April 2022 - Falmouth Business Newsletter

A Newsletter for Falmouth Businesses from the Town of Falmouth
Posted on: March 29, 2022 - 4:07pm

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April 2022 - Welcome to the Town’s first Falmouth Business Newsletter!

We hope to cover in this newsletter information relevant to you! This may include Covid-19 Updates, Sustainability Practices for Businesses, Falmouth Business Recognition Program, Local Development Updates, and Town projects of business interest. Newsletters will be published on an occasional basis as we recognize that you are a busy person.

Who is getting this Business Newsletter?

Up to now we sent out occasional business messages to the various contact information sources we had, such as the personal property tax database. To be more efficient, we have now created an official “Business News subscriber list.”

The Business News subscriber list allows you to “unsubscribe” if you do not wish to receive these newsletters (for that go to the bottom of this message), or for anyone else to add themselves as a new subscriber (for that, and many other subscription options, go to https://www.falmouthme.org/subscribe). If you know others who may be interested, please pass the word!

Of course, we welcome your ideas what we should cover in subsequent newsletters, as well as any questions or comments you may have. Please contact Theo Holtwijk, Director of Long Range Planning and Economic Development, 207-841-5060 (mobile), tholtwijk@falmouthme.org.

Covid-19: Maine Economic Recovery Grant Applications Available in April

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The State of Maine has provided funding for additional economic recovery grants for businesses and organizations struggling to recover from economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant program is funded through a $20 million allocation by the federal government. Of this funding, $5 million was allocated for expense-based grant relief to help businesses and nonprofits with significant expenses related to COVID impacts. The first grant round closed in last November and 380 small businesses were awarded grants up to $50,000. The remaining $15 million will be made available in April 2022 in order for businesses and non-profits to easily utilize tax returns to demonstrate financial impact of the pandemic on their businesses and, therefore, qualify for a funding based on need.

Falmouth Outdoor Dining Permits Made Easier

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[Image from The Forecaster]

In January 2022, the Town Council approved ordinance changes that simplify the permitting process for restaurant owners wanting to establish outdoor dining areas in certain of the Town’s zoning districts.  Previously, the permitting process often required obtaining two separate approvals from both the Board of Zoning Appeals and from the Planning Board.  The recent changes to the ordinance will now, in most cases, allow outdoor dining areas to be approved in one step without having to obtain a separate approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals.  For more information on specific permitting requirements related to outdoor dining areas, please contact Dawn Emerson at demerson@falmouthme.org or 207-699-5326.

Watch out for Business "Award" Messages that are NOT from the Town of Falmouth

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The Town received word that some Falmouth businesses have been receiving "2022 Best of Falmouth Awards" and have wondered if this is a Town-sponsored program. It is not. Businesses that have been contacted are asked to pay for the cost of their awards. The Falmouth Police Department is looking into this solicitation. The "Falmouth Award Program" messages come from "Joyce Diaz, info@notificationaward.com" with the following address: "5540 Centerview Dr Ste 204, Raleigh, NC 27606."

Veranda Street Bridge Closure to Occur This Month Causing Traffic Delays in Falmouth

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About the Project

In April, MaineDOT will close the I-295 bridge that carries traffic over Veranda Street at Exit 9 for 64-hours. This work was originally slated for October 2021 but was postponed until this spring. The bridge is 60 years old and approaching the end of its useful life. A new bridge is under construction on the east side of the existing bridge. During this closure, crews will move the new structure into place. This accelerated bridge construction will help minimize traffic impacts throughout the rest of the project, which also involves a reconfiguration of the roadways beneath the bridge to improve safety and mobility. Construction began last March and MaineDOT aims to have the entire project completely finished by the end of 2022.

When will these closures occur and what does it mean for Falmouth?

Veranda Street (under the bridge) will be closed from 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 18 to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 25. Access to Portland via Route 1/Veranda Street will require a significant detour. This will impact daily commuters who use Route 1/Veranda Street to get to Portland. This could also cause traffic delays along Route 1, Bucknam and Middle Roads.

The I-295 closure will take place from 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 22 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 25. This closure is expected to significantly increase traffic in Falmouth, especially along Route 1, Route 88, Middle Road, Lunt Road and Bucknam Road, as well as on the Maine Turnpike and in Portland. All northbound and southbound traffic on I-295 will be diverted to the Spur or through Falmouth during the closure weekend.

What are the Detour Routes?

MaineDOT has identified multiple alternative routes for traffic during this closure and invites the public to come up with their own "Veranda Plan" to avoid the area and minimize delays. Visit VerandaPlan.org to find maps and detour routes.

Virtual Public Meeting, April 6, 6:00pm

MaineDOT will host a Live Virtual Public Meeting on April 6 at 6:00pm to provide an update on the Veranda Street Bridge Project and its associated road closures. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentation. Pre-Register for the meeting HERE. 

What Can I Do?

Commuters are advised to plan alternate routes to avoid traffic and delays. Businesses should alert employees to allow extra time to get to and from work. You can post or circulate the attached flier at your place of business to inform your employees about the closures. We ask all commuters who travel in this area to do so with additional caution and patience.

With anticipated increases in traffic volume on Route 1, Route 88, Lunt Road, Bucknam Road, and Middle Road, extra precautions should be taken by those biking, running, or walking. If on foot or a bike, wear reflective clothing, stay on the sidewalk, shoulder, or far to the edge of the road, and anticipate greater noise, speed, and volume of traffic. As always, cyclists should travel with traffic and pedestrians should walk or run facing traffic.

Closely follow updates related to this project which will be sent regularly to the News & Announcements subscription email list, posted to our social media outlets, and included in issues of The Falmouth Focus.  newsletter. You can subscribe to Falmouth News & Announcements or The Falmouth Focus at www.falmouthme.org/subscribe. Additional project information and detours can be found at: VerandaPlan.org.