2024.03.08.--Falmouth Focus, Volume 6, Issue 5
Table of Contents |
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- News & Issues
- Ongoing Initiatives
- Events
- Take Note
- Falmouth Public Schools
- Town Council, Board & Committee Meetings
- 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.
News & Issues |
Unofficial Election results from the March 5 Presidential Primary can be found here: https://www.falmouthme.org/home/news/unofficial-election-results
FY25 Budget Update
At the March 6 Finance Committee meeting, Town Manager Nathan Poore and Finance Director Pete McHugh presented the Proposed FY2025 Budget for the Town (note: the school budget will be presented separately. See dates below). The proposed budget expenses will increase mainly due to inflationary increases associated with wages and benefits including market wage adjustments, cost of living adjustments, and increases associated with union contracts. In addition, increases in capital fund appropriations, catch basin cleaning, and the library are also included in the proposed budget. Revenues are also expected to increase with much of the gains associated with interest income, motor vehicle excise tax, and ambulance revenues. The proposed budget will increase the Town portion of the mil rate by $.07 or 2.7% to $2.82. The annual impact for an $800K home would be $56. This does not include the school budget.
As the budget development process continues, upcoming public meetings include:
- 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. 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). Agendas 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
I-295 Closure, Thursday, March 14
MaineDOT has advised that I-295 Northbound and Southbound at the Johnson Road Overpass (Mile Marker 12) will be closed on Thursday, March 14 at 10:00pm for no more than 25 minutes to accommodate the installation of communication lines over I-295. The closure is expected to be very brief and will be facilitated by Maine State Police.
Falmouth Trails Closed
With warm temperatures and several rain events, Falmouth Open Space Staff and the Falmouth Land Trust have begun the temporary seasonal closure of Falmouth trails to ensure that the integrity of the trails is not compromised during the rain and mud season in Maine. Trails are now closed until further notice. All trailheads will be cordoned off and closure signs posted. Staff will continue to monitor the trail system and reopen trails as soon as conditions permit.
At this time of year, the trails are particularly fragile. The ground is going through a cycle of freezing and thawing, resulting in a lot of moisture in the soil, making the trails extremely muddy and subject to severe damage. Our trails are more popular than ever, but we ask for patience as we manage the spring thaw. The integrity of the trails is important to all of us. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in respecting the trail closure signs posted at trailheads.
Questions may be directed to Open Space staff at 207-699-5312 or openspace@falmouthme.org.
Let’s Talk Waste Diversion
The Town of Falmouth provides residents with three compost drop-off locations to help the community reduce our solid waste stream and thus reduce our Town wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Did you know that food waste makes up 24% of municipal solid waste disposed of in landfills? This means that the more we divert food waste from landfills the more we reduce the Town’s carbon footprint. To learn more about composting, see our fact sheet, including a list of all the items you can compost. Here is where you can compost your food scraps:
- The Transfer Station on Woods Road during business hours
- Community Park, 19 Winn Road
- Village Park, Hat Trick Drive
In addition to keeping food waste out of landfills, another way to support the reduction of the Town’s carbon footprint is through proper recycling of things like e-waste and hazardous household waste. The Town Transfer Station accepts various e-waste items and hazardous household waste. Find out more here.
Ongoing Initiatives |
Comprehensive Planning Update: A Chance to Provide Feedback!
The Town of Falmouth held a Comprehensive Plan Update on Wednesday, February 28 at Lunt Auditorium. Approximately 30 residents took part in the event which included three presentations on the planning process, review of past plans and the Vision & Values process, and a broad overview of the current draft plan. Attendees then broke into discussion groups to review a draft of the action items outlined in the plan and to provide feedback on proposed policies, actions, and Future Land Use Map. Discussions centered on three broad areas: 1) Environment, Climate, and Natural Resources; 2) Recreation, Connectivity, & Town Facilities; and 3) Growth and Non-Growth Areas.
If you were unable to attend, visit the project site to review the same documents presented at the event and provide feedback directly into an online form. Click here for draft plan documents and to provide feedback. To view the presentations given at the event, click here.
