Vivinavi : Mundo : () World

Plus: Photo Contest Last Chance to Enter, Comp Plan Update and More!

https://www.facebook.com/cityofsouthportland
http://instagram.com/cityofsouthportland
http://www.southportland.org
mailto:news@southportland.org


** Community Newsletter
------------------------------------------------------------


** Issue #375
------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the City of South Portland website. (https://www.southportland.gov)
Woman in reindeer hat serves popcorn
Featured in this issue: South Portland City Council • Holiday Tree Lighting • Last Chance! Photo Contest • Winter Parking Ban & Snow Removal • Willard Beach Manhole Replacement • Comp Plan Update • Heating Assistance Fund • More City News • Dog Licensing • Seeking Volunteers • Coming Up at the Library • Work With Us • South Portland Schools News


** South Portland City Council
------------------------------------------------------------
Picture of 2025 South Portland City Council
Welcome to our 2025 City Council! Misha Pride, Jessica Walker, Natalie West, Rachel Coleman, Linda Cohen, Mayor Richard Matthews, and Elyse Tipton, pictured here with Brandon Mazer (Corporation Counsel), City Manager Scott Morelli and City Clerk Jessica Hughes.

Please join us for an upcoming City Council meeting. The next meetings are:
Tuesday, December 10 at 6:30 PM (Meeting)
Tuesday, January 7 at 6:30 PM (Meeting)
View the City Calendar (https://southportland.gov/calendar.aspx) for all scheduled City Council meetings and Board and Committee meetings. Visit the City Council page (https://southportland.gov/411/City-Council) for information about how to participate.
City Council & Meeting Info (https://southportland.gov/411/City-Council)


** Holiday Tree Lighting
------------------------------------------------------------

Holiday Tree Lighting December 6 2024 event graphic (info in text)

Join us for the annual tree lighting at Mill Creek Park Friday, December 6! The festive evening starts at 4:30 PM as we count down to turning on the holiday lights throughout the park at 6 PM. Parking is available in City lots (City Hall, Mahoney and Brown School). Please be respectful of businesses and leave parking spots closest to them available for customers. View the activity map and more on the City Calendar.

Learn More (https://www.southportland.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=1473&month=12&year=2024&day=6&calType=0)


** Last Chance! Photo Contest
------------------------------------------------------------
Picture of boys sitting on a bridge with words "Scene in South Portland photo contest"
Enter the Scene in South Portland Photo Contest (https://southportland.gov/722/Scene-in-South-Portland-Photo-Contest) today! Show us South Portland through your eyes. Submit digital photographs of scenes that capture the special character of your City and what you'd like to see thrive here in the future.
* The winner will be awarded a $50 gift card to a local business, City swag, and a spot on the cover of the City's new Comprehensive Plan (https://southportland2040.com/) (currently underway)
* Two runners up will win a $25 gift card to a local business, City swag, and be featured in the pages of the Comprehensive Plan

All entries may be featured in City publications, social media and more! Enter now through December 6, 2024.
Enter a Photo (https://southportland.gov/722/Scene-in-South-Portland-Photo-Contest)


** Winter Parking Ban & Snow Removal
------------------------------------------------------------

small snow plow truck moving snow

No parking is allowed on any City street between 12 AM and 6 AM December 1 - April 1 per City Ordinance. Public parking is available for City residents and their guests to temporarily park during the winter parking ban. Anyone who parks on a street overnight should expect to be ticketed and/or towed. Your cooperation helps ensure that Public Works crews can quickly respond to overnight icing and snow events to keep our streets safe. See snow removal operations and winter parking ban info (https://southportland.gov/300/Winter-Plow-Operations-Snow-Removal) , plus check out our new FAQ (https://southportland.gov/FAQ.aspx?TID=37) !

Learn More (https://southportland.gov/300/Winter-Plow-Operations-Snow-Removal)


** Willard Beach Manhole Replacement
------------------------------------------------------------

Picture of current square manhole at Willard Beach and after picture of manhole beneath the sand.

Construction will be taking place on Willard Beach during the week of December 9. To improve the resilience of the City’s infrastructure from damaging storm events, the Water Resource Protection Department (WRP) will be replacing two sewer manholes. The beach will remain open, but the portion of the beach where the work is occurring will be blocked off during the work, which is expected to last a few days.

Learn More (https://southportland.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=208)


** Comp Plan Update
------------------------------------------------------------
https://southportland2040.com/
Stay engaged with the City’s new Comprehensive Plan in the making! The Comp Plan will serve as the foundational document guiding the next 10+ years of growth and development across the community, defining a collaborative vision of South Portland’s future. Read this December 5, 2024 update (https://southportland.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=219) to learn the latest, and visit the South Portland 2040 website for more ways to engage.
Read the Update (https://southportland.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=219)


** Heating Assistance Fund
------------------------------------------------------------

Mother, father, and young brother holding and looking at baby

Want to help keep a neighbor warm this winter? The City is accepting donations to our Heating Assistance Fund. The fund helps South Portland residents in need of support with heating costs. To donate, make your check payable to the City of South Portland with "Heating Assistance Fund" in the memo line, and send to: South Portland Social Services Dept., PO Box 9422, South Portland, ME 04116-9422. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extend allowed by law.

If you are in need of heating assistance, reach out to our Social Services department at: (207) 767-7617.

