2020.12.18--Falmouth Focus, Volume 2, Issue 27

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. 

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

Due to COVID-related staff shortages, Falmouth Town Hall will be closed to the public through Friday, December 25. This includes December 24 and 25 when staff will have two days off for Christmas. Staff are available to assist with remote transactions and will make every effort to accommodate residents during this time. Please call 207-781-5253 if you need assistance and please leave a message. Staff will be returning calls daily, during regular Town Office business hours (Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-4:00pm). For services that cannot be conducted remotely and must be resolved sooner than December 23, please call 207-781-5253. 

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the many services that can be conducted virtually and remotely. Click here for access to online services.

We hope to resume regular operations on Monday, December 28. We will monitor staffing and post updates regarding reopening via E-Alerts and social media. To receive E-Alert updates subscribe to News & Announcements at: www.falmouthme.org/subscribe.

Vision & Values Project: An Update from CEO David Beurle, Future iQ 

How important do you think it is to create a "Shared Vision" for the future of Falmouth, that is understood and shared by residents?

This is one of the questions we are probing in the Falmouth Vision & Values Community Survey #1. So far, close to 90% of the nearly 800 Falmouth respondents say that having a shared vision for the future of the community is important to highly important; and nearly 80% think that creating shared values for Falmouth is important. From these initial survey results it is obvious people feel passionate about the community and are seeking the right path forward.

This Community Survey #1 is the first step in this comprehensive visioning project, which will run through much of 2021. This initial survey is open until the end of January 2021 and currently is seeking residents’ views on a range of important topics. This will help inform the next stages of the project, as we dig deeper into aspirations for the future.

The Falmouth Vision & Values project is being led by our team at Future iQ. We are the research and consulting team selected by the Council after an extensive call for proposals and interviews. At Future iQ, we believe that the art of building a shared vision requires establishing a common perspective of the current situation, then involves the skill of “unearthing shared pictures of the future”. Future iQ has been unearthing shared pictures of the future since 2003, as we work with towns and cities across North America, Europe, and Australia.

In our experience, a shared vision is also a practical tool that allows for a common framework to align aspirations and guide long term investments. A well-crafted community vision helps leaders and officials translate community aspiration into the realities of everyday planning and activities. Importantly, our practical observation is that cities and towns are keenly interested in how to build solid inclusive social fabric, and help their people coalesce around a shared desire for their community’s future. 

Our team at Future iQ is excited to see the Falmouth community step-up and participate in this initiative. This week we held our first meeting with the Community Connectors, who are local residents who have volunteered to help reach out and invite people to have their say.

To add your voice to the Community Survey #1 please visit the project portal at https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/

To learn more about joining us as a Community Connector, visit: https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/community-connnectors/

David Beurle, CEO, Future iQ

Falmouth Adds Third Food Waste Drop-Off Kiosk

The Falmouth East Side Food Waste Kiosk is now up and running! This new kiosk in the latest addition to Falmouth’s Food Waste Drop-Off Program. It is estimated that 25%-33% of residential trash is food waste that is compostable. Composting can reduce your trash bag costs and divert greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere. Falmouth now has three kiosks available to residents to dispose of food waste. They are located at the Transfer Station, Community Park and, now, in the parking lot across from Village Park, next to Casco Bay Ice Arena. Meats, bones, dairy, eggs, fruits, and vegetable scraps--even coffee filters/grounds and paper towels (if not used with cleaning products)--can all be dropped off in these green totes. Please no plastics of any kind, including plastic bags (biodegradable bags are okay). As a reminder of what can and cannot be composted, the Town has made a custom sign for your reference located right at the kiosks. The food waste will be collected by a local composting company, We Compost It!, and converted to compost. This service is free for all Falmouth residents. The program successfully diverted nearly 16 TONS of food waste in 2019! 

