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South Portland Community Newsletter

Issue 276

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On January 24, Mayor Kate Lewis and Councilor April Caricchio testified in front of the Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee in support of LD 1915. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Rebecca Millett, directs the Department of Environmental Protection to study methods to measure and estimate air emissions from fixed-roof, heated above-ground petroleum storage tanks and methods to control odor and other air emissions from emission sources at oil terminal facilities. The department is required to submit a report by January 1, 2021 to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over environment and natural resources matters, which may submit legislation to the First Regular Session of the 130th Legislature.

Notice of Legislative Public Hearing

What: A hearing on LD2033 - An Act to Ensure Proper Closure of Oil Terminal Facilities
Where: Room 216, Cross Building, Augusta
When: Friday, Jan. 31, 10:00AM
Click here to submit testimony for LD2033
(Committee on Environment & Natural Resources)

Due to the high temps, and rain this past week, the decision has been made to postpone, cancel, and/or move many events for Winterfest 2020 occuring Saturday, February 1. Please be advised of the location/time changes noted below.

South Portland Golf Course:
Dog Sledding – Canceled
LL Bean Geocaching – moved to WWF (11am-1pm)
WinterKids Story walk and snowshoeing – moved to Wainwright Farms (11am-4pm)

Hinckley Park:
Youth Ice Fishing Derby – Postponed until February 29th (9am-12pm)

Mill Creek Park:
Skate with the HS Hockey Team – Moved to Wainwright Farms (1pm-4pm)
Open Skate – Moved to Wainwright Farms (1pm-4pm)
Hockey Boosters Food Sale – moved to Wainwright Farms(12-4pm)

Wainwright Farms: All events on schedule.

SP Community Center: Pancake Breakfast on schedule (8am-1030am)

We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday for a great day outside.

The last day to renew your dog's license for 2020 is January 31! After this date, a $25.00 late fee will apply. Renew your dog's license online or at the City Clerk's office. You must show proof of your dog's current rabies vaccination.
Click here to license your dog online: https://www1.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/dog_license/index.pl

South Portland Property Tax Assistance Program
For information on qualifications, click here.

Download the application for 2019/2020 and follow the instructions below.

Fully complete the application. Both sides of the application must be completed. Make sure that you sign the application. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Attach a signed copy of your 2019 Form 1040ME, including Schedule PTFC (Property Tax Fairness Credit).
Return the application to:

City of South Portland
Attn: Vicki Inman
P.O. Box 9422
South Portland, ME 04116

Applications must be received on or before May 1, 2020.

Election Information

The Maine Presidential Primary (Democratic and Republican) and Special State Referendum will be held on March 3, 2020.

Absentee ballots arrived on January 30. If you have requested your ballot be mailed to you, they will be mailed out this week. Voters may also stop into the City Clerk's office during normal business hours and vote an absentee ballot in person. You may request your absentee ballot online or at the City Clerk's office anytime from now until February 27. To request your absentee ballot, click here.

All polling places will be open on March 3, 2020 from 7:00am until 8:00pm.

A few important reminders about a Primary Election:

Anyone currently enrolled in a party (D, R or G) and wishing to *change* parties must do so at least 15 days before Election Day in order to participate in the Primary election for that party.
New voters, and anyone currently Unenrolled (not enrolled in any political party, sometimes referred to as “independent”) may enroll up to and on Election Day at the polling place and vote.
Only voters enrolled in a party will receive that party’s primary candidate ballot. All voters, regardless of party enrollment, will receive the referendum ballot.
Voters may call (207-767-3201) or stop by the City Clerk's office to confirm their enrollment status in a political party.

Caucus Information

Both the Democratic and Republican party will participate in the Presidential Primary election, but both parties will also hold caucuses for conducting other party-building activities. Caucuses are organized by the municipal parties. Per State Law, a registrar will be present to register voters one hour before the caucus begins.

The South Portland Democratic Party caucus will be held on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at the South Portland Community Center (Senior Wing). Doors open at 12:30pm and the event begins at 1:30pm.
The South Portland Republican Party caucus will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at the South Portland Community Center (Senior Wing). Doors open at 8:00am and the event begins at 9:00am.
The Green Independent Party chose not to participate in the Presidential Primary election, but will hold party caucuses for voting for the Presidential candidate and conducting other party-building activities. The information for South Portland is not yet known, but once known will be shared at City Hall and on the City's website.

The City Council is holding city district meetings again this year.
This is a great opportunity to hear from city staff about ongoing projects in your community and city-wide, and to ask questions.
If you missed your district meeting, it is okay to come to another!
All meetings begin at 6:30pm and are open to the public.

