City News Round Up: Friday, May 9, 2025

Meetings & Agendas
Please check our agenda center for the full schedule of upcoming Committees, Boards, and Commission meetings, and to view agendas, backup materials, and videos from past meetings. Read a recap of the 5/5 City Council meeting. The next City Council meeting is Monday, May 19, at 5:00 PM.

In Person Absentee Voting Begins 5/12 for June 10 Municipal Election
In-person early absentee voting for the June 10, 2025, Municipal Election begins Monday, May 12, 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-Friday. For those who have requested their absentee ballot sent to them, those will begin going out in the mail on Friday, May 9. The last day to in-person absentee vote is Thursday, June 5, unless you have a special circumstance. The Clerk’s Office will be open until 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 5, only for voter registration and in-person absentee voting. Visit portlandmaine.gov/absentee to learn more. 

City and USTA Unveil New Lights at Payson Park Tennis Courts 
At Payson Park, demand for the four tennis courts is high, so we teamed up with the USTA to add lights, as well as a system to track usage and maintain the good condition of the courts. The lights will add hours to playtime in the warm weather months, allowing people to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of tennis for a longer period. City officials, USTA New England, the National Recreation and Parks Association all celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, May 8. Learn more about 2025 programs like Tennis in the Parks, for Adults and Youth. 

Deering Oaks Tennis Courts
Portland High School will hold tennis matches at Deering Oaks Park on Wednesday, May 14, from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM. All courts will be closed to the public during this time.

May 10: Raised Bed-Building Volunteer Workshop
Cultivating Community is hosting a raised bed-building workshop at Common Share Community Garden at Eastern Prom this  Saturday, May 10 (new date). Help us transform this in-ground garden into a beautiful raised bed garden before the growing season begins! Whether you are an experienced gardener or just starting, these workshops are designed to be informative and enjoyable for everyone. Learn more + register here.

Join Us! Riverton Trolley Bike Park Grand Opening May 14
Riverton Trolley Park, once a fishing site for Wabanaki people, later a canning factory and amusement park, is entering a bold new chapter. Thanks to a partnership between the City, Portland Parks Conservancy, and local supporters, the park is being reimagined as a vibrant hub for biking and community connection. Join us for the ribbon cutting on Wednesday, 5/14 at 4 PM. Read all the details and RSVP.

Downtown Worker Appreciation Day, Thursday, May 15
If you work downtown, you're invited! Portland Downtown offers two chances to celebrate downtown workers in 2025, and you’re invited to both! Spend your midday break at the Lunchtime Event in Monument Square from 11 AM - 1 PM, then head to Boothby Square after work for drink discounts and more fun at Happy Hour from 4-6 PM. Find all the details.

Student Art Show On View Through May 16 at City Hall
Start your First Friday Art Walk at City Hall today, 3:00 to 8:00 PM, for the opening reception of the annual Portland Public Schools Student Art Show. The artwork of hundreds of talented students in kindergarten through grade 12 will be on display in City Hall hallways from May 2 to May 19.

Spring Cleaning, but Make It Social
During the months of May and June, three separate Portland neighborhoods will host “Yard Sale Trails”: day-long events where households throughout a neighborhood hold yard sales at the same time, and visitors can follow a map to go from one to the next. Neighbors in Woodfords Corner will hold their Yard Sale Trail on Saturday, May 17th, Libbytown will hold theirs on Saturday, May 31st (with a rain date of June 1st), and Munjoy Hill will hold theirs on Saturday, June 7th (or the 8th, in the case of rain).

Memorial Day Parade in Deering Center, May 26 at 2 PM
On May 26 at 2:00 PM, starting at the Longfellow School, the Deering Memorial Post 6859 VFW Honor Guard will join drummers, honor guards, a pipe band, and more to recognize Memorial Day. Young children are welcome to participate in the Deering Center Memorial Day Procession. To participate and for more information, please contact Bobbi Cope at 207-415-5833 (call or text) or via email at bobbicope@icloud.com.

“Winged Kelp” Temporary Art Coming Soon to City Hall
On March 25, 2025, a Temporary Art Review Panel approved a new TEMPOart commission - “Winged Kelp." This installation will be coming to City Hall in June 2025. Artist Gillian Christy hopes to encourage us to think about Manie’s environment and the essential role seaweed plays in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Staff Celebrates Second “Take Your Child to Work Day”
Our second “Take Your Child To Work Day” was a sunny success on Thursday, April 24! City staff and their children, ages 6-17, had fun learning all around the city -from Fire and Police departments to Council Chambers, Parks to Public Works, and Health & Human Services. We love hosting this day to inspire the next generation of public servants! 