Holiday Recycling Tips from ecomaine

Tidewater Farm Buildings Demolished

Architecturally Significant Items Salvaged

This week the farmhouse and barn at Tidewater Farm were demolished. The Town purchased the property located in Tidewater Master Planned district in 2018. Both structures were vacant and in a state of significant disrepair. The Town and the Falmouth Land Trust have had discussions about the future use of the property. In February 2019, an engineering firm inspected the structures. Its report noted the presence of mold throughout the buildings as well as lead paint and found the buildings to be beyond feasible repair. Upon further consultation with the Falmouth Historical Society, Maine Preservation, and local historians and preservationists regarding the historic and architectural value of the buildings, the Town Council agreed to explore the feasibility of saving the buildings. The Council issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for interested parties to submit their qualifications to identify conceptual visions and terms that would be necessary for the renovation of the Tidewater Farmhouse and Barn. Four submissions were received. In October 2019, the Town Council considered a proposal to approve $23,100 for a feasibility study to be conducted on the properties. At that time, recognizing the deteriorated state of the properties, the significant expense involved in renovating and restoring the structures, the lack of interest in private developers in the property, and the Town's lack of expertise in preserving, restoring, and maintaining historical structures, the Council declined to appropriate the feasibility study funds and moved forward with the demolition of the buildings. Before the demolition, the Town commissioned architectural historian Scott Hanson of Sutherland Conservation and Consulting to prepare a report documenting character-defining features of the buildings with floor plans and photos. Ten demolition bids were received. Low bidder L.P. Murray from Cape Elizabeth was awarded the work for a cost of $39,111.

Last week volunteers from the Falmouth Historical Society and Falmouth Land Trust salvaged artifacts from the Tidewater Farm house and barn including Federal period elements such as doors, hardware, fireplace mantles, and assorted trim for preservation and potential reuse. The Town has also set aside the original granite steps and some beams from the barn for potential future reuse.

Town-Wide Revaluation Update

As noted in previous issues of The Falmouth Focus, the Town of Falmouth will conduct a town-wide property revaluation beginning in January 2021. Because property values fluctuate with market conditions, it is necessary to conduct revaluations to ensure an equitable distribution of the tax burden. During a revaluation, all real property in the town is reviewed and assessments are adjusted to their fair market value. Falmouth’s last revaluation occurred in 2009. In January 2020, the Town of Falmouth hired Vision Government Solutions to assist in conducting this revaluation under the supervision of Cumberland County Regional Assessing, which provides real and personal property assessing services to the Town. Click here for our Revaluation Fact Sheet.

Very Merry Giving, November 18-December 31, 2020

The Town of Falmouth encourages all residents to take part in Very Merry Giving this holiday season. Falmouth is full of great businesses, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues. They need our support now more than ever. Very Merry Giving encourages you to give back to your community while giving gifts to your loved ones.

Many Falmouth businesses offer safe shopping alternatives such as curbside pickup, delivery services, virtual shopping, and personal shopping appointments. The CDC provides extensive guidelines for shopping at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/essential-goods-services.html. The merchants below have joined us by offering special incentives, deals, events, and offers to make your holiday shopping easier and more merry. These offers are good November 18-December 31 unless otherwise noted. Shop local, eat local, enjoy local. Learn more at www.verymerryfalmouth.com. 

SHOP LOCAL

• Ace Hardware Falmouth--20% off all regularly priced Celebrations LED holiday light sets, Dec. 1-24, Free assembly and delivery on all grills $399 & up, Dec. 1-24
• Ann Tracy Fine Art & Photography--10% of all sales will be donated to the Falmouth Food Pantry
• Book Review*--Virtual shopping, free local delivery, and curbside pick up
• Centerpoint Martial Arts*--Three Month On-Line or In Person Karate Classes, $10 donated to the Falmouth Food Pantry for every membership sold
• Cumberland County Federal Credit Union--Holiday Loan Specials! Take advantage of our great rates to get the cash you need.
• Falmouth Congregational Church—Featuring virtual and in-person Christmas programming throughout the holiday season including Holly Days Curbside Pickup Wreath Sale, Christmas Angels to provide gifts for families in need, car caroling, and canned food drive.
• Foreside Antiques*--Collecting monetary and grocery store gift card donations to benefit the Falmouth Food Pantry
• Half Moon Home Décor & Design Studio*--BOGO 25% off all candles, 3rd Annual Open House: “Home for the Holidays,” Nov. 21, 10am-4pm, offering all of our holiday home décor and gift items with complementary hot chocolate and pre-packaged treats following all COVID-19 guidelines and parameters.
• Lamey Wellehan Shoes--Safe shopping for the warmest and coziest winter boots or slippers for your entire family
• Michele Shems, DMD--Complimentary consultations--in person or virtual; $100 donation to Falmouth Food Pantry through our Winner Winner Family Dinner Sweepstakes
• Mint Salon Block--Free Hair Perfume with any purchase over $75, Kerasilk Gift Box for $59 (Value $77), Kerasilk Luxury Soap $15 or free with purchase of $60. Curbside pick up available. Call first and pay with credit card by phone.
• Moss Galleries*--10% off Custom Picture Framing, 5% of art sales will be donated to the Falmouth Food Pantry 
• Pet Quarters--$10 off all extra large bags of dog and cat food November 19-22
• Pine Tree Dental Care--Full set of diagnostic X-rays at no charge when you schedule a comprehensive new patient appointment
• Primp Salon--15% off all retail products from November 18-December 31
• Rainbow Toys--Phone orders, curbside pickup, and personal shopping appointments (call ahead to schedule one)
• Red Barn Wellness--Complimentary oxygen hydration therapy ($40 value) with a purchase of a micropeel or microderm treatment for the month of December; Gift cards available; Curbside pick- up available for products
• Scan to Health--Free bio-energetic assessment
• Simply Home--25% off Gifts & Accessories
• Southern Maine Hearing--$1000 OFF a Pair of Hearing Aids purchased through private pay; 5% of Hearing Aid Sales will be donated to the Falmouth Food Pantry. November 18-December 31
• South Paw Signs--$100 off all services
• St. Mary Sparkles*--10% off to the first 10 customers each week, open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-12
• Town Landing Market--Holiday meal pre-order sides & desserts, award winning clam chowder, holiday gift basket assembly, 15% off any gift basket over $100, complimentary gift wrapping, 15% off cases of wine, curbside pick-up, complimentary delivery within 2 mile radius (24 hour notice required), $1 of every transaction in December will go to the Falmouth Food Pantry