Learn more about the Comprehensive Plan Update at: https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/falmouth-comprehensive-plan
Please enjoy this monthly article from Falmouth's Community Wellness Committee
From the Wellness Committee: Starting Your Own Seedlings Indoors
By Doug Zlatin, Falmouth Community Wellness Committee
When the calendar page turns to March, a gardener’s heart starts to beat a bit faster. The long dormant winter season is in the rear-view mirror and it is time to start thinking about planting! Starting your own seedlings has many advantages:
- You get to jump-start the gardening season, which helps to end winter doldrums
- You get to choose the plant varieties you grow, not limited by the choices available at the local garden store
- You will save money. After the initial investment of setting up your seedling station you will be paying a fraction of the cost for nursery-grown seedlings
- You have full control over not only what, but how, you grow your plants, and can experience the joy of raising your plant “babies” from seeds
Growing your own seedlings isn’t complicated. You need a tabletop or structure to hold your pots or seed trays, a light source (no window sills!), a quality planting medium, and the time to tend to your plants. The most common way to grow seedlings is on a metal shelf unit or on a table with a light stand. Most gardeners use shop lights (fluorescent or LED) hanging above their plants, with chains adjusted with S-hooks so that you can keep the light source 2-4 inches from the tops of the plants. You can easily build a light stand using PVC pipe (here are a few, there are plans for others available on-line):
Using a quality seed starting mix is important – do not use garden soil or potting soil. Consult your seed packets, as different seeds require different treatments. You’ll need to do some math to calculate when to plant, starting with when you want that plant to be ready for the garden and then counting backwards to determine when to start the seeds. Some plants go into the garden in April (chard, lettuce, kale, broccoli), some after the last frost date in mid-May (tomatoes, cukes, peppers, melons, squash, eggplant, most flowers), and others (beans, carrots, corn, peas) go right into the garden as seeds. A wonderful resource for your planning is The Farmer's Almanac: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/zipcode/04105
Your little seedlings will need 14-16 hours of light per day, and the best way to accomplish that is with a timer. Try to keep them moist but not sopping, and a daily misting does wonders. There’s no need to worry about fertilizing until the first set of true leaves form, then fertilize lightly every week or so. A few weeks before planting gradually expose your planting to outdoor conditions, a process known as “hardening off”. Then, into the garden they go!
There are abundant resources available on-line and in our library’s wonderful garden section. One site I would highly recommend is Starting Seeds At Home, from the Cooperative Extension Service: https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2751e/
Starting your own seedlings is a true joy and does wonders for improving our winter-dulled spirits. Try it!
Hands-On Workshop!
Interested in more information on this topic? Please join us for a hands-on workshop in partnership with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service on Wednesday, March 20 from 5:00-6:30pm. This workshop will provide participants with the best practices for growing seedlings indoors, featuring hands-on learning with the opportunity to sow a pot of seeds to take home! The program is offered for a fee sliding scale of $5-$15. Registration Required! For more information and to register visit, http://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/tidewater/events
Events |
Virtual Coffee with Councilors
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
Take Note |
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 Town contracted with Davey Tree Experts for this year’s assessment of public roads and right-of-ways. The assessment 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
- Maine Forest Services Info Page: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/browntail_moth_info.htm--
- Maine Forest Services BTM Dashboard Aerial Survey Maps: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8f2931a691374ac9853636e71cbb1f40
- Town of Falmouth: Browntail Moth Fact Sheet
- Town of Falmouth BTM Project Page: https://www.falmouthme.org/home/pages/browntail-moth-0
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.
Falmouth Public Schools |
Highlight: Pre-K Lottery Pre-Registration Now Open
Falmouth is thrilled to welcome another class of Pre-Kindergarten students for the 2024-2025 school year! Lottery pre-registration for Pre-K is open from March 4 - March 22. The lottery will be held March 26. In order to be eligible for the program, children must be four-years-old on or before October 15, 2024. Students turning five before October 15, 2024 would not be eligible for our Pre-K program, but would be eligible for Kindergarten. To register or learn more about the program, visit our Pre-Kindergarten webpage.
In the News: Alpine Ski Team Class A State Champs!
