2024.03.022.--Falmouth Focus, Volume 6, Issue 6

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• News & Issues​​​​​​ 
  • Pesticide and Fertilizer Ordinance
  • Wastewater Receives Grant
  • Board & Committee Vacancies
• Ongoing Initiatives
  • FY25 Budget Update
  • From the Wellness Committee
• Events
  • April Stools Day
  • Coffee with Councilors
  • Falmouth Community Fest
• Take Note
  • Trails Closed
  • Browntail Moth
  • Nomination Papers Available
  • Sewer Line Testing
• Falmouth Public Schools
  • Highlight: School Campus Vision 
  • In the News
  • Reminder: Join our Team 
  • Upcoming Events & Meetings
• Town Council, Board & Committee Meetings
  • Town Council
  • Planning Board
  • Board of Zoning Appeals
• Stay Informed

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

Proposed Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Ordinance Survey

Falmouth’s Conservation Commission has proposed a Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Ordinance to regulate, and sometimes prohibit, the use and sale of outdoor pesticides and fertilizers in the community. The Town Council will hold a concept discussion and public comment period on the proposed ordinance at its meeting on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm. Members of the public may attend in person or via Zoom.The agenda and Zoom link will be posted here. In addition to the public comment period, the Council is seeking broad public feedback through a three-question survey. Please complete the survey here by April 8.

Wastewater Department Receives Grant

The Town’s Wastewater Department received a $50,000 grant from the Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund administered by Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT). The purpose of the grant is to adapt critical infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to climate change. This grant will be used to begin design on upgrades to the Underwood and Handy Boat Pump Stations. The Underwood Pump Station is located below Underwood Spring on Glen Road and conveys wastewater generated in the Underwood neighborhood. The Handy Boat Pump Station is located adjacent to the Dockside Restaurant, conveying wastewater generated from all neighborhoods east of Route 88. These two critical pump stations were installed as part of the original sewer system construction in 1969. Coupled with infrastructure age and operational concerns, the Wastewater Department prioritized upgrades to these two stations as a result of a Climate Adaptation Plan (CAP), funded by a grant from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the fall of 2023. The CAP identified critical wastewater infrastructure that is at-risk from climate-related hazards, such as sea level rise, increased precipitation, and storm surges. Design work will begin immediately, consisting of siting and sizing the new proposed stations. 

Board & Committee Vacancies: Board of Zoning Appeals Seeks Member

In this issue of The Falmouth Focus, we are highlighting three vacancies on the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The Board is responsible for hearing and deciding administrative appeals of decisions made by the Code Enforcement Officer, variance applications, and conditional use applications. It consists of 5 regular and 2 alternate members appointed by the Town Council, for 3 year terms. Members are limited to serving no more than 3 consecutive 3 year terms. The board is seeking one regular member and two alternates at this time. To learn more about the BZA click here. For an application, click here.

Additional Town board and committee vacancies are listed below. If you are interested in getting involved, please consider the following openings:

• Board of Sewer Appeals (1 regular, 1 alternate)
• Conservation Commission (2)
• Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee (PACPAC) (2)
• Land Management and Acquisition Committee (LMAC) (1)
• Planning Board (2 alternates)
• Community Wellness Committee (5)

Follow the links above for more information on each committee's role and function. For a board and committee application, click here.

FY25 Budget Update

At the March 6 Finance Committee meeting, Town Manager Nathan Poore and Finance Director Pete McHugh presented the Proposed FY2025 Budget for the Town (note: the school budget will be presented separately. See dates below). The proposed municipal budget expenses will increase mainly due to inflationary increases associated with wages and benefits including market wage adjustments, cost of living adjustments, and increases associated with union contracts. In addition, increases in capital fund appropriations, catch basin cleaning, and the library are also included in the proposed budget. Revenues are also expected to increase with much of the gains associated with interest income, motor vehicle excise tax, and ambulance revenues. The proposed municipal budget will increase the Town portion of the mil rate by $.07 or 2.7% to $2.82. The annual impact for an $800K home would be $56. This does not include the school budget.

