City of Portland Alerts

City News Round Up: Friday, October 24, 2025

City News Round Up: Friday, October 24, 2025

Meetings & Agendas
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Council, Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings, and to view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings. Read a recap of the October 20 City Council meeting. The next City Council meeting is Monday, November 3, at 5:00 PM. 

City Informs Public Regarding Status of Oceania Insignia Cruise Ship
The Oceania Insignia cruise ship, which will dock at the City’s Ocean Gateway terminal on Sunday, October 26, has recently been dealing with an outbreak of norovirus. Please know we do not believe there is any reason for the public to be alarmed, and we have received no indications that the ship should be prevented from docking. The ship is following all U.S. CDC recommended control measures, and at this time, there are only 8 passengers in required isolation.

Unitil Work on Tukey’s Bridge Now Complete
Crews have restored the work area, and the trail has been reopened to the public. There are no planned trail closures for the remainder of 2025. During work this week to retire a section of natural gas pipeline near Tukey’s Bridge, Unitil crews determined that the pipeline is located much deeper underground than anticipated. This changes the scope of the project, and the work cannot be completed under the current permit. Unitil is working closely with the City and MaineDOT to determine next steps, which will take place in the spring of 2026.

Navigating the Food Security Gap Due to SNAP Benefits Not Being Issued
This week, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service notified Maine that November funding for SNAP will not be issued at this time. Nutrition and reliable access to healthy meals are essential to the health of individuals, families, and communities across Maine. Any disruption, even temporary, can create challenges and food security gaps. Read the full update for guidance and resources from the Maine Department of Health & Human Services.

10/25: Spooktacular Morning with the Kotzschmar Organ!
Celebrate Halloween in a fun and unforgettable way with Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ. Perfect for kids under 12, this lively, one-of-a-kind musical event features favorite movie tunes and spooky Halloween music performed by Portland’s Municipal Organist, James Kennerley, on the mighty Kotzschmar Organ. 

Drug Take Back Day is This Saturday
The Portland Police Department will take part in the DEA’s 29th Nation Drug Take Back Event on Saturday, October 25, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM on the Middle Street side of the Police Station at 109 Middle Street.

Sustainability Office Awards 29 Neighborhood Mini-Grants 
Our Office of Sustainability is excited to announce that 29 grants have been awarded and accepted as part of the Sustainable Neighborhoods Mini Grants Program. Over the summer, residents were invited to apply for Neighborhood Mini Grants with their ideas for projects that aim to make their neighborhood more socially connected, sustainable, resilient, or inclusive. Check out the map of other projects and stay tuned for future opportunities! The first mini-grant project took place on September 18th and brought the residents of three West End buildings together for a Community Plate Meal. 

City to Honor Five Local Businesses for Contributions to Portland Economy
Congratulations to the 2025 recipients of our 27th Annual Business Awards! On Thursday, November 20th, five Portland businesses will receive awards for their contributions to our economy at a presentation ceremony at Ocean Gateway. ⁠ Congratulations to: ⁠Redfern Properties, Economic Achievement; SMRT, Business of the Year⁠; Factory 3, Small Business of the Year⁠; Matcha Mood, PDC Client of the Year⁠; David Wood Clothiers⁠, Legacy Award.

Meet Our September Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Keith Hansen, our September Employee of the Month! Keith is a Labor Relations Manager in our Human Resources Department with over 34 years of City service. Keith was recognized for his exceptional professionalism, dedication, and kindness. Keith consistently goes above and beyond providing assistance and guidance to departments and employees. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his work and is thorough and thoughtful in his approach to everything he does, from contract negotiations to employee relations, changes, leave extensions, discipline, etc. He listens to staff and helps to find appropriate solutions expeditiously. Keith has often taken the lead as the “voice of reason” when collaborating with staff. Keith is the epitome of kind and very thoughtful on all items that can affect our employees. 

10/28: Re-Forest the City Film Night
Join the West End Neighborhood Association on Tuesday, 10/28 at 6:30 PM for the film, “The Hidden Life of Trees”. Find full details about Re-Forest the City events on their website.

Join Us for Annual District Meetings! District 5 Next on 10/29
Annual District Meetings are underway with District 5 up next on Wednesday, 10/29. All meetings are in-person and begin at 6:00 PM.  Visit our website to learn your district and find the full details.⁠ Mayor Dion, City Councilors, City Manager Danielle West, and City staff will be available to discuss neighborhood issues and answer questions from the public. ⁠ Free childcare is available for kids ages 5-12! Pre-registration is not required, but helpful for our team.

