2020.02.07--Falmouth Focus, Volume 2, Issue 4

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.   

Please note:  Town offices will be closed on February 17 in observance of Washington's Birthday.

Elections FAQs

Q. When are the elections this year?

A.  The State of Maine has 3 elections in 2020. 

March 3--Presidential Primary and Special State Referendum Election

June 9--State Primary Election and Municipal Election

November 3--General (Presidential) and Potential State Referendum Election

Q.  Where are elections held in Falmouth?

A.  Elections are held at the Falmouth High School Gym.

Q. What are the political parties in Maine?

A.  Democratic, Green Independent, and Republican. Maine does not have an Independent Party. If you choose not to register in a party, then you are Unenrolled.

Q.  Can I vote in the Presidential Primary on March 3, 2020?

A.  Yes, everyone can vote, but only certain ballots.

1. All voters will be given the State Referendum ballot.              
2. Democrats will be given the Democratic candidate ballot and the State Referendum ballot.
3. Republicans will be given the Republican candidate ballot and the State Referendum ballot.

Q. When are the 2020 Town of Falmouth Caucuses?

A.  The Republican Caucus will be held at Falmouth Town Hall (271 Falmouth Road), in the large conference room on the second floor on Saturday, February 8.  Voter registration begins at 8:00am and the caucus begins at 9:00am. The Democratic Caucus will be held at the Mason-Motz Community Center Gymnasium (19 Middle Road) on Sunday, March 8.  Voter registration begins at 1:00pm and the caucus begins at 2:00pm.   

Q.  Can I change parties?

A.  Yes, though there are specific laws that pertain to changes.

1. If you are Unenrolled, you may enroll in a party at any time, up to and on election day.
2. If you are in a party and want to change parties, you can; however there is a 15-day waiting period between party choices and you cannot vote in the caucus, convention, or primary during that 15-day time frame.
3. If you make a party change you must remain in your new party for a minimum of 3 months.

Q.  Do I need to update my voter registration card?

A.  Yes, each and every time there is any change in your information, you MUST update your voter registration card. 

1. When you have moved within Falmouth. Falmouth has two districts.  You may have moved into a new district and if you sign a petition your information will not match.
2. Name changes of any kind.
3. Party enrollment or unenrollment.

Q.  Where can I learn more?

A.  You can find more election information at:  https://www.falmouthme.org/town-clerk/pages/election-information.  If you have questions about voting, or your voting district, please contact the Town Clerk's Office at (207) 781-5253.

March 3, 2020 Primary Election—Absentee Voting

Absentee balloting is now being conducted in the Town Hall Clerk’s Department through February 27. Absentee voting allows citizens to cast a ballot without going to a voting place on Election Day. Any registered voter may cast an absentee ballot instead of voting in person at a voting place on Election Day. You do not need to have a specific reason or be unable to vote at the voting place on Election Day to receive an absentee ballot.

Absentee ballots are available 30 days prior to the election. Request an absentee ballot by contacting the Town of Falmouth Clerk’s Department at 699-5320. Voting by absentee ballot takes place in the Clerks Department/Council Chambers located on the first floor of Falmouth Town Hall, 271 Falmouth Road, during regular business hours: Monday 7:00am-5:00pm and Tuesday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm. Note: Town Hall will be open extended hours until 7:00pm on Thursday, February 27, 2020 for absentee voting. 

More info and sample ballots can be found online at: https://www.falmouthme.org/town-clerk/pages/march32020-presidential-primary.

Focus on Falmouth Fire-EMS

At the January 27 Town Council meeting, Chief Howard Rice gave a presentation on Falmouth Fire-EMS Department's current and past staffing structure and pending staffing study. Over its 107-year history, Falmouth Fire-EMS has evolved from an all-volunteer fire company to a combination Fire-EMS department made up of six full-time staff (including one office administrator), thirty part-time per diem firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/EMTs, and sixty call firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The Department’s call volume and duties have also vastly expanded. These changes in staffing structure, including decreased availability of call members, increased call volume, and expanded services have resulted in staffing challenges for the Department. In the past several issues of the Focus, we explored the history of Falmouth Fire-EMS and evolution of its role in our community. Those articles have been combined into one document and can be found here. In July 2019, the Town issued an RFP for a study of current and future Falmouth Fire-EMS Department staffing needs. The goal of the study is to determine the adequacy of current staffing and future needs for full-time, per-diem members (part-time), and paid-on-call. Town staff reviewed the four firms who submitted proposals and selected Criterion and Associates to conduct the study. The Fire-EMS staffing study will be presented to the Town Council at their February 10 meeting. The public is invited to provide feedback at the February 24 Town Council meeting regarding the staffing study. This will be an opportunity for residents to give comments and ask questions about the department's staffing structure and its current challenges.  

