2024.02.23.--Falmouth Focus, Volume 6, Issue 4

Please note, currently the Table of Contents links feature is not supported by all email clients or browsers. Scroll down to read the newsletter.

• News & Issues​​​​​​ 
  • Browntail Moth
  • Underwood Park
  • Sewer Line Testing 
  • Election Closure
• Ongoing Initiatives
  • Comprehensive Planning Update
  • Upcoming FY25 Budget Meetings
• Events
  • Coffee with Councilors
  • Pet First Aid & CPR
• Take Note
  • March 5 Primary Election
  • Nomination Papers Available
  • Posted Roads
• Falmouth Public Schools
  • Highlight: New Student Registration   
  • Reminder: Join our Team 
  • Upcoming Events & Meetings
• Town Council, Board & Committee Meetings
  • Town Council
  • Planning Board
  • Board of Zoning Appeals
• Stay Informed

Please note, currently the Table of Contents links feature is not supported by all email clients or browsers. Scroll down to read the newsletter.

Browntail Moth: It's not too soon to take action!

The infestation of browntail moth continues throughout parts of Maine. Fortunately, in the past few years, Falmouth has seen a reduction in nests and levels of infestation. The “hot spots” continue to be north of Falmouth. In 2020, the Town of Falmouth conducted a spraying program to target areas in the public right-of-way that were deemed to be high risk. While not fully eradicating browntail moth, the spraying program worked to preserve the health of the street trees and to minimize the public health effects of this infestation.

Annual assessments continue to provide data on the severity of the infestation in our community. From 2021-2023, assessments of browntail moth nests along all public ways in Falmouth found that no areas in Falmouth met the moderate criteria of risk and found no nests at all along the majority of the community's public roadways. Based on these assessments, the Town did not conduct spraying programs in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

The Town contracted with Davey Tree Experts for this year’s assessment which also concluded that NO areas along public right-of-way meet the "moderate" criteria with much of the community having no nests at all. Based on this assessment the Town of Falmouth will not proceed with a Browntail Moth Control Program this year.

This does not mean there is no browntail moth in Falmouth. Private properties may still see infestations. Some residents may still acquire the associated rash, which can occur from contact with the hairs still in the environment from previous years. Hairs responsible for the rash can stay in the environment for up to 3 years after an infestation.       

What can you do?

Residents are advised to assess their own properties for nests during the winter months. The best means of preventing a browntail moth infestation on your property is to clip and destroy overwintering webs between October and mid-April. It is also best practice to treat trees before leaves have filled in, generally by the end of May or the first week in June. Residents with trees on their property that they want treated will need to hire a qualified contractor to do so. It is not too soon to get on their calendars for spring. A list of licensed pesticide applicators willing to treat browntail moth is available here: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/documents/pesticide_applicators_bm_hwa_others.pdf 

Learn more

Browntail Moth Fact Sheet

For more information on browntail moth, visit our project page at: https://www.falmouthme.org/home/pages/browntail-moth-0, call (207) 699-5329, or email jbaxter@falmouthme.org. 

Underwood Park Improvements

Over the past year, the Town has engaged in an Underwood Park Improvement Project to develop a plan for enhancements to the park. This process involved significant public participation including two public forums and public comment opportunities at Town Council meetings. At the most recent workshop meeting on January 8, the Town Council approved a funding plan to implement improvements over the next two fiscal years. For more information on the project visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/parks-and-community-programs/pages/underwood-park-improvement-project

We are pleased to announce that the implementation phase of the project will begin this winter! Davey Tree is currently conducting necessary tree removal. Earthwork including parking lot improvements (same footprint as current parking lot), installing a concrete pad for the pavilion, and removing the old school and Brown property house foundations and tree stumps will begin mid-summer. The upgraded playground equipment and pavilion will be installed in late summer. We will provide additional updates as the project progresses.