As the budget development process continues, upcoming public meetings include:   

• March 27, 5:30pm—Joint Town & School Budget Presentation to Finance Committee (Town Finance Committee Meeting)
• April 1, 5:30pm—School Board Special Meeting for Budget Approval
• April 3, 7:00pm—Public Hearing FY25 Budget (Town Council) Public Comment Opportunity (Town Council Meeting)
• April 24, 7:00pm—Council Vote to Approve FY25 Budget (Town Council Meeting)

Meetings are held at Falmouth Town Hall. Find agendas in advance of the meetings at www.falmouthme.org/finance-committee or www.falmouthme.org/town-council-town-manager (including Zoom links when available). Agendas are also sent via E-Alert. Subscribe to the Finance Committee Alerts and/or Town Council Alerts at: www.falmouthme.org/subscribe

With the exception of the Public Hearing, public comment is not typically heard at these budget development meetings. Those who would like to offer input prior to the Public Hearing are encouraged to contact any Town Councilor or the Town Manager. Contact information can be found at www.falmouthme.org/town-council-town-manager. 

For more information about the School Budget process, visit: https://www.falmouthschools.org/about/budget

Please enjoy this monthly article from Falmouth's Community Wellness Committee. The article below is meant for educational purposes only and should not be a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional. We advise that you consult with your medical professional before engaging in any of the activities discussed below.

Homeopathy

By Stephanie Kostopoulos

What is Homeopathic Medicine? Homeopathy is a safe, gentle, powerful, and natural way to improve your health that is not well understood by the American public. It brilliantly restores your vitality by gently stimulating your body's natural healing power. This type of natural medicine was developed in Germany more than 200 years ago by an MD, Samuel Hahnemann, who was determined to medically treat people in a gentle way. 

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is fundamentally different from conventional medicine (which tends to heavily focus on pharmaceuticals, many of which merely suppress symptoms and cause side effects, leading to further imbalance). Homeopathy seeks instead to stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms to correct the underlying imbalance that caused the symptoms in the first place.

It’s unfortunate that the word homeopathy has the prefix “home” in it because it gives the impression that homeopathy is synonymous with home remedies, food supplements, vitamins, and herbs. In fact, homeopathy does not incorporate any of these modalities. Homeopathy is derived from the Greek word “homeo” meaning like or similar, and “pathos,” meaning pathology or illness. So, the literal meaning of homeopathy is “similar to illness”. This means that homeopathic medicine is administered based on its ability to mimic the disease state, thereby stimulating the body to heal itself.

What are Homeopathic Medicines?  According to United States Federal Law, homeopathic medicines are classified as drugs. All homeopathy medications are manufactured, marketed, and sold under FDA regulations in the US.

Homeopathy is defined as the treatment of disease by very small doses of natural substances that in a healthy person would produce certain symptoms of that same disease.

Besides “like cures like,” a second tenant that most homeopaths follow is the “law of minimum dose.” It’s the notion that the lower the dose of the medication, the greater its effectiveness. In fact, some homeopathic products are so diluted and low in strength that no molecules of the original substance remain.

As the School of Homeopathy states, “that which a substance is capable of causing, it is also capable of curing.”

Thousands of different homeopathic remedies are now in existence. Homeopathic medicine comes from a range of natural substances, which can either be plant, mineral or animal based. Examples of substances that a homeopathic doctor might use to treat a patient include: fresh or dried herbs, activated charcoal, vinegar, garlic, caffeine, mountain herbs, crushed bees, white arsenic, poison ivy and stinging nettle plants. Homeopathic products come from plants (such as red onion, poison ivy, belladonna [deadly nightshade], and stinging nettle), minerals (such as white arsenic), or animals (such as crushed whole bees).

Homeopathic products are often made as sugar pellets to be placed under the tongue; they may also be in other forms, such as ointments, gels, drops, creams, and tablets. Treatments are “individualized” or tailored to each person—it’s common for different people with the same condition to receive different treatments.

Some commonly known homeopathic remedies you might recognize? St. John’s Wort, chamomile, calcium carbonate, potassium, and silica, for example.

Homeopathy is used for many health problems, below are just a few:

• Seasonal Allergies and Flues
• Asthma
• Migraines and tension headaches
• Digestive issues
• Anxiety, Depression, Grief
• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Thyroid
• Long Covid

In summary Homeopathy might be worth considering as a valuable addition to your own wellness plan, and in conjunction with more traditional approaches can enhance your opportunities for achieving medical well-being.

