2020.10.16--Falmouth Focus, Volume 2, Issue 23

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. While events in recent weeks have not required regular updates regarding COVID-19, the situation remains fluid and direct communications from the Town via E-Alerts is the best way for residents to stay informed. 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

Town of Falmouth Launches Vision & Values Project

In 2019 the Town Council expressed strong interest in updating the 2013 Comprehensive Plan to lay a solid basis for any future land use decisions. Prior to commencing this work, the Council decided to first undertake a robust public process to identify the Town’s “vision and values” to help inform the comprehensive plan update process. The Town has engaged consultant Future iQ to assist with this effort. The project, expected to run through June 2021, will be inclusive, transparent and will include deep and wide community engagement. The resulting Vision and Values Statement will summarize the community’s desired future community character.

It is imperative to have broad community input into this process. We invite you to visit the Vision and Values portal at https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/. This will be the “go to” place for information about this process. Here you can sign up to receive important information on the project, follow its progress, and contribute your ideas. You can learn about the four phases of the project and join discussion boards about various important topics, such as defining Falmouth’s unique characteristics or considering key factors in shaping Falmouth’s future. Progress on the Vision and Values project will also be regularly discussed at upcoming Town Council meetings, allowing for additional public comment opportunities. And you can watch this space, as well as our social media page and E-Alerts, for regular updates on surveys, questionnaires, forums, meetings, and other avenues for getting involved and providing input. 

Your first opportunity to engage is right now! As part of the project, we are planning to implement a community wide survey about the future of the Town and community. We are keen to explore perceptions and insights regarding a range of key questions. But we want your input in developing these questions. What key questions do you think should be included in the community survey? Think of questions you believe are important to the community fabric, economy, or appeal. Please give us your thoughts on the community survey questions at: https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/discussion-topics-overview/topic-1-vision-and-values-community-survey/. We hope to have a draft of survey questions ready for consideration at the next Town Council meeting on October 26. 

Focus on Falmouth’s Wastewater System

The Town of Falmouth is working on implementing a phased upgrade of the Town’s existing wastewater system to ensure that sewage is adequately conveyed and treated now and in the future. In this special series, Bryanna Denis, Professional Engineer and Project Manager for Wright-Pierce (an environmental engineering firm providing consulting services to the Town of Falmouth), will examine the history of Falmouth’s wastewater collection and treatment systems, the issues surrounding West Falmouth’s connectivity to the current system, and the plans to upgrade and improve the system for current needs and future growth. See the first installment, “How Falmouth’s Sewer System Works,” here.

The Development of the West Falmouth Sewer Master Plan

By Bryanna Denis, PE, LSE, Wright-Pierce

Falmouth’s wastewater treatment systems were originally constructed in 1969 and substantially expanded throughout the 1980s. Over the past twenty years, the Town of Falmouth has initiated a systematic process for planning and upgrading its existing sewer infrastructure to meet the community’s needs. Some of the upgrades, studies, plans, and reports that have been completed since 2000 include:

• 2002 Wastewater Facilities Update (following completion of the 2000 Comprehensive Plan)
• 2004-2008 Design and construction of wastewater treatment facility upgrade
• 2006 Construction of the Lunt Road Pump Station Upgrade
• 2009 Pump Station Assessment (Town-wide, including evaluation of West Falmouth Pumping System)
• 2013 Updated Comprehensive Plan
• 2013 Wastewater Capacity Assessment
• 2013 Infiltration and Inflow Study
• 2014-2016 Mill Creek Pump Station and Force Main Study, Design and Construction
• 2014-2017 West Falmouth Sewer Master Plan
• 2018 to current – Design of Phase 1 upgrades to West Falmouth system

Following the approval of the 2000 Comprehensive Plan, the Town undertook upgrades to the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) and Lunt Road Pump Station. In 2009, the Town commissioned a Comprehensive Pump Station Assessment to provide a basis for the development of a Comprehensive Capital Improvements Program. The assessment examined 7 pump stations constructed between 1969 and 1971 and an additional 16 stations constructed between 1978 and 2007. The study also noted that some of the Town’s existing gravity sewers dated to the 1940s. 

