In the early hours of Wednesday, June 28, the Legislature’s budget committee completed their work on the biennial budget. They spent the entire night on Tuesday negotiating and voting on every line item of the budget, each of which would help improve the lives of Mainers. Their hard work and long hours at the negotiating […]
Leader Opinion
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
Recently approved school budget explained
The Scarborough Schools Leadership Council and Board of Education are pleased to present our FY 24 Budget. The detailed budget development process begins with our “level services” budget, which equates to the resources required to maintain the same programs and services that the school district currently provides. Overall, our expense increase of 5.78% is in […]
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Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
In the Know – Adding native plants to our landscapes
As we ponder our home landscapes, we can consider landscaping not just for aesthetic purposes, but for increasing habitat and food sources for wildlife. Increasingly, homeowners are looking to augment the biodiversity of their properties with Maine native plants that attract birds, insects, and mammals that are also native to Maine. The plants and animals […]
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
In the Know – Fire-Police Team call officers are unsung heroes of public safety
The Scarborough Police Department’s Fire-Police Team is recruiting new team members to join its ranks. The team originated in 1987 with seven team members and currently has 11 people assigned to the primary task of conducting traffic control at motor vehicle crashes, structure fires, storm-related road closures and large scale events. Team members are assigned […]
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
Council Corner – Budget approved; now it’s time to vote
The Scarborough Town Council adopted its budget for fiscal year 2024 at our June 7 meeting. This action establishes the municipal budget for next year, and determines what amounts will be sent to the voters for approval in the school budget validation referendum. Absentee ballots can be cast on the school budget today, and you […]
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
Council Corner – The art of the possible
The first day of summer is approaching and the end of our annual budget process. My fifth round as a councilor dealing with it. Our town council fiscal year 2024 goal is as close as possible to plus-3 percent net budget increase, or a 15.85 mil rate (percent of taxes per $1,000 of assessed value). […]
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
Nature Notes – Scarborough Land Trust offers program on fireflies
There are certain things that say summer. For many of us, summer means the beach, barbecues, ice cream stands, and family camping trips. If, like me, you are a student of phenology (the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life) there is one nightly event […]
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
From Augusta – All Mainers need access to paid family and medical leave
As a nurse, I remember helping new parents after the birth of their child, preparing them the best I could for both the joys and the challenges ahead of them. It was heartbreaking to know that after parents leave the hospital, many must choose between earning income or providing care for the newest member of […]
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
In the Know – Environmental projects prioritized in town budget
The fiscal year 2024 municipal budget was approved by the Scarborough Town Council after a second reading and vote on the proposed fiscal year 2024 municipal budget on June 7. It includes funding for two projects to support significant natural areas in Scarborough. The Engineering Department request includes an update of the 2011 Red Brook […]
Posted inScarborough Leader, Southern Maine Weeklies
In the Know – Town nears completion of financial audit
Many people wonder, ‘What is an audit and why does the town need one?’ The short answer is the town charter and state statutes require an annual financial audit. The annual audit is conducted by an independent firm of certified public accountants appointed by the town council. The goal of each audit is to receive […]