For more information or answers to questions this article raises you may contact the author at: http://www.thequeenofremedies.com/ 

Join us for April Stools Day on Monday, April 1 from 9am-noon to clear our trails for spring! Pick up trash bags and gloves in Parking Lot 1A at Falmouth Community Park. A free movie pass for all participants courtesy Falmouth's Flagship Cinema. Plus other fun prizes!!

DID YOU KNOW?

• The average dog produces 3/4 of a pound of waste every day – that’s 274 pounds per year!
• One pea-sized piece of pet waste contains 23 million fecal bacteria (like E. Coli) and can transmit viruses and parasites. YUCK!
• Leaving this waste in public places leaves you, your pet, and wildlife susceptible to illness!

YOU CAN HELP!

• Be prepared when you walk your dog. Bring pet waste bags and keep them in your pocket or on your leash.
• Remove the waste! Bagging it is not enough—finish the job and dispose of it in the trash off site. 

Virtual Coffee with Councilors

The Town Council would like to invite all residents to join two Councilors at a time for an informal Zoom gathering. These meetings will be scheduled for one hour each with no set agenda. It is a chance for informal dialogue on whatever is on residents' minds. We will vary the days and times to try to be accessible to all. We hope to see you there!

The next Coffee with Councilors will be held on Thursday, April 11 from 12-1pm. Councilors Cahan and Johnson will be in attendance. Click here for Zoom link.

Additional Dates

Wednesday, May 8 (6-7pm)
Attendees: Councilor Hach and TBD 

Falmouth Community Fest

The Falmouth Community Wellness Committee is excited to announce the First Annual Falmouth Community Fest on June 22, 2024, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Gardens at Tidewater Farm (200 Presumpscot Point Road in Falmouth). The purpose of this event is to foster community gathering, arts, wellness, family, and fun. The event will include food trucks, live music, art, and fun activities for all ages!

Call for Artists, Artisans & Makers
Falmouth’s Community Wellness Committee is seeking artists, artisans, and makers to apply to rent a booth at the festival. The site is a lovely grassy area with views of the water. Please contact Maggie Fleming, Assistant Town Manager, at: mfleming@falmouthme.org for more information. We hope to have you join us!

Falmouth Trails Closed

With warm temperatures and several rain events, Falmouth Open Space Staff and the Falmouth Land Trust have implemented the temporary seasonal closure of Falmouth trails to ensure that the integrity of the trails is not compromised during the rain and mud season in Maine. Trails are now closed until further notice. All trailheads have been cordoned off and closure signs posted. Staff will continue to monitor the trail system and reopen trails as soon as conditions permit.  

At this time of year, the trails are particularly fragile. The ground is going through a cycle of freezing and thawing, resulting in a lot of moisture in the soil, making the trails extremely muddy and subject to severe damage. Our trails are more popular than ever, but we ask for patience as we manage the spring thaw. The integrity of the trails is important to all of us. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in respecting the trail closure signs posted at trailheads.   

Questions may be directed to Open Space staff at 207-699-5312 or openspace@falmouthme.org.

Browntail Moth: It's not too soon to take action!

The infestation of browntail moth continues throughout parts of Maine. Fortunately, in the past few years, Falmouth has seen a reduction in nests and levels of infestation. The Town contracted with Davey Tree Experts for this year’s assessment of public roads and right-of-ways. The assessment concluded that NO areas along public right-of-way meet the "moderate" criteria with much of the community having no nests at all. Based on this assessment the Town of Falmouth will not proceed with a Browntail Moth Control Program this year.

This does not mean there is no browntail moth in Falmouth. Private properties may still see infestations. Some residents may still acquire the associated rash, which can occur from contact with the hairs still in the environment from previous years. Hairs responsible for the rash can stay in the environment for up to 3 years after an infestation.       

What can you do?

