City News Round Up: Friday, April 26, 2024
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings. Read a recap of the April 22 City Council meeting. To view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings, please visit www.portlandmaine.gov/agendas. The City Council meets next on Monday, May 6.

4/28 Traffic Alert: Portland Road Race
Drivers please be aware 800 runners are participating in a 10-mile road race through parts of the City, starting & finishing in Payson Park on Sunday, 4/28. Catafalque Dr/Payson Park will be closed to traffic (for start/finish area) from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Arboretum Rd at Ocean Ave will be closed to vehicles from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. W. Kidder St and Fernald St Leading into the park, will be monitored for traffic (and cars sent north on the exit road up to Ocean Ave).

4/27: National Drug Take Back Day
This Saturday, Portland Police and our Public Health Division will be accepting expired/unused medications, used/unused sharps, and used/unused vape cartridges (no batteries please) for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Safely dispose of these items at this event in the Back Cove Parking lot across from the Hannaford’s at 295 Forest Avenue from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Learn more or find other event locations here.

Spring Curbside Yard Waste Collection Through 5/3
Annual spring curbside collection of yard waste began Monday, April 22nd and continues through Friday, May 3rd. Leaves must be in large, paper biodegradable leaf bags. Yard waste curbside collection may not coincide with your weekly trash collection day. Once you place the leaf bags curbside, please leave them curbside so they are accessible for the crew regardless of the weather or your trash collection day. Due to safety risks, crews will NOT collect bags of mulched leaves, sticks, branches, rocks sod, and/or bags of dirt. Public Works cannot accurately predict when the leaf collection crews will be on your street as it depends on the volume of leaves they collect each day as they work their way through the city. ⁠Visit portlandmaine.gov/YardWaste to learn more.

𝕊𝕦𝕟𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕒𝕣𝕕, May 5 - September 29
Beginning Sunday, May 5, through Sunday, September 29, 2024, Baxter Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic Sundays only, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrian traffic + play! This year Sundays on the Boulevard runs. Street details: Baxter Boulevard closed to traffic from Vannah Ave. to Catafalque Dr. (Payson Park east entrance). Payson Park, west entrance road - from the tip of the Grass Triangle (by the softball field) to Baxter Boulevard.

Staff Celebrates “Take Your Child to Work Day”
On Thursday, April 25, City staff used Take Your Child to Work Day as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of public servants! Staff and their children, ages 6-17, enjoyed a full day of activities from being sworn in at Council Chambers to learning about special operations with the Police and Fire Departments. The group toured the vault at City Hall with the City Clerk, learned about recycling and stormwater management from our Public Works team, had lunch with the City Manager, and lots more. 

Street Sweeping Now Underway
It’s time for Spring street sweeping! This work will continue through late Spring. Read reminders and learn more here to help out our Street Sweeping operations team. Street sweeping is a City regulatory requirement, reduces water pollution, and prevents materials from clogging our sewer/storm drain systems. ⁠⁠Check out our web app for an estimated timeframe of when sweepers will be in your neighborhood.

130 Honorees Recognized at Portland Police Annual Awards Ceremony
The Police Department recently held its annual awards breakfast at the Italian Heritage Center in Portland. Over 130 honors were distributed, including Commendatory Letters (10), Distinguished Unit Commendations (74), Citizens Awards (14) and Law Enforcement Awards (6). Also recognized were 26 people who earned a Commendation of Merit, as well as a Civilian of the Year and Officer of the Year. Read the full story here. 

Riverton Pool Update
Funding for the pool repair project was approved by the City Council in March 2024. Based on a detailed project schedule, the project is expected to be complete in June 2025. Unfortunately, that means that pool must remain closed until that time. City staff continue to provide core aquatic services out of the Reiche Pool (166 Brackett Street), and also have a full schedule of open swims, lap swimming, and aquatics programming scheduled for Kiwanis Pool (165 Douglass Street) this summer. Please visit the Aquatics webpage for programs and updates.
 

Volunteer on City Boards & Committees - Apply by May 10th
We're seeking volunteer applications for various board and committee positions which all play an important role in Portland’s government. Find the full role descriptions, along with application directions on our website here. Applicants will be contacted for interviews. The deadline to apply is Friday, May  10. 

Tree Talks - West End Neighborhood Association
Join your Portland neighbors in the West End for ReForest the City, a native tree-planting project + educational campaign to spread awareness about the importance of caring for urban trees. See upcoming April + May events here. 

Creative Portland Exhibition, Time & Temperature, Opens May 3
Sixteen artists have been selected for Creative Portland’s seventh juried art exhibition, Time & Temperature, which opens to the public on May 3, 2024 and runs through April 2025, Monday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The Creative Portland Gallery is located at 84 Free Street, directly across from the back entrance of Maine College of Art & Design.
 

Portland Fire Department “Rescuing the Rescuers”
Did you know that more firefighters die by suicide each year than in the line of duty? We're so proud that the Portland Fire Department is working to change that through a series of resources and efforts to help combat mental health struggles within the department. Don't miss these NEWS CENTER Maine stories to learn more.

Save the Date: Battle of the Bridge, June 22nd
The Battle of the Bridge brings together the courageous members of the Portland Fire Department and the South Portland Fire Department for an epic clash for the ages for a good cause. All proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the Portland Firefighters Children's Burn Foundation. Learn more and get tickets here.

Wheelchair Ramp Funding Available
Alpha One Disability + Aging Solutions has grant funding available through its Critical Access Ramp Program; the program is available across Maine with a current emphasis on those located in Portland. This program was developed to provide those who meet program guidelines with a high-quality wheelchair ramp. Contact Alpha One to learn more + apply: info@alphaonenow.org, 800-640-7200.