Falmouth to Conduct Sewer Line Testing 

The Town’s Wastewater Department is conducting investigations to identify areas of sewer with high levels of infiltration. Infiltration is groundwater or storm water that enters the sewer. It is a problem because it reduces the capacity of the sewer system to collect and convey wastewater. It also reduces the capacity of the Town’s wastewater treatment facility to treat and clean wastewater. These investigations are an integral part of the Town’s ongoing maintenance of the sewer system. 

There are a number of tools that the Wastewater Department uses to find areas of high infiltration, and you may notice some of them in action. “Smoke Testing” consists of pumping a non-toxic, harmless smoke into the sewer. The smoke provides visual evidence of leaks in the sewer and storm drain connections. We can also measure the flow in select sections of the sewer overnight when sanitary flows are low. The final tool at our disposal is internal inspections of the pipe using a camera mounted on wheels, which will find breaks, root intrusion, and other pipe defects. 

In this first round of investigation, the Wastewater Department will be prioritizing the following areas:

• Middle Road between Pleasant Hill Road and Blueberry Lane;
• Thornhurst and Elm Roads; and,
• Either side of the southern part of Route 1, the “Flats”, including Greenway, Riverside, Shoreline and Bayshore Drives.

If you live in the areas where we will be smoke testing, you will receive a “door hanger” information card with more details. We expect the work to begin this month and extend through the Spring. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Falmouth's Wastewater Department at: 207-781-4462.

Election Closure

The Clerk's Office at Falmouth Town Hall will be closed on Tuesday, March 5, so that staff may facilitate the Presidential Primary Election. All other departments will remain open.  Find online services here. For more information about the upcoming election, see the article below. 

Comprehensive Planning Update: Save the Date!

The Town of Falmouth is updating its Comprehensive Plan to guide future growth and policy decisions for the next decade. This planning process has built upon the work completed during the Vision & Values initiative completed in early 2022. Like preceding Comprehensive Plans, this updated Plan will guide Town decisions on managing growth and redevelopment, investing in capital improvements, and addressing community issues including environmental protection, transportation, and housing.

Join the Town of Falmouth to learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Update and the future of Falmouth on Wednesday, February 28 at 7:00pm in the Lunt Auditorium at Oceanview, located at 74 Lunt Road in Falmouth.

Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Update at: https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/falmouth-comprehensive-plan

Upcoming FY25 Budget Meetings

The FY25 budget development process is underway. Below is a schedule of upcoming meetings. 

• March 6, 5:30pm—Budget Book Presentation of Town Budget to Finance Committee (Finance Committee Meeting)
• March 27, 5:30pm—Joint Town & School Budget Presentation to Finance Committee (Finance Committee Meeting)
• April 3, 7:00pm—Public Hearing FY25 Budget (Town Council) Public Comment Opportunity (Town Council Meeting)
• April 24, 7:00pm—Council Vote to Approve FY25 Budget (Town Council Meeting)

Meetings are held at Falmouth Town Hall. Additional information and a link to join by Zoom or phone for hybrid meetings will be provided in advance of each meeting on the meeting agenda. Find agendas in advance of the meetings at www.falmouthme.org/finance-committee or www.falmouthme.org/town-council-town-manager (including Zoom links when available) are also sent via E-Alert. Subscribe to the Finance Committee Alerts and/or Town Council Alerts at: www.falmouthme.org/subscribe

With the exception of the Public Hearing, public comment is not typically heard at these budget development meetings. Those who would like to offer input prior to the Public Hearing are encouraged to contact any Town Councilor or the Town Manager. Contact information can be found at www.falmouthme.org/town-council-town-manager. 

For more information about the School Budget process, visit: https://www.falmouthschools.org/about/budget

Virtual Coffee with Councilors

It's back! Coffee with Councilors returns for 2024. The Town Council would like to invite all residents to join two Councilors at a time for an informal Zoom gathering. These meetings will be scheduled for one hour each with no set agenda. It is a chance for informal dialogue on whatever is on residents' minds. We will vary the days and times to try to be accessible to all. We hope to see you there!

