2020.07.17--Falmouth Focus, Volume 2, Issue 16

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. 

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.

Town Services, Offices, & Facilities

• Town of Falmouth Facility Closures, Cancellation, and Status of Services
• Online and Remote Services
• A Guide to Participating in Virtual Town Council Meetings
• Transfer Station and Waste Disposal
• Falmouth Parks, Playgrounds, Trails & Trailhead Parking
• Falmouth Schools Updates

Community Forum/Discussion about Policing in Falmouth

On Wednesday, July 8, the Town held a virtual Community Forum/Discussion on policing in Falmouth. The Forum was well attended. Police Chief John Kilbride and Town Manager Nathan Poore delivered a presentation on the Falmouth Police Department’s operations, policies, and 2016-2019 traffic stop, arrest, and use of force data. In light of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the current national discussion, the data focused on the Department’s contacts with Black people. The Council and town staff then heard public comment. The Council will consider the public feedback and next steps at its annual work plan retreat on July 24. A video recording of the forum can be viewed on the Town website.

Election Results

Click here for unofficial results from the July 14 State Primary and Municipal Election.

Hand Sanitizer Dispensers Installed at Town Landing

Hand sanitizing stations have been installed at Town Landing and on the pier. In addition, staff have been trained in using specialized disinfecting equipment to clean the pier and common areas and will be increasing time spent on cleaning and disinfecting the facility. The hand sanitizing stations, hand sanitizer, and the additional staff time needed for enhanced cleaning and disinfecting activities will be paid for by the Keep Maine Healthy Grant recently awarded to the Town of Falmouth. The grant supports local COVID-19 public health, education, and prevention efforts. The State granted $9 million in awards to 96 municipalities in Maine. Funding for the program comes from the federal CARES Act and will be distributed on a reimbursement basis as communities implement these programs. Hand sanitizing stations will also be placed at public parks throughout Falmouth. Learn more about the grant here. 

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. 

• Tip #12: In a recent post, we recommended reducing the size of your lawn with ground covers and garden beds. Another way to do so is by establishing a No Mow Zone. This area is mowed only one or two times a year and allows native plants and grasses to grow. A No Mow Zone is a designated area that can progress through succession to return to a natural state. These areas provide an excellent habitat for pollinators such as native bumblebees. These zones allow plants to flower, which in turn provides a place for pollinators to stop and have a meal. 

Learn more about living lawns at: https://www.falmouthme.org/environmental-initiatives/pages/living-lawns-education-campaign

Falmouth Food Pantry Continues to Meet Its Mission

The Falmouth Food Pantry continues to meet its mission to provide food to those in need.  Volunteers offer pick-ups for Food Pantry clients on Fridays in front of the Food Pantry building (271 Falmouth Road). Additional food pick-ups will be held on  August 7 and August 21 beginning at 9:00am. They will distribute until all the supplies have been given out or until 10:30am. 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 but appreciates the continued support of the community 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: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1807575

Rivalries restaurant in Falmouth is also collecting donations of grocery store gift cards on behalf of the Food Pantry. Safe drop-off is available during opening ours: Sunday-Thursday, 11:30 am-9:00 pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 am-10:00 pm. Call 747-4020 upon arrival for instructions.

Presumpscot Bridge Rehabilitation Project

Beginning on July 21, traffic on Allen Avenue will be reduced to one lane alternating traffic 24 hours per day, 7 days per week as part of MaineDOT’s extensive Presumpscot Bridge rehabilitation project. A signal light has been installed to control traffic flow during the lane closures. This traffic pattern will be in place until October 22, 2020. Note this is a change from prior weeks when the signal light and one lane traffic pattern were only operational during work day hours.  

The Falls Park parking area will also be closed during the project. MaineDOT will be using the area for construction staging but will allow for pedestrians to access the Portland Trails Presumpscot Falls Park Trail. Visitors and hikers should park in the Walton Park parking lot. A temporary crosswalk will be available to provide safe access to the trail head.

Falmouth Boards and Committee Vacancies

Several Town of Falmouth boards and committees have vacancies to be filled. If you are interested in getting involved, please consider the following openings:

• Board of Zoning Appeals (2)
• Economic Improvement Committee (4)
• Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee (2)--This Committee is particularly interested in representation from Falmouth’s senior community.
• Wellness Committee (5)
• Planning Board (2)

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

Town Council Virtual Annual Caucus, July 20, 6:00pm

On Monday, July 20, 2020, at 6:00 pm, the Falmouth Town Council will conduct a virtual caucus using emergency legislation, Sec. G-1 MRSA §403-A, that allows cities and towns to conduct meetings online. 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. Click here to see an agenda. Check out our Guide to Participating in Virtual Public Meetings. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5329. 

Town Council Virtual Meeting, July 20, 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. The meeting will be held on Monday, July 20 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. Click here to see an agenda. Check out our Guide to Participating in Virtual Public Meetings. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5329. 

Planning Board

The Planning Board acted on the following applications at its July 7, 2020 meeting:

• Tuscan Way – Subdivision Amendment for drainage improvements and change to building design.  (Approved)
• 75 Gray Road – Approval for replacement signage and new signage. (Approved)
• 251 US Route 1 – Site Plan Approval for a 23,948 s.f. restaurant/office building at the Falmouth Shopping Center. (Approved)

For more information please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/planning-board.  View past meetings online here.

Board of Zoning Appeals

The Board of Zoning Appeals is expected to hear the following applications at its July 28, 2020 meeting:

• 12 Hammond Road – Request for Conditional Use Approval to construct an addition.
• 11 Andrews Avenue - Request for Conditional Use Approval to expand an existing garage and front steps and to construct a rear deck.
• 20 Just A Mere Road – Request for Conditional Use Approval to construct a dormer.

For more information, please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/board-of-zoning-appeals. View past meetings online here.

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.