City News Round Up: Friday, October 7, 2022
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the City Council’s October 3rd meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. 

Tonight! First Friday Art Walk and Summer Stage 
Join Creative Portland tonight in Monument Square for their final show of the 2022 Summer Stage Series, starting at 5:00 PM. Learn more here and download the art walk map here. 

10/10: Upcoming Holiday Closure
City Hall and City offices will be closed Monday, October 10 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day; trash and recycling will be collected as normal. See the full Trash and Recycling Holiday schedule on our website.

November 8, 2022 Election

In-Person Absentee Voting
In-person absentee voting begins Wednesday, October 12 at 8:30 AM. The City Clerk's office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-4:30PM, and Wednesdays until 5:30 PM. In-person early absentee voting runs until Thursday, November 3 (on that day only we are open until 7:00 PM.)

Mailed Absentee Ballots
For those who have already requested an absentee ballot be mailed to them, ballots are on their way to you. Residents should start receiving them in the mail by next week. Please note that you will be receiving two packets in the mail for this election. One envelope is your official ballot and the other envelope is the full text of all of the Citizen Initiative Referendum Questions and the proposed Charter amendments. 

Absentee Ballot 24/7 Drop Boxes - Two This year!
This year we have two absentee ballot drop boxes. One at City Call (Myrtle Street side) and now one at our Canco Road facility, 212 Canco Road. Learn more here.

What’s on the ballot? 
Visit our website to read the full text of the citizen initiative referendum questions and the list of the proposed Charter Commission's Amendments to the Portland City Charter. You can also learn about the other candidates who are running for office by viewing a sample of the municipal ballot and state ballot.

Tax Bills Now Available Online & Due November 4
Tax bills can now be viewed and paid on our Citizen Self Service website. Payments are due on November 4. The second portion is due March 17. Paper copies have been mailed out.  

10/12: Free Flu and COVID Bivalent Booster Clinic
We’re offering a flu and COVID bivalent booster vaccination clinic on Wednesday, October 12, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, at City Hall, 389 Congress Street, in the Kippy Richardson Room 24 (Please use Myrtle Street entrance). The clinic is free to the public, ages 12 and older, no appointment needed. Learn more here. Email Sarah Sheldon with any questions, ssheldon@portlandmaine.gov, or call 207-874-8446.

10/12, Public Meeting: Portland Harbor CAD Cell and Dredge Project 
The public is invited to attend this stakeholder update meeting of the Portland Harbor CAD Cell and Dredge Project on Wednesday, October 12 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Centerboard Yacht Club, 271 Front Street, in South Portland. Learn more about this meeting here.

Free Accessibility Items For Portland Business Owners
Age Friendly has received an AARP Community Challenge Grant to help businesses improve accessibility for their patrons. Portable ramps and wireless doorbells will be donated to the first 10 businesses or non-profit organizations that apply for Age-Friendly designation during the month of October. Apply here. To learn more, email agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-541-6620. 

Sustainability Staff Wins 2022 Conservation Leadership Award
Congratulations to our Director of Sustainability, Troy Moon, a 2022 Conservation Leadership Award Winner for leading sustainability efforts in Portland, as well as collaborating with South Portland in the development of “One Climate Future.” Learn more about the 2022 winners from across the state here. 

Eastern Prom Food Truck Pilot Program Survey, Through 10/14
Visit portland.civilspace.io to take our food truck pilot program survey. The survey will be open until October 14 at 4:30 PM.

Street Sweeping Regulations Back In Effect 
It's time for Fall cleaning! Please remember, cars not in compliance with City of Portland street maintenance signs are subject to ticketing and towing. Regulations are in effect annually from October 1 - May 31, learn more at portlandmaine.gov/streetmaintenance.

Allowable Rent Increases Per CPI & Tax Rate Adjustment
The new allowable rent increase per the consumer price index (CPI), and the allowable tax rate rent adjustment were both published last week; landlords and tenants were informed. Landlords and property managers should also be aware that the City’s annual rental registration process is soon upon us. Long Term and Short Term Rental Renewals for 2023 are expected to be mailed out the first week of November. Learn the full details in this news update.

Friday, 10/14: Coffee and Climate, Community Solar
Tony Napolitano of Maine Community Solar, and Thomas Tutor of ReVision Energy, join our monthly Sustainability chat to discuss community solar: what it is, how it works, and how to choose the best program to get started! Register here for this Coffee & Climate Zoom chat happening Friday, October 14, 9AM-10AM. 

Fall Leaf & Yard Waste Curbside Collection 🍁 October 24-November 18
This year, curbside leaf and yard waste collection will begin Monday, October 24 and end Friday, November 18. Leaves must be in large, paper biodegradable leaf bags that can be purchased at most hardware stores. Place the bags curbside on your normal trash day, during the above dates, and City crews will take care of the rest! Learn more on our website.

10/29 Save the Date: Spooktacular Songs & Storytime, Free!
Join us for a fun, kid-oriented Halloween event at Merrill Auditorium on Saturday, October 29 at 10:00 AM. Co-presented by Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, City of Portland, and Portland Public Library (PPL), the event will feature stories, songs, the PPL book-mobile, a kid-friendly demonstration of the Kotzschmar Organ, costume parade and more! See all the details and RSVP here.

Help Us Find a “Show-Stopping” Tree for Monument Square
Portland Downtown and the City of Portland are seeking the next “perfect tree” to grace Monument Square this holiday season. Residents and property owners who wish to donate a tree can find all the details and submit a tree for consideration via portlandmaine.com/tree. 

Share Your Ideas: Transit Together Survey
The Transit Together study is proposing changes to the Greater Portland region’s bus network, and they are looking for your input! Please check out www.transittogether.org for more information. An online survey with detailed information on proposed changes will be open through mid-October.

Updates from Parks and Recreation
The Fall-Winter-Spring Recreation brochure is now available, read it online here. 

• Skatepark Expansion design meeting: Wednesday, 10/19, 6PM-7PM
• Read all the updates via the September newsletter.

Work With Us

We currently have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, such as in our Parking Division, Treasury Office, City Clerk’s Office, and Health & Human Services department. 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. 

Paving Updates
Harris Avenue and Newton Street are scheduled to be milled on Tuesday, 10/11. There will be No Parking along both roads and there may be traffic delays during this work. Find current and ongoing paving projects and sidewalk projects listed on our website.

Project Delayed: Forest Avenue, Congress St to Park Ave
This PACTS Collector Paving Project run by MaineDOT staff, and awarded to Glidden Excavating, has been delayed to 2023 due to utility installations. Exact start and end dates are being negotiated but it should be early Spring 2023. The project will include milling, paving, ADA upgrades, and striping along Forest Avenue from Congress Street to Park Avenue. 

Ludlow and Elm Street Bike Lanes
Learn more about the Advisory Bike Lane project on Ludlow Street and the Elm Street lane changes. Project information can be found here. 

Updated: Stevens Avenue Roadwork
Sidewalk work will continue for another two to three weeks. Final project completion anticipated for mid-October.