The next Coffee with Councilors will be held on Friday, March 15 from 8:00-9:00am. Councilors Cahan and Kuhn will be in attendance. Click here for Zoom link.

Additional Dates

Thursday, April 11, 12-1pm
Attendees: Councilors Cahan and Johnson

Wednesday, May 8 (6-7pm)
Attendees: Councilor Hach and TBD

Pet First Aid & CPR, March 9

The Falmouth Police Department has joined forces with Falmouth Community Programs to offer a workshop on pet first aid and CPR. This course will provide an overview of what to do for a pet in an emergency situation prior to getting veterinary care. Space is limited to 25 people. The course fee is $80 per person, prepaid, and includes a book and certificate. All proceeds benefit the Maine Pet Oxygen Mask Project. The Maine POM project helps equip local fire and rescue organizations statewide with Pet Oxygen Masks designed for most companion animals.

When: March 9, 2024, 10:00am-3:00pm

Where:  Mason-Motz Activity Center, 190 Middle Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105

Register: Contact Officer Michelle Cole at mcole@falmouthme.org. Payment can be made by cash or check to: Town of Falmouth c/o Falmouth Police Department, 2 Marshall Dr., Falmouth, ME 04105 

March 5 Primary Election 

Election Notice

The Presidential Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the Falmouth Highschool Gym, 74 Woodville Road. Polls will be open from 7:00am - 8:00pm. No voting will take place at Town Hall. The regular office hours of the Voter Registrar/Town Clerk’s Office, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, Maine are: Monday - 7:00am - 4:30pm; Tuesday - Thursday 8:00am – 4:30pm, Closed Fridays. Sample ballots can be found online here and are also available by request.

NOTE: The Clerk's Office at Falmouth Town Hall will be closed on Election Day, March 5, so that staff may facilitate the election at the polls.  All other departments will remain open. 

NEW! Primary Information

Effective January 1, 2024, Maine transitioned from a closed primary system to a semi-open primary. Unenrolled voters—that is voters who have not declared a party—will now be able to participate in primaries.

When requesting a ballot, unenrolled voters should choose a party. If you are unenrolled, you will be sent the ballot you choose. Choosing a party in the primary does not enroll you in a party. You will remain an unenrolled voter. Voters who are unenrolled may enroll in a party at any time

Enrolled voters will receive a ballot for the party in which they are already enrolled.

What Primary Ballot are you eligible to receive?

• Unenrolled Voters:  Beginning in 2024, unenrolled voters may select either a Democratic or Republican Ballot. This does not enroll you in a party.
• Democrat:  Must receive the Democratic Ballot
• Republican:  Must receive the Republican Ballot
• Green Independent, Libertarian, or No Labels party:  No ballot selection. These parties are not participating in this Primary.

Withdrawing or Changing Parties

A voter must remain in a party for 3 months before withdrawing or changing enrollment to a new party. Enrolled voters, who withdraw (unenroll) or change their enrollment (from party to party), must do so at least 15 days before the election or they will be ineligible to participate. 

The deadline to change party enrollment was Friday, February 16, 2024, to participate in the March 5 Primary. 

Voters who are unenrolled may enroll in a party at any time, including on election day. There is no waiting period.

Important Dates

• February 5  Absentee ballots are available. See below on how to request a ballot.
• February 14  Closed period begins:  Only in-person registrations will be accepted until Election Day.
• February 16  Last day to withdraw or change enrollment from one party to another in time to vote on Election Day. 
  • Enrolled voters who change their enrollment (from one party to another party or from one party to unenrolled) after this period will be within the 15 day pending period, and ineligible to vote in the Primary Election on March 5, 2024. 
  • Voters enrolling in a party will need to stay in the party for 90 days before being eligible to change parties/unenroll.
• February 29  Last day to vote in-person absentee. Extended hours from 4:30-6:30pm at Town Hall for voting only.
• March 5  Election Day. Polls open 7am-8pm.
• March 5, 8:00pm  Deadline for returning voted absentee ballots.

