2021.10.22--Falmouth Focus, Volume 3, Issue 30

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. 

General Information

• Town of Falmouth Hours of Operations and Status of Services
• Online and Remote Services
• A Guide to Participating in Virtual Town Council Meetings

Table of Contents

Please note, currently the Table of Contents links feature is not supported by all email clients or browsers. 

• News & Issues​​​​​​  
  • Police Department Unveils Charging Stations
  • ARPA Funding--Opportunity for Public Input
  • Police Destroy Unwanted Guns
• Ongoing Initiatives
  • Vision & Values Think Tank, November 6
  • Veranda Street Bridge Project Delayed
• Events
  • Harvest Fest
  • Drug Take Back
  • Halloween
  • Falmouth Night at the Mariners
• Take Note
  • November Election Info
  • Dog Licenses
  • Leaf Bags
  • Float Removal
• Town Council, Board & Committee Meetings
  • Town Council
  • Planning Board
  • Board of Zoning Appeals
• Stay Informed

News & Issues

Falmouth Police Department Unveils Four New Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The Falmouth Police Department celebrated the installation of four new Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations with a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 14. The Level 2 charging stations, part of Central Maine Power Company’s (CMP) Make-Ready Pilot Program, were installed by ReVision Energy and will power the Falmouth Police Department’s first two fully electric vehicles as the department looks to cut its emissions by 50% over the next three years. “The fuel costs and carbon footprint of police vehicles is significant,” said ReVision Energy’s Electric Vehicle Innovation Director Barry Woods. “We applaud Falmouth PD's leadership and commitment to not only making the community safer, but also cleaner for future generations. Plus, electric vehicles will save taxpayer money because the annual cost to operate an electric vehicle is roughly half of what it costs to operate a gas-powered vehicle.”

As one of the first law enforcement agencies in Maine to implement frontline hybrid patrol vehicles, Falmouth PD has been a leader in its commitment to sustainability. The department currently has five hybrid cruisers, saving over 3,000 gallons of fuel and eliminating 60,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year. “These vehicles and the supporting infrastructure would not have been possible without the generous support of our community partners,” said Falmouth Police Chief John Kilbride. “Efficiency Maine subsidized our two electric vehicles with enhanced government rebates, while Central Maine Power provided grant funding to significantly offset the installation costs of the Level 2 charging stations. We cannot express our thanks and appreciation enough.”

Ongoing Initiatives

Vision & Values Think Tank, Saturday, November 6

Hybrid format will allow in-person or virtual attendance 

The Falmouth Vision & Values Think Tank will take place on Saturday, November 6, from 8:30am – 12:30pm at the Falmouth High School Theater. A hybrid format will also allow participation virtually via Zoom.

The Think Tank is an exciting step in the Vision & Values project and will help to define a broad vision, values, goals and direction for Falmouth. It is conducted as a highly participatory 4-hour workshop that produces a preferred future scenario validated by its participants. The scenario-based Think Tank is a tool to gain better understanding of community priorities and goals that contribute to the creation of effective strategies and actions for program and resource allocation. A range of plausible future scenarios are developed that act as a testing ground to assess resilience and consequences.

For Falmouth, this process will try to answer important questions such as:

• What should Falmouth become?
• What makes Falmouth unique and special and how can the Town use these characteristics to prepare for the future?
• How will community preferences fit into this vision?

The Think Tank methodology will allow community members to tackle these questions in an engaging and thought-provoking manner. This will then lead to the clarification of the vision and values that will guide the Town’s decision-making into the future as it prepares for the comprehensive planning process. This is a crucial part of the Vision & Values process and we highly encourage residents to attend.  

To learn more about the Think Tank format and to register, visit the project portal at: https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/think-tank/overview/

Registration is necessary to plan break-out groups both in-person and virtually, provide preparatory materials to attendees, and ensure proper social distancing can be maintained on site. Note: In-person attendance may be limited to accommodate adequate social distancing during the event. COVID related policies in effect for the Town and school facilities at the time of the Think Tank will also be in effect for this meeting. Though not desirable, should pandemic-related circumstances closer to the event require it, we are prepared to shift to a fully virtual event.  

