2019.10.11--Falmouth Focus, Volume 1, Issue 2

Please note:  The first few issues of this newsletter will be sent to subscribers of both the Falmouth Focus newsletter and Town News & Announcements. We apolgoize for any cross postings. To subscribe to the Falmouth Focus visit E-Alerts.   

It’s time for a property revaluation.

You might have heard that Falmouth plans to conduct a town-wide property revaluation next year. Because property values fluctuate with market conditions, it is necessary to regularly 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 during the 2009 fiscal year. The upcoming revaluation is scheduled to begin in Spring 2020 with new assessed values reflected in the 2021 tax bills.

Will the revaluation cause a tax increase?

Your taxes may increase, decrease, or stay the same. Increased assessed value does not mean that taxes automatically increase. The mil rate is calculated by dividing the annual budget by the total town assessed value. As the total assessed value increases the mil rate decreases.  

What can residents expect?

The Town is committed to keeping residents informed as the project progresses. Town staff have initiated the bid process to select a mass appraisal firm and aim to have a contract signed by the end of the calendar year. Field inspections are projected to begin in April 2020. Residents will be notified by mail of the approximate time frame during which appraisers will be in their neighborhoods. Residents are not required to invite appraisers into their homes; however, inaccurate information could lead to inequitable assessed values.

Click here to learn more. 

Town of Falmouth Responds to the Northern Forecaster’s Recent Article Regarding Communications Survey

In the September inaugural issue of the Falmouth Focus, the Town of Falmouth was pleased to share the results of the recent Communications Methods Survey mailed to residents in July. The results, including respondent comments, were also posted on the Town website. The survey’s goal was to obtain information from residents regarding the communications methods they found most effective. The Town is proud of the efforts made thus far in improving communication strategies.

We were dismayed, however, to read the recent article on the front page of the Northern Forecaster which mischaracterized the results of the survey. The quotes in the article from Town Manager Nathan Poore give the appearance that we were invited to comment on this story, however, no staff from the Forecaster contacted Town offices or Town Councilors in advance of this article. The quotes attributed to the Town Manger were taken from an e-mail from last June in which he responded to questions regarding the hiring of a communications staff person. Other “quotes” attributed to Poore were lifted from the Town website and from the first Falmouth Focus. 

If we were provided the courtesy to comment on this article, we would have reported the success we have made in our communications efforts in the past few months. The feedback from the 345 residents who responded to the survey has been invaluable to the Town Council and staff as we move forward with developing a Communications Strategic Plan for the Town. Town staff are already implementing many survey suggestions, including producing the first edition of the Falmouth Focus. The Town has also:

• increased the number and frequency of town wide mailings and E-Alerts it sends to residents,
• begun setting up policies and processes to better coordinate communication efforts between departments,
• expanded its use of social media to include more frequent posts and paid ads,
• committed to the purchase of a weekly ad in the Northern Forecaster to keep residents informed of Town activities, 
• begun a website review to fix broken links, remove outdated information, and identify inconsistencies,
• begun the process of creating consistent document templates for agendas and minutes,
• explored strategies for reorganizing how information is presented on the website to make it more consistent, easily navigable, and user-friendly. 

None of these recent efforts, implemented in response to the survey, were reported in the Forecaster article. 

Additionally, the article states that “most respondents seemed to be united in their dislike of the town’s official website, which many said is difficult to navigate.” There is no data in the survey to support this statement. Of 345 respondents, 194 ranked the website as one of their top five most effective means of finding information. In the comments section, 4 of the 299 comments suggested that the website needed updating or was not user friendly. We agree and we are working to fix it. 

The tone of the Forecaster article, in its interpretation of the survey responses, was negative and critical.  This is not our impression of the survey results. We think the responses were constructive, helpful, and positive. Many respondents expressed their appreciation for the efforts made thus far in reaching out to residents and provided meaningful feedback on the ways that we could do even better. Many complemented our work, especially recent town wide mailers. Over 100 respondents expressed interest in taking part in a focus group to provide more input. We think this is great. We understand that there is room for improvement. This is the reason we created the survey and solicited resident feedback. We are working hard to make changes and address many of the issues raised in the survey responses. This is the story we are focused on but this is the story that the Forecaster did not report.

Next Steps

• At a meeting on October 16, the Town Council will be briefed on the survey results. Staff will also present the communication efforts deployed in recent months.
• At a future Town Council workshop to be held this fall, staff will present a strategic communication plan.
• After the Town Council’s first reading of the plan, a revised plan will be presented at a Town Council meeting this winter.
• In winter 2020, a special public forum will be held to seek additional feedback and guidance. We will send invitations to the 100 plus people that expressed interest via the survey, as well as open it to the public. A communication plan must serve the residents and Town officials will need to know if the plan meets their needs. We are designing the plan to incorporate what was suggested via the survey. We hope many people will participate in this forum (date and time TBD).
• Finally, after public input, the Town Council will be asked to approve the plan sometime in 2020

In the meantime, we will continue to implement strategies that we believe will make a difference. We look forward to learning from residents whether these strategies are working when we hold the public forum this winter.

Harbor/Waterfront Committee Meeting on October 17 to Review Proposed Mooring Fees at Town Landing 

The Harbor/Waterfront Committee will meet on October 17 at 7pm at Town Hall in the Council Chambers to review a proposed increase to the Town Landing mooring fees. The fee increase is intended to bridge the gap between current fee revenue and operating expenses.  The proposed fee structure of $100 for residents, $300 for non-residents, and $120 for Handy Boat Service and Portland Yacht Club, were determined based upon research of surrounding communities' fees. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting which will include a public comment period.  

