2019.11.08--Falmouth Focus, Volume 1, Issue 4

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 apologize for any cross postings. To subscribe to the Falmouth Focus visit E-Alerts.   

Unofficial Election Results

Town of Falmouth State of Maine Referendum Election Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Question 1: Bond Issue An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Improve Highways, Bridges and Multimodal Facilities

Do you favor a $105,000,000 bond issue to build or improve roads, bridges, railroads, airports, transit and ports and make other transportation investments, to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds?

1217/YES; 194/NO

Question 2: Constitutional Amendment RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of Maine Concerning Alternative Signatures Made by Persons with Disabilities

Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to allow persons with disabilities to sign petitions in an alternative manner as authorized by the Legislature

1154/YES; 252/NO

TOTAL VOTES CAST: 1416

Falmouth Fire-EMS Uses Tracking Software to Locate Lost Hiker

Falmouth Fire-EMS credit the use of first responder technology to help find a lost hiker and her dog in West Falmouth last week. The emergency call came in around 4:30pm from a relative of the hiker. Emergency responders advised the relative to have the hiker call 9-1-1 so they could track her GPS coordinates and relay those to the responding firefighters. Assistant Chief Jay Hallett used I Am Responding software to then track the firefighters and guide them to her location. The use of the software shaved valuable time off the search which was crucial as darkness fell. Within an hour they had located the hiker and escorted her to safety. Falmouth Fire-EMS has been using the software program for several years to track responders as they answer emergency calls. The software app allows dispatch to monitor who is responding to an emergency call, where they are located, and track their arrival times

Falmouth Fire-EMS responds to nearly 2,000 emergencies each year. Five full-time staff members are supported by fifty call firefighters and emergency medical technicians, and twenty part-time per diem firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/EMTs. Call firefighters are not scheduled for shifts at the fire station. When emergencies occur, firefighters are summoned from home or wherever they might be. The I Am Responding software app tracks the location of the members responding, thus assisting dispatch in quickly directing resources and personnel as needed. 

Town Receives Grant From Maine Bicentennial Commission

The Town of Falmouth has been awarded a grant in the amount of $3000 from the Maine Bicentennial Commission to create educational materials related to the Edward LaSalle Map Painting of Falmouth, currently hanging in Town Hall. The painting originally hung in the library of Falmouth's first high school, known today as the Plummer School. It has hung in Town Hall since the 1990s. In the painting, thirty circular vignettes depicting historic places and structures dot a map of Falmouth as the real places dot the landscape of our community. Edward La Salle, a Portland-based illustrator who studied at the Portland School of Art, conceptualized Falmouth’s history in a format not found in any other known work of public art in Maine. Thanks to the generosity of Southworth International Group, Inc., the Morton-Kelly Charitable Trust, and the Town of Falmouth, the painting was restored and reframed during 2018 and 2019, as part of Falmouth's tercentennial commemoration. The Town of Falmouth also published an accompanying publication—Building Community: Edward La Salle’s 1940 Illustrated Map Painting of Falmouth, Maine—with the help of many community volunteers. Free copies of Building Community are available at Falmouth Town Hall, Falmouth Memorial Library, Falmouth Historical Society, and Falmouth Central Fire Station. Copies have also been placed at over 100 Falmouth businesses for customers and visitors to enjoy while patronizing those establishments.

The bicentennial grant will expand upon the work done thus far to share the LaSalle map painting and the history of Falmouth with students through the creation of large posters of the painting that educators can use in the classroom. On the reverse side of each poster, general information about the painting and the artist, as well as standards based writing prompts, lesson plans, and activities, will explore Falmouth’s history, the power of place in our everyday lives, and the function of art in conveying our understanding of history, memories, sense of place, and our own role in our communities today. These posters will be distributed to teachers in Falmouth Schools, along with a free copy of the companion publication. Any remaining posters would be available free of charge at Town Hall for interested residents, homeschoolers, or community groups. Grant funding goes toward the printing of the posters and curriculum development.

What’s happening with the traffic lights at Bucknam and Legion Road?

When the Lunt Road bridge rehabilitation project began, MaineDOT installed traffic lights at Bucknam Road to handle an anticipated increase in traffic. Timing issues caused the light to malfunction resulting in backups and accidents on I-295. The light was then set to blinking. Town staff recently have been informed by MaineDOT that they are working out the timing system and the lights should be functional soon.

Falmouth Town Hall Lights the Night

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month and the Town of Falmouth is pleased to take part in Light the Night Purple to help bring awareness to pancreatic cancer and honor those who have battled the disease. On weeknights in November, purple "candles" will light the windows of Town Hall. In 2019, it is estimated that there will be 56,770 new cases of pancreatic cancer and an estimated 45,750 people will die of this disease. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and is expected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US by the year 2020. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State of Maine ranks third with the highest prevalence of pancreatic cancer in the nation. To learn more visit: https://www.purpleirisfoundation.com/

Veterans Day Ceremony, November 11

The Town of Falmouth’s Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Monday, November 11, 2019, at 11:00am at the Falmouth Veterans Memorial, 65 Depot Road.  In case of rain, the ceremony will be held at the American Legion Post #164, 65 Depot Road.

