Town of Raymond, Maine

Panther Pond Watershed Survey (June 6-7, 2025)
The Panther Pond watershed drains 12.3 square miles in Casco and Raymond.  Panther Pond is listed on Maine’s Nonpoint Source Priority Watersheds list based on historical monitoring and watershed development (DEP, 2014). Panther Pond is also recognized as one of Maine’s “Lakes Most at Risk from Development” by DEP under the Maine Stormwater Law. The biggest pollution culprit in Panther Pond and other Maine lakes is polluted runoff or non-point source (NPS) pollution. Stormwater runoff from rain and snowmelt picks up soil, nutrients and other pollutants as it flows across the land, and washes into the lake. The problem is not necessarily the water itself, It’s the nutrients in the runoff that can be bad news for Maine lakes. Studies have shown that runoff from developed areas has 5 to 10 times the amount of phosphorus compared to runoff from forested areas.  In natural conditions, the scarcity of phosphorus in a lake limits algae growth. However, when a lake receives extra phosphorus, algae growth increases dramatically. In effect, we are “fertilizing” Panther Pond with the soil that erodes from our driveways, roads, ditches, pathways and beaches. Sometimes this growth causes choking blooms, but more often it results in small, insidious changes in water quality that, over time, damage the ecology, aesthetics and economy of lakes.
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The Panther Pond Association (PPA) has approved a survey to be done June 6-7,2025. This survey will be done in cooperation with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) , Maine Conservation Corp, Portland Water District and the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District. The purpose of the watershed survey is multifold:

• Identify and prioritize existing sources of polluted runoff, particularly soil erosion sites, in the Panther Pond Watershed.
• Reevaluate past identified sites and work that has been done on sites.
• Raise public awareness about the connection between land use and water    quality.
• Inspire people to become active stewards of the watershed.
• Provide the basis to obtain federal funds to assist in fixing identified erosion sites.
• Use the information gathered as one component of a long-term lake protection plan.
• Make general recommendations to landowners for fixing erosion problems on their properties.

The purpose of the survey is NOT to point fingers at landowners with problem spots, NOR is it to seek enforcement action against landowners not in compliance with ordinances. It is the hope that through future projects, the PPA can work together with landowners to solve erosion problems on their property or help them learn how best to accomplish solutions on their own. A steering committee was formed and has been working this winter on the planning and logistics for the survey. Volunteers have been recruited to be trained and lead the actual survey effort. The work done by this group should prepare The Panther Pond Association to pursue grant funding to help with any remediation cost of any major issues identified. Property owners will receive a mailing in May with more details on this initiative. Please send any questions about the Survey to ppwatersurvey@pantherpondassociation.org

 Director of Parks & Rec - Job Description | Job Ad

Open Until Filled
 

To be considered for employment with the Town of Raymond applicants must complete the Town’s Application for Employment along with a resume and a cover letter to Betsy Oulton at betsy@hrmaineconsulting.com.

The Town of Raymond is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Click here to find the Zoom link. The Select Board Meeting agenda as well as a copy of the Town Warrant and Voter guide.

https://www.raymondmaine.org/content/select-board-meeting-public-hearing-annual-town-meeting-warrant

For general information about Voter Registration and Elections, click here

What if we had our own community center? 

In a few years Jordan Small Middle School will no longer be used for school purposes—and we want YOUR ideas to help shape what it could become! 

Take our short survey (8–12 mins!) to tell us what you’d love to see in the space—gym features, classrooms, events, a café, and more.

BONUS: You’ll be entered to win one of 7 prizes!

• 2 Tassel Top Park season passes
• $100 household credit for any Parks & Rec program
• 4 Parks & Rec swag bundles!

 Fill it out now!

Let’s build something amazing—together. 

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY- Raymond Parks & Recreation: Community Input Survey for Future Facility Development

Raymond Revaluation is Underway

Our townwide Revaluation is underway. It starts now and will conclude in the summer of 2026. We have contracted KRT Appraisal of Haverhill, MA, to complete the project.

The Revaluation begins with KRT’s Data Collectors visiting every property in Raymond.  

If you have any doubts at all about these visitors asking to see your property, the KRT personnel will be carrying a letter of introduction from me and the town manager. They’ll have Assessing Office signs on their vehicles and KRT credentials on their person. Follow the link at the bottom of this page to view photo ID's of the KRT data collection staff currently working in the area.  If in doubt call my office to verify at 655-4742 or the Police Department at 1-800-266-1444.

Their job is to measure every building on every property and to perform a quick inspection of the interiors. In this way, you and we are assured the information used to value your property is accurate. You do not have to allow them on your property, but the information they are gathering and verifying makes an accurate assessment much more likely. 

KRT will be sending postcards out in batches. Once you receive a postcard you can expect a visit within the next 60 days.

I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Curt Lebel, CMA

AT THIS TIME, THE ASSESSING OFFICE IS NOT PRE-SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS FOR A REVAL APPRAISAL. IN ORDER TO STAY ON SCHEDULE, KRT IS WORKING DOOR TO DOOR FROM STREET SHEETS ONLY.   IF THE PROPERTY OWNER IS UNAVAILABLE A LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO THE OWNER NEAR THE END OF THE COLLECTION PHASE REQUESTING THAT AN APPOINTMENT BE SCHEDULED FOR AN INTERIOR INSPECTION.

A list of current streets they will be collecting data from can be found on their website along with additional information on the revaluation process at KRT's Website. 

KRT APPRAISAL - RAYMOND

KRT DATA COLLECTION STAFF

The Town has been working with with GPCOG, the Maine Connectivity Authority (formerly, ConnectMaine Authority), and Sebago Fiber on getting a fiber ring through Raymond that will eventually allow for a fiber internet connection directly to the home.   For information on the process and where we are headed with it click here: COLAB Update

The Town of Raymond needs your input!

Take the Internet Demand Survey Here

For the past several years, the town has been involved with a regional broadband committee with the goals of bringing fast, reliable, and futureproof internet to the region. Many homes and business have no internet connectivity, and most that do must rely on service that may be unreliable or does not serve current needs.

We are working with Sebago Fiber, a local internet service provider, to bring fast, reliable fiber internet to homes and businesses in our community. The first step is for residents and businesses to fill out the demand survey. Areas with the most demand will be built first, so be sure to let us know if you’re interested in service by filling out the survey. Questions can be emailed to sebagoproject@sebagofiber.net.

Link to Meet and Greet informational session with Town of Raymond and Sebago Fiber : https://youtu.be/fc5Tn13SDQ8