Discussion Boards

If you missed a Focus Group but still want to give input, Falmouth’s Vision & Values Project Discussion boards are still open on the project portal and residents are weighing in with their thoughts for Falmouth's future. Discussion Boards can be found at: https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/focus-groups/focus-group-discussion-boards/overview/. Residents can read background information on the complexities of each Focus Group topic, provide their feedback on the subject, explore a variety of viewpoints, and engage with neighbors on these issues. 

Focus Group Videos Now Online

Did you miss the Focus Groups? You can now watch the conversations that took place at the ten Focus Groups held from September 18-23. While the small group break-out sessions were not recorded, the large group sessions, where each small group reported back on their discussion, are available for viewing. It's worth listening to the really insightful discussions that took place amongst neighbors about these very complex topics. The Focus Groups were not meant to arrive at any decisions or consensus, but many common themes became apparent over the course of the week. Find the videos here. 

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Veranda Bridge Project Update

Road Closures Postponed until Spring 2022

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has postponed the road closures related to the Veranda Street Bridge Project until Spring 2022. Two weeks ago, MaineDOT announced that the planned closure of I-295 over Veranda Street in Portland, originally scheduled for October 22-25, and the week-long closure of Veranda Street/Route 1, originally scheduled for October 18-25, would be delayed.

Project information and updates are available by visiting www.verandaplan.org. Residents are also encouraged to subscribe to the Town of Falmouth News & Announcements E-Alerts and to monitor Town social media accounts and The Falmouth Focus for updates to the project.

Events

 

Falmouth Elementary PTO Harvest Fest, October 23

Join Falmouth Town Councilors and Falmouth Parks & Community Programs Staff from 10:00am-1:00pm at Harvest Fest, hosted by the Falmouth Elementary PTO at the Elementary School Campus. Games, activity booths, food trucks, and a costume parade will round out the fun. The event is free, rain or shine! Learn more here. 

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Drug Take-Back Day at Falmouth PD, October 23

Saturday, October 23 is National Drug Take-Back Day. Falmouth Police Deparment will be collecting unwanted drugs at the police station on Saturday, between 10:00am and 2:00pm.

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Halloween, October 31 

The Town of Falmouth does not generally host or regulate Halloween activities.The Falmouth Police Department will be out in force on October 31 with high visibility patrols and enforcement details. We ask all drivers to take extra precaution during this period, stay alert to their surroundings, and slow down for the extra pedestrian traffic on the streets. Please dress your children in reflective material that allows them to see and clearly hear any approaching vehicles. Falmouth PD has free reflective bracelets and glow in-the-dark sticks for your children to wear or carry while trick-or-treating. Pick yours up at the police station while supplies last. 

Unlike last year, the CDC has released no official guidance on Halloween celebrations at this time. However, in a recent interview, CDC director Rochelle Walensky recommended trick-or-treating outside in small groups and avoiding crowded Halloween parties. For more CDC information on holiday celebrations in general, click here. We will continue to monitor CDC guidance and provide any updates via E-Alerts and social media.

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Falmouth Night at the Mariners, March 19

Are you ready for some hockey? Join Falmouth Parks & Community Programs and your neighbors for Falmouth Night at the Mariners on March 19. Yes, it's a long way off, but the first 30 people to purchase tickets will be eligible to sit on the Mariners bench while the players warm up! That's something to look forward to all winter! For tickets visit: https://www.fevo.com/edp/Maine-Mariners-vs-South-Carolina-Stingrays--Falmouth-Rec-Department-SozkFJxU

Take Note

November Election Information

Absentee ballots for the November 2 State Referendum Election are available. You may vote absentee in-person at the Clerk's Office at Town Hall or request an absentee ballot. The Clerk's Office is open Monday 7:00am-4:30pm; Tuesday-Thursday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Extended hours will be offered on Thurdsay, October 28, from 4:30-6:30pm to accommodate Absentee Voting.

