Politics & Government
Portland City News Round Up For December 11
The Portland City Clerk is seeking applications for several vacancies on various boards and committees.
December 11, 2020
Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
City News Round Up for Friday, December 11
Please check our agenda center as Committees, Boards & Commissions continue to meet remotely. The Council meets next on Monday, December 21 at 5:30 PM
Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As a reminder, we are only conducting limited in-person transactions at this time. Anyone visiting City Hall will be asked a series of health screening questions and will have to have their temperature taken. Any questions? Please call 207-874-8300 or email info@portlandmaine.gov.
And thanks for remembering to Stay the Course to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. Check out our website today as our campaign materials now include new winter and virtual holiday scenes.
Upcoming City Hall Closures: We will be closed December 24, 25, 31, and January 1.
Racial Equity Steering Committee to Host Public Comment Sessions
The City’s Racial Equity Steering Committee will be hosting remote public comment sessions to solicit feedback on the ways that the City interacts with area agencies and organizations in the name of public safety. The Committee is interested in knowing which existing organizations in the city enhance public safety. The Committee is also interested in hearing about ways the City could further support the work organizations and agencies are doing in the name of public safety.
City of Portland Revaluation Project – Apartment and Commercial Property Valuation
The City of Portland has been undergoing a city-wide revaluation of all real property. We had originally intended to set new values for the FY21 tax roll, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused this to be delayed. This delay will allow project staff to review market and economic changes that have resulted from the pandemic. New assessed values for all properties will be adjusted for the Fiscal Year 2022 assessment roll. For more information click on the link in the headline.
Portland Finalizes Shelter Spaces for Winter
Our Health & Human Services (HHS) Department has continued working diligently to ready emergency shelter beds for the winter season in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the anticipated impact on people experiencing homelessness. City staff worked tirelessly to come up with creative solutions to provide access to more shelter beds this winter than ever available before. The estimated number of beds to be available this winter is 293, up from 229 in past years.
Help Save Portland’s Vital Small Businesses
Small, independent businesses need us now more than ever. The pandemic has bruised our local economy and, every day, more and more business owners face impossible decisions.
In December and the new year, Portland Downtown and Portland Buy Local are joining forces for a critical initiative we call Mission 3/65. The concept is simple: Pick 3. Spend 65. Support the businesses you love. Please join us this winter as we thank, celebrate, and uplift the locally owned businesses that are the heart and soul of Portland. Stay tuned for updates, reminders, and fun challenges. Let’s join together for Mission 3/65!
City Resumes Collection of Trash & Recycling on Holidays
We’re pleased to announce that we are able to resume the collection of trash and recycling on holidays. The updated holiday collection schedule can be found here. Those with Friday collection on Christmas and New Year’s Day will have their trash and recycling collected on each of the following Saturdays (December 26 and Jan 2).
City Seeks Applicants for Vacancies on Several Boards & Committees, Including New Rent Board
The City Clerk is seeking applications for several vacancies on various boards and committees. The vacant positions are described below. Additional information is available on the City’s website or by calling 207-874-8677. Deadline for submission is December 28, 2020. Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland ME 04101 or klj@portlandmaine.gov. Applicants will be contacted for interviews.
Historic Lincoln Park Fence Begins Restoration
On Friday, December 11, restoration work began on Lincoln Park’s historic fence. Sculpture conservator Jonathan Taggart will oversee this long awaited job, beginning with the removal of one of the elaborate gates. Work then will be done by section, removal and placement. The completion of the wrought iron fence, gates and granite piers will be the final stage in Lincoln Park’s total restoration. Lincoln Park was established in 1866 immediately following the Great Fire of that year.
Implementation Information for Recently Passed Citizen Initiative Referendum Ordinances Released
Implementation information for the five citizen initiative ordinances (known as Questions A, B, C, D, and F) that were passed by Portland voters at the November 3 election is available on our website. To read the full guidance and FAQs, visit this page.
We Want You to Know Snow & Be Prepared this Winter
A reminder for residents of critical winter storm operations information. Make sure you’re in the know when it comes to accessing DPW customer service, parking regulations, parking ban notifications, emergency alerts, and sidewalk snow removal. Click the link in the headline to read more.
Snow Shoveling for Seniors 2020
The Snow Shoveling for Seniors program is being offered again this winter. Community volunteers help seniors shovel walkways, steps, and sidewalks for Portland residents over the age of 65 who are unable to clear the snow themselves, don't have family available to help, and can't afford to hire (or in some cases can't FIND) someone to shovel for them. Volunteers are not asked to shovel driveways or roofs. The idea is to clear a path so people can get in and out of their homes safely and to provide access for fuel deliveries, mail carriers, and emergency response personnel. The sidewalks are shoveled to help older residents comply with the City ordinance that requires homeowners to keep the sidewalk in front of their property free of ice and snow. Once a volunteer is matched with a senior in their neighborhood, they will shovel for that same person each time it snows throughout the winter. This is a volunteer program, so payment or tips are never accepted.
Those interested in volunteering or seniors who need assistance should call Linda Weare at 541-6620 or email to lsw@portlandmaine.gov for more information.
TRAFFIC ALERT REMINDERS:
Ocean Avenue Closure from Parsons Street to Austin Street for Six Months
Work has begun on the City’s Mackworth, Ocean, Walton CSO Separation Phase 1. Ocean Avenue will be closed from Parsons Street to Austin Street for approximately six months. The contractor will be working within this zone between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Monday thru Friday. During the construction period the roadway will not be open to thru traffic and will only be open to residents one way at night and on weekends. For more info, click here
Winter traffic control pattern at the intersection of Brighton Avenue, Deering Avenue, and Falmouth Street is in effect. For more info
Check Out the Live-Stream of the Monument Square Tree
Portland Downtown teamed up with Hood® Eggnog and Portland Public Library and launched something all new this year: a 24/7 live-streaming “tree cam” overlooking Monument Square. The Tree Cam creates a virtual window so that visitors locally – and across the globe – can enjoy the illuminated tree and its surroundings anytime, anywhere throughout the holiday season. Whether it’s at home, in the office, or in person – one of downtown’s most spectacular holiday sights will be just a click away!
State law requires you to license your dog each year. Register your dogs annually by January 31, 2021 to avoid the $25 late fee. Register at the City Clerk office or Online.
Fees: $6 per year; $11 unneutered/unspayed; $25 late fee.
Annual District Meetings Now Underway
The City’s annual district meetings are taking place now via Zoom. Mayor Snyder, City Councilors, the City Manager and staff will be available to discuss neighborhood issues and answer questions from the public. Click the link above to see the full schedule. District 3 had their meeting on Thursday, December 10. The next meeting is District 5 on Wednesday, January 6, 2020 @ 6:30 PM. Visit the Annual District Meetings website to learn more. Previous meeting recordings are also available on that page.
We’re currently seeking a Code Enforcement Officer, Full-time and Per Diem Shelter Attendants, Operations Staff-On Call, Barron Center Staff, Recreation Department Staff, Police Officers, 911 Dispatchers, among other job opportunities. For more information, visit
This press release was produced by the City of Portland. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
