2020.05.22--Falmouth Focus, Volume 2, Issue 12

May 22, 2020

Focus Masthead

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

News & Issues

EMA Logo

Updates on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Town of Falmouth has updated its COVID-19 information page which includes all updates and information sent out by Falmouth's Emergency Management Agency as well as additional updates from the Town. We strongly encourage residents to subscribe to our E-Alert e-mails in order to keep up-to-date. Subscribe to Town News & Announcements and/or Emergency Management at www.falmouthme.org/subscribe. Alerts regarding COVID-19 will be sent to both lists.

Latest Updates

Town Services, Offices, & Facilities


Phased Reopening of Town Offices & Facilities

In accordance with Governor Mills’ “Restarting Maine’s Economy” guidelines, the Town of Falmouth has begun a phased reopening of several town facilities and services. These reopening plans are compliant with the phases set forth by the Governor and follow CDC recommended best practices regarding social distancing. For complete details on the phased reopening, CLICK HERE

Under this phased reopening, some buildings will open to the public sooner than others, new safety measures will be put into place at all locations, and services that can be and have been done remotely will continue to be transacted in that manner. For everyone’s continued safety, we strongly encourage members of the public to avoid visiting Town buildings and facilities whenever possible and to continue to utilize our website and remote services when able. Most of our services are offered online, via e-mail, phone, and mail. Visit https://www.falmouthme.org/home/news/town-services-during-the-covid19-pandemic for additional information regarding remote services.

GENERAL SAFETY PROCEDURES

  • Most buildings are open by appointment only.
  • Appointments should be made only for those transactions that cannot be made remotely or online.
  • Only one person is allowed per appointment, unless necessary (i.e., caregivers, required signatories, etc.).
  • Social distancing measures and new procedures will be in place at all Town buildings and facilities to regulate the interactions between staff and visitors.
  • Visitors should not enter Town offices if exhibiting symptoms of illness.
  • Visitors will be required to wear masks.

TOWN HALL

Clerk’s Office

Beginning on May 18, the Clerk’s Office will begin accepting appointments. To schedule an appointment call 781-5253, prompt 1. On May 26, the Clerk’s Department will reopen to the public by appointment only. Appointments will be scheduled Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm for assistance with services that cannot be completed remotely or online (new residents, new car, and boat registrations).  Learn more here

Other Town Hall Offices

Because of space constraints on the second floor of Town Hall, all other Town Hall departments will open to the public by appointment only on June 15. Contact specific departments directly for an appointment. For a directory of departments click here.

MASON-MOTZ COMMUNITY CENTER

The Mason-Motz Community Center office will open for program registrations ONLY on June 1 at 8:00 am. Residents are encouraged to use online and remote services when possible and reserve appointments for only those transactions that cannot be completed online, by e-mail, or by phone. Office hours during this time are Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am-noon. Limited programming will resume in June. Please call 699-5302 for more information.

PUBLIC WORKS

The Public Works office will reopen to the public on June 1 for Transfer Station purchases only (disposal tickets and window stickers). 

TRANSFER STATION

Beginning Tuesday, May 19, additional items can be disposed of at the Transfer Station. Proof of residency is required. Extended hours are in effect until June 2. Additional items include yellow trash bags, recyclables, and food waste. Click here for a full list of accepted items, hours of operation, and social distancing procedures.

Items that require purchase and exchange of a disposal ticket CANNOT be disposed of at this time.  These include bulky waste items, Bargain Barn items, electronic waste, and commercial leaves and brush.  Click here for a list of items that ARE NOT allowed.  The Transfer Station will resume full operations on June 2. Social distancing procedures will remain in place until further notice.

FALMOUTH Trails, PARKS & RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Falmouth trails and trailhead parking are open. Community Park reopened on May 4 for trail access and dog walking only. Tennis courts at Huston Park and those next to the school administrative offices on Woodville Road reopened for single play only. All other parks, facilities, athletic fields, and playgrounds will reopen on June 1. Visit https://www.falmouthme.org/parks-and-community-programs/pages/falmouth-trails-and-playgrounds for details and guidelines regarding safe trail use.

PUBLIC SAFETY & WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES

Central Station, the Falmouth Police Station, the Wastewater Department and all related facilities will be open to the public by appointment only.  

