2024.04.19--Falmouth Focus, Volume 6, Issue 9

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Upcoming Town Council Meetings

The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 24, at Falmouth Town Hall. Find the agenda here.

A site walk of the proposed Woods Road/Marshall Drive Workforce Housing site will take place 5:00pm prior to the start of the Council meeting. Find the agenda here.

A special meeting of the Council has been scheduled for 7:00pm on Wednesday, May 1, at which the Town Council will offer special public comment opportunities on the following:

An agenda and Zoom link will be published online in advance of the meeting at: https://www.falmouthme.org/town-council-town-manager. Agendas are posted by 4:30pm on the Thursday prior to the meeting.

FY25 Budget and Fee Increases

At the April 24 Town Council meeting, the Council will vote on an order to adopt the FY25 Budget. In addition, the Council will consider orders to increase fees on the following:

• ambulance service to recover costs of patient services
• vehicle towing fees to recover costs of removing vehicles from tow away zones
• solid waste disposal bag fees by 20% per guidance of Finance Committee to ensure funding costs associated with curbside collection and disposal services

Public comment will be heard on each of these items. Find the meeting agenda and Zoom link here.

Transfer Station Extended Hours for Brush Drop Off

As a reminder, the Town of Falmouth does not offer curbside collection of brush. Public Works crews are clearing branches and trees that fell into the public right-of-way. They have been working steadily and anticipate another few weeks to completely clear away this debris.

Residents can drop brush off at the Transfer Station on Woods Road during opening hours (see below). The Transfer Station has extended its hours to include Sunday, April 21 and Sunday, April 28, from 9:00am until 5:00pm, to accommodate the large number of property owners clearing debris from their yards.

There is no cost for residential disposal of brush, however, Transfer Station/Town Landing Parking Stickers are required and can be purchased for $5.00 at Town Hall and at the Public Works Office at 101 Woods Road. Stickers are NOT available for purchase at the Transfer Station. Stickers are valid for the calendar year from January 1-December 31.

Transfer Station Hours of Operation:

• Tuesday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Thursday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Extended Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 21 and Sunday, April 28

For more information, visit: https://www.falmouthme.org/transfer-station/pages/transfer-station-procedures-and-rates

Portland Water District Road Construction

The Portland Water District will be replacing a water main in and around the intersection of Winn Road and Falmouth Road beginning in May. Some limited work may begin in late April as contractors install temporary, above-ground water mains along the sides of the road. This initial work will have limited traffic impacts. During the construction phase of the project, flaggers will be on site to maintain traffic flow. Lane closures are not anticipated though traffic may be delayed in this area. The project will take 4-6 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

No Mow May

Once again, the Town of Falmouth will be participating in No Mow May. This national campaign encourages people to refrain from mowing their lawns during the month of May to promote biodiversity and to provide a habitat for pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other insects. In May, many wildflowers are in bloom, providing a vital source of nectar and pollen for pollinators. By allowing these flowers to grow and avoiding mowing the lawn, people can help to provide a much-needed refuge for these important pollinator species. The Town has identified several public properties where we will refrain from mowing during the month of May. Look for our yard signs (see above) designating these areas as No Mow spaces. Residents may join in by picking up a free No Mow May yard sign at Town Hall while supplies last or reusing their signs from last year. Place these signs in your yard to let your neighbors know you are taking the month off from mowing and helping the pollinators in the process!

Proposed Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Ordinance to be Reintroduced at April 24 Council Meeting

Public Feedback Survey Extended Through May 13

Falmouth's Conservation Commission has proposed a Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Ordinance to regulate, and sometimes prohibit, the use and sale* of outdoor pesticides and fertilizers in the community. The Ordinance was introduced at the April 8 Town Council meeting at which a special public comment opportunity was held. As a result of this meeting, the Town Council decided to hold a re-introduction of the proposed ordinance at its next meeting on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 7:00 pm. Members of the public may attend in person or via Zoom. Find the agenda and Zoom link here.