In its recommendations, the Pump Station Assessment prioritized upgrades and improvements to pump stations and force mains over the next 14+ years. One of the first priorities, “strongly” recommended to be completed within two years, was the development of a West Falmouth Master Sewer Plan. Because upgrades to one pump station can impact adjacent stations, this plan would allow for a comprehensive approach to any potential upgrades throughout the system. Furthermore, in an additional technical addendum, it was noted: “the Town is now faced with capacity limitations in several sections of the West Falmouth sewer system that may preclude future development. Although there is additional capacity in certain interceptors and pump stations, there are a number of bottlenecks which means that as a system, there is minimal or no additional capacity for development in West Falmouth at this time” (Chris Dwinal, Kattie Collins,  Evaluation of West Falmouth Pumping System Pump Station Assessment, April 15, 2009).

A key part of the Town’s wastewater system is its Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF). Upon completion of the 2013 Comprehensive Plan, the Town commissioned an assessment of the capacity of its wastewater treatment plant. This assessment noted that the WWTF “has significant capacity to handle sewered growth.”  However, the report cautioned that “peak flow conditions which occur during extreme wet weather events have the plant operating near its hydraulic capacity.” The assessment noted that it was “imperative…to identify and remove extraneous flows to maintain the current level of treatment and exceptional plant performance.” The report concluded: “Select sections of the existing collection system, including gravity sewers and pump stations, are currently at capacity and further study is required, particularly in West Falmouth, to determine the best options to address these limitations…Regardless of whether or not the community experiences sewered growth, the Town must reinvest in its underground infrastructure as it ages” (Paul Birkel and Chris Dwinal, Wright-Pierce, to Pete Clark, Superintendent, Falmouth Wastewater Department, Wastewater Treatment Plant Capacity Assessment and Impacts on Future Development/Growth in Falmouth and Cumberland, Memorandum, May 22, 2013).

Incorporating information from these previous plans and assessments, the West Falmouth Sewer Master Plan identified deficiencies under current conditions, such as aging infrastructure, capacity limitations, and bottlenecks in gravity sewer, pump stations, and force mains. The plan recommended a series of upgrades to address these current problems, while also planning for the impact of growth over the next 20-40 years. In some cases, when making upgrades to current systems, extra capacity can be created for relatively little extra cost to serve long term needs. The West Falmouth Master Plan was finalized in 2017 and provided the Town with the information it needed to take a planned approach to addressing current capacity issues as well as future sewered growth in West Falmouth. 

Recommendations from the West Falmouth Master Plan included upsizing the Middle Road sewer, as well as upsizing the Lunt Road and Middle Road pump stations. In addition, since the Mill Road and Leighton Road Pump Stations were shown to overwhelm the Falmouth Road Pump Station during high flow periods, one of the most important recommendations in the West Falmouth Sewer Master Plan was to upsize the Falmouth Road Pump Station and its associated force main. This upgrade will not only alleviate the current capacity bottleneck in the system but will also eliminate the “daisy-chain” flow through multiple pump stations.

To explain this further, flows from the Falmouth Road Pump Station currently need to be pumped two more times through capacity-limited pump stations before reaching the Lunt Road Pump Station. The West Falmouth Sewer Master Plan recommended that the new Falmouth Road Pump Station Force Main bypass the Pinehurst Drive and Woodlands Clubhouse stations. This solution allows for future growth, but also reduces the overall cost to the Town by eliminating the need to upsize the Pinehurst Drive and Woodlands Clubhouse stations at the same time as Falmouth Road Pump Station.

The new flow path in West Falmouth, shown in red below, would look something like this:

With this new arrangement, High School station and gravity sewer flows from the Woodlands would still pump into Pinehurst and Woodlands Clubhouse stations. 

The West Falmouth Sewer Master Plan evaluated four routes for a new Falmouth Road Force Main to bypass Pinehurst Drive and Woodlands Clubhouse Pump Stations. This tabletop analysis recommended that the force main be constructed through a Central Maine Power (CMP) transmission corridor from Woodville Road to Woods Road, just north of The Woodlands development. However, the West Falmouth Sewer Master Plan did not include the scope to evaluate this route in detail. The route was initially identified as the lowest cost route because it was the shortest distance route, would save the cost of paving, and would avoid impacts to traffic and neighbors.

