City News Round Up: Friday, October 27, 2023
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the 10/16 City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The next regular meeting is Monday, November 13. 

Standing in Solidarity with Lewiston
We issued a statement yesterday expressing our solidarity with the City of Lewiston and the entire community impacted by the senseless and horrific mass shooting that took place Wednesday night. City officials and staff are keeping Lewiston community members and their loved ones in our thoughts, as well as the roughly 30 Portland Police & Fire Department members who are helping law enforcement and medical providers keep the community safe and bring this situation to a resolution. We are thankful for their assistance during this critical time. The City would also like to acknowledge that many of its own employees either live in Lewiston, call Lewiston their hometown, or have loved ones who reside there. While we do not yet know the full extent of this tragedy, it is certainly very difficult to process, and the impacts will be felt for a very long time. Read our full statement including thoughts from Mayor Snyder and City Manager West.
 

Community Resources
We know that it will be a difficult and long journey for many as we grieve and process this tragedy. We want to make sure you know of available resources. 

• 2-1-1 Maine provides free and confidential health and human services information in the area;
• The Maine Intentional Helpline is a free mental health peer-to-peer phone support line for adults, aged 18 and older, offering mutual conversations with a trained peer specialist who has life experience with mental health recovery. Dial 1-866-771-9276 (WARM). 
• The Maine Crisis Line is for individuals or families experiencing a behavioral health crisis or having thoughts of suicide and/or self-harm. Trained crisis call specialists answer the line and provide free and confidential telephone support and stabilization 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dial 1-888-568-1112.
•  Call or text 988 for free and confidential counseling.
• Maine DHHS: Behavioral Health Resources for Those Affected by the Violence in Lewiston

We also know that many of you may be looking for ways to support those affected by the tragedy. Below are some established funds that have been set up to provide financial support. The City of Portland is not affiliated with any of these, we are just sharing publicly available information. 

• The Central Maine Medical Center Compassionate Care Fund has been established to offset the cost of patient care during the Lewiston mass shooting tragedy. 
• The Maine Community Foundation has created the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund to address current and emerging needs associated with this tragedy.
• GoFundMe has established a hub page that lists all GoFundMe accounts related to people affected. 

Canceled: Drug Take Back Day
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day scheduled for October 28 has been canceled in light of the mass shooting in Lewiston.

Fall Curbside Leaf Collection is October 30 - November 24
This year fall curbside leaf bag collection will take place Monday, 10/30 through Friday, 11/24. Place leaves in paper biodegradable leaf bags (required) and leave curbside, even in inclement weather. Due to safety risks, crews will NOT collect bags of mulched leaves, sticks, branches, rocks sod, and/or bags of dirt. Please note: We cannot accurately predict when the leaf collection crews will be on your street as it depends on the volume of leaves they collect each day, as they work their way through the city. Find full details on our website here. 

Greater Portland’s Arts + Culture Sector Generated $86 Million in 2022
This week Creative Portland announced that Greater Portland’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $86 million in economic activity in 2022, according to the newly released Arts & Economic Prosperity Survey (AEP6), an economic and social impact study conducted by Americans for the Arts. This economic activity supported 1,872 jobs and generated $20.7 million in local, state, and federal government revenue. Read the full update here. 

Planning Board Approval: 89 Elm Street 
This week the Planning Board unanimously approved a Major Site Plan application submitted by a local developer (89 Elm Street LLC./Reveler Development) to redevelop an existing surface parking lot into a new multifamily residential building with 201 affordable new homes and ground-floor retail space in the heart of Bayside. As part of this approval the project will involve the reconstruction of sidewalks, stormwater management improvements, and the planting of over 20 street trees, in a neighborhood with the fewest amount of trees citywide.  

11/1: Annual District Meetings, District 1 Next
Our annual district meetings are an opportunity for residents to discuss neighborhood issues with their City Councilors, the City Manager, and City staff. We look forward to meeting and talking with you! Please save the following dates:  District 1, Wednesday, 11/1, 6:00 PM; District 3, Thursday, 11/9, 6:00 PM; District 4, Thursday, 11/16, 6:00 PM; District 5, Wednesday, 11/29, 6:00 PM. District 2 held its meeting on October 25. You can watch the recording. Visit our website for the full details. 

