City of Portland Alerts

City News Round Up: Friday, November 5

11/5/2021 - 1:10 PM

City News Round Up: Friday, November 5

Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. The City Council’s next regular meeting is on Monday, November 15 at 5:00 PM via Zoom. View the full Meeting Calendar.

New Interim City Manager & Corporation Counsel

On Tuesday,  November 2, Danielle West was sworn-in as the new Interim City Manager and Jennifer Thompson was sworn-in as the new Interim Corporation Counsel. The Council’s City Manager Search Subcommittee will host its first virtual meeting on Tuesday, November 9 at 8:00 AM

 City Determines Winner of At-Large Council Race in Public by Lot

On Thursday, November 4, the Portland City Clerk determined the winner of the At-Large Council race in public by lot after the ranked-choice instant runoff resulted in a numeric tie between candidates Brandon Mazer and Roberto Rodriguez. The candidates, members of the public and media were present to witness the drawing. Brandon Mazer was declared the winner. Read the full story. A recount will take place on Tuesday, November 9 at 8:00 AM at Ocean Gateway. It will be live-streamed.
 

November 6: Congress Square Redesign Public Forum

Our Planning and Urban Development Department will host a Public Forum for the Congress Square Redesign and public art installation by artist Sarah Sze on November 6 , 1:00 PM, at the Westin Portland Harborview Hotel, Longfellow Room. The forum will feature remarks from City staff and presentations from design consultant WRT and artist Sarah Sze. Learn more.

Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon & 5K
The Shipyard Old Port Half Marathon & 5K returns to Portland on Saturday, November 6. Various streets will be closed in the Old Port area starting at 2:00 AM, emergency no parking zones will go into effect, and passengers on the Casco Bay Ferry Lines will be impacted. From 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM the westbound lane of Commercial St will be closed from Pearl St to Valley St. Find the full list of road closures here.

Last Household Hazardous Waste Day until Spring

Riverside Recycling will host the last household hazardous waste day of 2021 this Saturday, November 6, 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM; they do not collect in the winter months. If you miss this one, the next household hazardous waste day will be Saturday, April 2, 2022.

November 8: Deering Roundabout Ribbon Cutting
Please join us for a Ribbon Cutting celebration to recognize the completion of the Deering’s Corner Roundabout and public art installation, titled “Passing the Torch,” by Maine artist Mark Pettegrow on Monday, November 8, at 3:30 PM. The event will feature remarks from City Staff, Community members, and artist Mark Pettegrow. Learn more

November 11: City Offices Closed

City of Portland offices will be closed Thursday, November 11, 2021 in observance of Veterans Day. Trash, Recycling and leaf pick up will continue as normal. 

 Veterans Day Parade

A small Veterans Day parade will take place on Thursday, November 11 starting at Longfellow Square at 10:30 AM, and ending at City Hall - with brief remarks and a wreath laying ceremony at 11:00 AM. The parade will include one veteran representing each of the wars, World War II to Afghanistan, and ​be escorted by a small police detail and flag carriers. 

 

Please help us >> help you >> NOT get towed! 

We need your help to remove leaves from neighborhood streets before we head into winter, and we are running out of time to sweep before it gets too cold at night. Street sweeping operations and regulations have been in effect since October 1, but our performance has been compromised due to lack of public compliance. Cars not in compliance with the City's Street Maintenance Signs will be subject to towing. Visit portlandmaine.gov/streetmaintenance to learn more.
 

Fall Curbside Leaf Pickup - Now through November 19
Curbside leaf pickup began Monday, October 25 and runs through Friday, November 19. Place your biodegradable leaf bags curbside on your normal trash/recycling day & City crews will take care of collecting them on weekdays! Learn more.

Virtual Annual District Meetings Start November 17

Annual district meetings will be held remotely during the months of November and December. All meetings will be from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. District 2 will be scheduled soon with the newly elected councilor. District 1: Wednesday, December 1; District 3 on Thursday, November 18; District 4 Tuesday, November 30; District 5: Wednesday,  November 17. Find your district info and meeting access information here.
 