EAT LOCAL

• Bueno Loco Restaurante--10% of proceeds on all dessert purchases during December will go to the Falmouth Food Pantry
• Foreside Tavern--Try Table30 our new meal subscription/delivery service to Falmouth—Two meals once a week for you to cook or warm up yourselves. For every party that braves the cold (enjoying the heaters) on the patio throughout the winter, $1 will be donated to the Falmouth Food Pantry.
• Ricetta's*--Buy $40 in Gift Cards get $10 FREE
• Rivalries*--Enjoy a Very Merry cocktail and we’ll give $2 for every one sold to the Falmouth Food Pantry
• Rosemont Market & Bakery--Curbside pickup, home delivery, pre-order meal items for your holiday feast, wine specials, fresh baked goods
• Town Landing Market--Holiday meal pre-order sides & desserts, award winning clam chowder, holiday gift basket assembly, 15% off any gift basket over $100, complimentary gift wrapping, 15% off cases of wine, curbside pick-up, complimentary delivery within 2 mile radius (24 hour notice required), $1 of every transaction in December will go to the Falmouth Food Pantry

ENJOY LOCAL

• Footlights Theater*--Michael J. Tobin brings his award-winning Ebenezer Scrooge to life in the holiday classic "A Christmas Carol", live on stage, December 1-23
• Maine State Ballet--Complimentary video performance of The Nutcracker: Behind the Mask, on demand November 27-December 12

GIVE LOCAL

• Re/Max Shoreline*--Collecting monetary and grocery store gift card donations to benefit the Falmouth Food Pantry
• Join OceanView at Falmouth, Rivalries, Scan to Health, Foreside Antiques, and Book Review in support of the Falmouth Food Pantry. Mail donations to Falmouth Food Pantry, 279 Middle Road, Falmouth, ME 04105 or donate online via PayPal.

The above locations marked with an asterisk (*) are also drop off places for monetary donations & grocery store gift cards to benefit the Falmouth Food Pantry. No donations of food accepted at this time.

Visit www.verymerryfalmouth.com to learn more!

Route 1 North Project Forum, January 20, 7:00pm

On January 20, 2021 at 7:00pm, the Town will hold a Zoom public forum to provide an update on the preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Plan and Cost Estimate for the infrastructure component of the Route 1 North Vision Plan. This plan was developed in 2017 by an ad hoc Route 1 North Committee and endorsed by the Town Council. The project involves the Route 1 section between Bucknam Road and the Cumberland Town line and the Johnson Road section between Middle Road and Route 1. In July 2020, the Town Council authorized the preparation of a Preliminary Engineering Plan and Cost Estimate and Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. was retained to assist the Town with this work. The public forum will include an update on the Vision Plan, anticipated design work, and project schedule as well as an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on proposed design options. Project information can be found here: https://www.falmouthme.org/long-range-planningeconomic-development/pages/route-1-north-infrastructure-project-2020-2021. For more information, please contact Theo Holtwijk at tholtwijk@falmouthme.org or 699-5340. Information for how to connect via Zoom will be posted in advance of the forum.

