City News Round Up: Friday, December 3, 2021
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. The City Council’s next meeting is on Monday, December 6 at 6:00 PM via Zoom. This meeting will include the Inauguration of three new City Councilors as well as a regular business meeting. View the full Meeting Calendar.

Sign up for FlashVote:  New Tool for Community Input

Beginning Thursday, December 2, selected Portland residents may receive text messages from the public survey research platform FlashVote. We’re collaborating on a pilot project with graduate students at the Harvard Kennedy School and part of this work involves utilizing FlashVote to engage the community and gather valuable input from residents. Learn more or sign up here.

12/8: Free Mask Pick Up for Portland Small Businesses

Recognizing that small businesses continue to incur costs associated with providing masks to customers, we’re offering support by providing free supplies of face masks to small businesses in Portland that physically interact with the public. On Wednesday, December 8, Portland small businesses are welcome to stop by City Hall anytime from 8:30 – 10:30 AM or 2:00 – 4:00 PM to pick up masks. Learn more. 

The Search is on for a Bike Share Sponsor
As we’ve previously announced, we entered into an agreement with Tandem Mobility, a bikeshare company with national experience, to launch a bike sharing system by the summer of 2022. Key to launching the system, however, is the ability to attract a title bike share sponsor. Learn more and share the news!

Winter Storm Preparedness Information
We want to make sure you’re prepared for winter in Portland! Please check out our recent news release that discusses important information about snow plowing, sidewalk clearing, snow parking bans and parking ban alerts, where to park during a snow ban, sidewalk snow removal regulations for businesses and residents, and more! We thank you in advance for your attention and cooperation. 

District Meetings: December via Zoom (+ Recordings Available)

Our annual District Meetings are heading into the home stretch, watch the recordings here if you missed your meeting! These meetings are your opportunity to meet your district councilor, the Mayor, and representatives from the various departments within the city. Upcoming meetings: District 2, Wednesday, December 15 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. Find your district info, Zoom access, and recordings here.

Riverside Recycling Reminder
If you missed the Fall curbside leaf collection, you can drop off leaves and yard waste at the Riverside Recycling facility. This includes green and brown waste such as grass clippings, garden waste, and leaves. Please be prepared to show your Riverside Recycling Facility eCard to the attendant. If you do not have an eCard, you will be required to pay Riverside's fee. Learn more.
 

Ocean Gateway Parking Lot Update
The India St. gate is now closed and daily customers can enter the lot from the easterly end of the lot closest to the Ocean Gateway Terminal, diagonally opposite from the WEX headquarters at the intersection of Thames and Hancock Streets.

45 spaces have been created for daily customers ($15 per day) to provide parking for the general public, occasional Islanders, guest and trades people going to the islands, area businesses, and events at Ocean Gateway. 36 Islanders won the Winter lottery for a monthly parking space in the Ocean Gateway Lot from now through April, for $153 per month.    

 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.

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**

New: Baxter Boulevard Closure Extended, Spring 2022 

The current Baxter Boulevard Closure from Dartmouth St to Preble St, as well as Dartmouth St at Ricker Park, will remain closed until the Spring of 2022, allowing crews to continue the sanitary sewer and storm drain utility installation work up Dartmouth St to the point of the current closure. The intent is to re-open the section of Baxter Boulevard from Vannah Ave to Preble Stt and close Dartmouth St after paving plants open in April. Additional work done now will decrease the amount of time that Dartmouth St is fully closed next Spring. Learn more.   

Baxter Boulevard Traffic Impacts 

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

12/6: Upcoming Night Work: Intersection Franklin and Marginal Way
The Department of Public Works, accompanied by an officer and a cruiser, will be working on internal road repairs overnight at the intersection Franklin and Marginal Way beginning Monday, December 6 through Thursday night, December 9, 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Fore St Closure- Hancock to St. Lawrence Street- Local Traffic Only
The City’s contractor, Gorham Sand and Gravel will be permitted to close Fore Street from Hancock Street to St. Lawrence Street for five weeks (open to local traffic only), beginning Monday, November 29, during working hours (7:00 AM-5:00 PM), in order to allow the contractor to safely install new storm drains and sewer pipes in the narrowest section of the roadway. Read full details.
 

New Traffic Pattern -  Somerset and Kennebec Streets

A new traffic pattern began on Somerset and Kennebec Streets Thursday, 11/18. Kennebec Street has been realigned between Hanover Street and Preble Street, now intersecting with Somerset Street. Read full details.

Ocean Avenue Sewer Separation Project
Road is now fully open! The contractors are still working on finalizing sidewalks and driveways. 

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