Scarborough Council Weighs Scuttle Hill Road Options, Advances ICE Ordinance

The Scarborough Town Council held a workshop on options for the closed Scuttle Hill Road, where staff said a decision is needed by November 4 to keep construction on schedule for fall 2027. The council also advanced a first reading of an ordinance limiting town cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, approved a land bond purchase for the Blueberry Preserve, and heard public comment on clamming rules, an Eastern Trail payment dispute, and road conditions.

Key points

• Staff presented three Scuttle Hill Road options: a minimal culvert replacement (roughly $1.25 million, 10 to 20 year lifespan), a resilient culvert (roughly $4 million), or culvert removal and stream restoration; a decision is needed by November 4 to hit the November 2027 construction window.
• Several councilors said they would prefer the resilient culvert if a pending state grant comes through, and would lean toward the minimal fix or reconsider priorities if it does not; no formal vote was taken at the workshop.
• The council unanimously approved the first reading of an order to spend up to $380,000 from the land bond fund to help the Scarborough Land Trust buy 65 acres at 8 Blueberry Lane, known as Blueberry Preserve.
• The council held a first reading of a new ordinance on municipal policies regarding federal immigration enforcement, which would extend existing police limits on cooperation with immigration authorities to non-law enforcement town employees; multiple residents spoke in support.
• Public comment included a clammer's objection to a proposed January and February conservation closure, a subcontractor's request for about $184,000 owed on the Eastern Trail project, and concerns about stop sign enforcement and Holmes Road paving.
• The town manager said the Eastern Trail payment dispute is in active settlement discussions and a settlement could come as soon as the next day, which would return to the council for approval.

Next steps

• Staff expect to report back on the Scuttle Hill Road grant by the council's November 4 meeting, or November 18 if needed, and seek a council decision on which option to pursue.
• The immigration enforcement ordinance moves to a public hearing and second reading at a future meeting.
• The Blueberry Preserve land bond order moves to a public hearing and second reading.
• The town manager said Holmes Road will receive a shim coat pavement treatment before winter, with dates to be publicized.

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