Please note, the impact of the pandemic is evolving and there are still many unknowns. We may be required to adjust these plans and policies as the situation changes. This may include closing buildings again for certain periods of time or curtailing services. Changes and updates will be communicated to the public via our website, E-Alerts, and social media. 


2020 Elections

Election News

The Clerk’s Office is now accepting requests for absentee ballots for the July 14 State Primary and Referendum and Regular Municipal Election through the State of Maine Absentee Ballot Request Service at https://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. Absentee ballots will not be mailed out until 30 days prior to the July 14 election.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, Maine's chief elections official, has released an informative video talking with voters about the July 14, 2020 primary election and absentee voting. Watch the video here.


Summer Program Brochure Cover

Parks & Community Programs Summer Programming Moving Forward

Working within State guidelines for Summer Camps and Community Sports released this week, Falmouth Parks & Community Programs is happy to say we are moving forward with summer programming. We know many parents will need to return to work and we want to assure you that new guidelines, protocols, and procedures will be put in place for staff, parents, and campers/participants to promote healthy hygiene practices including sanitization, handwashing, and social distancing at all of our summer camps and programs. Following CDC guidelines, including no more than 50 people at gatherings, staff required to wear face masks, maintaining 6 feet between persons for social distancing, having adequate supplies to support healthy hygiene behaviors, and having a Falmouth EMS staff person acting as Camp Health Director, we hope will assure parents and participants that we are taking all possible precautions with our participants’ health and safety in mind. Camps/programs will continue to be a recreation opportunity (READ FUN!) for everyone, but may look and feel a little different than in previous years. Staff have been busy attending ZOOM meetings, training webinars, researching, and networking with colleagues from Maine and across the country on best practices and unique twists on activities and games that adhere to all recent health guidelines. A document is being prepared to share with parents and participants that will outline the new protocols and our plan for adherence. All outside vendors/program leaders (tennis instructors, Athletic Camp vendors, Enrichment Camp leaders, etc.) have been required to supply us with their plan for adherence to CDC and State guidelines as well as agree to follow all FP&CP protocols and procedures.

FP&CP offices at Mason-Motz Activity Center will open on June 1 for registration only, but we do ask that you register on-line, by mail, or by phone if possible. Following Town guidelines, all visitors must wear a mask when entering a Town facility. Please follow directional signage when visiting our offices. Our office will be open Monday -Thursday 8am-4pm and Friday 8am-12noon. We are looking forward to seeing you all soon and remind you that if you have questions please feel free to contact us at 699-5302. Click here to view the Summer Programs Brochure.


Lions Club logo

Lions Club Auction Cancelled

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Falmouth Lions Club 67th Annual Auction, usually held at the Public Works facility on Woods Road and scheduled for June 6, has been cancelled. Stay tuned for a future event in the fall. This is the Lions Club largest fundraiser and proceeds support many Falmouth community groups throughout the year. You can help the Lions by donating returnables to the bottle shed at the Bucknam Road Fire Station or send donations directly to: Falmouth Lions Club, PO Box 6032, Falmouth, Maine 04105.


Food Pantry Logo

Falmouth Food Pantry Summer Operations

The Falmouth Food Pantry building is currently closed, but volunteers are still meeting the Pantry's mission of getting food to those in need. Food Pantry volunteers continue to deliver pre-packed boxes of non-perishable food to homes that need food assistance. In addition, the Food Pantry is continuing to distribute food for those who need help. Volunteers will be in front of the Food Pantry building (271 Falmouth Road) on the following Fridays at 9:30am: June 5, June 19, July 3, July 17, August 7, and August 21. They will distribute until all the supplies have been given out or until 11:00am.

If you have a food emergency, please call the Falmouth Food Pantry emergency line 632-2687 (primary) or 781-2996 (secondary). Leave your name and phone number. The Food Pantry is not accepting food donations at this time nor, given current operations, are they seeking additional volunteers.

At this time the best way to support the Falmouth Food Pantry is through monetary donations. Donations should be made payable to the Falmouth Food Pantry and mailed to: 279 Middle Road, Falmouth, ME 04105. Donations can also be made online via PayPal at:

Additionally, Rivalries restaurant in Falmouth is collecting donations of grocery store gift cards on behalf of the Food Pantry. Safe drop-off is available between 11:30am and 8:00pm. at 2 Hat Trick Drive. Call 747-4020 upon arrival for instructions.

