2020.08.07--Falmouth Focus, Volume 2, Issue 17

Please note:  This newsletter will be sent to subscribers of both The Falmouth Focus newsletter and Town News & Announcements. Please excuse cross postings. To change your subscription settings, visit E-Alerts. 

Updates on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Town of Falmouth has updated its COVID-19 information page which includes all updates and information sent out by Falmouth's Emergency Management Agency as well as additional updates from the Town. We strongly encourage residents to subscribe to our E-Alert e-mails in order to keep up-to-date. While events in recent weeks have not required regular updates regarding COVID-19, the situation remains fluid and direct communications from the Town via E-Alerts is the best way for residents to stay informed. Subscribe to Town News & Announcements and/or Emergency Management at www.falmouthme.org/subscribe. Alerts regarding COVID-19 will be sent to both lists.

Town Services, Offices, & Facilities

• Town of Falmouth Facility Closures, Cancellation, and Status of Services
• Online and Remote Services
• A Guide to Participating in Virtual Town Council Meetings
• Transfer Station and Waste Disposal
• Falmouth Parks, Playgrounds, Trails & Trailhead Parking
• Falmouth Schools Updates

Senior Property Tax Assistance Program Now Open

The Town of Falmouth’s Senior Property Tax Relief Program is now accepting applications from qualified residents for property tax assistance. The program, now in its third year, is open to current Falmouth residents age 62 or older with annual income under $40,000. Both property owners and renters are eligible to apply. Refunds will be determined based on the number of valid applications received. Recipients will be refunded a proportional share of the available program funds based on income level. The total amount budgeted for this program in fiscal year 2021 is $50,000. Refunds for eligible applicants will be paid on or before November 17, 2020.

A complete list of application materials, as well as additional information and an eligibility worksheet, can be found at: https://www.falmouthme.org/finance/pages/senior-property-tax-assistance.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents can mail in the application and backup documents to Town of Falmouth, Finance Department, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, Maine 04105. You may also call Pete McHugh at (207) 699-5311 to make an appointment to submit your application. Appointments may be held by phone or via a socially distanced, in-person meeting at Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to apply early. In order to ensure social distancing, appointment times are limited, so call early to secure a meeting date. The deadline for applications is October 8, 2020.

Please contact Pete McHugh, Finance Director, at pmchugh@falmouthme.org or 699-5311 for more information.

Town of Falmouth Precautions Following Bailey Island Shark Attack

As you may be aware, a fatal shark attack occurred near Bailey Island in Harpswell on Monday, July 27. While shark attacks in Maine waters are extremely rare, the Town of Falmouth encourages boaters and swimmers to exercise increased awareness while in or on the water in Casco Bay. The Maine Department of Marine Resources has reported three confirmed shark sightings including one great white as of July 31. These reports of sharks, combined with more observations of seals with injuries that are consistent with shark bites, plus data that confirms that sharks are active within the Gulf of Maine from Massachusetts to Nova Scotia has led the Department to continue to emphasize caution for anyone recreating in and on coastal waters for the remainder of the summer. Swimmers and others recreating in the water, including people in paddle craft, are urged “to be aware of their surroundings and to avoid schools of fish or seals, which attract sharks.” The Department also encourages people to avoid areas where seals congregate on the shore. Anyone who observes a shark should notify Marine Patrol immediately and provide location information and photos if possible. Contact information for Marine Patrol can be found at: https://www.maine.gov/dmr/marine-patrol/marine-contact.html. 

The Falmouth Harbor Master and seasonal crew, have increased their time spent patrolling the waters. Also, out of an abundance of caution, the Parks and Community Programs Department has made the decision to move its Sea Kayaking & SUP Camp and Fishing Camp programs to Highland Lake. For more information, please contact the Falmouth Harbor Master at 781-7317.

Falmouth Fire-EMS Awards Scholarship

Falmouth Fire-EMS was pleased to announce Isabella Roy as the first recipient of the Falmouth Fire-EMS Annual Scholarship. The Falmouth Fire-EMS Scholarship recognizes graduating high school seniors living in our community who plan to continue their post secondary education in the field of firefighting, emergency medical services, nursing, or a related field. Isabella will be continuing her education at the University of New England in the fall where she plans on studying nursing. The $1000 scholarship is funded through donations and the Fire Department's bottle drives. Applications for the 2021 scholarship will be available next spring. Donations to support the scholarship can be made to the Falmouth Fire-EMS Scholarship Fund and sent to Central Station, 8 Bucknam Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.

Falmouth Schools Reopening Plan

Falmouth Public Schools have shared a draft of the district’s reopening plan. The plan summarizes how the district will meet new physical health and safety guidelines required to resume in-person classroom instruction. This draft is based on current information and will be revised and updated as necessary. The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) have developed a system to categorize counties based upon a variety of data points. Falmouth’s plan is guided by these three learning models for which all school districts must be prepared.

• Green - Schools will be authorized to resume in-person instruction for all students with additional health and safety guidelines in place.
• Yellow - Schools will be authorized for partial in-person/classroom instruction with additional health & safety guidelines in place.
• Red - All students will need to resume virtual/remote instruction.

As of July 31, all Maine counties, including Cumberland County, have been categorized as “green.” As such, schools may consider in-person instruction, as long as required health and safety measures can be implemented. This categorization will be revisited and updated every two weeks. The next date for review is August 14. As outlined in the draft plan, provided Cumberland County remains in a green or yellow health advisory category, the schools' Reopening Advisory Team will be recommending to the school board that Falmouth Schools open in September under a hybrid/blended learning/yellow plan. To see the most recent update regarding school reopening visit www.falmouthschools.org and click on the "COVID-19 Updates" link found in red in the center of the home page.