Congratulations to our alpine ski team on their Class A State championships! Read more here: https://www.sunjournal.com/2024/02/15/skiing-edward-little-boys-finish-runner-up-to-falmouth-at-class-a-alpine-states-marshwood-duo-sweeps-top-spots/
Reminder: Join Our Team at Falmouth Public Schools
We have exciting roles available at Falmouth Public Schools!
- Food Service - On Call Substitutes
- Special Education Pre-K Teacher - Part-time Substitute
- Special Education Ed Tech II & III - K-8
Upcoming: Events & Meetings
School Board Information and Meetings:
- School Board Business Meeting - Monday, March 18 at 7:00pm
- Policy Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 13 at 7:30am
- School Board Executive Session - Thursday, March 14 at 9:00am
- Budget Workshop Meeting - Friday, March 15 at 12:00pm
- School Board Executive Session - Monday, March 18 at TBD
- Finance Committee Meeting - Monday, March 18 at TBD
- School Board Executive Session - Tuesday, March 19 at 3:30pm
- Facilities Committee Meeting - Wednesday, March 20 at 7:30am
- School Board Executive Session - Thursday, March 21 at 9:00am
- Policy Committee Meeting - Friday, March 22 at 7:30am
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).
Campus Vision Report
Be on the lookout for upcoming announcements about an important event during the last week in March. Oak Point Associates will be presenting their Campus Vision Report to the School Board in a special community workshop (with opportunity for community questions and comments). More information and details will follow.
Winter Sports:
The FPS winter sports season is here! See the full list of games and cheer on your Navigators.
Musicals and Concerts:
March is National Music in Our Schools Month, and we’ve got plenty of ways for you to celebrate with us:
- Falmouth Middle School will host their spring musical, “Frozen Jr.” on March 8, 9, and 10. See showtimes and purchase tickets.
- All Schools Band Concert - March 21
- All Schools Chorus Concert - March 28
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, Board & Committee Meetings |
Town Council Meeting, Monday, March 11, 2024
The Council will hold a workshop on Monday, March 11 at 6:00pm in the upstairs Conference Room at Town Hall to hear an update on automated curbside trash and recycling collection. Find agenda here.
The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will take place on Monday, March 11 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…
The Town Council held a meeting on February 26 at 7pm. See agenda and video here.
- The Council approved the minutes of the January 8 Town Council Mid-Year Work Plan Review, January 8 Town Council Meeting and January 22 Town Council Meeting.
- The Council approved the following appointments:
- Laurie Pietroski to the Community Wellness Committee.
- Erika Tepler to Planning-Board-Regular Member.
- The Council approved the following for re-appointments:
- Richard Olson to Board of Sewer Appeals.
- Cate Petit to Community Wellness Committee.
- The Council approved an order on an application for a new permanent food service license for BAMBAM Bakery.
- The Council approved 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 Council approved 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.
- There was an introduction of an Ordinance to Amend Section 19-13 of the Zoning and Floodplain Management Ordinance to Allow Multi-family Dwellings as a Permitted Use in Portions of the MUC District. The public hearing is scheduled for March 25.
- The Council approved an order to go into Executive Session pursuant to the Laws of Maine, 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C), to discuss poverty abatement, to discuss real estate rights, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (C) and to discuss union contract, pursuant to 1 M.R.S.A. § 405 (6) (D).
Planning Board
At the March 5, 2024 Planning Board Meeting, the board considered 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. TABLED PRIOR TO THE MEETING
20 Blueberry Lane - OceanView Retirement Community – Request for Pre-Application Sketch Plan Review for a proposed expansion and modernization improvements. DISCUSSED
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. APPROVED WITH CONDITIONS
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 considered 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. WITHDRAWN
- 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. APPROVED
- 6 Riverside Drive – Arthur Snowman- Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 to enlarge the sunroom. Map/lot U01-179. APPROVED
- 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. TABLED
- 32 Babbidge Road – Jack Chellis - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-54 for a home occupation. Map/lot R08-028. APPROVED
- 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. TABLED PENDING SITE WALK
- 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. APPROVED
- 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. TABLED
- 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. APPROVED
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.
Town of Falmouth, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105207-781-5253
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