Request a Ballot

There are four ways to request an absentee ballot:

• By Phone: Call and request your own ballot, which will be mailed to the address you provide. Call the Voter Registrar in Falmouth at: 699-5320.
• Electronically: Request your own ballot electronically using the Secretary of State’s online absentee ballot request service at http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl   
• By Mail: Print the Absentee Ballot Request Form at https://www.falmouthme.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif11826/f/pages/absenteeappnov2.2021.pdf and mail the form to Falmouth Town Hall, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, Maine 04105.
• In-Person: Request a ballot at Falmouth Town Hall during business hours, Monday 7:00am-4:30pm; Tuesday-Thursday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Extended hours on Thursday, October 28 from 4:30-6:30pm.

Returning Your Ballot

Ballots may be returned as follows:

• Official Ballot Drop Box: You can deposit your ballot anytime prior to 8:00pm on November 2 in the secure official ballot drop box located at the front of Town Hall to the left of the front entrance.
• In Person: Stop by the Clerk's Department at Town Hall, 271 Falmouth Road, during business hours, Monday 7:00am-4:30pm, Tuesday-Thursday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Extended hours on Thursday, October 28 from 4:30-6:30pm.
• By Mail: Return your ballot in the mail. Please allow enough time for us to receive the ballot by 8:00pm on November 2. Please note that ballots are not accepted by postmark dates.

Any ballots received after 8:00pm on Election Day will be rejected. 

Election Day Voting

Polls are open on Election Day, November 2, at the Falmouth High School Gym, 74 Woodville Road, at 7:00am and close at 8:00pm.

No voting will take place at Town Hall on Election Day. Voters are asked to follow all COVID-related health and safety procedures put into place at the polls as recommended by the CDC and Secretary of State at the time of the election.

Additional Resources

If you have questions about voting, please contact the Town Clerk's Office at 781-5253. Or contact the State of Maine Elections Division, phone: 624-7650, email: cec.elections@maine.gov.

November 2, 2021 Election Fact Sheet

Town of Falmouth Election Information: https://www.falmouthme.org/town-clerk/pages/election-information

State of Maine Upcoming Elections Page: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html

Preview Referendum Questions at: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html

Citizen's Guide to the 2021 Maine Referendum Election now available at: https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/pdf/11-21citizensguide.pdf

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Dog Licenses Now Available

Dog licenses are now available for 2022. All current dog licenses expire December 31, 2021. 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 (note: an additional fee of $1.00 is charged for online registrations)

Two Ways To Register!

In person: Registration is available at the Clerk’s Office at Falmouth Town Hall. 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

Online: Register online here. 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). 

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Leaf Bags & Fall Leaf Curbside Collection Dates 2021

Leaf bags are available while supplies last to Falmouth residents for fall clean-ups. There is a limit of 12 bags per Falmouth address. Bags can be obtained at the Public Works Office, 101 Woods Road. Due to ongoing safety concerns with COVID-19, face masks are required in the Public Works office. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Leaf bag curbside collection dates are as follows:

• Friday, October 29
• Friday, November 5
• Friday, November 12
• Friday, November 19

Please make sure that you place your leaf bags curbside no later than 7:00am. Leaf bags are for leaves only.  Please do not put trash or brush in the leaf bags. Brush is not collected curbside; however, brush is accepted at the Transfer Station.  

Transfer Station hours are:

• Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
• Friday 7:00 am-5:00 pm
• Saturday 9:00 am-5:00 

Please contact the Public Works office at 781-3919 with any questions.

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Float Removal

Weather permitting, commercial floats at Town Landing will be removed November 3, 4, and 5. The parking lot will be closed during removal.