Two versions of the proposed ordinance will be introduced at the April 24 meeting. The first version is unchanged from what was made available at the April 8 Council meeting. The second version eliminates the ban on the sale of prohibited pesticides. It also attempts to clarify the definition of water body and eliminates the term watercourse from the ordinance to avoid confusion between that term and water body. Additionally, there has been some confusion about exemptions within the proposed ordinance. The second version attempts to clarify what applications and materials are exempt from the ordinance prohibitions. Section 21-6 lists all of the exemptions. One area of concern raised by many residents and survey respondents is the protection of property from mosquitoes and ticks. Treating for pests of significant public health importance, such as ticks, mosquitoes, and browntail moth, is an exempt application.

The first version of the ordinance (unchanged) can be viewed here. The second version (amended) can be viewed here.

The Council is seeking broad public feedback on this issue through a survey. The survey deadline has been extended to May 13 which is the anticipated public hearing date for this proposed ordinance. Complete the survey here. If you already took the survey and would like to provide comments on the amended version of the ordinance, email Maggie Fleming, Assistant Town Manager at [email protected].

*The first version of the ordinance prohibits the sale of any synthetic or non-synthetic substance listed as prohibited on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (the "National List"). The second version of the ordinance eliminates this prohibition.

Call for Nominations for 2023 Citizen of the Year

Every year the Town of Falmouth honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the municipality through the Citizen of the Year Award. The award acknowledges exceptional contribution to the community and positive examples of citizenship. The Town of Falmouth is accepting nominations for the 2023 Citizen of the Year Award. The Town Council will judge nominations on the following criteria:

• Contributions to community welfare
• Civic achievement
• Volunteerism
• Conscientious service to Falmouth Town government

Nominations of 500 words or less may be submitted in writing by May 9 via email to Julie Baxter at [email protected], or by mail to Town Manager's Office, 271 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, ME 04105. Learn more here.

Spring Leaf Bag Collection Schedule

Leaf bags are available at the Public Works Office (101 Woods Road) in quantities of 12 per Falmouth resident address. (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!)

Spring curbside collection for leaf bags has been scheduled for:

• Friday, April 26
• Friday, May 3

Leaf bags MUST be placed curbside by 7:00 a.m. to ensure collection. If your regular trash and recycling collection day is Friday, place leaf bags at least three feet away from trash and recycling carts.

REMINDER - Brush is NOT collected curbside but can be brought to the Transfer Station during opening hours. Please do not put brush or trash in the leaf bags.

Transfers station hours are:

• Tuesdays & Thursdays, 12:00 - 4:00
• Fridays, 7:00 - 5:00
• Saturdays, 9:00 - 5:00
• Extended Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 21 and Sunday, April 28

For more information, please contact the Public Works Office at 207-781-3919

Please enjoy this monthly article from Falmouth's Community Wellness Committee.

From the Wellness Committee: First Annual Falmouth Community Fest

Soon after the Falmouth Community Wellness Committee was formed, COVID happened. Perhaps because of that, our committee has always been acutely aware of the problems created by loneliness and social isolation. We are also aware that Falmouth residents have yearned for many years for some sort of town center and a way to feel like a more cohesive community. Because of this we have attempted to address this issue in many ways during our 3 years of existence, seeking to create resources and experiences that might help to connect our community to activities that promote well-being and social connection.

Research consistently confirms what seems obvious to us through our personal experience: feeling connected to others contributes a great deal to our sense of well-being, and the absence of connection can be a very destructive force in our lives. A recent article published by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (How Does Social Connectedness Affect Health? | CDC) discusses in depth the value of social connection and the significant health risks attached to being lonely and isolated. Some of the notable findings from this article:

• Social connection can help prevent heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, addiction, and depression and anxiety, among other conditions
• Social connection with others can help promote healthier habits and behaviors, better quality of life and a sense of belonging, less stress and better sleep, and better overall health that can lead to a longer life
• Social connection helps communities thrive, and supports the overall health, safety, and resilience of communities

So, as part of our effort to promote community connection, we are excited to announce our First Annual Falmouth Community Fest

Mark Your Calendars!