Meet Our March 2025 Employee of the Month
Congratulations to Sarah Sarkozy! Sarah is our March 2025 Employee of the Month and works as a Certified Permit Technician in our Permitting & Inspections department. Sarah has over seven years of City Service and is recognized for her exemplary customer service and dedication to her work. City staff describe Sarah as patient, kind, and helpful. She has a very positive energy and relationship with co-workers. Always on her game, Sarah takes initiative, is good at her job, and has very high standards and an excellent quality of work. 

Health & Human Services Releases 2024 Annual Report
This report provides an in-depth look at the work and impact of HHS and showcases the department's commitment to serving the diverse needs of the Portland community, covering services that range from Housing & Homelessness, the State of Maine’s General Assistance Program, Substance Use, Disease & Prevention, and Aging, Older Adults, and Disability. Read the report and share your feedback here!

Take Our Survey! Reimagining Franklin Street
Visit reimaginingfranklin.me to review the materials from the April 17 Open House, take our new survey, and sign up for the project updates mailing list

Re-Forest the City Offers Free Native Trees
This program is offering free native yard trees in partnership with Maine Audubon. You choose the location, and they will plant a free native tree or shrub in your yard. ReForest will help you choose the best species for your yard from 17 native options. Planting will take place from mid-May to mid-June. Apply for a free tree/shrub through their form or direct questions to trees@WENAMaine. 

City Elder Affairs, Adult Day Program - Openings Now Available
Our Office of Elder Affairs provides a much-needed respite for family caregivers by providing safe daytime supervision and care to older adults with cognitive and physical health challenges. Now accepting new clients! Learn more about how this program can support you and your loved one by calling 207-541-6619 or find more details on our website.

Public Health Clinic Expands STI Hours
Our Public Health Clinic is excited to announce that it is expanding its sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing availability with the launch of new walk-in hours on Mondays. Beginning April 28, individuals can receive testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis without an appointment every Monday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 39 Forest Avenue. Learn more about this expansion of services. 

Sundays on the Boulevard Ongoing Through September 28
Baxter Boulevard is closed to vehicular traffic on Sundays only, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, and OPEN for walkers, bikers, pedestrian traffic, and play! This year, Sundays on the Boulevard runs through Sunday, September 28, 2025.⁠ 

Towing Alert:  Street Sweeping Parking Reminders
Street sweeping is ramping up over the next several weeks. For this work to be effective and done by the end of May, we need your compliance with parking restrictions! On the peninsula: Please help our operations team and follow the (overnight & daytime, check your zone) street maintenance parking restrictions to avoid tickets or towing.⁠ These parking regulations are in effect annually from October 1 - May 31. We always ticket to achieve compliance, but we are hoping we don't have to tow! Street sweeping is a City regulatory requirement, reduces water pollution (by removing salt/sand), and prevents materials from clogging our sewer/storm drain systems. 

Chickadee License Plates Replaced
As of May 1, the new Pine Tree/ No Tree plates will start to be distributed. Chickadee plates will no longer be issued. Plate exchanges with the NEW design will occur during your normal registration time frame. You do not need to come in before your registration is due.

If you have a low-digit vanity or want to retain your current number, follow this link to reserve your plate. Reserved plates will arrive 2-4 weeks prior to registration expiration date. If you have questions, please call the State at 207-624-9000 Ext 52149 or email them at platereserve.bmv@maine.gov. 

Seeking Volunteer Applicants to Serve on City Boards & Committees
We're seeking volunteer applications for various board and committee positions, which all play an important role in Portland’s government. Find the full role descriptions, along with application directions, on our website. Apply by Friday, May 16. Interested applicants can apply online OR send a resume and cover letter to: Appointments Committee Chairman, c/o City Clerk, 389 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101 (or via email to arand@portlandmaine.gov). Applicants will be contacted for interviews. 

Parks, Recreation and Facilities Updates
Read all the latest updates in their April 2025 newsletter or subscribe to receive the newsletter once a month. Please note: As of Monday, 4/21, the basketball courts at Lyman Moore School and the tennis courts at Talbot School are currently closed for renovations until the end of June. Seasonal kayak/dinghy rack rental registration opened on April 1. We’re hiring for seasonal positions now! 

Elder Exercise: Friday Drop-In Pickleball at Reiche
Join for a game of drop-in pickleball - ongoing now through May 2025! 50+ exercise takes place at Reiche Community Center on Fridays, 6 PM-8 PM, $5/residents. Contact cviney@portlandmaine.gov 207-874-8873 for more information.

Household Hazardous Waste Reminder
Riverside Recycling accepts household hazardous waste the first Saturday of the month, April through November, 7:30 AM - 1:00 PM (except July 2025 due to the holiday). 

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. Come make a difference with us, our wellness benefits are award winning.

DPW Paving Updates and Ongoing Construction Projects
Please visit portlandmaine.gov/PublicWorks for information links to all the most recent DPW project updates. See all paving updates here.

• Hersey St Sewer Separation Project - Begins Monday, 5/12
• Deering Ave Sewer Extension - 4/28 Construction Start
• Back Cove South Update