Transfer Station & Public Works Offices Holiday Hours

Transfer Station Holiday Hours
Thursday, December 24--12:00-4:00pm (Regular Hours)
Friday, December 25--Closed
Saturday, December 26--9:00am-5:00pm (Regular Hours)
Thursday, December 31--12:00-4:00pm (Regular Hours)
Friday, January 1--Closed
Saturday, January 2--9:00am-5:00pm (Regular Hours)

Public Works Offices Holiday Hours
Thursday, December 24--Closed
Friday, December 25--Closed
Thursday, December 31--7:00am-Noon
Friday, January 1--Closed

Trash & Recycling Holiday Collection Schedule

Trash and recycling collection normally scheduled for Friday, December 25 will take place on Saturday, December 26. Collections scheduled for Friday, January 1 will take place on Saturday, January 2. Place bins curbside by 7:00am to ensure pick up.

Transfer Station to Close During Snow Events During Pandemic

Due to the pandemic, additional staffing is required at the Transfer Station to meet health and safety protocols. These additional staff members are also charged with snow removal. As a result, during some snow events, it will be necessary to close the Transfer Station so that the required personnel can operate snow plows. On these occasions, when closure is warranted, the public will be alerted through News & Announcements E-Alerts, social media, and the Town website. Every effort will be made to provide advance notice of these closures. The severity, duration, and geographic scope of a snow event will determine when and how long Transfer Station closure is necessary. The Town recommends that residents consult the Town website or call 781-3919 during snow events to determine if the Transfer Station is open. Residents are also encouraged to subscribe to News & Announcements E-Alerts for updates at www.falmouthme.org/subscribe.

Seasonal Parking Ban Now In Effect 

Falmouth’s seasonal overnight parking ban is now in effect until April 15, 2021. Parking is prohibited on all town-maintained roads between midnight and 6:00am. Parking bans will be implemented at other times as needed for snow removal. Click here for more info.

Dog Licenses Expire December 31

Dog licenses are now available for 2021. All current dog licenses expire December 31, 2020. According to Maine State Law, any dog over age 6 months must be licensed by January 1.

Cost: Neutered/Spayed Dog - $6.00; Unaltered Male or Female - $11.00

Two Ways To Register!

Registration is available at the Clerk’s Office at Falmouth Town Hall (currently remote assistance only). You must present the following at the time of registration: a current Maine rabies certificate and a neutering certificate if the dog has been altered. Call 781-5253 for assistance.

Register online with the State of Maine. On-line registrations require a credit card, a rabies certificate, your veterinarian’s information, a license/tag number (if a renewal), and a spay or neuter certificate (if your dog has been altered). The online dog licensing service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Town Council Virtual Meeting, Monday, January 11, 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, January 11 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. An agenda can be found here. 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 a meeting on December 7 at 7:00pm via Zoom.

The Council approved the minutes of the October 26, November 9, and November 23, 2020 Town Council meetings.

There was an update on the Community Vision and Values project. 

There was an update on the town wide property revaluation project.

The Town Council held a special meeting on December 16 at 6:00pm via Zoom.

The Council approved the re-enactment of Ordinance No.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 approved an order to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine to discuss real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C). The Council did not return from Executive Session. 

View past Town Council meetings here. 

Planning Board

The Planning Board will consider the following items at its January 5 meeting: 

• Amendments to Section 19-40 of the Code of Ordinances to provide certain allowances for the keeping of animals in the RD and HL zoning districts.
• Falmouth Shopping Center - 251 US Route 1 – Request for Site Plan Review for a 24,870 sf Bank/Office Building. 

For more information please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/planning-board

Board of Zoning Appeals 

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the following items at its December 22 meeting: 

• 331 Foreside Road – Kevin Browne Architecture representing Brian Corcoran and Melissa Smith - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for expansions of the first and second floors. 
• 446 Pride Farm Road – Kevin Browne Architecture representing David Rudnick and Laura Thurston - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-84 for a tear down and rebuild of single-family dwelling. 
• 6 Robinson Road – Beppie and Bob Cerf – Request for Conditional Use Approval under 19-77 for second floor expansion and removal of two decks. 
• 44 Lowell Farm Road – Afterglow LLC – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-84 for a tear down and rebuild of single-family dwelling. 
• 16 Poppy Lane - Dawn Ascanio – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-54 for a home occupation.

For more information please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/board-of-zoning-appeals

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.