Your Voice Matters

Your Voice Matters

By Michelle Hayes, Town Council 

My first year on the Town Council has passed in what has felt like a "blink of an eye!" I anticipated many issues that would come before the Council but I couldn't have imagined the variety of topics and challenges our Town has faced in 12 short months. I am grateful for the learnings and the support from seasoned councilors, staff experts, and citizens who have patiently shared their knowledge, opinions, and ideas. As we enter election season, I started thinking about the VOICES that have influenced our Town Council in 2026.

One of my favorite moments this year was when a 100-year-old resident spoke during our public comment segment. The Council was discussing the proposed routes for our new METRO bus pilot which begins on October 2. The Black Point Road route was projected to end before reaching the Kaler-Vaill Independent Living residence, home to 15 retired women. The caller stressed that their residents were ideal customers for the METRO transit as many residents don't drive and need to attend regular appointments. The Council supported the request and our Town Manager successfully expanded the METRO pilot's route. I applaud these women for using their VOICES and advocating for change. I hope when I'm 100 I'm as sharp and articulate as the Kaler-Vaill women! My beloved mother-in-law lived to 98 and would have been a perfect addition to this intelligent group of women.

Scarborough residents can use their VOICES to communicate with our Town Council in a number of ways. You can call, email, attend our quarterly Conversations with Councilors sessions, share comments at committee meetings, and speak at the podium during the public comment segment of our bi-monthly Council meetings. Personally, I enjoy many constituent conversations in the aisles of Hannaford while grocery shopping, on my Eastern Trail and beach walks, and during my visits to the Sunday morning Farmer's Market. These informal meetings are terrific.

The Town Council receives thousands of comments throughout the year and your feedback informs our thinking and decisions. As I reflect on 2026, here are a few topics that were greatly influenced by YOUR input:

• The finalization of the Town's Short-Term Rental ordinance to include a STR rental registration requirement (12/2026), rules for owner occupied versus non-owner occupied STRs, and the establishment of a Coastal Beach Overlay Zone. 

• The Maine Department of Transportation proposed closing one of our northbound lanes on Route One across the Scarborough Marsh during the summer of 2026. Their goal—good in theory—was to test converting the closed lane into a temporary multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians while studying how traffic handled the change. The Council received overwhelming feedback to keep the lanes open for traffic, so we voted not to advance the test.

• The ICE facility located at 40 Manson Libby Road has been in the spotlight and the Council has spent considerable time educating ourselves, working with outside legal council, and listening to our residents. At last evening's Town Council meeting, we authorized our Council Chair to send a letter on behalf of the Town Council to the Department of Homeland Security requesting a tour of the facility to gather information regarding activities at the ICE Facility. We also had a first reading and will schedule a public hearing and second reading to establish a new Ordinance entitled "Municipal Policies Regarding Federal Immigration Enforcement."

• Traffic is a top concern we hear from residents. A group of citizens helped write the traffic calming policy we use today. Feedback from citizens regarding confusion over the Route One speed bump pilot led to clarifying signage. A current opportunity to influence traffic flow in Scarborough is to get involved in the MaineDOT Portland West Traffic Study. Their goal is to develop potential solutions to improve safety, mobility and congestion along the Route 114 and Route 22 corridors west of Portland. The study area includes Scarborough, South Portland, Gorham, and Westbrook. Their website is excellent and you have an opportunity to take their survey to have your VOICE heard.

• The current Data Center moratorium was influenced by hundreds of concerned citizens leading us to pause and study the issue extensively.

• Thoughtful growth was a key reason I ran for Town Council and a topic near and dear to so many Scarborough residents. Your VOICE informed many of the actions the Town pursued to influence the State regarding its introduction of LD 1829 which removed tremendous local control over growth management. Your feedback and our advocacy ensured a better outcome for Scarborough.

There's no better way to use your VOICE than to cast your vote. Election Day is November 3 but early voting begins at Scarborough Town Hall on October 5. We have 13 candidates on our local ballot this election cycle. Seven people are running for three Council seats, two individuals are running for one Board of Education seat, and four individuals are running for three Sanitary District openings. If you weren't able to attend Candidate's Night, I encourage you to watch the event on YouTube before you vote. The candidates were knowledgeable and impressive! Thank you to our 13 neighbors who have stepped up with the hope of serving our Town! 

Our Town Council will say goodbye to Councilors Bill Donovan and Jonathan Anderson. Both men have given thousands of hours of their time and expertise because of their passion and love for Scarborough. I will miss partnering with them and their leadership! Councilor Larry Cain is running for reelection and has been a fantastic partner during my first year of service. I want to give a shout out to our Council Chair, Cory Fellows, for his leadership during a tremendously busy year and for navigating numerous challenging meetings. I look forward to welcoming our new Council members in November.

I want to close with an update on the newly formed Scarborough Wood Bank. Their steering committee (Jeremy Grondin, Art Ledue, Steve Hammond, Patrick O'Reilly) presented their idea to the Town Council in July and we unanimously approved it. The goal is to provide 20 to 30 cords of seasoned firewood for the 2027 heating season for neighbors in need. Steffi from Project Grace informed me the Wood Bank has already helped two Scarborough households! It is going to be an extremely challenging heating season so the timing of the Wood Bank's creation couldn't be better.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can donate your time or resources, please check them out at www.scarboroughwoodbank.org. My husband and a few others will be back at the site with their chainsaws this Saturday. You can apply to volunteer on the Wood Bank website. Jeremy Grondin has offered to host a community fundraiser "Warm Up Scarborough" at their Oak Hill Village Center Auto Care site on November 14. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Project Grace heating assistance programs and the Scarborough Wood Bank. Thank you, Jeremy, and I hope to see our neighbors on November 14. Let's help everyone stay warm this winter!

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council.