serve analysis and Downs’ TIF/CEA Modeling
- Review and/or update CEA Policy to align with council goals regarding expenditures, growth and housing options
- Maintain an optimal credit/bond rating
- Explore expanding tax rebate programs
Housing/Homelessness
- Continue to support workforce and affordable housing options
Growth/Development
- Update Impact Fees
- Limit the expansion of growth initiatives outside of existing permitted land/zoning uses
Capital Improvements & Facilities
- Partner with School Department, BOE and community to develop a plan for school facility needs and help facilitate it through a public process
- Establish multi-year Capital Facilities prioritization list representing investment needs of $5M or more over the next 20 years.
- Continue to support the Ad-Hoc Community Center Committee and their planning efforts
Conservation & Sustainability
- Advance Land Bond for 2024 ballot to replenish open space/conservation funds
- Continue to support efforts to increase open space/conservation efforts in town such as the 30x30 goal
- Support a Climate Action Plan for Scarborough utilizing data from the Vulnerability Assessment
Traffic & Transportation
- Identify priorities within the Town-Wide Transportation Study once completed and develop plan to implement the most significant and impactful changes to address traffic congestion and transportation improvements around town
- Identify land use implications and impacts of the Gorham Connector
- Continue support of the Gorham Connector as a way to reduce traffic congestion in Western & Northern Scarborough
- Raise awareness around a multi-year investment plan to improve town infrastructure, streets, sidewalks and transportation initiatives
Communications
- Raise awareness and effectively communicate the town revaluation process and impacts
- Have all committee work conducted be available using the hybrid methodology (online & in person) as well as recorded and available for easy public consumption.
- Improve Council/Town communications to enhance understanding around council decisions
- Provide easier and clearer information to the public surrounding major topics within the community via the implementation of an “issue tracker sheet”. The tracker sheet should contain information on the topic, hearing dates, and disposition for the public to easily follow issues of interest to them.
General
- Phase out Cannabis cultivation with negative impacts to residential areas
- Improve residential water quality standards – pursue a clean drinking water standard vs. potable standard
2024 Council Norms:
- Begin and end with what is best for the community in mind (listening and acknowledging community input and considerations during the process).
- Be Present - Come to meetings prepared to be an active participant. Refrain from the use of cell phones and other distractions during public meetings.
- Practice civility and decorum in all interactions with each other, town staff, as well as members of the public.
- Refrain from public criticism of individuals.
- Be familiar with, and actively adhere to, Council Rules and Robert's Rules of Order.
Town Council Corner
As the Town Council discusses relevant issues in Scarborough, learn more about their perspective and how you can join the conversation. Council Corner articles serve as a way for councilors to educate and expand upon these topics outside of the meeting setting. They often encourage public participation through sharing links to recent or upcoming meetings and inviting public comment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council.
By April Sither, Scarborough Town Council
The Council held a productive goal setting meeting on Saturday, January 25th. The meeting, unlike most (if not all) of our other meetings, was not livestreamed or recorded, which we took a little flack for on social media. Candidly, we work week after week, on camera, in some pretty high pressure situations. At goal setting we dressed casually, moved around the room freely, ate snacks, and joked as colleagues do. It was good for our council dynamics, and I appreciated the relaxed setting to do some really great work, and eat cookies without my kids knowing exactly how many.
By Jon Anderson, Scarborough Town Council
In November, I wrote a Councilor Corner on how residential and commercial growth is one strategy that helps to keep Scarborough affordable. Town staff will be working with the Council Communications Committee on a more in-depth communications and engagement plan to share more financial details on growth as a lever to help keep taxes lower in the near future.
By Don Cushing, Scarborough Town Council
If you’ve been following along, you know that I share your concerns about growth in our town. It affects each of us in different ways. If I were visiting from way away, like say Mars, and listened to the chatter I would think Growth is some kind of disease. Its symptoms include traffic congestion, long waits at lights, buildings in places that some of us remember as beautiful fields and worst of all, lines at the supermarket and the restaurant. If I were preparing a report for my planet, which I am not because it’s too crowed to go back to, I would observe that the root cause of this problem is people. The problem is that this little hamlet has done such a nice job of creating a livable community that people want to live here.
By April Sither, Scarborough Town Council Chair
The new year brings with it a renewed sense of purpose for our Town Council, as we prepare to begin a thoughtful and inclusive approach to goal setting. Our focus is to build upon the progress already underway while incorporating the valuable input of our community members. We are committed to creating a transparent and accountable path forward, ensuring that our community’s aspirations are translated into tangible outcomes.
By Bill Donovan, Cory Fellows, and Scott Doherty, Scarborough Town Council
The three new councilors elected in the November 2024 election contribute their introductions to the community.
Council Chair Reports
Every few months, the Town Council Chair provides a full update to councilors on anticipated upcoming agenda items, current and future initiatives, and a general timeline for action items on current issues. These reports give a comprehensive look at the most timely issues under Town Council review.