New Round of Business Assistance Grants and Modified Microenterprise Grant

Now accepting applications! Portland businesses can apply for a new round of Business Assistance Grants as well as a modified Microenterprise Grant. Learn more about both programs and the application process via the Housing and Economic Development Department website

PPD Holiday Toy Drive: Toys for Tots

The Portland Police Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots this holiday season! The department will host a toy drop-off on Wednesday, December 8, 2:00 PM-6:00 PM at the Portland Police Department, 109 Middle Street. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the outdoor patio during these hours if you would like to donate. Contact Community Policing Coordinator Janine Kaserman at 207-756-8135, with any questions or for more information.

Volunteers Needed to Shovel Snow for Elderly Neighbors

The Age-Friendly Portland Steering Committee is looking for volunteers willing to shovel snow for an elderly neighbor this winter. Neighborhood volunteer coordinators are also needed to help match Portland residents aged 65+ with local volunteer groups and individuals willing to help. Contact Linda Weare, Portland Office of Elder Affairs with any questions or to sign up: agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov, or 207-541-6620. Learn more.
 

Parks & Recreation Updates
Last Day to Register! Youth Basketball

Today is the last day to register for the Recreation Division's K-6th grade Basketball League. You can register online here. 


The 2021 Monument Square Tree Has Been Chosen! 🌲
The tree will be moved into the Square on November 18.  Once the tree is set, the lighting begins -using two bucket trucks- which takes three days to complete. The holiday tree contains thousands of LED lights and should be ready to go for lighting day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, November 26. Save the date! Learn more.

Return of the 62+ Program

October was the first month back for the 62+ Program since March 2020! 🎉 Check out the November Calendar and learn how to sign up via the 62+ program page. The program is hiring for on-call bus drivers, if interested, please reach out to Meg: mcm@portlandmaine.gov, 207-808-5445.

A Perfect Week to Plant Tulips
The Horticulture Crew teamed up with Portland Park Rangers and volunteers from the Portland Park Conservancy to plant 9,300 tulips this week at Loring Memorial, Deering Oaks, Western Prom and Fessenden Park. See pics via Facebook.

Pay Increases! Apply Now to Be a Part of our Recreation Team
Our starting pay has increased and we have fun positions open now as Recreation Programmers in our Before and After the Bell Programs and Community Centers. We offer some great incentives such as 50% of USM tuition reduction and City benefits for Permanent Staff. Learn more here, and apply on the City Employment website

Need a Flexible Schedule? Hiring Event Staff 

Don’t miss this chance to work Maine Celtics games, performances at Merrill Auditorium, and many more fantastic events! Be a part of the guest experience at Merrill Auditorium, the James A. Banks Exposition Building, Hadlock Field, Fitzpatrick Stadium, Ocean Gateway, William B. Troubh Ice Arena and other outdoor parks and City properties. Perfect roles if you need a flexible schedule! Learn more

Work With Us

We currently have multiple job openings across a variety of departments. For more information, visit: www.portlandmaine.gov/jobs.


 

**Construction Project Updates & Traffic Alerts**
 

Newbury Street - Lane Closure
Expect lane and sidewalk closures Monday, November 8, southbound in this area for unloading of barriers and fence, 7:00 AM to 12:00 Noon. Traffic cones and tape will delineate the area of closure with a 50 foot buffer at both ends. Two flaggers will be stationed at either end of the closure to car and foot traffic. Please seek an alternative route during this time. Map details here.

Utility Work 

Unitil will be working at the following intersections: Beach Street from Clark to West Commercial Street, through Friday November 12 (traffic will be detoured). Woodford Street and Stevens Avenue Saturday, November 6 and Saturday, November 12, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

 

Baxter Boulevard Traffic Impacts
**NEW** Baxter Boulevard Additional Traffic Impacts, November 1-19

The Baxter Boulevard Closure will be extended from Dartmouth Street to Preble Street starting Monday, November 1. Dartmouth Street at Ricker Park will also be closed. This closure is scheduled to last three weeks through the end of day, Tuesday, November 19. Full details.   

Baxter Boulevard from Payson Park to Dartmouth Street is closed. Vannah Avenue is closed from Clifton Street to Baxter Boulevard. This closure is scheduled to last until December 2022. Back Cove Trail is open during the entire construction project. Full details.

Ocean Avenue Sewer Separation Project
The nearby sewer separation project on Ocean Avenue is nearing completion and should be wrapped up in November. Ocean Avenue is still down to one lane during the day (approximately 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM) while they do construction work using flaggers. However, the road is open to two-way traffic on nights and weekends. Full details.