Portland City News Round Up For February 5

Press release from the City of Portland:

February 5, 2021

As a reminder, we are only conducting limited in-person transactions at this time. Anyone visiting City Hall will be asked a series of health screening questions and will have to have their temperature taken. Vehicle registrations require an appointment, no walk-ins allowed. Any questions? Please call 207-874-8300 or email info@portlandmaine.gov.

And thanks for remembering to Stay the Course to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. Be sure to check out this site as we recently updated it with information on when and how you can get the COVID-19 vaccine as well as a handy FAQ document about the available vaccines.

Upcoming City Hall/Building Closure: We will be closed February 15 for Presidents’ Day

City Selects Firm to Conduct Internal Investigation Related to Protest Response

The City has selected Clifton Larson Allen LLP (CLA) to conduct an internal affairs investigation related to the Portland Police Department’s response to a protest held in June 2020. The goal of the investigation is to ensure the integrity of the Department was maintained throughout its response to the protest, which began the evening of June 1, 2020 and concluded early in the morning of June 2, 2020. CLA is expected to provide the City with its report in three months time.

Stay Up to Date with Creative Portland

Sign up for Creative Portland’s monthly digital newsletter, and cultural event calendar featuring updates, announcements, along with helpful resources from the local arts community. Go to Creative Portland's website and enter your email address at the bottom left hand corner.

Fish Point Improvements

Portland's Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department has been working on improvement projects at Fish Point and the Eastern Prom Hillside. Our Horticulture crew has been working with Dylan Lippold of Seaside Landscape to reduce invasive species populations (primarily Rugosa Rose, Bittersweet, Japanese Knotweed, Multiflora Rose, and Asiatic Honeysuckle). This is part of an ongoing site improvement to enhance the beauty, accessibility, and ecological health of the area. We will continue to replant with native trees, shrubs, and wild flowers in the spring. For more news from our Parks and Recreation Department, Please sign up for their Monthly Newsletter.

Nomination Papers for Charter Commissioners Available February 1

The City Clerk’s Office is alerting Portland residents that nomination papers will be available for the Charter Commissioner seats on February 1, 2021. The deadline to turn in the nomination papers is March 29, 2021.

Be Smart with your Recycling, and Trash

Please have your trash and recycling curbside by 6:30 AM and pull it back from the curb by 8:00 PM on your service day. We ONLY collect City of Portland purple trash bags. Place the recycling cart 3 feet away from other objects such as trash bags and cans, cars, overhead obstructions, mailboxes and fire hydrants. Plastic bags, bubble wrap, and styrofoam are not recyclable in your curbside cart. Ask the 'recyclopedia' if you have questions of how to dispose of an item. For more information check out this webpage.

City Updates Public Regarding COVID-19 Efforts

We issued a comprehensive press release this week so the public is aware of our continued efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19, manage outbreaks, and our planning efforts to provide vaccination opportunities to the public. The City’s public health campaign, StaytheCourse.me, continues to offer educational information and materials related to slowing the spread and information on when and how people can get vaccinated. Public Health staff added additional FAQ information this week related to how the two currently available COVID-19 vaccines work. Additionally, the City’s Elder Advocate is available to assist seniors through the vaccination process. Click the link in the headline to find out more.

Racial Equity Steering Committee to Accept Written Public Comments

The Racial Equity Steering Committee (RESC) would like to learn about the public’s concerns, ideas, and recommendations regarding how the City of Portland addresses public safety and racial equity. RESC has hosted two in-person public comment sessions to gather input, but recognizes that in-person public comment may not feel accessible to all people in the community. Written public comments accepted through March 15.

Are you looking for fun ways to get outside and enjoy the winter?

Check out our newly updated Winter Recreation webpage and find out where in Portland you can go sledding, ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking!

Unfortunately, we have not had the best conditions for winter recreation this season, so before heading out, check our Sledding, Skating and XC Skiing Conditions Map.

We’re Hiring!

We’re currently seeking Airport Operations Supervisor, Water Resources Operations Manager, multiple openings at the Barron Center, Parks & Recreation, Police Officers, and 911 Dispatchers (sign on Bonus Available), among other job opportunities. For more information, visit www.portlandmaine.gov/jobs.

This press release was produced by the City of Portland. The views expressed here are the author’s own.