Please mark your calendar for this FREE, family-friendly, exciting event. On June 22, from 10am-6pm, at beautiful Tidewater Farms on Presumpscot Point Road, we are sponsoring a day of fun, food, art, and music. Please bring your families, invite your friends and neighbors, and join us for:

Meet friends and neighbors, make new connections, and enjoy a picturesque setting that is truly one of Falmouth's hidden treasures. Watch for additional updates in The Falmouth Focus, the Town website, and social media pages.

Community Programs Summer Brochure Now Available!

Summer Adult & Senior Programs

The Summer Adult & Senior program brochure opened for registration for residents on Wednesday, April 17. Non-residents will be able to register starting April 26th.

From theatre trips to yoga classes and lots of trips to see baby goats, spend two nights at the Trapp Family lodge in Vermont, or stay local and join us for lunch we have something for everyone. Are you interested in learning how to use your iPad or get familiar with apps? We have a class for that. Want to visit New Hampshire & Vermont? We have a trip for that too. Want to try some place new to eat? We have 7 different venues to try between Harpswell and Portland.

To view the Adult & Senior brochure in a pdf format (printable), click here.

To view the brochure online and click-thru to register, click here

Youth Programs

FCP Youth Program registration is open for Falmouth residents both on-line and in person (no phone registrations). Non-residents will be able to register starting April 24 if there are spaces available. Youth Programs include everything for kids ages 3-18 including some after school activities, sports camps, adventure camps, Fall Striders, and Fall Soccer.

You can review the interactive brochure found here or view and print the pdf version.

How can I register? You can register online using our online registration site . Please note: On-line convenience fees are NON-Refundable. You can also register in person at the FCP office in the Mason-Motz Activity Center on Middle Road, Monday-Thursday 8am-5pm and Friday 8am-12pm, or by mail, by sending a completed registration form to FCP Registration, 190 Middle Rd., Falmouth, ME 04105.

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 final Coffee with Councilors this spring will be held on Wednesday, May 8 (6-7pm) with Councilors Hach and Kuhn. Click here for the Zoom link.

Falmouth Land Trust Volunteer Days

The Falmouth Land Trust is hosting a series of Volunteer Days. Please join us on Saturday, April 20 at 9:30 am to get your hands dirty and help make trail improvements. We'll meet at Underwood Springs Forest and work on building two bridges on a newly created trail. Parking is available in the first Friends School parking lot on the right (11 US Route 1, Cumberland Foreside). Click here to register and receive updates on location and project details.

Upcoming volunteer workdays include: May 11, June 15, July 13, August 10, September 14, and October 12. Workdays will begin at 9:30 am, and project locations will vary each month. No experience necessary, and tools will be provided!

Neighborhood Clean-Up Week, May 12-18, 2024

Gather your neighbors to tidy your neighborhood & public spaces in Falmouth during Falmouth's annual Neighborhood Clean-Up Week, May 12-18. We provide 3 yellow trash bags and gloves. You choose the day, time, & location. Plus, registered participants will receive a FREE movie pass courtesy of Flagship Premium Cinemas in Falmouth! Find more info and register at: https://www.falmouthme.org/home/news/2024-neighborhood-clean-up-week and be sure to send us pictures or tag us on social media at #myfavoritefalmouth #townoffalmouthme #townoffalmouthmaine. Questions? Contact Amanda Methot-Vigue at: [email protected]

Falmouth Community Fest

The Falmouth Community Wellness Committee is excited to announce the First Annual Falmouth Community Fest on June 22, 2024, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm at the Gardens at Tidewater Farm (200 Presumpscot Point Road in Falmouth). The purpose of this event is to foster community gathering, arts, wellness, family, and fun. The event will include food trucks, live music, art, and fun activities for all ages! See article above for more info!

Call for Artists, Artisans & Makers
Falmouth's Community Wellness Committee is seeking artists, artisans, and makers to apply to rent a booth at the festival. The site is a lovely grassy area with views of the water. Please contact Maggie Fleming, Assistant Town Manager, at: [email protected] for more information. We hope to have you join us!

