Town of Scarborough departments consistently strive to improve our community through their specialized areas, and the impacts have been recognized through grants and achievement awards. From Public Safety to Finance, this recognition not only highlights the accomplishments of the Town, but also contributes to continued successes and opportunities to meet the needs of our community. Here are a few recent accolades that make Scarborough a special and safe place to live, work, and recreate.
Fire Department Receives $400,000 Grant
The Scarborough Fire Department was awarded a Federal grant of $397,727 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, administered from FEMA. It will be used to replace our self-contained breathing apparatus — extremely important pieces of equipment worn by our crew whenever they are fighting a fire or are in a situation where there are chemicals, smoke, or other hazards. The grant will allow us to replace 60 air packs along with 120 air cylinders and 110 facemasks so that we can deploy individually fitted masks to our most active personnel.
The total anticipated cost of replacing this equipment is $437,500.00. After applying this grant award amount, the town is responsible for 10 percent, to be included in the FY23 Capital Improvement Plan budget. Had it not been for our success in obtaining this grant, the Town would have been forced to make that entire investment locally because the current air cylinders are at the end of their legal service life and can’t be used after July 2022.
Police Receives DOJ Grant for LEAD Program
The Scarborough Police Department was awarded a $286,065 grant from the Department of Justice Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Site-based Program. The funding will be used to support and progress the department’s LEAD program, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program, established in November 2021.
The LEAD program was developed as a way to divert individuals to a community-based, harm-reduction intervention for law violations driven by unmet behavioral health needs. LEAD holds considerable promise as a way for law enforcement and prosecutors to help communities respond to public order issues stemming from unaddressed public health and human services needs (i.e. addiction, untreated mental illness, homelessness, and extreme poverty) through a public health framework that reduces reliance on the formal criminal justice system.
Two Dispatchers Recognized as “Stork Club” Members
In February, dispatchers Artie Green and Amanda Marden became “Stork Club” members. Scarborough Fire Chief Kindelan and Police Chief Holmquist presented both dispatchers with their “Stork” mugs and lapel pins, provided by Maine EMS and International Academies of Emergency Dispatch, for their calm demeanor and professionalism displayed while providing Emergency Medical Dispatch instructions during emergency childbirth calls in Old Orchard Beach in July 2020 and November 2021. Dispatcher Marden was presented with a Legislative Sentiment, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon someone from the Maine Legislature. We are proud of dispatchers Green and Marden, as well as all of our public safety dispatchers for the compassion, kindness, and professionalism they display each day and on every call.
Finance Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting
The Town’s Finance department, consisting of accounting, revenue (collecting and processing taxes, vehicle registrations, licenses, permits, and parking tickets), and purchasing, has been awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This was awarded for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 and is the 16th consecutive year that the government has achieved this prestigious award. In order to be awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a government must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized comprehensive annual financial report. This report must satisfy both generally accepted accounting principles and applicable legal requirements. The Finance department anticipates receiving this award for our FY21 annual audit as well.
Community Services Receives Statewide Recognition
Scarborough Community Services was awarded this week with a 2022 Facilities of Merit Award by the Maine Recreation & Parks Association at their Annual Conference. This award was in recognition of the new Community Services Hub at 418 Payne Road. In the last two years, this facility has significantly enhanced recreation opportunities in Scarborough, including increased types of uses and greater accessibility to users. It demonstrates innovation and creativity, as well as a local commitment to offering programs in a designated space.
The department was recognized again at the conference with a 2022 Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award for Scarborough resident Art Dillon. This honor goes to a community volunteer who supports the development and creation of recreation programs, facilities or services. Art Dillon was nominated for his contributions to Community Services and Scarborough’s community as a whole. He serves as the current chair for the Community Services and Recreation Advisory Board and is active on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors where he coordinates the free summer concert series held in Memorial Park each year. “Art has served on numerous other ad-hoc committees and boards over the last 24 years and is always willing to use his voice to advocate for recreational programming and access to safe and beautiful parks,” said Community Services Director Todd Souza. “His dedication to our community is unmatched and we are fortunate to have his support.”
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