More News
The Town Council will be holding a public hearing on December 15th at 6:30pm to receive comments on the citizen initiative petition for Adult-Use Marijuana Retail Stores. Please read the ordinance completely. Ordinance for Adult-Use Marijuana Retail Stores.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Council strongly encourages submitting your comments in writing. They can be sent to the Town Manager at pellsworth@sbmaine.us or the Town Clerk at bbennett@sbmaine.us.
Please keep in mind that this was initiated by a resident and the Council hearing is simply to receive your comments and input. Questions may not be answered the night of the hearing and may need to be reviewed by the Town's Attorney to be sure the correct information is given out.
The recipe book is available by donation. As is tradition at the Soup Supper, you set the donation amount that is right for you! When you donate, a pdf will be mailed to you within 48 hours.
Thank you for your support!
www.sobocentral.org
Thursday, December 3rd at 9:00 am
This change was made due to power outages earlier in the week.
- Grants will be awarded on a First Come - First Serve basis to the first 2,500 applicants which will allow for funding to be disbursed as applications are received and reviewed.
- The application portal will remain open until the funds are depleted.
- The application is expected to take about 10 minutes to complete. Funds must be committed by December 30, 2020 per guidance from the U.S> Treasury Department.
- Eligible applicants may receive up to $20,000
- This application portal is for the Tourism, Hospitality & Retail industry.
Click HERE to access the Application Portal for the Maine Health Care Financial Relief Grant Program.
Click HERE for more information.
Resumes must be received by 4pm on Monday, December 14, 2020 addressed to:
Attention: Town Manager Search
Town of South Berwick
180 Main Street
South Berwick, ME 03908
or townmanagersearch@sbmaine.us
Click HERE for more information
Click HERE for more information.
ELECTION NEWS
The polls for November 3rd will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm. The polls are located at the Town Hall.
Absentee ballots: The last day to request an absentee ballot be mailed to you is Thursday, October 29th. The last day to vote an absentee ballot in the Clerk's office is Friday, October 30th and is limited to the hours of 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Please keep in mind that you may wait in line longer to vote in the Clerk's office than you will on Election Day.
There is a secure ballot drop box at the rear of Town Hall. No postage necessary. This box is cleaned out several times each day. The box will be promptly removed at 8:00pm on Election Day.
If you have received your absentee ballots, please return them as soon as possible. Extra staff has been hired to process them on Wednesday and Friday October 28th and 30th. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us get the job done.
Please do NOT wait to return your absentee ballots on Election Day! Absentee ballots returned on Election Day must be placed in the drop box at the rear of Town Hall. Anyone insisting on bringing their absentee ballots to the polls on the 3rd floor will have to wait in line with all the other voters.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on PPP Loan Forgiveness
Borrowers and Lenders May Rely on Guidance Provided in the New Faqs
Click HERE for More Information
South Berwick
Candidates for several local and state offices will participate in a Candidates' forum on Tuesday, September 29th at 6:30pm in Council Chambers at the South Berwick Town Hall at 180 Main Street. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the forum will be live streamed only and there will be no audience in attendance.
Candidates appearing are running for the South Berwick Town Council, RSU 35 Board of Directors, State House of Representatives and State Senate. Incumbents Mallory Cook and John James are running unopposed for second terms on the Town Council. Russ Abell and Heather Holland are seeking the School Board seat being vacated by Paul Stanley. In House District 6, Burnell Bailey is challenging incumbent Tiffany Roberts who is seeking a second term. In House District 1, Dan Ammons is vying for the seat held by Michele Meyer who is seeking a second term. In Senate District 35, incumbent Mark Lawrence is being challenged by Brad Moulton.
The annual forum is sponsored by SmartGrowth South Berwick, a volunteer citizens group that supports community activities and commerce in the village center. It is a part of SoBo Central.
The livestream video of the forum can be viewed on the Town website. Click HERE to view the link.
Time is Running Out!
Click HERE for more information.
The deadline is September 20th
It is with regret that I let you know in advance that the Halloween Parade will not happen this year. The health and safety of our employees, our residents, and those visiting is one of the most important needs that we have during this period of time.
