2019.11.22--Falmouth Focus, Volume 1, Issue 5

Please note:  This newsletter will be sent to subscribers of both the Falmouth Focus newsletter and Town News & Announcements. To subscribe only to the Falmouth Focus, visit E-Alerts.   

Note:  Town offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28.

Sewer Work to Begin December 9

Falmouth's Wastewater Department will be conducting cleaning and inspections of segments of the sewer system in Falmouth. Work is planned to begin on December 9 and will be completed by December 19. The planned work will occur on Middle Road between Lunt Road and the Presumpscot River Bridge. Flaggers will direct traffic near the work area. Similar work is also planned on December 9 in the area of Route 1, near the Mackworth Point Bridge. This section of work also includes the sewer line extending along the shore from Mackworth Bridge to the end of Brown Street. The planned work will be conducted by Ted Berry Company. No significant traffic delays are expected as a result of this work. For additional information, contact the Falmouth Wastewater Department at 781-4462 or pclark@falmouthme.org.

Update on 3rd Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan Forum

On November 19, members of the community joined Town staff and several Councilors to discuss the 3rd Bicycle-Pedestrian Plan. The goal of the meeting was to outline the progress that has been made in implementing the plan (passed in 2016) and to solicit feedback from residents. The presentation given at the event, along with a video-recording of the forum, and the handouts distributed can be found online at: https://www.falmouthme.org/bicycle-pedestrian-project. The Town would like to thank all those who participated.

Greater Portland Metro Seeks Nominations for Community Ambassador Award

The Greater Portland Metro, whose bus service includes Falmouth, is seeking nominations for the Community Ambassador of the Year Award, given to one Bus Operator each year for exemplary service to their profession and their community. Bus Operators serve a vital support to communities by connecting people from all walks of life to areas all around the region, for work, play, health, family, and more. Community Ambassador Award recipients will have made a significant impact on the community through outstanding dedication, competence, exceptional performance, and excellent service to customers. Any member of the Metro staff along with members of the public can submit nominations. All nominations will be confidential. Nominations will be forwarded to the Greater Portland Transit District Executive Committee for review. For more information on the nomination process, click here. The deadline for submission of completed applications is January 31, 2020.

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 to 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 broadcast on community TV at a later date. 

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 - 33rd Annual Falmouth Community Tree Lighting at Village Park (off Hat Trick Drive) with cookie decorating, carol singing, refreshments, and a visit from Santa! Hosted by Falmouth Parks and Community Programs. FREE!

Friday, December 6

6:30pm - Fireworks! Launched from the Legion Fields on Depot Road and best viewed from Route 1. FREE!  

NOTE:  Depot Road at Lunt Road and Legion Road at Bucknam Road will be closed to through traffic beginning at 6:00pm for the duration of the fireworks display. For safety please remain outside the clearly marked boundaries of the designated launch area. 

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, Centerpoint Martial Arts, Gorham Savings Bank, People's United Bank, The Matt & Gena Team, Signature Homes Real Estate Group, Camden National Bank, RE/MAX Shoreline and State Farm Insurance, Kevin Heikkinen Agent.

6:00-8:30pm - Wagon rides along Route 1.  Boarding at the Event Tent at the Falmouth Shopping Center. 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.  Join us as a race volunteer!

Sponsored by  and 

10:00am-Noon - Cocoa With Mrs. Claus, Event Tent, Falmouth Shopping Center, Route 1. Enjoy a cup of cocoa as you compose your letter to Santa, which Mrs. Claus will personally deliver to the North Pole. FREE!

10:00am - Noon - Free Holiday Movies at Flagship Cinemas 

10:00am -3:30pm - Bake Sale & Free Children's Activities, Event Tent, Falmouth Shopping Center, Route 1. Kids can make a holiday craft while grown-ups stock up on some holiday goodies in support of Falmouth Memorial Library. 

10:00am-2:00pm - Wagon rides along Route 1.  Boarding at the Event Tent at the Falmouth Shopping Center. FREE!

10:00am-3:30pm - Segway Santa cruises Route 1 and Free 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, food purveyors, and community groups 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, Flagship Cinemas, Skillins Greenhouses, and Family Ice. 

