Scarborough has several citizen-led boards and committees working on issues to enhance our community. Much of their work is driven by council goals and initiatives, defined in the areas of long range facilities planning (addressing school facility needs), conservation (implementing environmental protection and climate change initiatives), traffic (advancing the Transportation Study), Growth/Housing (defining an affordable and workforce housing policy), and Communication (increase communications to advance council goals).

With these goals in mind, see what some boards and committees are working on:

Planning Board approves new retail and subdivisions

The Scarborough Planning Board recently reviewed and approved the site plans for the new Market Basket
that will be located at the Downs, as well as a mixed-use retail and 76-unit building that will be located across from the Intermed site on Scarborough Downs Road. The board also approved a 10-lot conservation subdivision off of Highland Avenue (close to Black Point Road), and a four-lot subdivision off of Ward Street. Planning Board meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers and streamed on YouTube.

Long Range Planning Committee

The Long Range Planning Committee is tasked with implementing the town’s comprehensive plan, a vision for the future of Scarborough. The committee is currently reviewing the Town and Village Centers Zoning Districts for its uses, density, and space and bulk standards. The purpose of this district type, established in Scarborough in 2007, is to encourage the evolution of village and town centers within Scarborough that exhibit village-style development and offer a mix of retail, office, service, civic, and residential uses in an environment conducive to both pedestrians and motorists. Scarborough has four Town and Village Center Zones. The committee reviewed them at its June 13 meeting in preparation for a series of future small area plans in targeted areas around town. Meeting details are available at scarboroughmaine.org.

Scarborough Housing Alliance

The Scarborough Housing Alliance develops and recommends a local housing agenda to the Town Council. Its work is significantly aligned with the council’s goal to develop a basis for defining an affordable and workforce housing policy. On June 4, the Town Council hosted its first workshop on this topic. Members of the Housing Alliance gave a presentation on a snapshot of housing issues in Scarborough. As part of it they covered some standard definitions (what is “affordable?”), the cost of housing, and attainability. The alliance continues to discuss strategies to reduce housing costs and track housing trends in Scarborough to better inform future decision making.

School Building Advisory Committee

The School Building Advisory Committee was formed in February 2024 following the defeat of the Unified School Referendum at the polls in November 2023. Over 18 months, the advisory committee explored a wide range of school options, working with a professional architectural and engineering firm to refine the designs and narrow down to a recommended proposal. In June the committee presented its recommended solution to the Scarborough School Board and Town Council. The Town Council voted in July to send the recommended solution to voters in a November 2025 referendum. It will be in the form of two questions: One for a project up to $129.85 million for renovations and additions to the existing neighborhood schools, Wentworth School, and middle school; the second for an up to $10 million project for further expansions to the middle school.

Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee is exploring opportunities to install solar arrays on municipal buildings or town-owned parcels. It is also assisting with the coordination of Scarborough’s third annual Sustainable Scarborough Day, a free community event being held on Sunday, Oct. 5. Looking ahead, the committee will begin work on Scarborough’s Climate Action Plan, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving resiliency. The plan will identify Scarborough’s climate challenges and opportunities, creating a vision for addressing climate change in the community.

Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee completed the Townwide Transportation Assessment, after an intensive past year working with consultants. It was formally accepted by the Town Council in July and plan to support future road projects outlined in the assessment. The committee is also assisting with a Metro Connect pilot program to improve public transit options in Scarborough.

Metro Connect is a limited on-demand service model intended to be used as a shuttle service between transportation stops, where a user books a ride from anywhere in the service area and a transit van picks them up (it’s currently implemented in Falmouth). The effort was initiated by a council goal and approved in the budget process this spring.

Learn more

Read the full Board & Committee Newsletter on the town of Scarborough website. All meeting minutes and agendas can be accessed from the Boards & Committees page under the “Government” menu. The page also has a list of committee vacancies and an online application. Subscribe to the town newsletter for regular updates on what’s happening in Scarborough.

Allison Carrier is marketing and communications manager for Scarborough. She can be reached at acarrier@scarboroughmaine.org.