11/2: Last Day to In-Person Absentee Vote
Make a plan to vote! Full voting information can be found here. In-person absentee voting for the November 7th Election is happening now in the State of Maine Room, Second Floor City Hall, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and ends Thursday, November 2nd. On Thursday, November 2nd only, the Clerk's Office will remain open late until 7:00 PM. This is the last day to absentee vote, unless you have an allowed special circumstance. Residents may also call the City Clerk's office Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, 207-874-8677.⁠

11/4: Portland’s Annual Pumpkin-Cycle
Don’t throw your jack-o-lantern in the trash, bring it to our annual Pumpkin-Cycle instead! Pumpkin Cycle is a free, kid-friendly event on Saturday, 11/4, 9:00AM-12:00PM, at the Payson Park Little League Parking Lot. Visit us with your slumpin' pumpkins and chuck 'em into a big dump truck. From there, we'll make sure the pumpkins get properly composted and don't go to waste! 

Tips For Securing Your Bike - Portland Police
Portland Police are urging citizens to take extra precautions when leaving their bikes outside, they've estimated nearly 100 bikes have been stolen in the city since June 1st. Read the full update for their tips and precautions. You can also now file a police report online here.

Sagamore Green Infrastructure Update
Our contractor is currently installing 31 rain gardens around Sagamore Village to provide stormwater water quality treatment for 17 acres of watershed area which drains into Capisic Brook. Read the full update here. This project is currently scheduled to reach substantial completion by October 31st. 

Public Health: Lead Poisoning Prevention
Our Public Health division continues to raise awareness about how to protect children from lead. This special week highlights the importance of testing children for lead poisoning, the ways parents and caregivers can reduce a child’s exposure to lead, and the ways our community can work together to prevent the environmental risk. Visit our website to get a free lead dust kit, enter their Cleaning Kit Raffle, and learn more.

Flu Shot Walk-In Hours
Flu vaccines are available at Portland Public Health Clinic (39 Forest Ave.), no cost, and no appointment needed. Walk-in hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Available for children 6 months + older and uninsured adults, while supplies last. 

Volunteers Needed to Shovel Snow for Elderly Neighbors
Age-Friendly Portland is looking for volunteers to shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter. Volunteers are asked to shovel the steps and a path from the front door to the sidewalk, as well as the sidewalk in front of the property. Volunteers are needed in all Portland neighborhoods. Please contact Linda Weare if you are age 65+ and in need of snow shoveling or to volunteer by emailing agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov or calling 207-541-6620.

Also, watch this video to learn about the age-friendly business program and why being age-friendly certified is so important to Portland.

ReCode: Watch Video + Explore Zone-by-Zone Guide
City staff held public and virtual public forums in August + September to give the public opportunities to learn about the land use code ( released in June) and provide feedback on the first wave of draft changes. You can watch a video of the 9/27 forum here, view the presentation here, and learn about the draft changes through a zone-by-zone guide here. Public comment on these first wave edits closed today and revisions will now move forward. Residents and local organizations are always welcome to share feedback directly or request a meeting with staff at recodeportland@portlandmaine.gov.

We Can Help You Save Money + Go Solar, Whether You Rent or Own
Investing in solar energy is one of the most effective ways residents can combat climate change and save money. The City of Portland has partnered with Boston-based EnergySage, a free, solar support team that helps guide residents through the entire process and find options that best suit their needs and housing type. Learn all the details here.

Street Maintenance Parking Regulations Back In Effect
Reminder - it's time for Fall street cleaning! Street maintenance parking restrictions are in effect annually from October 1 - May 31.⁠ Please remember, cars not in compliance with City of Portland street maintenance signs are subject to ticketing and towing. Visit portlandmaine.gov/streetmaintenance⁠ to read the full information for your neighborhood. Special note: Thames Street has returned to having overnight street maintenance parking regulations in effect. Signs have been reinstalled now that nearby construction is complete.

Parks, Recreation & Facilities Updates
Read the September newsletter to learn more about the new North Deering Park, register for Fall/Winter programs and much more!

Bulky Waste Collection Permit Program - Through November 30th
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.

Work With Us!
We have multiple job openings across a variety of departments. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning! Recent positions listed: Many new roles Health + Human Services, Special Assistant to the City Manager, Outreach & Initiatives Coordinator, Benefits and Compensation Manager; Code Enforcement Officer; Housing Program Coordinator; Public Health Nurse - Maternal Child Health; and more. 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. See all paving updates here.

Ongoing: Warren Ave Sewer Separation Project
Work started Monday, 9/18 on a sewer separation project on Warren Avenue from Hicks Street to Hemingway Street. Read full details.