Town Manager’s Report delivered at the December 12, 2022 Town Council Meeting

As we come into the holiday season, I wanted to take the opportunity to extend the best of holiday wishes, and a happy, healthy, and much improved 2023. 

As both Christmas and New Year’s days fall on a Sunday, the Town Office will not be open on December 26 and January 2. Please look to the Town website for the holiday hours for the recycling center, Thomas Memorial Library, Community Services, and the Donald L. Richards pool and fitness center.

This coming Saturday, December 17, the police departments of Cape Elizabeth, South Portland, and Scarborough will be serving in a united mission to feed our neighbors, with their Pack the Pantries event. This will be a pop-up food drive and fundraiser benefiting the South Portland Food Cupboard, Judy’s Pantry, and the Scarborough Food Pantry. In addition to the nonperishable foods donated to "pack the pantries", the police and volunteers hope to raise critical funds for the pantries. Local businessperson and philanthropist, Eddie Woodin, has issued a challenge match to the three pantries to raise $15,000 for their missions to feed their neighbors.

It is easy to give online or stop by any of the three public safety buildings on Saturday, December 17 9-11 a.m. with nonperishable foods or cash (or checks payable to the South Portland Food Cupboard). All funds raised and food collected will be shared with all three pantries serving South Portland, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth.

Last Thursday the Town had a bid opening for the request for proposals to the segment 7 and 8 Town center sidewalk project. We received four bids, with the apparent low bid coming in under the identified budget. This construction will take place this summer, and is the culmination of a project that began in the planning stages five years ago and is receiving 75% funding through federal funding provided through PACTS (Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System).

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew E Sturgis, Town Manager