Residents are advised to assess their own properties for nests during the winter months. The best means of preventing a browntail moth infestation on your property is to clip and destroy overwintering webs between October and mid-April. It is also best practice to treat trees before leaves have filled in, generally by the end of May or the first week in June. Residents with trees on their property that they want treated will need to hire a qualified contractor to do so. It is not too soon to get on their calendars for spring. A list of licensed pesticide applicators willing to treat browntail moth is available here: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/documents/pesticide_applicators_bm_hwa_others.pdf 

Learn more

• Maine Forest Services Info Page: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/browntail_moth_info.htm--
• Maine Forest Services BTM Dashboard Aerial Survey Maps: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8f2931a691374ac9853636e71cbb1f40
• Town of Falmouth: Browntail Moth Fact Sheet
• Town of Falmouth BTM Project Page: https://www.falmouthme.org/home/pages/browntail-moth-0 

Nomination Papers Available

The Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, June 11, for the purpose of electing:

• Two (2) people to the Town Council for three (3) year terms.
• Two (2) people to the School Board for three (3) year terms.

Nomination papers are available from the Town Clerk’s Office beginning on Monday, March 4. Residents interested in running for either Town Council or the School Board must submit nomination papers with a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 100 signatures no later than 5:00pm on April 16. 

Falmouth to Conduct Sewer Line Testing 

The Town’s Wastewater Department is conducting investigations to identify areas of sewer with high levels of infiltration. Infiltration is groundwater or storm water that enters the sewer. It is a problem because it reduces the capacity of the sewer system to collect and convey wastewater. It also reduces the capacity of the Town’s wastewater treatment facility to treat and clean wastewater. These investigations are an integral part of the Town’s ongoing maintenance of the sewer system. 

There are a number of tools that the Wastewater Department uses to find areas of high infiltration, and you may notice some of them in action. “Smoke Testing” consists of pumping a non-toxic, harmless smoke into the sewer. The smoke provides visual evidence of leaks in the sewer and storm drain connections. We can also measure the flow in select sections of the sewer overnight when sanitary flows are low. The final tool at our disposal is internal inspections of the pipe using a camera mounted on wheels, which will find breaks, root intrusion, and other pipe defects. 

In this first round of investigation, the Wastewater Department will be prioritizing the following areas:

• Middle Road between Pleasant Hill Road and Blueberry Lane;
• Thornhurst and Elm Roads; and,
• Either side of the southern part of Route 1, the “Flats”, including Greenway, Riverside, Shoreline and Bayshore Drives.

If you live in the areas where we will be smoke testing, you will receive a “door hanger” information card with more details. We expect the work to begin this month and extend through the Spring. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Falmouth's Wastewater Department at: 207-781-4462.

 Highlight: Join Us for a School Campus Vision Workshop

This upcoming Tuesday! We invite community members to join us on Tuesday, March 26 at 5:30pm at Falmouth High School for a special School Board workshop where Oak Point Associates will present the One Campus Vision 2024. We encourage you to read the introductory letter for the Board, review the Campus Vision, ask questions, and engage with us at the workshop. Your input is valuable in helping us ensure our facilities support and optimize the Falmouth student and community experience. View the Campus Vision, submit feedback, and RSVP here.

In the News

Congratulations to FMS teacher Katie Coppens, who was recognized by The Regional Education Laboratory and Maine DOE: https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/694455983/five-maine-education-programs-highlighted-in-national-webinar-on-educational-innovation

The Falmouth High School baseball team is gearing up for their season. The Portland Press Herald stopped by to chat with them: https://www.pressherald.com/2024/03/15/baseball-conditioning-practices-mark-the-start-of-spring-high-school-season/

Reminder: Join Our Team at Falmouth Public Schools

We have exciting roles available at Falmouth Public Schools! 

• Assistant Director of Special Education
• Food Service - On Call Substitutes
• French Teacher - High School

Upcoming: Events & Meetings

School Board Information and Meetings:

• Special School Board Workshop (Campus Vision Workshop) - Tuesday, March 26 at 5:30pm at Falmouth High School
• Policy Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30am
• Joint Finance Committee Meeting (Town and Board) - Wednesday, March 27 at 5:30pm

View School Board Business, Workshop, and Committee Meeting schedules and agendas.

Falmouth’s Got Talent:

Shows are this Sunday at 12pm and 5pm! Buy your tickets here. Falmouth’s Got Talent is a fundraiser for the Class of 2022’s Project Graduation.

Spring Sports: 

The FPS spring sports season is almost here! See the full list of games and cheer on your Navigators starting March 25.