My apologies to everyone, but as I said earlier, I often have to be the decision maker as your Town Manager.
Perry
With the deadline approaching, Governor Mills encourages small businesses to apply for the Economic Recovery Grant Program.
DEADLINE TOMORROW
Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement reminding Maine small businesses and non-profits to apply for the State's $200 million Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program ahead of the application deadline. Applications are due by 11:59pm EST tomorrow, September 9, 2020.
"With the deadline quickly approaching, I encourage small businesses and non-profits across Maine to consider applying for the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program", said Governor Mills. "While we know these grants cannon wholly replace or repair the economic damage caused by this pandemic, we want to ensure that as many small businesses and non-profits as possible are able to access every dollar they can to support themselves as we move into the fall."
Additional information and questions and answers can be found on the link provided below.
Click HERE for more information.
Last Chance! September 9th Deadline.
Click HERE for more information
Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program Application intended to assist in covering losses incurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health response. Businesses/organizations can apply to cover:
- Payroll cost and expenses;
- Rent or mortgage payments for business facilities (unless waived);
- Utilities;
- Purchase of PPE
- Business related equipment
Please share with local businesses.
York County
Seeking a Habitat Partner Family
Click HERE for qualifications for a Habitat Home
Click HERE to get information on how to respond. You can respond by mail, phone or online.
Click HERE to go directly to the United States Census 2020 webpage to complete the response online now.
The South Berwick Public Library has the link to the Census Survey right on the public computers desktop and staff that is willing to assist if you need a little help finding out how to do this.
Nominations papers are available from the Town Clerk
for anyone wishing to run for Town Council or School Board
at the November 3rd election.
There are 2 Council seats available
There is 1 School Board seat available
Papers must be returned to the Clerk on or before Thursday,
September 3, 2020 before 6:00pm.
Planning Board has Current Vacancies
Consider joining the Planning Board
THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY!
Be a PART of the PROCESS
Click Here for more information
2020/2021 BUDGET
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
6:30pm
Click HERE to review the draft 20/21 Budget
Signed by the Town Council of South Berwick on June 23, 2020
Ad hoc Committee Charge
Purpose is to look at permitted land use within this section of Main Street considering the potential for business development while analyzing protected resources at the same time.
Click HERE for more information
Those interested in being a part of this focus group should respond to the Town Manager no later than June 22, 2020 and the Town Council will appoint members at a regular meeting on June 23, 2020.
Email: pellsworth@sbmaine.us
June 1 - July 6
Covid-19 Pandemic South Berwick
IMPORTANT NOTE
Effective 6/1/2020
The Business Office hours are changing
The new hours are:
Tuesdays 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
These will be in effect until at least July 4th.
The Library will be opening the collection to you with a curbside service model. You request items via the catalog, phone or email and pick them up the next day.
Law Enforcement Letter for Motor Vehicles
Forms to register motor vehicles by mail
| Re-registration Request Form |
| New Registration Request Form - Purchased at Dealership |
| New Registration Request Form - Purchased Private Sale |
There are services to help!
Contact York County Community Action's Kittery Office at 207-439-2699
Get connected to support for fuel, utilities, food, food delivery, etc., as well as help navigating the federal & state benefits that you are entitled to.
Don't wait, call today!
Click HERE for more information.
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles:
Motor vehicle and trailer registrations, including all temporary registrations and any fuel use decals that expire during the state of emergency will be extended.
This applies to registrations issued by municipalities or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and also to temporary registrations isued by dealers. The State of Maine recognizes the need of individuals, families, and businesses for transportation, work and commerce during the emergency. These registrations can be renewed after the emergency ends.
Registrations issued by a municipality are deemed extended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency pursuant to P.L. 2019, ch 617, F-1, emergency laws approved by the Governor on March 18, 2020.
Other registrations, including temporary registrations, will be extended until 30 days following the termination of the state of emergency pursuant to the emergency provision of 29-A MRSA 405(4).
