2021.11.19--Falmouth Focus, Volume 3, Issue 33
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.
General Information
- Town of Falmouth Hours of Operations and Status of Services
- Online and Remote Services
- A Guide to Participating in Virtual Town Council Meetings
Table of Contents |
Please note, currently the Table of Contents links feature is not supported by all email clients or browsers.
- News & Issues
- Ongoing Initiatives
- Events
- Take Note
- Falmouth Public Schools
- Town Council, Board & Committee Meetings
- Stay Informed
News & Issues |
Thanksgiving Holiday Closures & Services
Town Offices
Public Works will close at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 24. Town offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Please note that Town Hall is always closed to the public on Fridays.
Transfer Station
The Transfer Station will be closed on Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26, but will reopen on Saturday, November 27 for its usual hours of 9:00am-5:00pm.
Holiday Trash & Recycling Collection
Curbside trash and recycling collection for Thursday, November 25 will be postponed until Saturday, November 27. If your garbage and recycling is normally collected on Thursdays, please place your bins curbside by 7:00am on Saturday, November 27 for pick up.
Trash and recycling collection on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday will not be impacted by the Thanksgiving holiday and will occur as usual. There is no collection on Mondays in Falmouth. Bins should be placed curbside by 7:00am to ensure collection.
Very Merry Falmouth, December 2-4, 2021
The Town of Falmouth, Falmouth-Cumberland Community Chamber, and Falmouth Memorial Library present Falmouth's annual community event, Very Merry Falmouth, Thursday, December 2 through Saturday, December 4. Most events take place at our new location in the American Legion parking lot on Depot Road.
Volunteer!
It takes a village…join the fun and lend a hand as a Very Merry Volunteer! We especially need volunteers for the Ugly Sweater 5K and Merry Mile to benefit Falmouth Memorial Library. Community service hours available for high school students. Click here for volunteer sign-up!
Schedule of Events
Thursday, December 2
5:30pm - 35th Annual Falmouth Community Tree Lighting at Village Park (off Hat Trick Drive), featuring a special guest from the North Pole. Hosted by Falmouth Parks and Community Programs. FREE!
Friday, December 3
6:00-8:00pm - The Merry Mix & Mingle. Join the Falmouth-Cumberland Community Chamber of Commerce for this family-friendly, open air, community party. Enjoy music, kids activities, free horse-drawn wagon rides, refreshments, and good cheer with your neighbors. FREE!
7:00pm - Fireworks! Launched from the Legion Fields on Depot Road and best viewed from the Merry Mix & Mingle in the American Legion parking lot or along Route 1. FREE!
Saturday, December 4
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 famous holiday hustle! Proceeds will benefit the Falmouth Memorial Library! Race begins at the American Legion. Register here. Join us as a race volunteer!
10:00am-12:00pm - Segway Santa cruises Route 1, Free Skating on Twombly Pond, Free holiday movies at Flagship Cinema!
10:00am-2:00pm - Visit the Falmouth-Cumberland Chamber of Commerce at the event tent at the American Legion. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides along Route 1, boarding at the American Legion off Depot Road. FREE!
Shop Local, Shop Falmouth!
The Town of Falmouth encourages all residents to take part in Very Merry Falmouth this holiday season by shopping local. Falmouth is full of great businesses, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues that need our support now more than ever. Very Merry Falmouth encourages you to give back to your community while giving gifts to your loved ones and celebrating the holiday season.
More info at www.verymerryfalmouth.com
Fact Sheets: Useful Information for Residents
Over the past two years, the Town’s Education and Outreach Coordinator, working in conjunction with other staff and the Town Council, has developed several Fact Sheets on topics of interest to residents. These one-page documents provide basic information in an easy-to-read format on a variety of topics and issues. Each Fact Sheet also includes resources for additional information. Fact Sheets can be found on the Town website and include the following topics to date:
- Election Information
- Browntail Moth
- Chairing a Town Committee (A guide for volunteers)
- Composting Food Waste
- Development In Falmouth--How does new construction get approved?
