Residents sought to choose superintendent

The Scarborough Board of Education and Screening Committee’s search for a new superintendent is under way and wants community input about the attributes, experiences and desired goals for a new superintendent.  

Dr. Gary Baker, a search consultant with the New England School Development Council, will meet with interested parents and community members in focus groups.

Participation in a focus group will require about one hour to one and one half hours. The focus group will be held at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 30, at Scarborough High School library.

Those interested in participating should call Debbie Rideout at 730-4102 to register for the session.

Scarborough intersection, trails slated for work

The Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) announced the authorization of $20 million in transportation projects from Biddeford to Freeport. 

Projects include improving three major intersections in Scarborough, Westbrook and Portland; construction of four trail and sidewalk projects in Cumberland, Portland and South Portland and Scarborough. 

The action is the result of two years of regional analysis and priority setting by officials from the 15 PACTS communities and seven public transportation systems in the region. The priority setting process relies on a mix of technical and engineering criteria and regional transportation policy taken from the PACTS Destination Tomorrow regional transportation plan.

PACTS requires municipalities to provide the highest local contributions in Maine to match available federal and state funds. 

Eye care center wants to build on land near I-295

Harvey Rosenfeld of Scarborough Economic Development Corp., or SEDCO, said the large medical practice interested in purchasing a parcel of land bordering Elmwood Avenue is Maine Eye Center.

The center, which is one of the largest practices of its kind north of Boston, currently has an office in downtown Portland and approached SEDCO when it wanted to expand its office.

Rosenfeld announced the business’ interest at a meeting he organized for neighborhood residents at town hall Tuesday night.

Residents are concerned any development on the property will bring more traffic to the area and lessen the impact as a buffer for noise from the on-ramp to I-295.

Rosenfeld said many residents attended the meeting and he was glad to give as much information as possible, although he is unsure if anyone has actually changed their minds on development of the land. 

“It’s always hard to find a balance in a situation like this, between commercial development and residential development,” Rosenfeld said. “People have gotten used to the land not being developed. They have had six acres they could use to walk dogs, picnic in and that acted as a buffer from the highway. The problem is now it’s for sale. If it is developed we want to do something that will be in the best interest for everyone,” he said.

The parcel, owned by the Maine Department of Transportation, was recently listed for sale by Boulos Co. for $695,000 and is already under contract 

Rosenfeld said previously he would like to see the parcel changed from an R-2 zone, which allows for construction of residential homes and other buildings such as day care centers and hospices, to a business office research zone that would allow a practice such as Maine Eye to develop the land.

The Town Council will hold a second reading on the change in zoning at its Dec. 1 meeting. 

Rosenfeld said if the change in zoning is made it would still be some time before construction would begin due to the variety of permits and other applications the practice needs to complete for the town and state.

Rosenfeld said SEDCO has continually worked toward attracting better jobs in Scarborough, especially those in the bio-medical and science fields, and has done its best to be mindful of residents’ concerns.

“We try and be very cognizant of the neighborhood’s feelings, and do what is in the best interest of everyone,” Rosenfeld said.