Continuing Initiatives

Open Sign

Falmouth Business Update

Please visit our list of Falmouth food purveyors providing curbside, carryout, delivery, and drive-thru services.

We have also compiled a list of additional Falmouth businesses that are currently open or offering remote services. CLICK HERE to see the most current list. All Falmouth businesses are encouraged to fill out the Town of Falmouth’s “Open for Business” Form, sharing their business operations, including any accommodations made to help continue to provide goods and services to the residents of Falmouth and the greater community. 

Additional business resources can be found HERE. We invite business owners to reach out to Town staff with questions, concerns, and ideas on how we can assist you. Please contact: Theo Holtwijk, Director of Long Range Planning and Economic Development, 207-699-5340 or e-mail:  tholtwijk@falmouthme.org with any questions or comments.


Living Lawns Logo

Living Lawns Education Campaign

The Falmouth Conservation Commission, in collaboration with Falmouth’s Energy and Sustainability Office and the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, have launched the Living Lawns education campaign to share healthy lawn care practices with residents. Over the next several weeks, the Town will post healthy lawn care tips and tricks including requests for your lawn care provider, seasonal growing advice, soil care, and more on social media and in the Falmouth Focus Newsletter.

  • Tip #5: If you can’t push a pen or screwdriver into your lawn, then your soil is too compacted. Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes to allow air, water, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots. This helps the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger, more vigorous lawn. The main reason for aerating is to alleviate soil compaction. Compacted soils have too many solid particles in a certain volume or space, which prevents proper circulation of air, water, and nutrients within the soil. The best time for aeration is during the growing season, when the grass can heal and fill in any open areas after soil plugs are removed. Ideally, aerate lawns with cool season grass in the early spring or fall and those with warm season grass in the late spring. Turf aerators are available at your local tool rental retailer. Full-service lawn-care professionals offer aeration as a service too.
  • Tip #6:Did you know there are two different types of grasses? Cool-season grasses such as fescue can better withstand changing temperatures and have high drought tolerance and disease tolerance. Other examples of cool-season grasses include bluegrass and rye grass. These grasses are typically a thin or thick blade grass, depending on the variety planted. Cool-season grasses green-up and grow in the spring and the fall. In the summer and winter, they lie dormant. Warm-season grasses include Bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, Centipedegrass, Zoysiagrass, Bahiagrass and Carpetgrass. They are often called southern grasses because they grow best in hot summer areas and lack the winter hardiness of the cool-season grasses. Depending on location, warm-season grasses grow vigorously from mid- to late spring through summer and into early fall. They usually turn brown and go dormant in winter. These are the four most common type of grass seeds grown in Maine:
  1. Kentucky bluegrass is most often seen in northern lawns, as it tolerates cold temperatures well.
  2. Fine fescues (e.g., red fescue, chewings fescue, hard fescue) do not do well with significant foot traffic but are very tolerant of dry, acid, or low fertility soils.
  3. Perennial ryegrass can tolerate heavy foot traffic but has high nutrient requirements. Cold winters in Maine can thin out lawns dominated by perennial ryegrass.
  4. Endophytic grass seeds (e.g., tall fescue) provide natural protection against some surface insects and fungal diseases, but not all are hardy throughout Maine and may be reduced by very cold winters, allowing weed intrusion in the spring

Have healthy lawn care questions or tips you would like to share? E-mail Kimberly Darling at kdarling@falmouthme.org.

Upcoming Events & Meetings

Memorial Day Flag

Memorial Day Virtual Tribute, 10:00am, May 25

In accordance with the Governor's Executive Orders and in consultation with the American Legion and the Emergency Management Team, the Town of Falmouth has cancelled its Memorial Day parade scheduled to take place on Monday, May 25. 

As a community, let us join together virtually, if not in person, then in spirit, on Memorial Day to pay tribute to Falmouth veterans and all the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. A virtual tribute and video ceremony will be posted to the homepage of the Town website and on Town social media pages at 10:00am, Monday, May 25 with a notice and link sent via News and Announcements E-Alerts to subscribers on Monday morning. Thank you to all who contributed images and participated in the video production.