Contact Social Services (https://southportland.gov/303/Social-Services)


** More City News
------------------------------------------------------------

Photo of group sitting in classroom with Metro logo on tablecloth and projector

* South Portland Bus Service will officially merge with Greater Portland Metro on December 29, 2024. The Board of Directors, which includes four South Portland representatives, met to kick of the transition this month.
* The Parks & Rec Winter/Spring 2025 brochure (https://southportlandme.myrec.com/forms/6342_2025_winter_spring_final_online.pdf) is now available! Program registration opens December 16 (residents) and December 19 (non-residents).


** Dog Licensing
------------------------------------------------------------
Picture of dog running with yellow ball and ears flapping
License your dog by December 31, 2024. All dogs in the City must be licensed every year per state law. See costs, requirements, and license your dog online at: southportland.gov/194/Dog-Licenses (http://www.southportland.gov/194/Dog-Licenses)
Dog License Info (https://southportland.gov/194/Dog-Licenses)


** Seeking Volunteers
------------------------------------------------------------

Close up of red shovel moving snow with person's legs in view
* Age Friendly South Portland is still in need of volunteers to shovel walkways for seniors who have requested help. No driveways! Please sign up today (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGp8p_BkXxkQOgv0BECqzSqmq4OqbzWnPdvO2PDdkGqJHT5A/viewform) to be paired with a senior in your neighborhood and make a big difference for them this winter.
* The Waste Reduction Committee is seeking volunteers for its January 25, 2025 Repair Fair to help repair clothing, electronics, lamps, furniture, jewelry, small appliances, and more. Learn more and sign up. (https://southportland.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=196)
* The Water Resource Protection Department is seeking volunteers to Adopt a Storm Drain to help keep our waterways clean and prevent local flooding. Learn more and sign up. (https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/4944c0e7e0c94b129554954913c5c0e1)


** Coming Up at the Library
------------------------------------------------------------
South Portland Public Library sign with flowers
The South Portland Library regularly holds fun and engaging events for all ages. Check out the events below, books...and all the library has to offer!

Select upcoming events:
* Tues. 12/10 at 5:30 PM - Perler Bead Ornaments (https://southportlandlibrary.com/events/?event_id=14784〈=en) : Teens are invited to drop in for a fun evening of making Perler bead ornaments, listening to music, and refreshments!
* Thurs. 12/12 at 3:30 PM - Fresh Food Event (https://southportlandlibrary.com/events/?event_id=14786〈=en) : The Locker Project will be in the parking lot of the Main Library sharing fresh local produce and other nourishing food with all who stop by.
* Mon. 12/16 at 2 PM - Pedestrian Safety & Transportation Planning (https://southportlandlibrary.com/events/?event_id=14787〈=en) : Moderated panel discussion, hosted by the City of South Portland Planning Division.
* Tues. 12/17 at 6:30 PM - An Evening with Michael C. Connolly (https://southportlandlibrary.com/events/?event_id=14788〈=en) : Local author Michael C. Connolly discusses his new novel, Ever the Twain Shall Meet.
* Thurs. 12/18 at 6:30 PM - Ecology Lecture: Flora, Fauna, & Festivities (https://southportlandlibrary.com/events/?event_id=14790〈=en) : Presented by Park Ranger Sydney Raftery, exploring some of the symbolism that is associated with flora and fauna in winter holidays around the world.

South Portland Public Library (https://southportlandlibrary.com/)


** Work with Us!
------------------------------------------------------------

Work to make an impact in your community! Learn about the many benefits (https://southportland.gov/217/Human-Resources) the City of South Portland offers our employees and browse open positions (https://southportland.gov/Jobs.aspx) today.

Thinking about becoming part of our team? Subscribe (https://southportland.gov/list.aspx) to get an email notification when a new job is posted.

Browse Jobs (https://southportland.gov/Jobs.aspx)


** South Portland Schools News
------------------------------------------------------------
South Portland Schools logo Visit South Portland Schools Online!
See SPSD news, School Board meetings, job opportunities, sporting events and more at: https://www.spsdme.org

Stay connected: Follow South Portland Schools on Instagram (https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/efaACW68ARi5x3nWcnsjuokwOJ?domain=instagram.com/) and Facebook (https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/5kS2CXDMBRHXGALzFmtguWyl7W?domain=facebook.com/) . Download the South Portland Schools App (https://www.spsdme.org/page/app) .

Be a Helper this Holiday Season! Check out SPSD's How to Help Holiday Guide 2024 (https://southportland.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=207) .

https://southportland.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=207
South Portland Schools (https://www.spsdme.org/)
Hello, my name is Shara Dee and I'm very happy to serve as the City of South Portland's Communications Officer!

I'd love to hear your feedback on our newsletter and other City communications, so feel free to send me a note any time at news@southportland.org (mailto:news@southportland.org) .
The City of South Portland Community E-Newsletter includes information about City sponsored events, projects, and special announcements from South Portland's non-profit community. It is a compilation of the best available information at the time of publication. Events are subject to change without notice in the time between publication of this e-newsletter and the actual event. To send information to be considered for inclusion into this newsletter, send to news@southportland.org.

============================================================
Copyright © 2024 City of South Portland, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this e-mail because you subscribed to the community newsletter at our website.

Our mailing address is:
City of South Portland
25 Cottage Road
South Portland, ME 04106
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can
** update your preferences (https://southportland.us12.list-manage.com/profile?u=0dd04aa2b489e3c68f35323ad&id=6557b185c2&e=3b7a376d78&c=5e7aacefc9)
or ** unsubscribe from this list (https://southportland.us12.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=0dd04aa2b489e3c68f35323ad&id=6557b185c2&t=b&e=3b7a376d78&c=5e7aacefc9)
.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid=0dd04aa2b489e3c68f35323ad