Takeaways From Cake with the Councilors

The Council recently wrapped up our Cake with Councilors event series. During the past two months we went to 8 sites across Town in different neighborhoods to more conveniently meet people where they are. We represent you, and it’s important that we hear from you outside of our standard meeting to shape priorities and policies for our community.

It was a pleasure meeting with the over 80 participants who shared their concerns, ideas and hopes for Scarborough.  We heard you and are thankful that you took the time to bring your voice to the table and have a cupcake with us, as governing a Town is not a piece of cake! The information we gathered has been shared with Councilors to inform our Council goals for 2026 and with staff to follow-up on specific items that residents shared with us.

The Communications Committee plans to continue these in the future with some modifications based on feedback. We will be working on a calendar of events for 2026 and hope others will attend.

Again, we are truly thankful for your time and participation. “Democracy is not a spectator sport” and we hope to see more of you at future events!

—The Council Communications Committee (Jon Anderson, Larry Cain, Michelle Hayes)

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Below is a summary of what we heard and some future activities residents may be interested in following in the new year.

Growth

• LD 1829 (State Housing Law): This was a major topic across multiple meetings, with a strong consensus that it is a "disaster" and will have negative impacts on the town, primarily due to unfunded mandates that will affect schools, infrastructure, and public safety. Residents and attendees want the town to take a strong position against it and are interested in legal options or ways to push back while preparing to comply with the law.
• Pace of Growth: There is a general feeling that growth is too fast, with a desire to see it slow down.
• Affordable Housing: There is an acknowledged need for more affordable housing and a preference for inclusionary zoning without an in-lieu fee. There was also interest in residential units on commercial properties and small cluster housing for workforce housing opportunities.
• Development Process: Business owners reported difficulty navigating expansion and the permitting process, and a desire for a dedicated town liaison to help businesses.

Upcoming Activities: The Council is planning a proclamation on LD1829 and planning a workshop with our legislative election to discuss it in the new year.  Growth is shaping up to be the top priority for the Council in our goal setting and more details on actions will happen in January 2026.

Infrastructure, Traffic, and Public Safety

• Traffic and Roads: Concerns about growth and traffic congestion are widespread. Specific issues include traffic light sequencing, the need for more police presence to prevent speeding on County Road, perceived delays on projects (like the Mussey/Payne turning lane), and the impact of large developments outside of town (e.g., Amazon warehouse in Gorham).
• Pedestrian Infrastructure: There is a strong need expressed for more sidewalks (e.g., in Pleasant Hill, Sawyer Rd) and better connectivity to trails, as current conditions are not safe for walking or biking. Solutions for safely crossing Route 1 are also desired.
• Water Quality: Residents in West and North Scarborough residents expressed concerns about water quality and safe drinking from wells

Upcoming Activities: The Town’s priority as it relates to roads is the Payne Road corridor.  In 2026 the Town is initiating a Sidewalks and Trails Master Plan to address pedestrian mobility and safety.

Taxes and Financial Matters

• Taxes: Discussions covered property taxes, the Senior Tax Rebate program, and significant concern about the tax increases resulting from the school project, especially for seniors on fixed incomes.
• Financial Policy: A strong sentiment emerged against TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) and CEAs (Credit Enhancement Agreements), with a desire for them to be approved by voters. There were also requests for tax incentives to be directed more toward existing residents for property redevelopment.
• Town Spending: After the school project, there was a consensus to be cautious about advancing additional spending initiatives, such as for the community center or library expansion.

Upcoming Activities: The Town and School have committed to be mindful of the impact the school will have on taxes.  Stay tuned to the Finance Committee and Goal setting as we discuss financial opportunities to reduce tax burden on residents.

Community Engagement and Communication

• Communication: A major theme is the difficulty seniors and other residents are having staying informed, particularly following the loss of The Leader local print newspaper. Suggestions included a Town insert in the advertisement mailer and printed copies of the newsletter.
• Public Engagement: Frustration exists over the public comment policy (e.g., 3-minute limit, being cut off) and the workshop format not allowing for real public engagement. There is a desire for more discussion opportunities with back-and-forth between Town representatives and the public, including virtual options.

Upcoming Activities: The Council Communications Committee is committed to continue doing these outreach efforts to engage and get feedback from our community.  The Committee is also looking for other ways to improve print distribution to homes to enhance communication due to the loss of the leader.

Other Specific Town Issues

• Beach Parking: Continued concerns about the high price for out-of-town beach parking and a resident request to revisit the policy on parking cars on private property at Pine Point.
• Short-Term Rentals (STRs): Concern that the town needs to act on an STR ordinance, especially since surrounding towns have them.
• Preservation: Residents want to preserve open space, protect existing farmland, and maintain the historical character of areas like North Scarborough Village.

Upcoming Activities: The Town is exploring automated parking services that will likely lead to a revision of beach parking. STRs are planned to be part of future Ordinance meetings in 2026.