Concerts: 

March is National Music in Our Schools Month, celebrate with us at our All Schools Chorus Concert on March 28. Available to livestream here. 

Pre-K Dates

Today is the final day to pre-register for the Pre-K lottery. Find more information or pre-register.

Learn more about Falmouth Public Schools at their website, and stay connected through social media, calendars, and Principal Notes here. Follow Falmouth Public Schools on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube for the latest school news.

Town Council Meeting, Monday, March 25, 2024

The Council will hold a workshop on Monday, March 25 at 5:00pm at Town Hall to hear an update on Workforce Housing. Find agenda here. 

The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will take place on Monday, March 25 at 7:00pm.  Find the agenda here. The meeting will be held in person at Town Hall in the Town Council Chambers. Members of the public may participate in the meeting by either attending the meeting in person or via Zoom. The Zoom application will allow attendees to connect 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. Information on making public comment during Council meetings can be found HERE. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5335. 

At the Most Recent Town Council Meeting…

On March 11, the Town Council had an workshop at 6:00pm for an update on Automated Curbside Trash and Recycling Collection. The agenda can be found here

On March 11, the Town Council held a meeting at 7:00pm. Find the agenda and video here. 

• The Shellfish Conservation Commission and Highland Lake Leadership Team provided an update.
• The Council approved a Resolution on the Shellfish Conservation Committee Mission and Duties.
• The Council approved a Resolution on the Highland Lake Leadership Team Mission and Duties.
• The Council approved an Order to schedule a public hearing on the FY25 Municipal and School Department.
• The Council approved an Order to authorize the Town Manager to grant a poverty abatement.
• The Council approved an Order to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine to discuss real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C).

Planning Board 

At the April 2 Planning Board Meeting, the board will consider the following items.  Find the agenda here. 

• PUBLIC HEARING: Amendment to Section 19-13 of the Zoning and Floodplain Management Ordinance to Allow Multi-family Dwellings as a Permitted Use in Portions of the MUC District.
•   37 Casco Terrace – Garth & Andrea Conner – Request for Shoreland Zone Permit Approval for landscape improvements.  Map/lot U17-040. Previously Tabled 
• 96 Clearwater Drive – Town of Falmouth – Request for Site Plan Amendment for a Proposed Garage at the Wastewater Treatment Facility.  Map/lot R02-009-B; Zoned RA/RB, RCZO, SZ-LR/RP. 
• Route 1 – NDVH Maine Realty, LLC – Request for Site Plan Approval for a proposed 41,600 sf multispecialty veterinary clinic.  Map/lot U62-001; Zoned BP.

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, plans, 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. For additional information or questions, contact Lisa Sangillo at 207-699-5303 or lsangillo@falmouthme.org

Board of Zoning Appeals 

At the March 26 meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board will consider the following items.  Find the agenda here.

• 20 Gilsland Farm Road - Acorn Engineering representing Maine Audubon Society - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-119 for renovations and expansion to the Maine Audubon Society Headquarters.  Map/lot R02-007-A.  Previously tabled.
• 11 Maiden Lane – Alex Mazurenko & Joanna Yu – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-84 for a teardown and rebuild of the existing structure.  Map/lot U16-071.  Previously tabled.
• 11 Andrews Avenue – Maria Panagiotopoulos - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for the expansion to an existing dwelling.  Map/lot U01-114.  Previously tabled. The Board will conduct a site walk at 11 Andrews Avenue on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. just prior to this meeting.  The public is welcome to attend.
• 20 Town Landing Road – Ryan Russell representing Howie & Lisa Salzberg – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for the installation of an in-ground pool and associated improvements.  Map/lot U17-060.  Previously tabled.
• 1 Penny Lane – Clay V. Perry – Request for an Administrative Appeal of a decision by the Building Inspector.  Map/lot U32-011-001.
• 43 Foreside Road – The Episcopal Church of Saint Mary – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Sections 19-119 & 19-123 for a Day Care Center.  Map/lot U07-005.
• 28 Shoreline Drive – Anne Torsney – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 to remove and replace existing garage and carport.  Map/lot U01-043.

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

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. 

Please note: This newsletter will be sent to subscribers of both The Falmouth Focus newsletter an Town News & Announcements. Please excuse cross postings. To change your subscription settings, visit E-Aerts.