Jan 9 – District 5 – Skillin School
Jan 23 – District 3 & 4 – Kaler School
Jan 30 – District 2 – Brown School
Feb 6 – District 1 – Small School

The City of South Portland adopted a Street Light Policy on January 14, 2020. Property owners may request the installation of a new streetlight provided that it is on an existing utility pole, or may request to have their streetlight dimmed or turned off. Read More

Notice from Public Works:

The Transfer Facility has a new fee schedule effective November 1, 2019.

The Transfer Facility will require resident permit stickers starting January 2020. These stickers are now available at Public Works (Municipal Services Facility, 929 Highland Avenue) and at City Hall (25 Cottage Road).

To obtain your resident Transfer Facility sticker:
Please bring both your driver's license and vehicle registration as proof of South Portland residency. Limit 2 stickers per residence. The first sticker is free; the second costs $5.00.

Contractor Stickers:
Contractor's stickers are also available, and cost $150.00 (additional stickers are $20 per vehicle). A contractor's permit authorizes the contractor to dispose of yard debris from a South Portland residence. No other use is permitted. The residence being serviced will also require a permit, and its permit number must be referenced at the time of disposal.

Please click here to view the new fee schedule and review information regarding the new sticker system.

The City's Winter Parking Ban is in effect from December 1 to April 1. During the winter months, public parking lots at Waterman Drive and the Boat Launch at Bug Light Park are available for city residents and their guests to temporarily park during the winter parking ban. Residents and guests are asked to move their cars as soon as possible from these locations after storms so that the areas may be plowed.

Sec. 23-12. Prohibited placement of snow and ice
Effective December 3, 2019, with the passage of Ordinance #11:

No person shall remove, or cause to be removed, any snow or ice from any private property and place, or cause to be placed, the same on any public street or sidewalk. No person shall remove, or cause to be removed, any snow or ice from any private property and place, or cause to be placed, the same on any public or private property located across the street from that person’s lot or parcel of land. A property owner utilizing an agent or contractor for snow and/or ice removal is liable for the actions of the property owner’s agent or contractor.

Here are some ways that you can help to make a winter storm event easier on both yourself and on the Public Works Crews:

Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter driving conditions (snow or all season tires, good wiper blades, a good battery, added weight in the trunk, etc.);
Allow yourself additional driving time to arrive at your destination;
Reduce speed (even 4x4's have difficulty stopping on ice);
Watch for black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses. Always take caution when traveling in these areas;
Do not drive during storms unless it is absolutely necessary;
Leave adequate distance, at least 200 feet, whenever following a piece of snow removal equipment;
When a storm is imminent, please remove vehicles from roadsides, so crews can perform their services effectively. The Public Works Department can perform a more thorough job in a lot less time if vehicles are not parked on the streets and roadways.
Be patient and courteous. Everyone around you is under the same conditions and stress that you are experiencing.

To download and print the Winter Operations brochure, click here.

SAND BUCKETS FOR SENIORS

A new program from South Portland Public Works and Age Friendly South Portland hopes to make winter a little safer. Seniors (aged 65+), and any other residents with mobility challenges, can receive a five gallon bucket of sand/salt mix, delivered to their home, to help maintain their steps and walkways. To order your Sand Bucket, please call Public Works (207) 767-7635, or email publicworks@southportland.org. Sand Buckets for Seniors is a free service, with costs being underwritten by the Senior Steering Implementation Committee, South Portland Public Works, and South Portland Professional Firefighters Local 1476. Stay safe!

Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity?

The City is seeking applicants to fill vacancies on several different City Boards and Committees. If interested in serving, fill out an application online or in the City Clerk's office. Applications are sent to City Councilors who then nominate and appoint members to the committees. To view all Boards and Committees, click here.

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For a schedule of all City Meetings, Events, Public Hearings & Current Notices, please visit the City Calendar on the City's website.

To register to receive Emergency Notification Alerts related to your neighborhood, follow this link: http://www.southportland.org/departments/police-department/code-red/

Employment Opportunities

Looking for a career? The City of South Portland is hiring for several positions. View the current job openings and learn how to apply online here.

The City of South Portland Community Newsletter is published by the City of South Portland. It is a compilation of the best available information at the time of publication. Events may be subject to change without notice in the time between publication of this e-newsletter and the actual event. To send information to be considered for inclusion into this newsletter, send to news@southportland.org.

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01-31-20 Newsletter

South Portland Community Newsletter

Issue 276

South Portland Property Tax Assistance Program For information on qualifications, click here.

South Portland Property Tax Assistance Program
For information on qualifications, click here.