Note: In observance of Memorial Day, Town services, with the exception of those offered online, will not be available.  


neighborhood clean up

Earth Month 2020 Wraps Up with Two Events

Neighborhood Clean-Up

As part of Falmouth’s month-long Earth Day 2020 celebration, the Town of Falmouth had planned to host a neighborhood clean-up day. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our plan for a community-wide event has been revised. Instead, the Town is giving out one sleeve of yellow trash bags per neighborhood, designated for cleaning up litter in neighborhoods and public areas throughout Town. If you would like to help do your part in thinking globally and acting locally, here’s how to participate:

  1. Volunteer as, or designate, a neighborhood clean-up organizer.
  2. Coordinate with the Public Works Department (781-3919) to:
    1. Arrange delivery of trash bags.
    2. Let us know where you will be conducting your clean-up (what neighborhood or public park etc.).
  3. Recruit trash pickers/grabbers.
  4. Stay safe by wearing gloves and practicing social distancing! Work individually or with members of your own household, wear a mask, and stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  5. Take photos and add them to social media with hashtags #EarthMonth2020 #EarthDay2020 #MyFavoriteFalmouth #silverlinings, and/or email photos to kdarling@falmouthme.org so we can track these wonderful efforts!
  6. Place filled yellow bags at the curb for your weekly trash collection.
  7. If you find any hazardous waste, or materials too large to fit in a yellow bag, please leave it at a curbside location and call Public Works to pick it up.

For more information, contact: kdarling@falmouthme.org

Falmouth Town Forester Seeks Your Forestry Questions For Upcoming Webinar

Earth Month Celebrations continue! Falmouth's forestry expert, Paul Larrivee, will be creating a virtual presentation on the history and current practices of forestry harvests in Falmouth using your questions! Send forestry questions to swolf@falmouthme.org with the subject line "Forestry Questions" by Sunday, May 24. Your questions will be used to record a one hour webinar special on Falmouth's wonderful forests. 

Check out our Earth Month 2020 online calendar for May! 

Special thanks to our sponsor: OceanView Logo


Urban Run Off Poster

Urban Run Off 5K Race & Walk

The Cumberland County Water and Soil Conservation District has shifted their annual Urban Runoff 5K to a virtual event taking place the weekend of June 20-21. Be a water hero! Support your community by participating in this local fundraiser to bring hands-on water education lessons to your schools. Sign up today at urbanrunoff5k.com.

Take Note

Road closed sign

Lunt Road Bridge Construction

MaineDOT has alerted the Town of Falmouth that the application of deck sealant on the Lunt Road Bridge will take place, weather dependent, on Tuesday, May 26. This work will require a full closure of the Lunt Road Bridge for 24 to 36 hours beginning Tuesday morning. The duration of the work will depend upon temperatures that affect cure times. We will continue to alert residents if we are notified of any changes in MaineDOT's scheduled plan. 


Browntail Moth Spray Program to Begin Next Week

Beginning at midnight on May 27, Whitney Tree Service will begin spraying infested trees and tree canopies within the public right-of-way to combat the infestation of browntail moths. Residents on those roads have already received notification by mail from the Town of Falmouth and have been given an option to opt out of the spraying program. Only those trees located in the public right-of-way that have nests and have been assessed as high risk will be treated as part of this project. Additional information can be found on our website including: updated spraying schedule, a list of roads that will be sprayed, the material safety data sheet for the insecticide, information on the spray program, and reports regarding the impact of infestation. Visit www.falmouthme.org/home/pages/browntail-moth-2020 for additional information. 


FIre-EMS Badge

Second Annual Fire-EMS Scholarship

Call for Applications

Falmouth Fire-EMS is seeking applicants for the Second Annual Falmouth Fire-EMS Scholarship which recognizes students in the Falmouth community who plan to continue post-secondary education in the field of firefighting, emergency medical services, nursing, or a related field. The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors residing in the Town of Falmouth who have been accepted or expect to be enrolling in a college or university to study firefighting, emergency medical services, nursing, or a related field. Funding for the $1000 scholarship comes from donations made to Falmouth Fire-EMS as well as monies raised by Fire-EMS members who sort bottles at the bottle bin at Central Station.