During the preliminary design and routing analysis of the Falmouth Road Pump Station Force Main, the Town and Wright-Pierce investigated the CMP route and found there were significant challenges that would make that route more costly than initially thought. Though this route would have the least construction impact to homeowners, the route had both wetlands and a stream crossing, significant ledge outcrops, and steep slopes and valleys. The wetland area and steep slopes would prevent access to the pipe after construction, so it would be impossible for the Town to access the pipe for maintenance or repair in the future without the additional construction of a gravel access road. In addition, the transmission corridor is owned by several private landowners. CMP only holds an easement. Obtaining easements and approvals from both property owners and CMP could be costly and complicated.

Following a more detailed evaluation and cost assessment of the original CMP route, the Town and Wright-Pierce looked closer at a proposed route through The Woodlands as a less expensive choice. In 2018, upon hearing concerns from The Woodlands Homeowners Association, the Town of Falmouth requested that Wright-Pierce re-evaluate six possible options for rerouting the force main. In the next issue of The Falmouth Focus, we will examine these routes in greater detail and discuss the benefits and impacts of each.

Falmouth’s Preparedness to Combat Wild and Brush Fires

by Chief Howard Rice, Falmouth Fire-EMS

With fires out west and in Northern Maine, as well as drought conditions locally, some residents have inquired about Falmouth’s preparedness in response to reported wild land and brush fires. Brush and forest fires can and do occur in Falmouth. Since January 2011, Falmouth Fire-EMS has responded to 13 fires in wooded areas of town. In that same period, we also responded to 54 brush fires, 12 grass fires, and 80 mulch fires. 

Brush fires typically occur along the edge of the woods or a field. Oftentimes, calls for assistance come from residents whose brush fire gets out of control or, when left unattended, has spread. On a few occasions, a passing train has ignited a brush fire. Grass fires, on the other hand, occur on the side of the road or interstate. These are often caused by a discarded cigarette. Mulch fires are generally very small smoldering fires found in mulch beds in the commercial district, primarily along the Route 1 corridor. Many times, these occur in a parking lot and can be handled by a water can extinguisher.

While forest and brush fires in Falmouth are small in number, Falmouth Fire-EMS takes several steps to help prevent them and to be prepared to respond to them. Falmouth’s main tool for prevention is carefully overseeing the issuance of burn permits. The Town follows the guidance of the Maine Forest Service (MFS) in issuing burn permits.  A link on the Town website directs residents to the MFS online burn permit program, as well to the State of Maine open burning regulations. Burn permits are not issued when conditions are not favorable for outside burning (such as winds in excess of 10mph or extremely dry conditions) and any permit holder must be present at all times and follow the guidelines printed on the permit. Other prevention efforts include education campaigns, such as the creation of a brochure on residential fire pits, and programs at local schools and daycare centers.

To prepare for responding to these fires, Falmouth Fire-EMS trains each spring on responding to brush and forest fires. Each of the department’s three engines, the tank truck, and the utility pickup in West Falmouth contain a compliment of tools and hoses specifically set up for brush and forest fires. Each vehicle has a “forestry bag,” packed with 200 feet of 1-inch forestry hose (smaller and much lighter than typical fire hose), a forestry hose nozzle, and an adapter to hook up the hose to the hose from the fire truck. In responding to brush or forest fires calls, the first unit on scene deploys this bag into the woods. The next unit hooks the hose up to the truck and then deploys their forestry bag if needed. At a recent one-acre brush fire two forestry bags were deployed. This procedure allows the rapid deployment and connection of up to five forestry bags and their accompanying sets of hoses. Each truck also has a compliment of brush and forest fire tools (chain saw, forestry rakes, shovels, and backpack water tanks). Using this equipment, firefighters can quickly surround the fire to stop its spread, then contain and extinguish it. Once extinguished, foam is used over the area to suppress any hot spots.

If needed, the Department also has at its disposal a UTV, a side-by-side off road vehicle, that can carry people and tools into the woods and along trails as needed. The UTV responds to brush and forest fires in town and in surrounding areas. Falmouth’s tank truck also responds to out-of-town brush fires and surrounding communities support us with their tank trunks in situations where extra water is needed.

Brush and forest fires are very labor intensive. Fortunately, the Town of Falmouth can rely on mutual aid from neighboring towns to help us respond if needed. Large brush or forest fires requiring mutual aid are rare. However, these neighboring departments often cover Falmouth, while units are tied up at the scene of a brush or wildfire. The Maine Forest Rangers also provide support in the event of a large fire. They are equipped to respond by ground and by air. Their helicopters can make water drops on fires which is helpful when access by ground is difficult. Falmouth Fire-EMS notifies the Maine Forest Rangers of any woods or brush fire in town.