Bottle Drive and Celebration, November 16

On Saturday, November 16, at the Falmouth Central Fire Station, 8 Bucknam Road, the Falmouth Lions Club and Falmouth Boy Scout Troop 93 will be dedicating the updated returnable bottle and can donation building originally built as an Eagle Scout Project by Conor Martin and rehabbed by William Addison both from Falmouth Boy Scout Troop 93. The building, constructed for the donations of returnable bottles and cans, was previously located at West Falmouth Crossing and was moved to Central Station to replace an existing building. The event will also celebrate a milestone for the recycling program begun by Falmouth Lions and Falmouth Boy Scout Troop 93 in 1997, which has since reached over $500,000 in donated returnable bottles and cans. The proceeds of these donations benefit Falmouth non-profits. Drop your bottles between 11:00am and 2:00pm and enjoy free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and desserts. The day-long returnable bottle and can drive will benefit the Falmouth Lions Club which in turn supports community groups throughout Falmouth. 

3^rd Bicycle-Pedestrian Stakeholder Meeting, November 19

Falmouth’s 3^rd Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan was passed in 2016. The award-winning plan followed the original 1996 plan and a second plan dating back to 2003, as well as a Trails Master Plan from 2002. The plan outlines recommended, prioritized infrastructure improvements that will interconnect Falmouth’s pedestrian and bicycle network of trails, sidewalks, bike lanes, and paved shoulders. The plan is being used as a guide or reference tool to prepare capital improvement plans and road designs and review future improvement requests from citizens and projects proposed by others. At the Town Council Work Plan retreat held in August 2019, the Town Council identified reviewing and evaluating the 2016 Bike and Pedestrian Plan as a priority. To that end, a 3rd Bicycle-Pedestrian Stakeholder meeting will be held on November 19 at 6:00pm at the Elementary School Cafeteria to outline the progress that has been made in implementing the plan and to solicit feedback from residents. This meeting will be recorded for showing on community TV at a later date. The meeting is open to public. Please join us.

West Falmouth Crossing Feasibility Study Public Forum, December 3

The Town of Falmouth initiated, with support of the West Falmouth Crossing (WFC) property owners, an effort to review the West Falmouth Crossing Master Plan (which was developed in the late 1990s) and conduct a development feasibility analysis of the West Falmouth Crossing area. The Town will conduct a public meeting about this effort on Tuesday December 3 at 7:00pm at the Falmouth Elementary School Cafeteria. The purpose of this meeting is to present a site analysis based upon existing conditions and information known to date as well as gather input from the public. This meeting will be recorded for showing on community TV at a later date. The meeting is open to public.

Mark Your Calendars for Very Merry Falmouth, December 5-7, 2019

The Town of Falmouth, Falmouth-Cumberland Community Chamber, and Falmouth Memorial Library present Falmouth's annual community event, Very Merry Falmouth, Thursday, December 5 through Saturday, December 7.  Most events take place in the Event Tent at Falmouth Shopping Center, 251 US Route 1.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, December 5

5:30-6:30pm - 32nd Annual Falmouth Community Tree Lighting at Village Park (off Hat Trick Drive) with cookie decorating, crafts, refreshments, and a visit from Santa! FREE!

Friday, December 6

6:30pm - Fireworks! Launched from the Legion Fields on Depot Road for great viewing from Route 1. FREE!

6:30-8:30pm - The Merry Mix and Mingle - A Claus for Celebration, Event Tent, Falmouth Shopping Center, Route 1. Join the Falmouth Cumberland Community Chamber of Commerce for this family-friendly community party. Enjoy music, food, and community spirit while supporting the Falmouth-Cumberland Community Chamber scholarship fund by entering raffles to win prizes and holiday trees. FREE!  Sponsored by Smithwick & Mariners Insurance, Gorham Savings Bank, People's United Bank, and RE/MAX Shoreline.

6:00-8:30pm - Wagon rides along Route 1.  Free!

Saturday, December 7

9:00am - Ugly Sweater 5K and Merry Mile fun run, Route 1. Throw on your ugliest holiday sweater and race down Route 1 in Falmouth's holiday hustle! Proceeds will benefit the Falmouth Memorial Library! Race begins at the Falmouth Shopping Center.  Register here.  

Sponsored by  and 

10:00am -3:30pm - Bake Sale & Children's Activities. Event Tent, Falmouth Shopping Center, Route 1. Come stock up on some holiday goodies in support of Falmouth Memorial Library. Meet Mrs. Claus and write your letter to Santa for her to personally deliver to the North Pole. 

10:00am-2:00pm - Free Wagon Rides.

10:00am-3:30pm - Segway Santa and Skating on Twombly Pond

1:30-3:30pm - The Hot-in-a-Pot Cook Off, Event Tent, Falmouth Shopping Center, Route 1. Fill your belly with the best food in town, and help out your neighbors with donations of non-perishable goods to the Falmouth Food Pantry. Local restaurants and food purveyors are entering their best recipes for prizes and, more importantly, bragging rights. Bring your family for a taste of the best there is and cast your vote for the People's Choice Award! FREE!