Voter Registration

For registration questions, please call the Registrar at 699-5320.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots are available. There are three ways to request an absentee ballot.

• By Phone: Contact the Town Clerk's Department at 699-5320   
• In Person: Visit Town Hall during regular business hours, Monday - 7:00am - 4:30pm; Tuesday - Thursday 8:00am – 4:30pm, to pick up a ballot. Note: Town Hall is closed on Fridays.
• By Mail: Print the Absentee Ballot Request Form HERE and mail to Falmouth Town Clerk's Department, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105   

Submitting Voted Absentee Ballot

To be counted, voted absentee ballots must be received by the municipal clerk by 8:00pm on Election Day. There are three ways to return a completed absentee ballot.

• Official Ballot Drop Box: An official ballot drop off box is located at the front of Town Hall to the left of the staircase. Ballots can be deposited here at any time up to 8:00pm on Election Day.
• In Person: Return your ballot to the Clerk's Department at Falmouth Town Hall during business hours, Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 4:30pm (Closed Fridays and Election Day). The last day to vote in-person absentee is February 29. The Clerk's Office will remain open until 6:30pm on Feburary 29 for absentee voting only.
• By Mail: Return your ballot in the mail. Please allow enough time for us to receive the ballot by 8:00pm on Election Day. Ballots are not accepted by postmark dates. Any ballots received after 8:00pm on Election Day will be rejected
• NOTE: On Election Day, voted absentee ballots may be submitted at the polling place or via the drop box at Town Hall. 

For more information, visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/town-clerk/pages/presidential-primary

Nomination Papers Available

The Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, June 11, for the purpose of electing:

• Two (2) people to the Town Council for three (3) year terms.
• Two (2) people to the School Board for three (3) year terms.

Nomination papers are available from the Town Clerk’s Office beginning on Monday, March 4. Residents interested in running for either Town Council or the School Board must submit nomination papers with a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 100 signatures no later than 5:00pm on April 16. 

Posted Roads

The Town of Falmouth seasonally determines if weight restrictions should be imposed on roadways to prevent damage due to freezing and thawing. Due to the unseasonably warm weather and mild winter, no roads have been posted and no weight restrictions have been imposed on any roadways in Falmouth.

 Highlight: New Student Registration Open for 2024-2025

Calling all K-12 families! Registration is now open for the 2024-2025 K-12 school year! We are thrilled to welcome new Navigators to our halls next year. Visit the new student registration page to register your student(s), learn more about registration, and more. In order to be eligible for kindergarten in the fall of 2024, a child must be five years old on or before October 15, 2024.

The Pre-K lottery application opens March 4. Learn more about our Pre-K program.

Reminder: Join Our Team at Falmouth Public Schools

We have exciting roles available at Falmouth Public Schools! 

• Food Service - On Call Substitutes
• Head Varsity Football Coach
• Director of Special Education
• Special Education Pre-K Teacher - Part-time Substitute
• Middle School Wrestling - Head Coach
• Special Education Ed Tech II & III - K-8

Upcoming: Events & Meetings

School Board Information and Meetings:

School Board Business, Workshop, and Committee Meeting schedules and agendas can be found here. Also, archived board reports, minutes, and agendas can be accessed online. Past business meetings can be viewed on Falmouth Community Television (FCT).

Winter Sports: 

The FPS winter sports season is here! See the full list of games and cheer on your Navigators. 

Pre-K Dates

Save these dates for Pre-K pre-registration, lottery, and screening dates and Kindergarten registration and screening dates:

• Pre-K Lottery Pre-registration-March 4 - 22, 2024
• Pre-K Lottery - March 26, 2024
• Pre-K Screening - May 9 & 10, 2024

Learn more about Falmouth Public Schools at their website, and stay connected through social media, calendars, and Principal Notes here. Follow Falmouth Public Schools on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube for the latest school news.