In-Person Absentee Voting Ends Next Week - Open Late Thursday, 10/30 
In-person early absentee voting for the November 4, 2025, State Referendum and Municipal Election is currently underway in the State of Maine Room, adjacent to the City Clerk’s Office, on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. Regular hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, October 30, unless you have a special circumstance. The Clerk’s Office will be open until 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 30, only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting. Find answers to all of your voting questions here.

The external ballot drop boxes are set up at City Hall and Canco Road and ready to receive completed absentee ballots 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Absentee ballots must be returned via mail or the external ballot box outside of City Hall and Canco Road and not to your normal polling place.

166 New Trees Planted Across Portland!
Each year, our Forestry team aims to plant 150 new trees citywide, and we’re happy to report that in 2025, we exceeded that goal with 166 new trees planted! Here's the breakdown:⁠ 85 trees planted in the spring⁠; 45 trees planted this fall⁠; 36 trees added through the City's Co-op Tree Planting Program⁠. The City continues its commitment to equity-focused planting, prioritizing low-equity urban areas. In addition, more trees are planted through the development review process, contributing to the city's expanding tree canopy.⁠

FREE Class: Infant/Child CPR, First Aid For Choking 
On Thursday, November 6, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, the City's Public Health Nurses will be hosting a class for parents and caregivers to learn infant/child  CPR and first aid choking. The class is free, but donations of baby wipes and/or size 2-4 diapers are appreciated. Spots are limited! Register by November 1.

Save the Date! Pumpkin-Cycle With Us on Saturday, 11/8
Don’t throw your jack-o-lantern in the trash or in the woods, bring it to Pumpkin-Cycle instead! Come chuck your slumpin' pumpkins in the Payson Park Little League Parking Lot on Saturday, November 8, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We'll make sure the pumpkins get properly composted and don't go to waste. Pumpkin-Cycle is a free, kid-friendly event; bring as many pumpkins (and gourds) as you want! Crepe Elizabeth food truck will be there too, serving hot, sweet and savory crepes.

Veterans Day Parade
Save the date! The parade will take place on Tuesday, November 11, this year, beginning at 10:00 AM at Longfellow Square and proceeding down Congress Street to City Hall, where ceremonies will take place. 

Reminder: Time to Register Your Dog!
State law requires you to license your dog each year; residents can register dogs online or at the City Clerk's office. Register annually by January 31 to avoid the $25 late fee. Fees: $6 per year; $11 unneutered/unspayed. (A $1 transaction fee + a $1.75 shipping/handling fee is added to online registration transactions.) 

Curbside Yard Waste Collection Happening All of November
Public Works crews will be collecting leaf bags November 1-30. Please note that the leaf bag collection MAY NOT COINCIDE with the day of your trash & recycling collection. There is no set day of the week that crews will service your location. Unpredictable leaf amounts at the curb, staffing issues, and weather conditions are all obstacles that make it difficult for us to predict the exact timeframe of your collection. Please follow the curbside guidelines to help our Public Works team work efficiently and smoothly.

Survey Time: We Want Your Input on Emergency Planning! 
We want your input on emergency planning priorities. Please take our survey and tell us what is important to you! Visit our emergency planning project page to find more information about the work the City is doing to update our emergency operations plan and share your ideas for how we can share emergency preparedness information.

Annual Street Maintenance Parking Restrictions Back In Effect
Attention residents who live or park on the peninsula! Overnight street maintenance parking restrictions are back in effect (daytime also, in some areas). This applies to all citizens who live or park on the peninsula (and the Nathan Clifford area). Regulations are in effect annually from October 1 - May 31. Cars not in compliance with City street maintenance signs are subject to ticketing and towing. View the residential parking zone map and read the full details on our website.

Help Us Keep the Neighborhood Association Directory Updated
A reminder to our Neighborhood Associations to update your City-hosted pages on our website. Please take a look and be in touch with us if your info needs to be updated - whether that be info related to new leadership or if an association is no longer active. Thank you!

New 2026 Allowable Rent Increases and Short-Term Rental Regulations
Landlords and tenants should be aware that the new allowable rent increase per the consumer price index (CPI) as part of the rent control ordinance has been published for the calendar year 2026. 


Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

Public Works Updates

We’re Hiring!
We are hiring across several departments in the city, with a variety of open positions: healthcare roles (RNs/CNAs), trades workers, before and after school recreation counselors, lifeguards, 911 dispatchers, community health workers, and more. Recently posted: Housing Program Manager. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.

Past Alerts