While Falmouth includes several pockets of dense forest, many fire breaks such as roads, railroad tracks, streams, and rivers, mitigate the dangers of spreading. Falmouth’s trails enjoy daily use, meaning fires that do occur are often quickly reported. This coupled with Falmouth Fire-EMS training and preparedness, its fleet of apparatus equipped with appropriate equipment, and the support of surrounding communities and state agencies, Falmouth is well poised for a quick response to contain a brush or wildfire.

It is worth noting that the Maine Forest Service website states that “ninety per cent (90%) of all wildfires in Maine are caused by people and are preventable.” It is important that all of us work together to prevent these fires in our community. When they do occur, Falmouth Fire-EMS is well-prepared to respond.

Finance Department Receives Award

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Town of Falmouth for its
comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019. The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. Congratulations to Falmouth's Finance Department. 

Virtual Community Supper, October 22, 5:30-6:30pm

This year, because of the pandemic, Falmouth's churches and faith communities are hosting a different kind of Falmouth Community Supper by partnering with Rivalries restaurant and chef to deliver 200 specially made dinners, free, to homebound Falmouth residents. Residents are invited to buy their own take-out from any Falmouth restaurant (including Rivalries) and watch, while eating supper at home, a one-hour show about Falmouth to include many performances by our local talent!

WHEN: October 22, 2020, 5:30 to 6:30pm

WHAT: A one-hour show of residents' music, stories, town history, teen performances, art, and photos.

HOW:  Watch on the Town's Cable TV Channel 2 or livestream here.  A link will also be posted to the homepage of the Town's YouTube site on the day of the event.

WHERE: In your own home!

WHAT TO EAT DURING THE SHOW: Your “take-out” from a Falmouth restaurant, or your own home-cooking!

If you have questions, please e-mail Nancy Lightbody at nancylightbody@hotmail.com. And if you would like to donate to the Falmouth Food Pantry, you can, by sending a check to the "Falmouth Food Pantry" at 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105, or by an online PayPal payment at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1807575  

Facing Stigma: Creating Solutions, October 25, 4-6pm

The Episcopal Church of St. Mary and the Town of Falmouth have joined forces to educate the community about the opioid crisis with a series of community discussions. The first of three programs in the series this year, “Facing Stigma: Creating Solutions,” will be held virtually via Zoom on Sunday, October 25 from 4pm to 6pm. The event is free and open to the public.

“The pandemic is putting more adults and young people at risk of suicide and the number of opioid-related deaths in Maine is increasing,” noted Falmouth resident and former Town Councilor Bonny Rodden, who helped organize the event. “Historically, people with mental illness have been reluctant to seek help because they’re afraid of what their family and society will think of them. And now with people separated from their friends and support groups the risks are even greater,” she said.  

The program will feature Suzanne Fox, Executive Director of the Yellow Tulip Project, which began in Maine and has spread internationally. Fox’s daughter started the project after suffering from depression in middle school and high school and losing two friends to suicide in 2015-16. The project offers hope for those in need and spreads the word that help is available. At the October 25 program, Fox will provide a general overview on Stigma and will then facilitate small group discussions in "break- out rooms." The program will be offered via Zoom and accessed through this link: Facing Stigma: Creating Solutions. Form more information contact Beth Shaw at admin@smary.org or 207-781-3366.

Communications Survey

How are we doing? Over the past year, the Town of Falmouth has made communicating with residents a priority. Among other initiatives, we have increased the frequency of public forums/discussions, E-Alerts, social media posts, and print mailings. In addition, we launched this bi-weekly digital newsletter and began placing weekly notices in The Northern Forecaster. We’d like to know how effective these efforts have been in keeping you informed about Town business. Please take a moment to complete our survey online at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/FalmouthCommunicationsSurvey. Please submit surveys by October 30, 2020.

Town Hall Offers Saturday Hours for Voting

Falmouth Town Hall will be open for voting on Saturday, October 10, 17, and 24 from 9am-2pm. You may also cast your absentee ballot at Town Hall during regular opening hours Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm. Voting will take place in the Town Council Chambers. To ensure social distancing and follow CDC guidelines for health and safety, as well as state orders regarding limits on large gatherings indoors, the number of voters allowed in the Council Chambers at one time will be limited. Residents should be aware that wait times may increase and lines may form outdoors. Voters are also discouraged from bringing accompanying persons (family members, children, etc.) who will not be voting with them. Masks are required in all Town facilities. 

