Scarborough News Briefs

Sign of the times

Scarborough’s ordinance committee has approved a change to the town’s sign ordinances concerning electronic signs.  If approved by the full council at its next meeting, Aug. 17, the change will increase the size of all electronic lettering, allowing a variance between 8 and 12 inches in height. However, the overall, allowable dimensions of the signs will remain the same, at 25-square feet, meaning fewer letters per line.

“I think I can predict there will be a good, robust debate when this goes to council,” said Town Manager Tom Hall.

Elsa’s end

It’s either Elsa or Elsie, depending on who you ask, but either way, the end is near for the giant elm tree on Route 1 in Scarborough’s Oak Hill district, between the Irving gas station and Bangor Savings Bank.

Since The Current first reported on plans for her expected execution this fall, Elsa has gotten its own Facebook fan page. And now, plans for a celebration of the long life (nearly 200 years) of what is believed to be the last of the elm trees that once lined Route 1 are in full swing.

“We’re planning the nice demise of out resident elm and the replanting of a new elm,” said Town Councilor Carol Rancourt, who’s taken charge of the funeral preparations. 

The first meeting of the Elsa Memorial Committee was set to convene at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 10, at the town hall. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Rancourt. More information is available at Elsa’s Facebook page.

New food

Two, and maybe three new restaurants are coming to Scarborough.

At their July 20 meeting, town councilors approved a food handlers permits for Sea Smoke BBQ, a locally owned, 30-seat operation set to open in the space formerly occupied by Olympia Pizza. They also issued food and liquor permits to Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, which will go in at 800 Gallery Boulevard later this fall.

A representative from Red Robin declined comment.

A third restaurant may also be in the works. The Planning Board is reviewing a proposal for a new 6,000-square foot building to go up on 1.25 acres at the corner of Gallery Boulevard and Spring Street. A plan submitted by Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers, of Gray, on behalf of owner Scarborough Gallery LLC, shows 4,000 square feet dedicated to U. S. Cellular, while the remaining 2,000 feet is allocated to a “restaurant tenant” to be named later.