Town of Falmouth Caucuses

The Republican Caucus will be held at Falmouth Town Hall (271 Falmouth Road), in the large conference room on the second floor on Saturday, February 8.  Voter registration begins at 8:00am and the caucus begins at 9:00am.   

The Democratic Caucus will be held at the Mason-Motz Community Center Gymnasium (19 Middle Road) on Sunday, March 8.  Voter registration begins at 1:00pm and the caucus begins at 2:00pm.   

Short-Term Rentals Public Forum

The Short-Term Rentals Public Forum, originally scheduled for February 6, was cancelled due to inclement weather. The forum will be rescheduled in the coming weeks. FMI: Maggie Fleming, mfleming@falmouthme.org or 207-699-5329.

Falmouth Fire-EMS Workshop for Businesses, March 19

Do you own or manage a business in Falmouth? For tips on how to make your business safer for your staff and customers please join us on March 19 from 9am to 11am for our Spring Business Fire Safety Dialogue. This will be the second dialogue Falmouth Fire-EMS has hosted. Panelists and speakers are being chosen based on the feedback from our last workshop. More details regarding speakers and topics will be forthcoming. Also, Falmouth Fire-EMS would like to remind business owners to submit a copy of your annual fire alarm report to Falmouth Fire-EMS. To submit a copy of your fire alarm and sprinkler report or for more information about our March 19 workshop please contact Captain Colin Shea at cshea@falmouthme.org.

Falmouth Community Programs 55+ Newsletter

The latest edition of Falmouth Parks & Community Programs 55+ Newsletter is now available. This issue includes info on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), aging in place, and a calendar of activities for February and March 2020. Visit https://www.falmouthme.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif11826/f/uploads/55_february_march_2020_newsletterfinal_0.pdf or find copies at Town Hall and the Mason-Motz Activity Center on Middle Road.

Kindergarten Registration at Falmouth Elementary School

Online registration for Falmouth Kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year is now open.  A child must be five years old on or before October 15, 2020 in order to attend kindergarten in the fall. This is state law as well as school board policy. There are no exceptions.

To register on or after February 3, please go to the Falmouth School District web page at www.falmouthschools.org. Click on the Elementary School link in the top right corner and then scroll down and look for the Student Registration link in the lower left corner of the Elementary School page. Once the online registration is complete, parents/guardians will need to come in to the Falmouth Elementary School main office to present the child’s original birth certificate, a record of immunizations and proof of residency. Please see the attached link here: Proof of Residency - New Students. This takes place during Kindergarten Registration on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, February 11, 12, and 13, between the hours of 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. After the documents are presented, an appointment will be made for kindergarten screening which will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, May 26, 27, 28, and 29. Also, please note that an orientation for all kindergarten parents/guardians will take place on Thursday, May 7 at 6:00 pm in the FES cafeteria. Please feel free to direct questions or concerns to Lisa Longinetti at Falmouth Elementary School, 781-3988 or email llonginetti@falmouthschools.org.

Car Seat Inspections

Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes. Proper use of car seats helps keep children safe. Did you know that Falmouth Fire-EMS offers free car seat inspections every month?  During these events, certified child passenger safety technicians volunteer to assist families (grandparents too!) with the installation and use of their car seats.  

The Falmouth Fire-EMS Department offers free car seat inspections on the first Thursday of each month, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 pm. at Central Station, 8 Bucknam Road. The next event will be held on Thursday, March 5.

Appointments are highly encouraged. If you cannot make the event in Falmouth, you can find other opportunities in the area. Visit www.maineseatcheck.org to make your appointment for the next car seat checkup event. Bring your car seat instruction manual and your vehicle owner's manual, if available, to the inspection.  

For additional information, contact the Falmouth Fire-EMS Department at (207) 781-2610 or click here.

At its February 4, 2020 meeting, the Planning Board reviewed and tabled applications for the following:

• 348 Woodville Road - Approval for a lot division for a single family home.
• 100 & 102 Gray Road - Preliminary Subdivision Approval for a 20 unit, two-family residential planned development.
• 17 Schuster Road - Site Plan Approval for a 2,160 square foot greenhouse.

