April 17 Update: Letter from EMA Director Rice, Budget Hearing, Summer Programming

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Letter from Falmouth Emergency Management Director, Chief Howard Rice

Dear Residents:

I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for the many sacrifices you are all making to “stay healthy at home.” It’s a challenging time and the Town is very aware of the many frustrations and uncertainty all our residents are facing. However, I urge you to stay the course. While we see hopeful signs across the country and hear calls to open the economy, we must remain vigilant. Cases continue to rise in Maine, and now is not the time to give up our efforts at social distancing. Falmouth-EMS is regularly responding to COVID-19 calls throughout our community. We are not merely visiting our assisted living facilities. We are visiting neighborhoods all over town. We are treating your neighbors. 

In addition to everyday steps to prevent COVID-19 (such as handwashing and isolating yourself when ill), keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools we have to avoid being exposed to the coronavirus and slowing its spread. The US CDC recommends that you limit close contact with individuals outside your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. As the weather improves, residents will be tempted to gather with friends and neighbors, especially for outdoor activities. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely play a significant role in the spread of COVID-19. Since people can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others when possible, even if you or they have no symptoms.

COVID-19 spreads when people are in close contact (within 6 feet) of each other.  Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Droplets from their mouth or nose are launched into the air and land in the mouths or noses of people nearby. The droplets can also be inhaled into the lungs. Walking with a neighbor or chatting with friends in the driveway while not maintaining 6 feet of distance can spread the virus—even if no one seems sick.

Falmouth Emergency Management and our first responders are here to protect you, but we cannot do it alone. We urge you to continue to practice safe social distancing in your daily lives. Everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread and protecting themselves, their family, and their community.

Sincerely,

Howard Rice, Jr., Fire Chief / EMA Director

April 29 Public Hearing on the FY20-21 Budget

At the April 13 Town Council meeting, the Council voted to schedule a public hearing regarding the FY2020-2021 budget for both Town and schools to take place on Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00pm via Zoom. The public is encouraged to provide input on the budget during this public hearing. Items under consideration include significant staffing increases for Falmouth Fire-EMS. In order to minimize the impact that this will have on property taxes, the budget includes significant reductions in capital projects/purchases along with not filling some vacant positions and the elimination of originally proposed staffing in other departments. The Council will consider increasing mooring fees at Town Landing and raising the price of Town trash bags to better align with actual waste disposal costs. The public hearing is an opportunity for residents to weigh in on the proposed budget and accompanying fee increases. The proposed budget can be found online at: https://www.falmouthme.org/finance/pages/fy-20-21-budget. A link to attend the Zoom meeting will be forthcoming in advance of the public hearing.

Earth Day 2020

The Town of Falmouth, Falmouth Land Trust, Falmouth Memorial Library, and Maine Audubon have partnered to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020. We've gathered a whole month of virtual events and fun activities to get you active, engaged, and safely celebrating our planet. Check out our Earth Month 2020 online calendar and let the celebrations begin!  Special thanks to our generous sponsor: OceanView at Falmouth

Summer Programming

Falmouth Community Programs is busy planning re-entry to summer programming. We are working closely with school and town administrators to map out a plan for programming, summer camps, and adult and senior activities when circumstances allow us to gather safely again. Look for the Community Programs brochure preview next week. Please keep in mind that we may have to monitor and modify the schedule of programs based upon decisions made by local, state, and federal agencies. We are anxious to see and hear the Mason-Motz Activity Center come back to life and hope to see you soon. To learn more about how to stay engaged with Community Programs, visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/parks-and-community-programs/pages/staying-engaged-during-covid-19

Patriots’ Day, April 20

The Town of Falmouth will observe Patriots’ Day on Monday, April 20.  Remote services will resume on Tuesday, April 21.