City News Round Up: Friday, May 15, 2026 

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 May 4 City Council meeting. The next meeting is Monday, May 18, at 5:00 PM. The first read of the FY27 budget will take place at this meeting, and public comment will be taken. Find the agenda preview at the end of this message.

Reminder! All Roads Portland - Music Festival May 15 & 16
All Roads Portland, in partnership with State Theatre, is a two-day festival & showcase of national and Maine music happening today and tomorrow!

In-Person Absentee Voting is Now Underway for June 9 Election
In-person early absentee voting for the June 9, 2026 State Primary and Municipal School Budget Referendum is now 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, June 4 (unless you have a special circumstance). For those who have requested their absentee ballot sent to them, those began going out in the mail on Friday, May 8. The Clerk’s Office will be open late, until 7 PM, on June 4, only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting.⁠ 

Social Services Housing Team Reports High Impact Month
We're celebrating 24 shelter-to-housing moves in April!⁠ The Social Services housing team delivered an especially high impact month. Of the 24 placements, 16 were for "Long-Term Stay" clients—individuals who have spent 180+ days in shelter over the past year.⁠ Now that these clients are housed, they will receive ongoing case management to ensure successful retention and that they have the supports they need.⁠

City Taps Stantec for Portland's Comprehensive Transportation Plan
We will be working with Stantec to lead the development of a comprehensive long-range transportation plan for the city called Portland in Motion. The plan will help the City create a transportation system built around residents’ needs and support the community over the next 20 years. 

Before and After the Bell Registration Opens June 2-4
Mark your calendars! Registration for the 2026-2027 Before and After the Bell Program is opening earlier than in previous years to ensure families have ample time to coordinate their plans for the upcoming Fall semester. The program follows the Portland Public School calendar and is available for students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade.

Portland Fire Department Celebrates National EMS Week May 17-23
Our Fire Department will celebrate Emergency Medical Services Week, May 17 to 23. This is the 52nd annual National EMS Week, and this year's theme is “Improving Outcomes, Together”. PFD is the largest municipal EMS service in Maine, having responded to just under 15,000 emergency medical calls for service in 2025, transporting just under 10,000 patients to local hospitals. 

Upcoming Friends of Woodfords Corner Events
Join the Friends of Woodfords Corner for the following events:

• Spring 2026 Woodfords Corner Yard Sale Trail on May 16 from 9-2 PM. Maps will be available on Friday, May 15. 
• Woodfords Community Garden Tour on Saturday, June 13, 1-4 PM, rain date is Sunday, June 14. Tickets on sale now! Tickets by donation (suggested donation of $20/attendee). Pay what you can: less is fine; more is appreciated! We welcome ALL community members to join us, regardless of their ability to donate. Event proceeds to benefit the Friends of Woodfords Corner and the Locker Project at Ocean Ave Elementary School. 

May 28: Urban Soils and Lead Workshop at Boyd St Urban Farm
Join us at 58 Boyd Street for an evening of learning about urban soils and strategies for safely growing food in Portland! There will be hands-on activities to demonstrate soil health best practices and resources for testing soils in your farm or garden. This free event is open to the public on May 28, from 5:30-7:30 PM. Refreshments will be provided. Interpretation services are available upon request. For more information, email carrick.gambell@maine.edu.

Portland Bach Experience, May 28 - June 7
Join Classical Uprising as they present the 2026 Portland Bach Experience, a 10-day festival from May 28 to June 7, in Greater Portland, Yarmouth, and Brunswick. Find full details and tickets.

Make New Friends at WestFest 2026 on May 30
Join the West End Neighborhood Association for WestFest 2026! Head to the Reiche Community Center (166 Brackett Street) from 10 AM-2 PM for a full day of live music, local food, games, activities, and community organizations!

Vacant Storefront Art Initiative
In collaboration with Portland property owners and the creative community, we’re making the most of vacant commercial space. Look for new, reproduced artworks by local artists when you are out strolling this spring! Visit our Revitalizing Downtown webpage to learn more.

“Coffee with a Cop” June 2 at Portland Public Library
The Police Department, in partnership with the Portland Public Library, will continue its series “Coffee with a Cop” on June 2 from 10:15–11:00 AM at the Library’s downtown branch. “Coffee with a Cop” brings officers and community members together, over coffee, to talk, ask questions, and get to know one another in an informal setting. For more information, please contact Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@portlandmaine.gov.

Community Composting Program - Take our Survey
We want to hear your thoughts on Portland's Community Composting program! Please take a moment to complete this survey by June 2, 2026.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Design Survey
Take this public survey for the Gorham-Westbrook-Portland BRT Design Project and help Greater Portland METRO design bus rapid transit service between Gorham, Westbrook, and downtown Portland!

Police Department Launches Constable Program to Enhance Downtown
The Police Department is proud to announce the launch of its new Constable Program, an initiative designed to enhance safety, engagement, and stewardship throughout the city’s downtown, parks, and public spaces. The program reflects our continued commitment to enhancing public safety, strengthening community trust, and preserving the City’s vibrant network of parks and public spaces.

Read the New Inclusionary Zoning Analysis
The Inclusionary Zoning Study for the City of Portland is now available on our website. The study, prepared by CZB, LLC, was commissioned by the City to better understand the efficacy of its inclusionary zoning policy.

