Town Hall Closure and Election Information Update
This past week, two employees who work at the Falmouth Town Hall came into close contact with someone who has recently tested positive for COVID-19. Both employees have been tested and are awaiting results. Although not required by the CDC, both employees will not return to work until the test results have been received. In an abundance of caution, employees who work near these two employees will also not return to work until test results have been received. This is also not required by the CDC. Town officials are in close contact with the Maine CDC and Falmouth Emergency Management Agency and will continue to follow their guidance as it pertains to this issue.
No visitors, customers, or voters have been in close contact with any of the impacted employees. Close contact is determined, by the CDC, to be closer than six feet for a period of at least 15 minutes. In addition to the enhanced cleaning protocol currently in place at Town Hall, the building has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized over the weekend.
Town of Falmouth officials have decided to close Town Hall on Monday, November 2, to general business to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff and customers. Services will be limited to:
- voters returning their absentee ballots,
- voters requesting absentee ballots based on an emergency (see below),
- those registering to vote or to amend a current voter registration.
The decision to have several employees not return to work on Monday, November 2, will result in staff shortages, leaving us unable to conduct many business transactions. While Town Hall is considered safe, we do not have enough staff to serve the public beyond business related to voting. As noticed in previous communications, Town Hall will also be closed on Election Day, November 3, so staff may facilitate the election at the polls.
Voters may return absentee ballots to Falmouth Town Hall on Monday, November 2 between 8 am and 4 pm, via our secure drop box in front of Town Hall, or at the polls (Falmouth High School Gymnasium) on Tuesday, November 3 between 7:00am and 8:00pm. Ballots must be received by Town officials by 8:00pm on November 3.
Per state law, new requests for absentee ballots are no longer available except for emergencies. To inquire about what constitutes an emergency, please contact the Falmouth Town Clerk’s office at 781-5253. Voting in person will resume on Election Day, November 3, from 7:00am to 8:00pm at the Falmouth High School Gymnasium, 74 Woodville Road.
Since the pandemic began, several measures have been implemented in Falmouth Town offices to limit the spread of COVID19. Those measures include:
- New ionization equipment in all building HVAC systems
- Requiring mask use in all Town facilities for both visitors and employees
- Physical barriers between customers and employees
- Ensuring proper social distancing
- Checking in visitors at the entrance and limiting the numbers of individuals in buildings at one time
- Providing for one-way movement through buildings
- Constant disinfecting and heightened cleaning regimens
For more information, please contact Maggie Fleming at mfleming@falmouthme.org, 699-5329.