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. The forum will be held at the Falmouth Elementary School Cafeteria beginning at 7:00pm. The meeting will be recorded for broadcast on community TV at a later date.

Town offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28.

Trash Collection & Transfer Station Hours For Thanksgiving Holiday Week

Trash and recycling collection for Thursday, November 28 (Thanksgiving Day) will be moved to Saturday, November 30. Please have all trash and recycling curbside by 7:00am. Trash collection for Friday, November 29 will be picked up per the usual schedule (no changes).  

The Transfer Station will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29.  The Transfer Station will be open on Saturday, November 30 from 9:00am-5:00pm.  

Seasonal Parking Ban Now In Effect 

Falmouth’s seasonal overnight parking ban is now in effect until April 15, 2020. Parking is prohibited on all town-maintained roads between midnight and 6:00am. 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.

At Recent Meetings of Falmouth's Town Council...

November 13

On November 13, in a pre-meeting workshop, Town Manager Nathan Poore provided an update on the property revaluation Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Councilors discussed the visioning process necessary to create an updated Comprehensive Plan and considered the timeline for a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a consultant to lead the effort.  More information will be provided on both of these topics at the December 9 Town Council meeting.

At the Town Council meeting on November 13, Councilors discussed the Long Range Planning Advisory Committee’s (LPAC) current data collection tasks. After much consideration the Council directed the Committee to suspend work on these efforts, citing the upcoming visioning process and creation of an updated Comprehensive Plan, which may involve the creation of a new committee to carry out this work.

A Public Hearing was held on an ordinance to amend the maximum levels of income and expenses for the General Assistance program. These levels are established by state law and, therefore, must be adopted by the Town Council annually.  An order was scheduled for December 9. 

A Public Hearing was held on an amendment to the Code of Ordinances to increase abutter notification requirements for Planning Board subdivision applications and site plan review applications.  An order was scheduled for December 9.

Greg Jordan, General Manager of Greater Portland Metro Bus, presented the organization’s preliminary FY2020 budget. He reviewed recent and upcoming improvement projects and explained their estimated 6.6% budget increase, mainly due to service improvements and new staff. As projected last year, Falmouth’s contribution will increase 12.9%. The expiration of federal grant funding, which had benefited Falmouth in previous years, is the primary cause of this increase. The Council agreed to accept the budget as presented.

The Council passed a resolution in support of the efforts of the Maine Bicentennial Commission. The Council also passed an order to approve a supplemental appropriation of $16,000 to fund Falmouth’s bicentennial programming and activities.

The Council passed an ordinance to extend the time limits for development under the Tidewater Master Development Plan and to remove the prohibition of filing for Site Plan Review within the areas known as TF2 and TF3 within the Tidewater Master Planned Development District which the Town purchased earlier this year.

The Council passed an ordinance to amend the Code of Ordinances to clarify the definition of a nuisance dog and to provide more options to improve enforcement.

November 18

On November 18, the Council met for further discussion regarding updating the Comprehensive Plan. The Council decided it was premature to establish a committee to lead the effort at this stage and instead will focus on the RFQ process for a consultant to assist visioning and public engagement. More information will be provided on this topic at the December 9 Town Council meeting.

The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will be held on November 25, 2019 at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers at Falmouth Town Hall. View the agenda here. 

View Past Meetings Online Here.

Future Anticipated Agenda Items

November 25-- View Agenda Here

• Public Forum. This is an opportunity for members of the public to address the Council on matters which are not scheduled for public comment.
• Orders to approve the October meeting minutes.
• Report from staff, Council committees, and Council liaisons regarding updates on assignments and projects.
• Report from the Appointments Committee regarding vacancies on boards and committees. At this time, there are no proposed appointments for action by the Town Council.
• The Council will consider three orders to adjust/transfer funds regarding the FY2020 budget.
• A supplemental appropriation to fund the Town’s enhanced and ongoing communications efforts.
• Order to accept the donation of land and to authorize the town manager to execute the transfer of real estate.
• An Executive Session to discuss negotiations of a proposed agreement regarding the use of privately owned property for public purposes.

December 9

Note:  The December 9 meeting of the Town Council will be the only regular meeting held in the month of December. The Public Forum, usually held at the second meeting of each month, will be held at the December 9 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.