Updated Timeline: FY25 Municipal Budget Process
City Manager West submitted her recommended $353 million FY25 Municipal Operating Budget to Portland City Council at the Monday, April 8th City Council meeting; read the full update here. The budget has now been referred to the Finance Committee for further review before coming back to the City Council for approval. ⁠City Council will have the first read and public hearing for the budget at the Monday, May 20 meeting. The second read, public hearing, and expected vote will take place at the Monday, June 3 meeting.⁠ Find detailed updates here and see all scheduled meetings here.⁠ 

Introducing Recruiter Chat!
Last week we announced a new way for people to find the perfect job working on one of our City teams! Introducing Recruiter Chat, an opportunity to meet with our City recruiter to learn more about our application process, share your career interests, and explore our open positions. Schedule a chat here.

City of Portland Wins Gold - 2024 Best Wellness Employer
Wellness Workdays, a leading provider of measurable workplace wellness programs, announced earlier this week that the City of Portland is one of 13 organizations to achieve the 2024 Best Wellness Employer gold certification! The Best Wellness Employer program, developed in collaboration with experts from Harvard Medical School, recognizes the significant achievements of employers dedicated to improving employee health and well-being.

Affordable Housing Development & Tax Increment Financing Application
Our 2024 Affordable Housing Development and Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing Application is now available. Funds under this application can be used for the development of affordable housing in the city of Portland. Learn more and apply here.

Construction Begins on New Affordable Housing in Libbytown
The Szanton Company, a Portland-based housing developer, has broken ground on 63 affordable rental apartments on the site of the former West Elementary School Street, in Portland’s Libbytown Neighborhood. To be known as 45 Dougherty Court, the project is the first phase of a larger redevelopment of the site located off Douglass Street. Read the full story here.

New Senior Outreach Nursing Program
In December 2023 the Office of Elder Affairs added a Senior Outreach Nursing Program. Two part-time registered nurses are now available to help low-income Portland residents aged 60+ maintain health and independence at home. The program is free to low income Portland seniors who are not eligible for similar at-home support through any other agency or payor. Please call 207-541-6620 to learn more or to make a referral.

Reminder: 2024 P-STEP Application Open
The Portland Senior Tax Equity Program (P-STEP) provides tax relief to low-income seniors in Portland by providing property tax or rent rebates for eligible applicants. Anyone needing assistance to complete the application may contact the Portland Office of Elder Affairs at 207-541-6620. The deadline for submitting an application for this program is July 31, 2024. Find the application online here or call the Treasury Dept. at 207-874-8853 to request a copy.

Review the Second Wave of ReCode Edits
After reviewing hundreds of public comments on the first wave of changes to the land use code under ReCode, our Planning team has released the second wave of ReCode edits. This second wave represents the sum total of ReCode changes, reflecting the city’s efforts to support housing creation and affordability, climate resilience, complete neighborhoods, transit-oriented development, and more. We will be looking for feedback on this work over the next several months, first online, then through a series of events, including Planning Board meetings in the spring and summer. Take a look at the changes and let us know what you think.

Storm Recovery Loans Available
The U.S. Small Business Administration has loans available to assist with recovery from the back-to-back storms on January 10th and January 13th that brought significant flooding and damage. Homeowners, renters, and businesses located in Portland that were impacted by these storms can apply for low-interest SBA Disaster Loans here.

Federal Disaster Declaration for January Storms
President Biden approved Maine's request for a Major Disaster Declaration to help eight coastal counties recover from back-to-back severe storms (January 10th + January 13th), which brought significant flooding and damage. Residents who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency App. Information on Disaster Recovery Center locations will be made available on maine.gov/flood soon for those who may prefer to meet in person with a FEMA representative.

New Business Recovery Grants, Apply by May 15th
Pandemic relief funding is available to help small business owners in Portland who started their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic (on or after January 1, 2020 and no later than May 11, 2023.). Businesses can request $5,000, $7,500, or $10,000. The application window opened Monday, April 1st and will close Wednesday, May 15th at 11:59 PM. Learn more and apply here.

Portland Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
Riverside Golf Course is now open! Read all the latest updates on programs and more in their March 2024 newsletter. Registration for rack rentals on East End Beach opened April 1st. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis, learn the full details here.

Work With Us!
We have multiple job openings across a variety of departments, view the full list of openings here. Recent positions listed: Director of Planning & Urban Development; Director of Health & Human Services; Program Coordinator (HOPE): Health and Human Services; Principal Financial Office: Portland PD; Licensing + Registration Assistant: Rent Control; Parking Garage Cashier – On Call; 62+ Program Activity Driver. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning!

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects
Please visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for information links to all the most recent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.

New: Warren Avenue, Hicks to Hemingway Streets
Gorham Sand & Gravel resumes construction this week on Warren Avenue from Hicks to Hemingway Streets; we anticipate the project will be completed towards the end of June. Read the full details. 

Update: Sagamore Village Green Infrastructure Project
Starting the week of 4/28 the contractor will return to complete final landscape restorations and improvements over the next 2 months. Read the full update.

4/15-6/15: NEUCO/Unitil Gas Line Upgrades, Forest Ave + Congress St
Work replacing gas mains and service lines in Portland started 4/15 and is expected to last two months. Forest Avenue, from 845 Forest Ave to Belmont St. AND Congress Street, from Stevens Ave to Douglas St. Please direct questions to Bob Schnopp at (207) 653-2808 or rschnopp@neuco-inc.com.