PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 8, 2025
The town of Scarborough has decided to erode coastal access for Mainers, with the Town Council unilaterally deciding on an unprecedented raise in beach access costs for Mainers and tourists alike. The cost of visiting Scarborough’s beaches rose up to 80% in the early morning hours, while season passes were restricted and cost 25% more for non-Scarborough residents. This is a reductive approach to public resource management that harms the community and Scarborough’s economy. Policies governing Maine’s beaches should ensure broad public access, prioritizing the common good over exclusivity. ~ George Katilus IV, Portland, runs Swell Affair, that makes surf goods