Please call the central office of the Department of the Secretary of State at 207-626-8400 if you have an emergency related to BMV that is not addressed by these registration extentions.
| State of ME CoronaVirus Updates | |
| Click below for State of Maine updates | |
| * We will keep this list updated as information is released | |
| Families First CV Response Act 3-19-2020 | |
| Families First CVResponse Act/Tax Provisions 3-19-2020 | |
| ME Unemployment Insurance Benefit 3-19-2020 | |
As we continue to develop a plan for how we will handle business the next couple of weeks there continues to surface separate issues that will need attention. Questions of birth and marriage certificates, new car registrations, tax payments continue to come forward. We do not have the answers for everything at this point but let me first point to our Town web page. You can register your car there but new registrations are a hurdle at this point.
We are establishing a mail slot on the entrance to the old Police Station. This has a light over it and a camera system focused on it. We will be checking the box on a regular basis. I do not have the answer yet but you will be able to call in and then supply us with info. The state has also said that expired licenses and registrations will be extended until we are past all of this.
We will have staff here 4 days per week (Mon. to Thurs.) for at least the next couple of weeks. We will not be scheduling any meetings for the next couple of weeks. Emergency services will stay open and the roads will be maintain. We will receive and send out mail daily.
Please go to our website and sign up for e-mail postings. It is the quickest way to stay up to date with what's happening.
All of us will be inconvenienced in one way or another due to Covid-19. Please be patient with us and call if you need help. A reminder that no one can be evicted from their apartment or home or have services shut off during this period of time
Perry Ellsworth
Town Manager, South Berwick
Click HERE for more information.
A Resident's Guide to a basic understanding of Property Tax Assessment and the impact it has to the 2019-2020 Tax Committment hosted by Perry Ellsworth, Town Manager and Craig Skelton, Town Assessing Agent.
Click HERE to read the article on Seacoast Online.
Planning Board 7/15/2020 Regular Meeting Via ZOOM 6:30pm
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81499489391?pwd=eVNQTGVXZUNIRndUZ0tQYytuUXdsZz09
Meeting ID: 814 9948 9391
Password: 692682
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,81499489391#,,,,0#,,692682# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,81499489391#,,,,0#,,692682# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago), +1 929 205 6099 US (New York), +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston), +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose), +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 814 9948 9391
Password: 692682
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbLw8uNcP
Candidates for several local and state offices will participate in a candidates' forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 pm in the Council chambers at South Berwick Town Hall. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the forum will be live streamed only and there will be no audience in attendance. Candidates will be questioned individually.
Candidates appearing are running for South Berwick Town Council, RSU 35 Board of Directors, state House of Representatives and State Senate. Town Council incumbents Mallory Cook and John James are running unopposed, Cook for a second term and James for a third. Russ Abell and Heather Holland are seeking the school board seat being vacated by Paul Stanley. In House District 6, Burnell Bailey is challenging incumbent Tiffany Roberts, who is seeking a second term; in House District 2, Dan Ammons is vying for the seat held by Michele Meyer, who is seeking a second term. In Senate District 35, incumbent Mark Lawrence is being challenged by Brad Moulton.
The annual forum is sponsored by SmartGrowth South Berwick, a volunteer citizens group that supports community activities and commerce in the village center, and is a program of SoBo Central.
The livestream video of the forum can be viewed Tuesday evening on the Town's website at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/sb_maine and will be available in the Town archives afterward.
Click HERE for more information.
ELECTION NEWS
The polls for November 3rd will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm.
Absentee ballots: The last day to request an absentee ballot is Thursday, October 29th.
There is a secure ballot drop box at the rear of Town Hall. No postage necessary. This box is cleaned out several times each day. It will NOT be available on Election Day.
If you have received your absentee ballots, please return them as soon as possible. Extra staff has been hired to process them on Wednesday and Friday October 28th and 30th. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us get the job done.
**If you have requested an absentee ballot, and now plan on voting at the polls, you must vote the absentee ballot sent to you! You will not be given an in-person ballot at the polls. {The Secretary of State’s Office has made it clear that there are not enough ballots for that.}