Absentee Ballots Available At Town Hall

If you requested an absentee ballot, it is on its way! The Clerk’s Office has received over 6,000 requests for absentee ballots for the November 3 election and absentee ballots are already arriving in residents’ mailboxes! You may check the status of your ballot request at: https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl

It has come to our attention that some residents received ballots in an unsealed envelope. The Clerk’s Office would like to assure residents that every ballot mailed was personally sealed and metered by Town Clerk Ellen Planer and Deputy Town Clerk Linda Case. However, some envelopes appear to have come open in transit. If you receive a ballot envelope that opened during transit, there is no cause for alarm, provided there are three items in the envelope: 

• the one-page, double-sided ballot,
• an instructional insert,
• and a white return envelope. 

If you have any cause for concern regarding your absentee ballot, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 781-5253.

If you have not yet requested an absentee ballot but wish to do so, there is still time. The last day to request an absentee ballot for the November 3 election is October 29. There are four ways to request an absentee ballot:

• By Phone: Call and request your own ballot, which will be mailed to the address you provide. Call the Voter Registrar in Falmouth at: 699-5320 or 699-5308.
• Electronically: Request your own ballot electronically using the Secretary of State’s online absentee ballot request service at: https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl
• By Mail: Print the Absentee Ballot Request Form at: https://www.falmouthme.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif11826/f/uploads/11.03.20_absentee_ballot_request_form.pdf. Mail the completed form to Falmouth Town Hall, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, Maine 04105.
• In Person: Request a ballot at Falmouth Town Hall.

When you receive the absentee ballot you requested, follow the directions carefully to ensure you have completed the ballot accurately. Note: you will not receive a ballot by mail unless you requested one through the methods outlined above. Voters must return the ballot in the enclosed white return envelope. You must return your ballot to the municipality in which you vote. Do not drop your ballot in a drop box in another community. There are four ways to return your ballot to Falmouth Town Hall:

• By Mail: The envelope requires one, first class stamp ($0.55). USPS recommends you mail your ballot no later than October 26 to ensure it is received in time. Ballots must be received by election officials by November 3 (not postmarked by November 3).
• In Person:
  • Hand deliver your ballot to Falmouth Town Hall, 271 Falmouth Road, during business hours (8am–4pm/Monday-Thursday), OR
  • Drop your ballot in the new secure ballot drop box available 24/7 at Falmouth Town Hall located to the left of the front door, OR
  • Bring your ballot to the polling place (Falmouth High School Gym) on Election Day, November 3 (7am-8pm).

If you would like to cast an absentee ballot at Town Hall prior to Election Day, you may do so during opening hours, Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm. The Town of Falmouth will also offer Saturday hours for voting on October 10, 17, and 24 from 9am-2pm at Falmouth Town Hall (271 Falmouth Road). Voting will take place in the Town Council Chambers. To ensure social distancing and follow CDC guidelines for health and safety, as well as state orders regarding limits on large gatherings indoors, the number of voters allowed in the Council Chambers at one time will be limited. Residents should be aware that wait times may increase and lines may form outdoors. Voters are also discouraged from bringing accompanying persons (family members, children, etc.) who will not be voting with them. Masks are required in all Town facilities. 

If you would like to vote on Election Day, polls open at the Falmouth High School Gym, 74 Woodville Road, at 7am and close at 8pm. No voting will take place at Town Hall on Election Day. Town Hall will be closed so staff can facilitate the elections at the polling place. To ensure social distancing and follow CDC guidelines for health and safety, as well as state orders regarding limits on large gatherings indoors, the number of voters allowed into the polling place will be limited. This may result in lines forming outdoors. Masks are required at the polling place. Voters are also discouraged from bringing accompanying persons (family members, children, etc.) who will not be voting with them. Social distancing practices will be in place and a healthy environment will be maintained through the use of stringent disinfecting practices. Voters are asked to follow all COVID-related health and safety signage and procedures put in place at the polls, including the frequent use of the hand sanitizer provided.

