Hello Scarborough. It is nice to be back serving on the Town Council. The last five years have found me not far away, happily supporting the Scarborough Public Library. SPL is one of Scarborough truly venerable institutions with a stellar trustee board, and an (almost) new library director and senior staff, both second to none.

Today’s Town Council represents new faces for me. Those I served with from 2013-2019 are no longer here. I’ve thus had a chance to assess councilors and the Council’s work from a new perspective. And what is most pleasing to me is to conclude that this crop is the hardest working group with whom I’ve had the honor to serve.

So what perceptions have I made? Our agendas are packed full and long meetings are the rule of the day. The agenda and the accompanying packet of detailed information is now available through the town’s website. Leadership is strong. Our chair, April Sither, has all of the skills you’d want in a leader. And I’d swear that several Council members consider this a full-time job (I’m looking at you, Jon Anderson).

Our administration has new faces as well. While not truly “new” we have several people I’m just getting to know and appreciate their skill, including Planning Director Autumn Speer, and Assistant Town Manager, Liam Gallagher. But the constant is one of Maine’s best town managers, Tom Hall. I do not blithely express this commendation. Having chaired Portland’s regional planning organization, Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG), I’ve seen all of the area town managers and, as good as they are, Tom stands out.

I expect most readers of Councilor Corner have noticed that the Council’s recent efforts have covered an array of critical issues and concerns. The Council just recently released a carefully drawn document entitled “2025 Town Council Goals”. It is chock full of goals and tasks assigned to councilors and town committees. And just a word on town committees. Sure, we all know about our citizen-run Planning Board and Zoning Board, but you may not realize it but Scarborough has a dozen other citizen-staffed committees. They are the workhorse of planning new and amended ordinances and programs to address our needs and make Scarborough better. The proudest moment for me in this new tenure was the Council’s adoption of a wetlands protection ordinance that came about in large part because of the tireless work of committees beginning with the Conservation Commission 18 months ago. You can. We can. Make a difference.

If you reflect for a moment, what’s important to you as a community member? And you might give several answers:

• Public Education. Few issues rise to the top more than providing children with a quality education. The U.S. is a democracy dependent upon everyone having a chance and that chance starts with a public education. Kids crowded into portables is substandard and we need a solution now. Every week for many months now, April Sither and I have represented the Council at the School Board’s planning committee (SBAC2) studying solutions. Final recommendations are in sight. Much more to come.

• Improved Traffic and Transportation. We’ve all said it. Whether it’s traveling around Payne Road or Oak Hill or North Scarborough, traffic can be tough. The Council has commissioned a town-wide transportation study which is nearly ready for Council approval. Again, more to come. Help is on the way.

• Advance Workforce and Affordable Housing Initiatives. We all benefit when each person in our community is able to have a place to call home. And we all benefit when our teachers and public safety workers can afford it. The Town Council is fortunate to have a member who is a state-wide leader here, Cory Fellows, and a dedicated town committee, the Scarborough Housing Alliance, to help lead the way. Again, more to come.

As a final word, thank you to those members of the public who remain engaged and thoughtful and are “regulars” at our Council meetings. The Jim’s and Nina’s and Alyson’s, you know who you are.

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.