Town Council, Board & Committee Meetings

Town Council Virtual Meeting, Monday, October 25

The next Town Council meeting will be held on Monday, October 25. The Falmouth Town Council will conduct a virtual meeting via Zoom as authorized by Section 28, Policy Eight of the Town Council Rules and 1 MRSA §403-B. The meeting will begin at 7:00pm. The agenda and zoom link can be found here. The Zoom application will allow attendees to connect and participate remotely via computer or phone. The public may also watch (no participation option) the meeting on Channel 2 or on the Town website streaming channel. Check out our Guide to Participating in Virtual Public Meetings. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5329. 

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At the Most Recent Town Council Meeting…

The Town Council held a meeting on October 13. See agenda and video here. 

• There was an update on the Community Vision and Values Project.
• Senator Cathy Breen and Representative Teresa Pierce provided a Legislative update.
• There was a Public Hearing on an ordinance to amend the General Assistance Ordinance to add a definition of “recovery residence” and new section 5.1B to comply with legislation effective in October and to amend the maximum levels of income and expenses for the General Assistance program, Chapter 6, Article 6, Section 6.68, Appendices A-H of the Falmouth Town Ordinance. The ordinance has also been updated throughout with non-substantive stylistic changes. Final action on the ordinance is scheduled for October 25.
• The Council approved an order authorizing the Town to borrow an amount not to exceed $6,600,000 of the Town’s General Obligation Bonds under the Maine Municipal Bond Bank (the “Bond Bank”) Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (the “SRF”) Program.
• There was a discussion regarding a recommendation from the Land Management and Acquisitions Committee to convey a portion of the Pleasant Hill Woods Preserve to the Falmouth Land Trust.  An order will be scheduled for a future meeting.
• The Council re-enacted Ordinance No. 36-2022, 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.
• There was a discussion of a new Pesticide and Fertilizer Water Testing Proposal to better understand the prevalence of non-point source pollutants in downstream waterbodies.
• The Council approved an order for the approval of a consent agreement related to a mislocated single family dwelling, and the violation of setbacks associated therewith, at 279 Foreside Road.
• The Council went into Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine to discuss real estate acquisition, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C).

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Planning Board

The Planning Board will consider the following items at its November 2 meeting. An agenda can be found here in advance of the meeting. 

• Falmouth Road – Blackstone Development LLC – Request for Preliminary Subdivision Approval for Hidden Hills Estates, a major subdivision of 13 residential lots consisting of 10 Conservation lots and 3 Country Estate lots.  Map-lot R04-022, Zoned F, RCZO.
• Eagles Lane – Presumpscot River LLC – Request for Preapplication Sketch Plan Review for a 12-Lot Conservation Subdivision.  Map/lot U56-011; Zoned RD, RCZO, SZ-RP.
• Stormy Brook Road- Arber Development LLC – Request for Preapplication Sketch Plan Review for a proposed 12-Lot Conservation Subdivision.  Map/lot R01-022-A, R01-033 & R01-041; Zoned RBm, RCZO.

Please note: Planning Board agendas for upcoming meetings may not always be complete at the time of this newsletter's publication. Within the agendas, when possible, links will be provided to direct users to any additional information available on projects at the time of publication, including building elevations and images when available. Information on planning board projects and activities, including agendas and minutes, can be found at: https://www.falmouthme.org/planning-board

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Board of Zoning Appeals 

The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the following items at its October 26 meeting. An agenda can be found here.

• 13 Anderson Drive – Michael Brennan - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for a 10’ x 16’ shed.  Map/lot U09-012; Zoned RA, SZ-LR, RCZO, WVOD.
• 16 Hillside Avenue – James Hendricks – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-54 for a home-based catering business for events based off property. Map/lot R07-004-D; Zoned F, RCZO.
• 546 Blackstrap Road – Tara & Kurt Bombardier – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-54 for construction of an adjacent building to be used as a prep kitchen. Map/lot R08-046-B; Zoned F, RCZO.
• 149 Foreside Road – Kevin Browne Architecture representing Emilio & Andrea Casanueva – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 to add a shed dormer. Map/lot U10-002; Zoned RA, RCZO, WVOD.

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

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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 and can be accessed from the home page. 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. 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. 

Town of Falmouth, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105 207-781-5253 www.falmouthme.org