For more information, please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/planning-board

The Board of Zoning Appeals is anticipated to review the following applications at their February 25, 2020 meeting:

• 33 Old Mill Road - Conditional Use Approval to renovate an existing structure.  (A site walk of the property will be held on February 25 at 5:00 pm)
• 11 Foreside Road – Conditional Use Approval to construct a golf course maintenance facility, a new site entrance, golf practice area, activity/wellness center, tennis pro shop, and 87-space parking lot.
• 6 Just-a-Mere Road – Conditional Use Approval for a second-floor addition.
• 16 East Ramsdell Road – Conditional Use Approval for a tear down of an existing structure and rebuild of new home.
• 11 Hammond Road - Conditional Use Approval for a tear down and rebuild of existing garage and replacement of existing deck with a 2-story addition.
• 1 Hammond Road – Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 to add a dormer and egress windows to an existing home.
• 51 Leighton Road - Conditional Use Approval to construct an attached 2 car garage with living area above.
• 3 Earl Street – Request to appeal a decision of the Code Enforcement Officer.

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

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

January 27

The Town Council entered Executive Session to discuss and consider the acquisition of real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C).

The Town Council approved several appointments and reappointments as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

The Council passed an order to purchase a one-acre parcel adjacent to the Suckfish Brook Conservation Area.

The Council passed an order to rescind Order 60-2020 to transfer $65,000 from the Street Improvement CIP Fund to the Public Works Vehicle CIP Fund. 

The Council re-introduced an Ordinance for Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulations.  An original version of the ordinance was introduced at the December 9 meeting and was revised to reflect public comment received at the public hearing. A public hearing was scheduled for the February 24 Council Meeting.

Chief Howard Rice delivered a presentation on Falmouth Fire-EMS current and past staffing structure and pending staffing study. Travis Miller of Criterion Associates will deliver a presentation on the staffing study at the February 10 Town Council meeting.

After a workshop discussion regarding accepting Alpine Drive and Sylvan Drive as public streets and presentation on the street acceptance process, the Council requested additional information to be presented at the February 3 Town Council meeting.

The Council approved an order authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a license agreement with the owners of 18 Carroll Street regarding the use of Town property.

The Council held a concept discussion on the Community Development Committee’s recommendations for ordinance amendments related to kennels.

February 3

The Town Council entered Executive Session to discuss and consider the acquisition of real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C).

The Council approved appointments and reappointments as recommended by the Appointments Committee.

Falmouth Land Trust gave a presentation regarding the conservation of 52 acres on Route 1 and Johnson Road. The Council supported moving the project forward for public comment pending a rating from the Land Management and Acquisitions Committee. 

The Town Manager gave an educational presentation on the types of road construction typically used in Falmouth.

Theo Holtwijk, Director of Long Range Planning, gave an update on the Blackstrap Road project. The Council discussed three options regarding improvements and chose to move forward with option 2:  28 feet cross section: 10.5 feet travel lanes, 3.5 feet shoulders = $6,916,118 (staff recommendation). A resolution to support that option will be presented at a future meeting.

The Council discussed possible improvements to the Route 1/Route 88 Intersection. The Council decided not to move forward with this project at this time, but to keep it on their work plan for future consideration.

The Council passed a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to seek consultant services to prepare a Preliminary Engineering Plan for Route 1 North that follows the recommendations contained in the Route 1 Vision Report, and expenditures for the Preliminary Engineering Plan be funded from the Route 1 North Tax Increment Financing District.

Theo Holtwijk, Director of Long Range Planning, provided an update on recent public forums including West Falmouth Crossing, the 2016 Falmouth Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and Route 88 intersections with Johnson Road and Depot Road. A second public forum will be held on the Route 88 intersections with Johnson Road and Depot Road later this spring.

The Council continued a workshop discussion regarding accepting Alpine Drive and Sylvan Drive as public streets. The Council deemed there were no connectivity concerns, allowing the developer to move forward with additional necessary improvements.

Future Anticipated Agenda Items

Febrary 10 

Council Workshop, 6:00pm--An Agenda can be found here.

Discussion of progress on the 2019-2020 Council Work Plan.

Special Meeting, 7:00pm--An agenda can be found here.

Public hearing and order relative to a permanent food service establishment license for Ela Market & Grill.  A public comment period will be included (5 minutes per person).

Update on Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Landfill Project.

Presentation and discussion on Falmouth Fire-EMS Department staffing study.

Presentation and discussion on a proposed Communications Strategic Plan.

Introduction of amendments to Division II-19-1-2 and Division II-19-1-3, Sections 19-11, 19-13, 19-14, and 19-19, of the Code of Ordinances relative to kennels.

Order to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine to discuss and consider the acquisition of real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C).

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 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.