- Falmouth Parks & Community Programs
- Falmouth Revaluation Project
- Focus on Fire-EMS
- Focus on Wastewater
- Homestead Exemption
- Respect & Responsibilities on Falmouth's Trails (Tips for Dog Owners)
- Sewer Connectivity
- Tick Tips
Fact Sheets can be found at: https://www.falmouthme.org/your-town-newsletter/pages/fact-sheets. Is there a topic you'd like to know more about and feel a fact sheet would be helpful for residents? Contact Erin Cadigan at ecadigan@falmouthme.org with your ideas.
Ongoing Initiatives |
Vision & Values Update
The Falmouth Vision & Values Think Tank was held on November 6 at the Falmouth High School theater with a Zoom component also allowing remote participation. Over 45 residents took part in this highly participatory 4-hour workshop. The Think-Tank used a scenario-planning approach to assist participants in their understanding of the potential implications of various plausible futures for Falmouth. A scenario matrix allowed participants to explore and speculate about future trajectories. Based on research and key input by community members from the Community Survey, Discussion Boards, and Focus Groups, themes were identified to become the basis for the two axes of the scenario matrix. The two major future-splitting themes for Falmouth’s scenario matrix are defined as ‘Community Outlook’ and ‘Built Environment’. You can find the scenario matrix here: https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/think-tank/think-tank-scenario-matrix/. Attendees worked together to explore four potential future scenarios for Falmouth considering the trade-offs and possibilities of what each particular future might look like. At the end of the workshop, attendees were able to weigh in on their preferred future for Falmouth. In coming weeks, a video of the event will be loaded to the portal along with additional summaries about the Think Tank and next steps in the Vision & Values process.
To learn more about the Think Tank format, visit the project portal at: https://lab2.future-iq.com/town-of-falmouth-vision-and-values-project/think-tank/overview/.
Events |
The Family Restored, in partnership with Falmouth Rotary, has launched a new Family Support Group in Falmouth. The group provides interactive and educational support for families coping with a loved one’s addiction. Family members have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss their concerns, and build community with other families in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. Meetings are facilitated by people in recovery who provide unique and insightful first-hand accounts of addiction. Facilitators provide an honest perspective on how to approach a loved one and strive to inspire hope. Meetings will be held weekly on Tuesdays, from 6:00-7:30pm at Falmouth Congregational Church. Learn more at www.thefamilyrestored.org.
Falmouth Night at the Mariners, March 19
Are you ready for some hockey? Join Falmouth Parks & Community Programs and your neighbors for Falmouth Night at the Mariners on March 19. Yes, it's a long way off, but the first 30 people to purchase tickets will be eligible to sit on the Mariners bench while the players warm up! That's something to look forward to all winter! For tickets visit: https://www.fevo.com/edp/Maine-Mariners-vs-South-Carolina-Stingrays--Falmouth-Rec-Department-SozkFJxU
Take Note |
Seasonal Parking Ban Now In Effect
Falmouth’s seasonal overnight parking ban is now in effect until April 15, 2022. 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.
Dog Licenses Now Available
Dog licenses are now available for 2022. All current dog licenses expire December 31, 2021. 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 (note: an additional fee of $1.00 is charged for online registrations)
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 here. 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).
Falmouth Public Schools |
We are pleased to add this new section to The Falmouth Focus which will feature school news and information of interest to the broader Falmouth community.
Highlight: The Navigators Have a New Logo
Students at the high school collaborated with Shamrock Sports and Entertainment, a local marketing/branding firm, on the creation of the new Navigators logo and branding guidelines for Falmouth schools. This new logo was unveiled to the school board and community by the students on October 18th and is a blend of the “wheel” we are all familiar with, an updated color scheme, and notably the addition of longitude and latitude coordinates. Their enthusiasm and investment in the design process is contagious - students and staff alike are finding new and creative ways to incorporate the Navigator logo and identity across campus. Be on the lookout for Falmouth’s new swag!
