City News Round Up: Friday, May 19, 2023 

Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the City Council’s May 15 meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas.

5/20: Tree Hugging/Planting at Deering Oaks Park 
Rain is predicted to hold off until later in the afternoon tomorrow, so plan on joining our Parks & Rec team for a Forest Bathing/Tree Hugging-Tree Planting experience at 11:00 AM. Learn more here. Hug some trees with us!

May 29: City Hall/City Buildings Closure and Memorial Day Procession
Portland City Hall and City offices will be closed on Monday, 5/29 in observance of Memorial Day. Please note: There will not be a parade on Congress St. this year. The American Legion instead will join the DCNA Memorial Day Procession and Commemoration on Stevens Avenue. The procession will begin at 2:00 PM in front of Longfellow School and end at Evergreen Cemetery. Learn more.

Update: Volunteer on City Board and Commissions, Clean Elections 
We are seeking applications for various City board and committee positions, including new roles on the Clean Elections Review Board. Find the full position descriptions along with how to apply via our website here. The application deadline is Friday, June 2. Send additional questions to the Portland City Clerk at arand@portlandmaine.gov. 

5/24: Public Meeting: Baxter-Bates-Veranda Bikeway Project 
Join City staff Wednesday, May 24, for an Open House (5:45 PM) and Public Meeting (6:30 PM) for the Baxter Boulevard/Bates Street/Veranda Street Bikeway Project. Meet at the GPCOG Office (970 Baxter Boulevard, 2nd Floor) to learn the planning work to date to create a safer bicycling route from the Back Cove Trail/Baxter Boulevard to Bate St and Veranda St. The project will connect to the recently installed bike lanes on Veranda Street as part of the MaineDOT's bridge replacement project last year. 

5/25: Downtown Worker Appreciation Day
Stop by Monument Square on Thursday, May 25 anytime between 11 AM and 2 PM for Downtown Worker Appreciation Day! All downtown workers are welcome and encouraged to attend. Portland Downtown hosts a lunch hour of FREE iced beverages, massages, locally-made snacks, giveaways, music, lawn games, and SO MANY THANKS!

Housing & Economic Development Dept. Welcomes Three New Hires
We are excited to announce three new staff who will help facilitate efforts in our Housing and Economic Development department. Nancy Martin has been hired as the new Business Programs Manager, Rowen McAllister has been hired as the new Housing & Community Development (HCD) Program Manager, and Melissa Hue has been hired as the new director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. Learn more about the new staff here.

June 13 Election: In-Person Absentee Voting Underway
In-person absentee voting is now underway in the State of Maine Room, 2nd floor, City Hall. Hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. On Thursday, June 8 only, the Clerk's Office will remain open until 7:00 PM. This is the last day to absentee vote, unless you have an allowed special circumstance. Learn more about this election, and how to return your ballot via portlandmaine.gov/absentee.

FY24 Budget Process
We encourage you to stay informed and follow along with the budget review process. See the meeting dates on this page. The last City Council public hearing will take place on Monday, June 5.

We’re Hiring: New Positions Open 
Come make a difference with us; our wellness benefits are award winning! We’re seeking a City Arborist, learn more here. Our Recreation Division is also hiring On-Call Bus Drivers for their 62+ Senior Recreation program. This position is flexible, select trips and activities at your leisure. Scheduled trips take place between 8-15 times per month. Read the full description and apply here. We also have multiple job openings across a variety of departments including Health & Human Services, the Police Department, Parking Division, Treasury, Parks, and more. View the full list of openings here.

Island Parking Lottery and Free Park + Ride Shuttle Coming in June
City of Portland island residents: Please complete this form by May 22 to enter the Ocean Gateway Lot parking lottery. Fifty parking spaces will be made available to island residents selected by lottery; only one entry per household is permitted.

This program will run from June 15 to October 31, 2023 and each space will cost $167/month. 

Coming Soon! A new, free Park + Ride Shuttle starts June 15 - October 10, 2023, between the Park & Ride Lot on Marginal Way and the Maine State Pier. See the schedule here.

Mow Tall ‘Til Fall: Sustainability Tips and Updates
Many people defer mowing their lawns in May to provide early-season food for bees and other pollinators, but “mowing tall” by setting the height of your lawnmower to 3.5”-4” can help your lawn stay green and healthy throughout the growing season. Read more tips and benefits here. 

• In case you missed it: Garbage to Garden is offering Portland residents a free 1-month trial to new sign-ups for a limited time!
   

Welcome Back Portland Bikeshare! 
All 150 pedal bikes are now available, as well as the full fleet of 50 electric-assist bikes. An Annual Membership option is new for this season, as well as a returning Monthly Membership; both waive the unlock fees and the rental fees are 50% off! Forty bike stations make using the system easy. Download the MOVATIC app to get started; and visit www.tandem-mobility.com/portland to learn more.

Donate & Volunteer to Assist Asylum Seekers
The Portland Expo Building is currently serving as a temporary emergency shelter through the summer, in response to the significant increase in demand for shelter by asylum seeking families. Read the full update here. Visit portlandmaine.gov/donate for full donation information. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit portlandmaine.gov/volunteer.

Parks and Recreation Updates
Our Parks team has received funding for the redesign of the Reiche Playground! Please take their survey here to share your ideas. Your input will help guide the design team as they develop concepts over Summer/Fall of 2023. Read the latest updates in the Parks + Rec APRIL newsletter. 

Bulky Waste Collection Permit Program
Did you know Portland Public Works provides a convenient way to dispose of many items curbside (April to November)? Learn more here, and email questions to: solidwaste@portlandmaine.gov.

Riverside Recycling's Household Hazardous Waste Day
Hazardous waste events happen the first Saturday of the month, 7:30AM to 1PM, April through November. Find a detailed list of acceptable household hazardous waste items here.
 

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects

Please visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for information links to all the most recent DPW project updates.

It’s that time of year! Crosswalk re-painting is now underway during daylight hours; focus is on the peninsula first, then crews will make their way around the rest of the city.  

NEW: 5/22, Geotechnical Work: Commercial, Center, Pleasant, & Free Sts.
Geotechnical exploration work to impact Commercial, Center, Pleasant, and Free Streets, starting Monday, 5/22, to continue 1-2 weeks. Read the full details here.

NEW: 5/24, Forest Avenue at Dartmouth Street Lane Closures
Outbound lane closures are scheduled for Wednesday, May 24 at 9:00 AM on Forest Avenue at Dartmouth Street, for a Portland Water district hydrant repair; part of the City’s Back Cove West Storage Conduit project. Businesses will remain open during the entire construction project.

Back Cove West Update
Work continues raising manhole frames,  grading the roadway for paving, and more. Weather depending, final pavement is currently planned on Baxter Boulevard and Dartmouth Street during the week of July 24. Read the full update here. Back Cove South Project work has been ongoing throughout the winter months, learn more.

5/8 - 6/15: Construction Resumes Fore Street/Eastern Prom
Final project work returns to this work zone, located on Fore St. and Eastern Prom from Freedom Way to Morning St., and is scheduled to be completed by June 15. All roadways will remain open during this final work sequence, read the full details here.

Washington Ave Streetscapes
Washington Avenue, from Congress Street to Oxford Street, will be resurfaced, with construction to begin April 24. Learn more.

2023 Paving Projects: Estimated Start Dates - Ongoing this Spring
Delayed projects aim to start this Spring on State Street (York to Congress) and on Forest Avenue (Congress to Park Ave). See the full street list and check back for updates here.