Living Lawns Education Campaign

The Falmouth Conservation Commission, in collaboration with Falmouth’s Energy and Sustainability Office and the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, have launched the Living Lawns education campaign to share healthy lawn care practices with residents. 

• Tip #13: It is not the right time to fertilize your lawn! Applying extra fertilizer in the heat of summer can burn your lawn and create a flush of tender growth that will struggle in the hot summer weather. Never fertilize dormant lawns: Rather, wait until they green up in the fall if your soil test depicts needed nutrients. If you’re leaving your grass clippings behind when you mow, you’re giving your lawn all the fertilizer it needs, and it’s free!

Learn more about living lawns at: https://www.falmouthme.org/environmental-initiatives/pages/living-lawns-education-campaign

Presumpscot Bridge Rehabilitation Project--Full Closure August 13

MaineDOT has announced a full closure of the Presumpscot Falls Bridge on Allen Avenue tentatively scheduled from 9:00pm on Thursday, August 13 until 6:00am on Friday, August 14 to accommodate the placement of the concrete bridge deck. Traffic will be detoured along Rt. 9, Lunt Rd, and Rt. 26. We will provide additional updates next week via E-Alerts and social media regarding this overnight closure. 

Since July 21, traffic on Allen Avenue has been reduced to one lane alternating traffic 24 hours per day, 7 days per week as part of MaineDOT’s extensive Presumpscot Bridge rehabilitation project. A signal light has been installed to control traffic flow during the lane closures. This traffic pattern will be in place until October 22, 2020. The Falls Park parking area is closed during the project. MaineDOT will be using the area for construction staging but will allow for pedestrians to access the Portland Trails Presumpscot Falls Park Trail. Visitors and hikers should park in the Walton Park parking lot. A temporary crosswalk is available to provide safe access to the trail head.

Town Council Virtual Meeting, August 10, 7:00pm

The Falmouth Town Council will conduct a virtual meeting using emergency legislation, Sec. G-1 MRSA §403-A, that allows cities and towns to conduct meetings online. The meeting will be held on Monday, August 10 at 7:00pm using Zoom. This application will allow attendees to connect via computer or phone. A meeting link and phone instructions will be provided in advance of the meeting via the Town website homepage and E-Alerts that will allow you to join the meeting via computer or phone, as well as, a phone number to dial in. Click here to see an agenda. Check out our Guide to Participating in Virtual Public Meetings. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5329. 

At the Most Recent Town Council Meeting…

The Town Council held its annual caucus July 20 at 6:00 pm via zoom. At the caucus, the Council created the 2020-2021 Council leadership and committee assignments slate.

The Town Council held a meeting on July 20 at 7:00 pm via zoom.

• The Town Clerk delivered the Oath of Office to Councilors Asherman and LaFond.
• The Council approved the slate of Council leadership and committee assignments created during the caucus.
• The Council approved an order to authorize the Town Manager to name Amy Lamontagne, Assistant Town Manager, as his designee in the event of his absence.
• The Council approved the minutes of the June Council meetings and July 8 Community Forum/Discussion about Policing in Falmouth.
• The Council approved food service license renewals for Dockside Provisions, Ricetta’s Brick Oven Ristorante, Walmart, The Woodlands Restaurant, and The Woodlands Snack Shack
• The Council approved an order to change the date of the 2020-2021 Council meetings impacted by holidays.
• The Council re-enacted Ordinance 128-2020, an emergency ordinance to temporarily suspend certain provisions of the Falmouth Code of Ordinances relating to outdoor eating areas and outdoor retail display to assist businesses suffering economic loss due to COVID-19 in a manner consistent with the Governor’s re-opening plan.
• The Council entered Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine to discuss real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C) and legal rights and responsibilities, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (E). The Council did not return.

Board of Zoning Appeals

On July 28, 2020, the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the following items with conditions:

• 12 Hammond Road – Request for Conditional Use Approval to construct an addition. (Approved)
• 11 Andrews Avenue - Request for Conditional Use Approval to expand an existing garage and front steps and to construct a rear deck. (Approved)

The next meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals will be held on August 25 at 6:30pm. For more information, please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/board-of-zoning-appeals. View past meetings online here.

Planning Board

On August 4, 2020, the Planning Board approved the following items with conditions:

• 6 Sylvan Drive –Request for Subdivision Amendment to remove septic restriction on Lot 10. (Approved)
• 20 Craddock Way – Request for Site Plan Approval for an Indoor Riding Arena.(Approved)

The next Planning Board meeting will be held on September 1 at 6:30pm. For more information please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/planning-board.  View past meetings online here.

Stay Informed with the Town of Falmouth Website and E-Alerts

There are many Town committees and boards that meet on a regular basis. The events calendar on the Town of Falmouth website homepage lists upcoming board, committee, and Town Council meetings. We send E-Alerts when Town Council, Planning Board, and Board of Zoning Appeals meeting agendas and minutes are posted to the website. Subscribe via E-Alerts to those that most interest you. Agendas and Minutes for these meetings are also posted online. Town Council, Planning Board, and School Board meetings are live-streamed on Falmouth Community TV Channel 1301 (Former Channel 2). Recordings of these meetings are also available for viewing online. Board of Zoning Appeals Meetings are not broadcast live but can be viewed online within 24 hours after the meeting. E-Alerts allows you to subscribe to specific e-mail lists about Town-related issues that interest you. Over 70% of respondents to our Communications Methods Survey found E-Alerts to be an effective means of getting info about Town activities. The Falmouth Focus, this bi-weekly newsletter, is another way to stay in the loop. Subscribe via E-Alerts. Please let us know what kind of information you would like to see included in your town newsletter.