Focus: The Gardens & Greenhouse Provide Year-Round Learning
Throughout the fall, classes from Kindergarten through Advanced Placement Literature have met in one of our 61 outdoor learning ‘eco’ spaces on campus. Additionally, 325 students take part in Greenhouse and Garden programming each week. Under the guidance of ‘Farmer Justin’ Deri, Greenhouse and Garden Manager, these students can be found learning about the role worms have in the ecosystem, planting seeds and bulbs, or Zooming with scientists in Europe.
Upcoming: Vaccination Clinic for Our Younger Students
The Falmouth Schools Health Services team is pleased to announce a partnership with MaineHealth to host a vaccination clinic at the Elementary School for the students K-6 on November 29th and 30th.
And if you didn’t have a chance to see the recording of the High School Veterans Assembly, you can view it here: VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY VIDEO, Nov. 9, 2021, National Honor Society members and Band and Choral Ensembles came together to put on a beautiful event featuring music and poetry, in honor of our local Veterans.
For more information on Falmouth Public Schools, visit: www.falmouthschools.org
Town Council, Board & Committee Meetings |
Town Council Virtual Meeting, Monday, November 22, 7:00pm
The Town Council will meet on Monday, November 22 at 7:00pm. The Falmouth Town Council will conduct a virtual meeting via Zoom as authorized by Section 28, Policy Eight of the Town Council Rules and 1 MRSA §403-B. The agenda and zoom link can be found here. The Zoom application will allow attendees to connect and participate remotely via computer or phone. The public may also watch (no participation option) the meeting on Channel 2 or on the Town website streaming channel. 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 workshop to discuss a preliminary process/format for the comprehensive plan update on November 8. The agenda and a video of the meeting can be found here.
The Town Council held a meeting on November 8. The agenda and a video of the meeting can be found here.
- There was an update on the Community Vision and Values Project.
- Shikha Vasaiwala, Falmouth Memorial Library Board Trustee, and Jenna Mayotte, Library Director, provided an update on the Library.
- Greg Jordan, Executive Director, Greater Portland Metro, presented the proposed FY 2022 budget.
- There was discussion regarding a recommendation from the Land Management and Acquisition Committee to amend the Code of Ordinances to remove restrictions at Woods Road Community Forest and to require that pets be on leash between December 1 and March 31 each year.
- The Council approved an order authorizing the Town Manager to execute a License Agreement with Rivalries Falmouth LLC to permit outdoor dining within a portion of Hat Trick Drive.
- The Council approved an order for the installation of a small cell attachment on a Town-owned traffic signal pole at the intersection of Route 1 and Clearwater Drive.
- There was discussion about the Proposed Amendments to Ch. II-14, Art. II-14-2, Div. II-14-2-2, Sec. 60-65 of the Code of Ordinance Relative to Street Acceptance and Changes to the Street Acceptance Application Review Process.
- The Council went into Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine to discuss real estate acquisition, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C).
Planning Board
The next meeting of the Planning Board will be held on December 7. An agenda will be posted here in advance of the meeting.
Please note: Planning Board agendas for upcoming meetings may not always be complete at the time of this newsletter's publication. Within the agendas, when possible, links will be provided to direct users to any additional information available on projects at the time of publication, including building elevations, plans, and images when available. Information on planning board projects and activities, including agendas and minutes, can be found at: https://www.falmouthme.org/planning-board. For additional information or questions, contact Dawn Emerson at 207-781-5326 or demerson@falmouthme.org
Board of Zoning Appeals
The Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the following items at its November 23 meeting. An agenda can be found here.
- 5 McKinley Road – Gunnar Hubbard - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for 6’ x 10’ addition to the garage to be used for storage.
- 6 Webber Way – Josh Soley – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-84 for a tear down and rebuild of a residential structure with an accessory dwelling unit.
- 37 Casco Terrace – Joe Waltman representing Garth Conner – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-86 to raise existing deck one story to allow for living space below.
- 37 Johnson Road – Alvaro Ortega Sebastian – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for an addition.
- 25 Whitney Road – Kylie Low – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for a deck and roof overhang.
- 13 Anderson Drive – Chris Briley representing Sarah Speare & Michael Brennan – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit.
For more information please visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/board-of-zoning-appeals
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 and can be accessed from the home page. 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. 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
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