Do You Rent in Portland? 
Find out if your rental unit is covered by Rent Control and what your past rent amounts have been. Check your rent information by visiting portlandmaine.gov/RentHistory. 

Infant/Child CPR Class Registration - June 11
Learn life-saving skills for infants and children (under age 8) from Portland Public Health's certified instructors. Free class offered June 11 from 4:30-6 PM for parents and caregivers. Spots are limited! Register by June 1, 2026.

Reiche Parent Cafe is BACK Through July
New and expecting parents are invited to Portland Public Health's free play group at Reiche Community Center. Caregivers of children ages 0-5 are invited! Let your children play while you connect with other caregivers.

Public Works Updates

• Back Cove South Athletic Field Work Begins May 4 - expected to last approximately two weeks.
• Licensed Commercial Waste Haulers: Reminder to residents and contractors that City Code requires the use of a City licensed waste hauler for all building renovations or construction projects. Hiring a licensed hauler ensures compliance with City Code regarding disposal methods. 
• Ongoing: Hersey St. Sewer Separation Project Ocean Ave reduced to a single lane as of April 20.
• Update on 2026 Paving Projects
• Commercial Street and Portland Fish Pier Storm Drain Outfall Project - Scheduled to begin in early July 2026.
• Ongoing Neighborhood Drainage and Sewer System Repairs 2025-2028
• Spring Crosswalk Painting:  Weather permitting, our Public Works staff is in the process of street painting during daytime hours, starting on the peninsula first. Please be patient and cautious of our workers in the street, and stay off the wet paint.
• Street sweeping is underway. In order for this work to be effective and done by the end of May, we ask for your compliance with parking restrictions. These parking regulations are in effect annually from October 1 to May 31. Find parking restrictions by area and to try our web app for an estimated timeframe of when the City's sweepers will be in your neighborhood. 

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates

• Now Hiring Summer Pool Staff:  Be a part of the inaugural season at the brand new Rising Eddy Community Pool. Work with us as a Seasonal Lifeguard or Pool Guest Service Attendant. We're also offering Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Courses to get you certified just in time! Bonus: Course participants hired as a Lifeguard by the City are eligible for full reimbursement of the course fee upon completion of 200 hours of work as a Lifeguard within the first year of employment!
• Interested in skateboarding but not sure where to start? Join us at Community Skate Day on Saturday, June 6, 11 AM-1 PM.
• Hit the trails with the new Park Ranger Hike Club! See the list of May/June locations. Join us next at 10 AM Saturday, May 16, in Virginia Woods (meeting spot Stepping Stone Lane trailhead).
• Get Your Game on at Monument Square:  The Monument Square games have officially returned to the heart of the city! Challenge a friend to a match of ping pong, chess, or foosball. We also have classic favorites like Connect 4 and cornhole.
• Registration is now open for the Youth Track and Field Club! Sign young athletes up for The Tiny Tri (ages 5-12).
• Read the latest updates in the April 2026 newsletter or subscribe. 
• Riverton Trolley Park Ash Tree removal and native replanting starts this month. 
• The Recreation Summer Program brochure is here! View the full 2025-2026 Parks & Recreation Program Guide. 
• Portland’s newest community pool is opening soon: Season passes now available.
• Sundays on the Boulevard:  Baxter Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays only, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrians, and play through Sunday, September 27, 2026.⁠

more. Come make a difference with us! Our wellness benefits are award winning.

 

May 18 City Council Meeting - Agenda Preview

Visit our agenda portal to find the full meeting details. 

5:00 PM - Public comment period on non-agenda items

Proclamations and 3 Consent Items

#23 Recognizing South Portland Resident Juliet Shane for Work to Significantly Improve Tracking of Arrivals/Departures at Portland International Jetport

#35 Recognizing Paul Bradbury for the 2026 AAAE Chair’s Award

#36 Recognizing May 2026 as Jewish American Heritage Month

School Budget - Orders #196-#202

City Council held a First Read of the FY '27 School Budget at the May 4 City Council Meeting and accepted Public Comment. A Second Read and a Public Hearing on the School Budget will be held during this meeting.

Municipal Budget - Orders #209-#221

The City Council will hold a First Read of the FY '27 Municipal Budget at this meeting and accept Public Comment. A Second Read and Public Hearing of the Municipal Budget will be held on June 1 at 5 PM.

Unfinished Business (Public comment taken)

#202 Approving Cooperative Agreement Between the City and MaineDOT RE: Improvements to Brighton Avenue

#203 Approving Cooperative Agreement Between the City and MaineDOT RE: Improvements to Forest Avenue

#204 Accepting/Appropriating a $200 Anonymous Donation to Portland Police Department for Victim Services

#205 Approving Golf Cart Lease Agreement with Country Club Enterprises LLC

Orders (Public comment taken)

#222 Setting Time For Opening/Closing the Polls on June 9, 2026 RE: State and Municipal Elections

#223 Amending Order #161 To Ratify Fournier Amendment Three Re: Dougherty Field Lighting 

#224 Amending #182 RE: Clarifying Retroactive Application of Dispersal Requirements for Large Theaters/Performance Halls

Amendments (First Read only)

#225 Amendment Portland City Code Chapter 28 RE: Tow Rates