Town Manager's Message: Preparing for a Productive 2026

By Tom Hall, Scarborough Town Manager

As 2025 comes to a close it is that time of the year to reflect on the past and look to the future. I wanted to acknowledge some of our community’s notable accomplishments and preview the year ahead. 

This past year we completed a number of vital initiatives that will allow Scarborough to prepare and plan for the future: a Transportation Plan, which will help inform how to make Scarborough's transportation infrastructure safer and more efficient for our community; an Open Space Plan, to inform the future acquisition of conservation land, funded with the voter-approved land bond; and the Vulnerability Assessment, identifying key infrastructure susceptible to climate change and sea level rise.

Another significant moment of 2025 was the community support of a long needed comprehensive solution to our school facility needs. With the November ballot passing, the School Department has a plan and the necessary funding to remedy longstanding overcrowding in our schools and update our aging facilities with additional space and security upgrades.

The successful implementation of these plans and the approved school capital project will require significant financial investment over many years to come. Addressing long-term needs while managing tax impacts is never easy, but the Town has set itself up to be in the best financial position in decades in preparation for these major community investments. We have consciously reduced the total debt held to the lowest amount in recent history ($71 million), while at the same time amassed the highest unassigned fund balance ($18.8 million), which has increased by over $8 million since 2022. These targeted efforts for financial stewardship have produced tangible results in that the Town also received a credit upgrade this past year from Moody's from Aa3 to Aa2, making borrowing for these projects more advantageous.  

Along with the voter-approved school project, the community rallied and made their voices heard on a number of policy issues before the Town Council. Issues that generated a great deal of public interest included a proposed Short Term Rental ordinance, revisions to the Animal Control Ordinance applying to dogs on our beaches, a contemplated Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in the Dunstan village, and a proposal to discontinue a portion of Sawyer Street. Each one of these decisions by the Town Council was undoubtedly influenced by the engagement of the community. These examples demonstrate that the Town Council and staff are listening and responding to community sentiment. While public participation and engagement is not always without contention and disagreement, it's hard to argue that an engaged public does not ultimately lead to outcomes that reflect our community.  

Over the next year we will continue to make strides towards Scarborough’s long term sustainability. Early in the year we will review the results of our most recent community survey. I am pleased to report that early impressions from the survey reflect that Scarborough continues to be a wonderfully desirable place to live, and our essential services are well regarded by the community. We have some well known challenges that will continue to require care, attention, and solutions. 

I hope residents take comfort in knowing that the Town is actively planning for the future and that we are listening to and reacting to our residents. This combination of a forward focus and an engaged community prepares us for a productive and successful 2026. I look forward to continuing to work with our Town Council and in service of the community. I hope all residents are able to spend time with friends and family and appreciate all the good things around us.