Town Council Meeting, Monday, February 26, 2024

The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will take place on Monday, February 26 at 7:00pm.  Find the agenda here. The meeting will be held in person at Town Hall in the Town Council Chambers. Members of the public may participate in the meeting by either attending the meeting in person or via Zoom. The Zoom application will allow attendees to connect 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. Information on making public comment during Council meetings can be found HERE. If you have questions, please call (207) 699-5335. 

At the Most Recent Town Council Meeting…

On February 12, the Town Council held a Workshop Meeting at 5:00pm to discuss workforce housing and the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan. See agenda here. 

The Town Council held a meeting at 7pm on February 12. See agenda and video here. 

• There was a public hearing on an Ordinance to Amend Ch. II-17, Art. II-17-3, Sec. 17-90 of the Code of Ordinances Regarding Prohibiting Parking on Eastern Avenue and Portions of Gray Road near Old Smith Farm. The ordinance is scheduled for February 26.
• There was a public hearing on an Ordinance to Amend Ch. II-17, Art. II-17-3, Sec. 17-90 of the Code of Ordinances Regarding Prohibiting Parking on a Portion of Blackstrap Road near the North Falmouth Community Forest Trailhead. The ordinance is scheduled for February 26.
• The Council approved an order to authorize the Town Manager to sell the Town-owned property on Woods Road to a developer based on the criteria outlined in an RFP to be issued on February 13, 2024, provided that the price is reasonable, subject to final approval of any sale, development agreement or other real estate transaction, by the Town Council. 
• There was an update from the Conservation Commission and Land Management and Acquisitions Committees.
• The Council approved a resolution on the Conservation Commission Mission and Duties.
• The Council approved an order to authorize the Town Manager to execute a quit claim deed for Map R03-054-004, upon receipt of full payment of all taxes and fees.
• The Council approved an order to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine to discuss real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C).

Planning Board 

At the March 5, 2024 Planning Board Meeting, the board will consider the following items.  Find the agenda here. 

•   37 Casco Terrace – Garth & Andrea Conner – Request for Shoreland Zone Permit Approval for landscape improvements.  Map/lot U17-040.
•   20 Blueberry Lane - OceanView Retirement Community – Request for Pre-Application Sketch Plan Review for a proposed expansion and modernization improvements.
•   Falmouth Road – Blackstone Development Group – Request for Final Subdivision Approval for Hidden Hills Estates with 9 Conservation lots and 2 Country Estate lots; Map/lot R04-022.

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 Lisa Sangillo at 207-699-5303 or lsangillo@falmouthme.org

Board of Zoning Appeals 

At the February 27 meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board will consider the following items.  Find the agenda here.

• 5 Ayers Court – Sharon Bolton – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-85 for an addition to the existing structure.  Map/lot U17-070. Previously tabled. The Board will conduct a site walk at 5 Ayers Court on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 4 p.m. just prior to this meeting.  The public is welcome to attend.
• 24 Amerescoggin Road – Karli & Jeremy Nickerson - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-84 for a teardown and rebuild of existing structure.  Map/lot U18-057. 
• 6 Riverside Drive – Arthur Snowman- Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 to enlarge the sunroom.  Map/lot U01-179.
• 11 Maiden Lane – Alex Mazurenko & Joanna Yu – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-84 for a teardown and rebuild of the existing structure.  Map/lot U16-071.
• 32 Babbidge Road – Jack Chellis - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-54 for a home occupation.  Map/lot R08-028.
• 11 Andrews Avenue – Maria Panagiotopoulos - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for the expansion to an existing dwelling.  Map/lot U01-114.
• 16 Ayers Court – Paul Designs Project representing Odette & Scott Thurston - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for the expansion to an existing dwelling.  Map/lot U16-046.
• 20 Town Landing Road – Ryan Russell representing Howie & Lisa Salzberg – Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for the installation of an in-ground pool and associated improvements.  Map/lot U17-060.
• 390 Falmouth Road – Harold T. Halverson - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for  an expansion to an existing shed.  Map/lot U40-022.

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. 

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