Where’s the sense of community?

    There's no doubt that the town of Scarborough has some great assets, from environmental gems like its beaches and marshlands to economic treasures like the Hannaford headquarters, Maine Medical Center campus and a host of small businesses, not to mention great schools and a rich history. But there's also little doubt that Scarborough is short on something that may be more important than any of those resources. The explosive growth and jarring changes of the last 15 years seem to have left Scarborough's sense of community in poor shape.     What were once quiet country roads that connected the several small village centers of town are now traffic-clogged networks that make taking a walk to the store or to visit a neighbor an unpleasant, if not dangerous, errand.  People I talk to who have lived in Scarborough for many years worry that the town's distinct character has been displaced by all the growth and people I talk to who just recently moved here say it's hard to become a part of the community –there's few public places where people gather and residents seem more content staying in their cars and homes than interacting with each other.   
    One part of this dilemma relates to the policies and approach of the local government. In recent years, town officials have gone to great lengths to ensure that growth and change in Scarborough does not happen uncontrollably or irresponsibly. There is much energy from the town being put into trying to rebuild some semblance of village centers in areas like Dunstan Corner and Oak Hill and making the town more pedestrian-friendly and attractive. The newly updated comprehensive plan, which is currently in the process of being implemented by the town council, will solidify those efforts as town policy, allowing for more mixed-use zoning, encouraging affordable housing and ensuring that growth is focused in areas where it is most appropriate. Scarborough residents should be pleased that they have leaders who are willing to take those important steps.  
    But such efforts only go so far, and sometimes it seems like they are ten years too late for Scarborough. It's going to take more than just smart policy to make this town into what it could be. Take the upcoming Cabela's development (or the Gateway to Scarborough development, as it is officially called). Scarborough's Planning Board, particularly its no-nonsense chair Susan Auglis, has been deservedly tough and demanding with the developers involved. The board is making sure that the vast development incorporates a network of pedestrian trails that connect the various buildings and is trying to ensure that the buildings are attractive and that the landscaping is tasteful and abundant. That's the least that should be expected from developers who are going to make millions of dollars from the project and who are receiving a generous incentive package from the town. But despite that wise approach, will it really accomplish all that much? Sure, the site will be a little more pleasant than it otherwise would be, but it's basically going to be a replica of the dozens of Cabela's developments that are being built all across the country, with the same chain restaurants, chain stores, chain hotels and abundant traffic. People aren't going to go there to walk around or look at the landscaping. They are going to drive there, park and shop. It's great that the town is going to substantially broaden its commercial tax base, and accumulate funds for important projects, but this development will likely further degrade the distinctness of place that Scarborough, as a community, has. The project may be too sweet of an economic deal to turn down, but its broader effect on the community is something to consider.  
    These big developments are all about money, which although important, is not as important as the somewhat vague concept of a high quality of life. The fact remains that Scarborough is an affluent town, despite the same fiscal challenges and excessive taxes facing most towns across the state. What Scarborough residents may really need is a change in attitude. During the time I've been covering Scarborough for the Leader, I've noticed that people here are particularly resistant to efforts to improve their community and have a tendency to get very agitated with each other over matters that probably could be resolved with a good neighborly discussion. People don't trust the town government or each other or people from away or anyone else. People get riled up when a park for the community is planned, they get worried when the Eastern Trail is proposed to be expanded, they get upset over the town's efforts to resolve a controversy over a path to the beach, they resist a smart growth development that would provide much needed affordable housing and they get paranoid when the town offers to fix storm drainage issues at Higgins Beach. Then they vote down bonds for a library expansion and a senior center and new schools, all proposals that, while burdensome on taxpayer's pocketbooks, would have been investments in the future of the community as a whole. And all the while, fewer and fewer people come forward to offer their service for the town, leaving council and School Board races uncontested. And some town officials don't help the situation, constantly bickering and exchanging accusations. In the last few months I've counted six times that members of the Town Council have angrily accused each other in public of "talking out of both sides" of one's mouth. Grow up, I say to those councilors, or at the very least, think of more creative ways to insult one another. 
    I'll be moving on this week and finishing up my time as a reporter for the Leader. It's been wonderful getting better acquainted with this town over the last several months and getting the opportunity to tell its stories. I'm sure I'll still be around, though, surfing at Higgins Beach occasionally (don't worry beach residents – I'll park where I'm supposed to and only surf in the allotted times) and keeping an eye on how the future of this wonderful town develops.