SCARBOROUGH LEADER • July 18, 2024
The November ballot includes a request to replenish the Scarborough land bond fund, a town fund that was created in 2000 for the purpose of purchasing land for conservation. Scarborough voters have overwhelmingly supported every land bond referendum since the creation of the land bond fund in 2000. The town has contributed $7.5 million towards the acquisition of land for conservation in this 24-year span. No other town in Maine has spent as many local dollars on conserving their natural resources. There is approximately $14,000 remaining in the town’s land bond fund. The request before the Town Council is for $6 million. With a town goal to conserve 30% of Scarborough by 2030, more funds are needed. There are many public and economic benefits to land conservation that make this goal so important for Scarborough.