Scarborough Town Manager Tom Hall Speaks to Rotary

Scarborough’s 2010 population was 18,919 which was a 11.5 % increase since 2000. He called our attention the 23.8% increase in the 60 + population. (Age 75 + has seen a 77.4% increase.) This raises the question of new demand for services, housing, and transportation. He noted that existing zoning regulations were tough for in-law arrangements.

With 19.4% of its tax base commercial/industrial, we are better shape than most communities. Our average wages are higher that the state average, Cumberland County, and even the nation. Again, our percentage increase in jobs exceeded the aforementioned. Tom especially noted our increase in the broadly defined manufacturing category as opposed to decreases at the county, state, and national level.

Tom cited an Ernst & Young study (Business Tax Competitiveness Index) that has been fully vetted and shows Maine’s effective tax rate of 3 % was the lowest in the country! New Hampshire is 5.4%.

This year’s real estate tax rate will be $13.80 up from $13.03. A $1,370,000 loss in education funding is the major reason. In addition non-property tax revenues (e.g. auto excise) are stagnant. Also, he mentioned the “rollercoaster property values” that has seen big decreases in some parts of town as compared to water front property that keeps on rising in value. He reminded us that a system of user fees has helped by covering 85 % of the community services budget.

In his concluding remarks, Tom left us with the challenge of assisting with Route 1 beautification such as the planting of street trees in the broad median strip in the Sawyer to Willowdale Road area.