Scarborough News Brief

Election notice

Nomination papers are now available at the town office for November municipal elections, with two town councilors (Jessica Holbrook and Carol Rancourt), three school board members, (Jane Wiseman, Jacquelyn Perry and Robert Mitchell) and two sanitary district trustees (Nick Rico and Ben Viola) at the end of their terms. Rancourt is termed out after nine years, guaranteeing the council at least one new face in November. Petitions, with signatures of 25-100 registered Scarborough voters, are due to the town clerk by 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 5.

The council was to decide on Wednesday, after The Current’s deadline, whether to place on the November ballot the race to fill the remaining two years of the term held by Karen D’Andrea, who resigned Monday.

Concert coverage

The first show staged by Bangor-based Waterfront Concerts at Scarborough Downs, July 31, was “quite an adventure” according to Fire Chief Michael Thurlow. About 50 people were treated on site and, thanks to an air-conditioned rehab tent loaned by South Portland, only seven required transport to local hospitals. Although there were some issues with young concert-goers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, most patients were treated for dehydration. For the final two concerts of the year, Scarborough will team with Maine Task Force 1, a statewide medical response unit, which will staff the treatment tent while Scarborough focuses on site work and transport. The next concerts are the daylong OxxFest heavy metal event Aug. 10 and Lynyrd Skynyrd with ZZ Top Sept. 7.

Roof raising

The Scarborough Ordinance Committee has approved changes to the towns’ flood plain ordinance that will require new and substantially remodeled homes to increase “freeboard” – the distance between the floorboards of a home and the high-water mark of a 100-year flood – from one foot to three feet. Any of the 667 flood-plain homes made to comply with the change will be allowed an extra two feet on the zone’s 35-foot building height requirement. The full Town Council is expect to review the new rules in a first reading in September.

Fire hire

The Scarborough Fire Department is in the midst of rebuilding its “18-month eligibility list,” from which it draws for new hires. Fire Chief Michael Thurlow anticipates two vacancies from attrition on its 23-person crew of full-time personnel. “We still depend real heavily on volunteer and per diem personnel,” he said, noting that of 46 recent applicants for full-time jobs, 33 met the minimum job requirements. The first half of that group underwent physical fitness testing Aug. 2, and all 16 passed, said Thurlow.

Military benefit

Scarborough has adopted a new rule exempting active duty military personnel from paying motor vehicle excise taxes, not including snowmobiles. Residents who are members of the armed forces, including the National Guard and Reserves, may apply for the exemption if assigned to a base outside Maine or if deployed for more than 180 days. Verification of the assignment or deployment is required from the commander of the local resident’s station, base or post.

Land Trust turnover

The Scarborough Land Trust recently named new officers on its board of directors. The new lineup is: President, Paul Austin, owner of Whole Home Resource; vice president, Jack Anderson, retired securities lawyer; treasurer, Patrick O’Reilly, accountant at Macdonald Page & Co.; and, clerk, Rick Shinay, attorney at Drummond Woodsum.  Other directors elected at the annual meeting include Mark Follansbee, toxicologist at SRC; Elizabeth Peoples, Esq.; Alexander Timpson, senior vice president, Wachovia Securities; and Jeremy Wintersteen, owner of Conservation Outcomes. 

Elliott honored

She won’t start her senior year of high school until this fall, but Scarborough’s Katherine Elliott already has $1,000 to go toward her post-secondary education. The 17-year-old is one of 200 youth volunteers honored by the Kohl’s Cares Scholarship Program. Elliott was chosen from among 35,000 nominees nationwide for founding The Driving Force, a nonprofit that collects items to donate to other area nonprofits on a monthly basis. As a regional winner, Elliott becomes eligible for one of 10 national scholarships worth $10,000. Since 2000, Kohl’s has recognized more than 17,000 youth volunteers with nearly $3.5 million in scholarships and prizes.

Bob’s Big Check

Scarborough Middle School was given a $1,000 check from Bob’s Discount Furniture at the company’s South Portland on August 1. Each month, Bob’s randomly selects seven schools near its 43 New England locations for similar donations, giving $100,000 annually. “It’s a great way for us to show our appreciation to the communities that support our stores,” said company PR director Cathy Poulin. “We hope the funds will help these schools add to education and arts programs.” Also receiving checks this round were schools in Gray, Saco, Sanford, Poland, Portland and Westbrook, as well as the LaDawn Therapeutic Riding Center in Dayton.

Military mortgages

Fairway Independent Mortgage, located at 360 U.S. Route 1, has completed the USA Cares Certified Military Housing Specialist program. “This course aims to put greater numbers of military families into affordable homes through knowledgeable professionals who understand the unique circumstances brought about by military service,” said USA Cares Executive Director Bill Nelson. In addition to tools for aiding military borrowers, certified lenders also are armed with foreclosure prevention tips.