Keeping Up with Kittery - April 2026

Click here to read the full newsletter. Here are a few highlights below:

NEWS: U.S. Senator Susan Collins, recently announced that she secured $5,467,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine community centers in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The bill has been signed into law. The Town has been awarded a $1.5 million grant for the KCC Campus Plan project as part of this funding. This grant will directly reduce the amount that must be financed through bonding, lowering the project bond from $7 million to $5.5 million. The total project budget will remain $7 million, but the reduced borrowing amount decreases the financial burden on Kittery taxpayers. This funding was made possible through the dedicated efforts of former Town Manager Kendra Amaral and Interim Town Manager Bob Richter. We appreciate their work in securing this investment on behalf of the Kittery community.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
The Kittery Police Department, along with law enforcement agencies across the State of Maine, will be participating in Distracted Driving Awareness Month throughout April 2026. The Kittery Police Department has received grant funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to specifically target enforcement of Maine's distracted driving and hands-free laws.

April is Earth Month
In the 1960s Rachael Carson sparked our awareness of environmental degradation, which quickly grew into a global movement and Earth Day. April is the time we refocus our attention and efforts to protect our natural environment and our Mother Earth. Come celebrate our planet at the 4th Annual Seacoast Sustainability Fair, Friday April 10th 4:30-7:00 at the Connie Bean Community Center, Portsmouth NH. This is a free family event with participation from local businesses, environmental organizations. and regional experts. There will be food and drinks, live music, bike and helmet safety checks, a COAST bus to explore, EV vehicles on display and much more. Kittery Climate Action Now (KCAN) is a grassroots Kittery group committed to making Kittery more sustainable and resilient to climate change. We work in Kittery and with our neighboring communities and organizations, to build awareness and promote positive actions. Check us out at www.kitterycan.org to see what we’re working on and follow us here for monthly Kittery CAN - Green Tips.

Holidays
As the community observes Patriots' Day on Monday, April 20, 2026, the Town honors the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the opening battles of the American Revolutionary War. This day commemorates the historic events at Lexington and Concord, marking the beginning of the nation’s fight for independence. Patriots’ Day is also recognized across Maine with local traditions and activities, and serves as a time to reflect on the enduring values of service, resilience, and community.

April 22 is Earth Day. It's a time to reflect on the importance of protecting our natural resources and preserving the beauty of our surroundings for future generations. Many observe the day by participating in activities such as community clean-ups, tree planting, recycling efforts, and making small, sustainable changes in their daily lives. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and continue building a cleaner, greener, and more resilient community.

Freebie Barn
The goal of the Freebie Barn is to reduce the number of items being sent into the waste stream, and offering residents options to reuse or repurpose items that still have useful life.

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