October 23 Workshop Seeks Public Input Regarding Action Items from the Highland Lake Watershed Management Plan

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) was formed within the Highland Lake Leadership Team (HLLT) to create an updated Highland Lake Watershed Management Plan ("the Plan”). The goal of the Plan is to provide action items over the next 10 years that will reduce phosphorus loading into the lake while continuing to investigate additional causes for the lake’s water quality decline.  The Plan must be accepted and approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to be eligible to apply for future DEP funding through Section 319 of EPA’s Clean Water Act to assist with water quality improvement efforts throughout the watershed. The process to incorporate all required elements and complete the Plan is time-sensitive and requires participation from multiple entities (municipalities, Lake Association, Cumberland County Conservation District [The District], DEP, etc.).  The District will present on the draft Action Items of the Plan at the October 16 Town Council Meeting.  Public comment and input into the Plan’s Action Items will be sought at a workshop to be held on October 23 at The Cornerstone Church, 48 Cottage Rd., Windham from 6:00-7:30pm.

Public Meeting Regarding Presumpscot Falls Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Maine Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting at Falmouth Town Hall on Wednesday, October 23 at 6:00pm to discuss the rehabilitation of the Presumpscot Falls Bridge which is over the Presumpscot River located 0.21 of a mile northeast of Pleasant Hill Road in Falmouth. MaineDOT will present information about the project and will listen to concerns and answer questions.  Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities.  Please call in advance to request auxiliary aids. TTY users dial Maine Relay 711. For more information, contact Mackenzie Kersbergen, Project Manager, MaineDOT Bridge Program, at 207-215-3820 or Mackenzie.A.Kersbergen@maine.gov.

Fall Open Houses

Falmouth Fire-EMS

October 12, 9am-Noon, Central Station, Bucknam Road

• Falmouth Fire-EMS annual open house is the perfect end to Fire Prevention Week. It’s free!
• Meet firefighters & EMS providers who help keep our community safe.
• Touch-A-Truck—See fire trucks, ambulances, dump trucks, big rigs & more (co-sponsored by Falmouth Community Programs).
• Fun fire & injury prevention activities
• Games, balloons, and popcorn, too! 

Mason-Motz Activity Center

October 23, 10am-3pm
190 Middle Road

Falmouth Community Programs invites you to see their beautiful space and get a peek at some of their programs. It’s free!

• Flu clinic
• Chair massages
• Laughter yoga
• Live music with Doc’s Banjo Band
• Ballroom dancing
• Meditation class
• Cooking demonstration & more!

12th Annual Harvest Community Supper

Everyone in Falmouth is invited to the Harvest Community Supper on Thursday, October 24, from 4:30 pm. to 7:00 pm. The churches and the Jewish community in Falmouth are joining together to host a FREE delicious roast turkey supper. The event will be held at the Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Road (next to the Falmouth Town Hall.) The purpose of the supper is to bring Falmouth together as a community. The supper is FREE and will include roast turkey and all the fixings, vegetables, and homemade apple crisp with ice cream. Any donations received at this event will benefit the Falmouth Food Pantry. Hope to see you there!

Small Business Expo to be Held October 29

Maine State Senator Cathy Breen and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Heather Johnson will hold a Small Business Resource Expo on Tuesday, October 29 from 9-11am at Merrill Memorial Library in Yarmouth. The event will include representatives from state and federal agencies, such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Finance Authority of Maine, and the Maine Office of Business Development among others, who can help business owners identify resources and answer their questions. Coffee and refreshments will be served. For more information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/small-business-resources-and-networking-event-tickets-71713800909.

Leaf Bags Now Available

Leaf bags are available in quantities of 15 per Falmouth resident (while supplies last) and can be obtained at the Public Works Building at 101 Woods Road.  

Note:  Leaf bags are for leaves only.  Do not put brush in leaf bags.  Brush is not collected curbside but is accepted at the Transfer Station during opening hours, Tuesday-Thursday, 12pm-4pm, Friday 7am-5pm and Saturday 9am-5pm. 

Absentee Ballots Now Available 

Absentee ballots are now available at the Town Clerk's Office at Falmouth Town Hall for the upcoming November 5, 2019 State Referendum Election. Registered voters may vote in person or contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 699-5320 to receive a ballot by mail. Telephone requests must be made by the voter only. Requests by e-mail cannot be accepted.

Deadline for Senior Property Tax Assistance Applications is October 16

The deadline for Senior Property Tax Assistance Applications is October 16.  In order to be considered eligible, applicants must be current Falmouth residents (owner or renter) age 62 or older, and have a household income below $40,000 per year. Refunds will be determined based on the number of valid applications received and recipients will be refunded a proportional share of the available program funds based on income level. 

More information on the application process is available on our website: click here. All property tax assistance applications are due October 16 and refunds will be paid on or before November 15, 2019.

The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will be held October 16, 2019 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers at Falmouth Town Hall.  Find the agenda here: 2019.10.16 Town Council Agenda - Special Meeting

Stay Informed with the Town of Falmouth Website and E-Alerts

The events calendar on the Town of Falmouth website homepage lists upcoming board, committee, and Town Council meetings. 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 view online within 24 hours after the meeting. E-Alerts allows you to subscribe to specific email 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.