If you have other questions, our Election Fact Sheet can be found HERE. You may also contact the Town Clerk's Office at 781-5253, or the State of Maine Elections Division, phone: 624-7650, email: cec.elections@maine.gov. Additional resources include:

• Town of Falmouth Election Information https://www.falmouthme.org/town-clerk/pages/state-general-election
• State of Maine Upcoming Elections Page https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming/index.html

Leaf Bag Curbside Collection Dates

Leaf bag collection dates are as follows:

• Friday, October 23
• Friday, October 30
• NO PICKUP ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
• Friday, November 13
• Friday, November 20

Please make sure your bags are placed curbside no later than 7am. Leaf bags are for leaves only. Do not put trash or brush in leaf bags. Brush is not collected curbside; however, brush is accepted at the Transfer Station. Transfer Station hours are: Tuesday and Thursday, 12pm-4pm; Friday, 7am-5pm; Saturday, 9am-5pm.

Floats Removal

Floats at Town Landing are scheduled to be removed, weather permitting, on the following dates:

• October 15 and 16 (outside floats)
• November 2 and 3 (side floats)

Open Space Reminder

Hunting for game with seasonal restrictions is underway. Please take note of the orange signs at trail heads noting that a property is open to hunting. Follow the links below to the Open Space website page with property information, the Town's hunting regulations, and the state's season dates.

Parks & Public Lands Map

Hunting Guidelines and Map

Season Dates

Town Council Virtual Meeting, Monday, October 26, 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, October 26 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 will be posted here in advance of the meeting. Check out our Guide to Participating in Virtual Public Meetings. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5329. 

At the Most Recent Town Council Meeting…

The Town Council held a meeting on October 14 at 7:00pm via zoom.

• The Council approved a Special Amusement Permit for Bueno Loco Restaurante to allow acoustic live music.
• There was an introduction of an ordinance to amend the maximum levels of income and expenses for the General Assistance program, Chapter 6, Article 6, Section 6.68, Appendices A-H of the Falmouth Town Ordinance.
• The Parks and Community Programs Advisory Committee (PACPAC) provided an update on the Committee’s direction, including progress on Work Plan assignments, as well as a synopsis of its role in municipal government. The Council has requested that Town boards and committees take turns providing these updates at the first Council meeting of each month.
• There was an introduction of an amendment to establish a new Chapter 11-22 of the Code of Ordinances relative to creating a procedure for considering requests for ordinance amendments.
• There was an update on the Community Vision and Values project (see article above).
• A request for the Town to accept a pedestrian easement over land owned by OceanView at Lunt School LLC and to grant rights to the same over property owned by the Town at Middle Road and Lunt Road had been included on the meeting agenda but was postponed to the October 26 meeting to allow further time for review of the accompanying documents.

View past Town Council meetings here. 

Board of Zoning Appeals 

The Board of Zoning Appeals is expected to hear the following applications at its October 27, 2020 meeting:

• 4 Casco Terrace – Charlotte R. George – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 to construct a deck.
• 9 Blackstrap Road – William J. Condon - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-85 to replace two accessory buildings with a single accessory building.
• 6 Glen Road – Underwood Road LLC – Request for Conditional Use Re-Approval under Section 19-84 to remove and rebuild an existing non-conforming single family dwelling.
• 72 Gray Road – Little Hands Daycare/John Bagshaw – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Sections 19-119 & 19-123 for the expansion of a Day Care Center use.

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

Planning Board

The Planning Board acted on the following applications at its October 13, 2020 meeting.

• David Criscione & Joan Drake – 8 Thornhurst Road - Request for Shoreland Zone Approval to place 83.32 cubic yards of fill to repair and prevent erosion on the property. (Approved)
• Town of Falmouth-Public Works – Underwood Road Paper Street – Request for Shoreland Zone Approval for Underwood Road drainage improvements. (Approved)
• Cultivating Community – 17 Schuster Road - Site Plan Approval for the construction of a 5,760 s.f. high tunnel greenhouse. (Approved)
• Jacob & Lindsay Roskelley – 25 Preservation Drive – Request for Foreside Woods Subdivision Amendment to reduce the rear setback on Lot 8. (Approved)
• Harold & Sheena Mason – Entwood Road – Request for First Amendment to Private Way to extend the private way and create one additional buildable lot. (Approved)
• Harold & Sheena Mason – Entwood Road – Request for Second Amendment to Private Way to reconfigure the lot lines between lots C and D. (Approved)

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

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.