Applications can be found online at: https://www.falmouthme.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif11826/f/pages/fire-ems_scholarship_application_2020.pdf. A panel made up of members of Falmouth Fire-EMS will review applications and select recipients in early July. Deadline for applications is 4pm on June 5.  

For more information on the Falmouth Fire-EMS scholarship visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/fire-ems-department/pages/falmouth-fire-ems-scholarship-2020, call 207-781-2610, or e-mail LPride@falmouthme.org. Donations to support the scholarship can be made to the Falmouth Fire-EMS Scholarship Fund and sent to Central Station, 8 Bucknam Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.

Town Council, Board & Committee Meeting

Computer scrren

Town Council Virtual Meeting, May 27, 7:00pm

The Falmouth Town Council will conduct a virtual meeting using emergency legislation, Sec. G-1 MRSA §403-A, that allows cities and towns to conduct meetings online. Due to Memorial Day on Monday, this meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 27 at 7:00pm using Zoom. This application will allow attendees to connect via computer or phone. A meeting link and phone instructions will be provided in advance of the meeting via the Town website homepage and E-Alerts that will allow you to join the meeting via computer or phone, as well as, a phone number to dial in. An agenda can be found here. Check out our Guide to Participating in Virtual Public Meetings. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5329. 


Board of Zoning Appeals, May 26

On Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 6:30 pm, the Falmouth Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a virtual meeting using emergency legislation, Sec. G-1 MRSA §403-A, that allows cities and towns to conduct meetings online. The link to join the meeting via computer and phone instructions will be posted the day of the meetingVisit our new information page here on how to participate in virtual public meetings. Find an agenda here.  


Planning Board, June 2

The Planning Board is anticipated to consider the following items at its June 2, 2020 meeting:

  • Public hearing regarding an emergency ordinance to temporarily suspend certain provisions of the Falmouth Code of Ordinances relating to outdoor eating areas and outdoor retail display.
  • Homestead Acres, LLC – 4 Mountain Road – Final Subdivision Approval for 68 Single Family Condominium Lots. 
  • Apex Management LLC – 100 & 102 Gray Road – Request for Final Approval for a 20 unit/3-lot major subdivision. 
  • Gregory Green – 11 Aspen Way – Request for Private Way Amendment to create 2 new lots. 
  • Gary Beck – 10 Plumwood Way – Request for Private Way Amendment to create one new lot.

An agenda will be posted here in advance of the meeting. The link to join the meeting via computer and phone instructions will be posted the day of the meetingVisit our new information page here on how to participate in virtual public meetings.


At the Most Recent Town Council Meetings...

The Town Council held a meeting on May 11 via Zoom. 

The Council approved a new license for the Cumberland Farmers’ Market Association to establish a summer market.

The Council passed an order to adopt the fiscal year 2020-2021 General Fund budget and appropriate the budgeted funds to the various departments pursuant to Article V of the Falmouth town Charter and the relevant sections of the Maine state statutes.

The Council passed an order to approve the fiscal year 2020-2021 Capital Improvement Plan and Tax Increment Financing District Plan spending budget.

The Council passed an order to approve the fiscal year 2020-2021 Wastewater Department Enterprise Fund.

The Council passed an order to adopt new sewer service rates, effective beginning with the normal billing cycle occurring after July 1, 2020.

The Council passed an order to amend the Falmouth Harbor Fee Schedule.
    
The Council passed an order to adopt trash bag fee schedule changes, effective beginning July 1, 2020.
    
The Council passed an order to establish tax collection dates, interest rates, and payment application methods for 2020-2021 property taxes.

The Council passed an order to schedule a special meeting of the Town Council for June 15, 2020 to consider an order to approve the FY21 School Department Budget as required by M.S.R.A. Title 20-A §1485, §1486, §2307. 

The Council and staff discussed COVID-19 updates and issues. Nathan Poore, Town Manager and Amy Lamontagne, Assistant Town Manager provided an update on the Town office and facilities reopening plan. 

View past council meetings online here.


 

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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. 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. 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. 

Town of Falmouth, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105

207-781-5253
www.falmouthme.org

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