More info at www.verymerryfalmouth.com

Volunteer!  We need lots of volunteers to pull off this great community event.  Join us!

Thank you to our supporting sponsor:   and in-kind support from Bath Savings Bank, Falmouth Shopping Center, and Family Ice. 

Sponsorship opportunities still available!

Public Forum – Route 88 and its intersections with Depot Road and Johnson/Town Landing Road, December 11

This forum will be an opportunity for residents to meet with town officials and consultants to discuss current conditions and the future of these two intersections. Topics will include but not be limited to bicycle and pedestrian safety; traffic volume and flow; general appearance of roadway and roadway accompaniments; and lighting. This will be the first of several opportunities for public input about the areas around these intersections. Time & Location: TBD.

Seasonal Parking Ban Goes Into Effect November 15

Falmouth’s seasonal overnight parking ban goes into effect November 15, 2019-April 15, 2020. Parking is prohibited on all town-maintained roads between midnight and 6am. Parking bans will be implemented at other times as needed for snow removal. Click here for more info.

Commercial Floats Removal

Commercial floats at Town Landing will be removed November 26, weather permitting.

Dog Licenses Now Available

Dog licenses are now available for 2020. All current dog licenses expire December 31, 2019. According to Maine State Law, any dog over age 6 months must be licensed by January 1.

Cost:        Neutered/Spayed Dog - $6.00; Unaltered Male or Female - $11.00

Two Ways To Register!

In person: Registration is available at the Clerk’s Office at Falmouth Town Hall. You must present the following at the time of registration: a current Maine rabies certificate and a neutering certificate if the dog has been altered

Online: Register online via www.maine.gov.  On-line registrations require a credit card, a rabies certificate, your veterinarian’s information, a license/tag number (if a renewal), and a spay or neuter certificate (if your dog has been altered). The online dog licensing service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Public Works no longer has leaf bags available. 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, 12:00-4:00pm, Friday 7:00am-5:00pm, and Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm. 

Click here for the monthly update from Falmouth Schools Superintendent Geoff Bruno and School Board Chair Danielle Tracy

At the October 28 Meeting of Falmouth's Town Council...

During the public forum, residents expressed concerns regarding vacancies on the Long Range Planning Advisory Committee (LPAC), the process by which appointments are filled, and encouraged a diversity of voices on Town committees. Residents also encouraged continued improvement in communications and transparency, and made suggestions for future communications efforts, including ideas and topics for inclusion in the Falmouth Focus newsletter.

The minutes for September 9 Town Council Workshop and Special Meeting and the September 23 Town Council Meeting were approved. 

Staff and Council Liaisons gave updates on the following:

• Councilor Cahan reported on the Recycling and Energy Advisory Committee’s Recycle Right Pledge to encourage clean recycling and less contamination in waste.  Residents can take the pledge at the polls in November and June.
• Councilor Johnson said the Conservation Committee is exploring how they can best participate in the Maine State Bicentennial including the possibility of planting 200 trees to mark the commemoration in 2020.
• Councilor Hemphil noted that ecomaine held a successful open house at the end of September. ecomaine is the Town’s waste management organization and is working diligently to educate residents regarding proper recycling in order to reduce contamination rates. Resources are available at their website:  ecomaine.org

The Council approved the appointment of Kevin Moss, Ozan Tuzman, and Nicholas Weightman to the Falmouth Economic Improvement Committee and Cory Vargo to the Board of Zoning Appeals.  Additionally, Colette Twigg-Rowse was appointed to represent Falmouth on The Opportunity Alliance Board of Directors, Public Sector.  

There was introduction of an amendment to the Code of Ordinances relative to expanding abutter notification requirements for Planning Board site plan and subdivision applications. A public hearing was scheduled for the November 13 Town Council Meeting.

The Council considered Greater Portland Council of Government’s Metro Regional Coalition Council Resolution regarding the housing affordability crisis in the Greater Portland region. After hearing resident concerns about the resolution during public comment, the Council determined that while they support affordable housing, this issue should be further considered as part of the Comprehensive Plan process in order to engage more residents and address broader issues regarding our land use policies.  No action was taken.

The Council entered Executive Session to consider a poverty-based property tax abatement application, which was approved.

The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers at Falmouth Town Hall. View the agenda here. 

View Past Meetings Online Here.

Future Anticipated Town Council Agenda Items

November 13

• Discussion and update on tasks being completed by the Long Range Planning Advisory Committee (LPAC) as directed by the 2019-2020 Town Council Work Plan. Discussion to include possible direction from the Council to suspend work on current assignments until further notice.
• Public Hearing on an ordinance to amend the maximum levels of income and expenses for the General Assistance program.
• Public Hearing on an amendment to the Code of Ordinances to expand abutter notification requirements for Planning Board site plan and subdivision applications.
• Discussion about the Greater Portland Transit District (Metro Bus) preliminary FY2020 budget.
• Resolution to support the efforts of the Maine Bicentennial Commission.
• Consideration of a supplemental appropriation to fund Falmouth programs, activities, and events in celebration of the Maine State Bicentennial.

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.