City News Round Up: Friday, August 12, 2022
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read the recap of the August 8 City Council meeting here. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas.  

Vital Records Can Now Be Requested Online
You can now request vital records online and have them directly mailed to you without coming into City Hall! Record requests will be fulfilled within two business days and mailed to the address provided. You must possess a valid U.S. Driver's License to order through this service. Learn more on our website via the City Clerk.

November 2022 Election: Request Your Absentee Ballot Online
The online portal is now open to request absentee ballots for the November 8 General Election, visit portlandmaine.gov/absentee. Please note the ballots themselves won't be available until 30 days before Election Day (November 8, 2022). Residents may also call the City Clerk's office to request a ballot: Mon-Fri, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM: 207-874-8677. Please visit portlandmaine.gov/elections for additional information regarding the upcoming election. 

Portland Bikeshare Launches Monday, August 15
Our first ever bikeshare program launches Monday! In partnership with Tandem Mobility, the program will start with an initial introduction of 50 bikes; additional bikes will be added to the fleet over the following weeks. Residents and visitors will enjoy convenient access to 150 traditional geared bikes and 50 electric assist bikes staged at over 40 parking hubs throughout the peninsula. Learn more about Portland Bikeshare here, and download the app here. 

Survey: Portland Public Library wants to hear from you!
Can you give the Portland Public Library five minutes of your time and feedback? Please take their quick survey here. Don't use the Library? That's okay! They would love  to hear from everyone in our community. The survey is open through Monday, August 22 at 9AM.

Saturday, August 13: Islands Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Household hazardous waste drop off for the islands will take place on Saturday, August 13. Visit our website to view the list of pick up times for each island. All items must be placed on dock before pick up time. Please direct questions to solidwaste@portlandmaine.gov, or call 207-756-8011.

Community Note: Casco Bay Lines Temporary Schedule Changes
Please be aware, Casco Bay Lines has made modifications to their downbay sailing schedule beginning on August 13, 2022, for the remaining three weeks of the summer season. Visit their website for the full update.

Riverton Trolley Park Expands After 100 Years
Last week we announced the City’s Land Bank Commission has added a new parcel of land to expand the Riverton Trolley Park! The new park space provides significant wildlife habitat with mature white pines, water quality protection for the Presumpscot River, and protects the viewshed of the historic park located off Riverside Street and Forest Ave. Read more about the Riverton Trolley Park expansion here.

Apply by August 22: Volunteer for City Boards & Committees
Ready to get involved and help shape your city? Boards, commissions, task forces, and committees are an important part of Portland’s government. We’re looking for volunteers to help serve on several of those boards and committees. Find application information and read the full list of open seats on our website, or call 207-874-8677. Applicants will be contacted for interviews; the deadline to apply is Monday, August 22.

ARPA Funds Pre-Application Process Extended to August 19
We have extended the pre-application process for the second round of ARPA funds. There is approximately $11.2M in funding that is anticipated to be available to businesses, nonprofits, and governmental entities. This is in addition to the 19 projects approved after the first participatory ARPA funding process in November 2022.The pre-application is due August 19, 2022 at 4:00 PM. Find the application and learn more: portlandmaine.gov/ARPA.

ARPA Funds Survey: The public funding survey for the remaining American Rescue Act (ARPA) funds available to the City continues - please share your input! The survey closes August 19 at 5:00 PM. The new survey results will be presented to both the Finance Committee and City Council later this summer. For more ARPA information and a complete list of projects that have received funding, please visit: portlandmaine.gov/arpa.

Phase II: Creative Bus Shelter Initiative 
Creative Portland, in partnership with Greater Portland METRO (METRO) and the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG), announced the installation of five new bus shelter designs coming this August, for a total of nine artistic bus shelters along METRO routes. Learn more about the artists and this second phase of the project here.

Update: New Downtown Public Restrooms
Two of three new public restrooms have been installed! There is one at the Fish Pier on Commercial Street and now one at the corner of Monument Way (should be fully open now after awaiting final fixtures) and Free Street. The third one, which will be located at the Central Fire Station, (on Pearl St, between Congress and Federal) will be installed later in August.

Parks and Recreation Updates

Recreation Programmers Needed
Do you have excellent customer service skills and enjoy working with children? Our Recreation team has an opportunity for you to engage with the community through a variety of recreational activities. This position is responsible for monitoring and engaging with program participants in the After the Bell Program. The After School Program schedule begins in late August, and the hours vary to include the After School program: 2:00 PM to 5:30 PM (M-F). CEBA Union – Grade 4 - $16.67/hour. Learn more about this position and apply here.

Don’t miss this great story in the Portland Press Herald featuring our Park and Play program. Learn more about these updates, and more,  via the July Parks and Recreation newsletter.

Help Us Protect and Grow Our Canopy Cover
Despite a labor shortage and other logistical challenges, our Forestry Team planted 150 trees city-wide this season! (Read more in the Letter from our Parks Director.) Can you help us protect and grow our canopy cover? If you have recently planted a tree in front of your home or business, give the young tree about 5 gallons of water each week. Water directly over the root zone, and the slower you water, the better so the water has a chance to soak in. Our crews will continue with their regular watering of each and every tree for two years after planting, the additional weekly watering will help the young trees reach maturity. 

Work With Us!
We currently have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, view the full list of openings here. 

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects

Please visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for information links to all the most recent DPW project updates. The current and ongoing paving projects have been updated on our website here

*Reminder* Forest Avenue at Dartmouth Street Closures, Nightly 8/14-8/18
Starting Sunday, 8/14 through Thursday, August 18 there will be nightly closures of Forest Ave. at Dartmouth St. with a detour for traffic from 7PM to 7AM; detours will be using Deering Ave. and Falmouth St. Learn more about these closures. 

*New* Paving at 815 Forest Avenue, Tuesday 8/16
*New* Alder Street Parking Ban and Traffic Change Starting Friday, 8/12

Forest Ave. and Avalon Rd Sewer Separation Starts August 15, 6 weeks
Construction is anticipated to begin the week of August 15 on the Forest Ave. at Avalon Road sewer separation project for six weeks. Read the full traffic alert here.

Forest Ave: August Proposed Paving
MaineDOT is preparing to pave Forest Avenue from Congress Street to Park Avenue. This street is currently proposed for repair and resurfacing during the 2022 construction season. We will share updates with dates as they are received. 

Project Update: Fore Street/Eastern Promenade Sewer Separation Project
Read the full project update here.