Federal Disaster Assistance Available to Residents of Cumberland County

Federal disaster assistance is available in Maine counties (including Cumberland) affected by severe storms and flooding on January 10 and January 13, 2024. Affected individuals, non-profits, and businesses are eligible for Federal grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and damages to privately owned roads or bridges, low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help recovery. For damages related to the January 2024 storms, the deadline for applications is May 20, 2024. The State of Maine has set up an online resource and assistance hub with comprehensive information regarding these assistance programs and how to apply for them at: https://www.maine.gov/flood/

New Sustainability Newsletter

The Town of Falmouth Sustainability Department is excited to announce a new monthly digital newsletter. We hope you enjoy reading about sustainability projects in and around Falmouth. Please subscribe via the e-alerts page. Choose Sustainability Committee under News & Announcements Updates. See the April issue here!

Board & Committee Vacancies: Board of Zoning Appeals Seeks Members

In this issue of The Falmouth Focus, we are highlighting three vacancies on the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The Board is responsible for hearing and deciding administrative appeals of decisions made by the Code Enforcement Officer, variance applications, and conditional use applications. It consists of 5 regular and 2 alternate members appointed by the Town Council, for 3 year terms. Members are limited to serving no more than 3 consecutive 3 year terms. The board is seeking one regular member and two alternates at this time. To learn more about the BZA click here.For an application, click here.

Additional Town board and committee vacancies are listed below. If you are interested in getting involved, please consider the following openings:

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

Highlights: Students Celebrate Rare Eclipse Event

Students from all schools gathered on Monday, April 8 to celebrate an event that Maine hasn't seen since 1963-a solar eclipse. For two hours, students enjoyed the sunshine, each other's company, and the rare astronomical event. Sports teams, theater students, and after-school clubs took a break to join in on the fun.

In the News

Congratulations to FMS and FHS Science Olympiad students who participated in the state Science Olympiad the first weekend of April. FHS had two teams that came in 2nd and 5th place. FMS had one team that came in 3rd.

The FHS math team placed 1st in Division B at the Maine State Math Meet and overall 8th in the state for the regular season. Congratulations to them!

Reminder: Join Our Team at Falmouth Public Schools

We have exciting roles available at Falmouth Public Schools!

Upcoming: Events & Meetings

School Board Information and Meetings:

• School Board Business Meeting - Tuesday, April 23 at 7:00pm
• Policy Committee Meeting - Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30am
• Facilities Committee Meeting - Wednesday, May 1 at 7:30am
• CSW Committee Meeting - Friday, May 3 at 7:30am
• School Board Workshop - Monday, May 6 at 5:30pm

View School Board Business, Workshop, and Committee Meeting schedules and agendas.

Falmouth's Got Talent:

Rescheduled due to the ice storm! Shows will now be held Sunday, April 28. Buy your tickets here. Falmouth's Got Talent is a fundraiser for the Class of 2024's Project Graduation.

Spring Sports:

The FPS spring sports season is almost here! See the full list of games and cheer on your Navigators starting March 25.

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

Town Council Meeting, Wednesday, April 24, 2024

The next meeting of the Falmouth Town Council will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 24, at Falmouth Town Hall. 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.

A site walk of the proposed Woods Road/Marshall Drive Workforce Housing site will take place 5:00pm on Wednesday, April 24, prior to the start of the Town Council meeting at 7:00pm. Find agenda here.

Town Council Meeting, Wednesday, May 1, 2024

A special meeting of the Council has been scheduled for 7:00pm on Wednesday, May 1, at which the Town Council will offer special public comment opportunities on the following:

An agenda and Zoom link will be published online in advance of the meeting at: www.falmouthme.org. Agendas are posted by 4:30pm on the Thursday prior to the meeting.

At the Most Recent Town Council Meeting…

The Town Council held a meeting on April 8. Find agenda and video here.

• The Council approved an order on an application for a new permanent food service license for Hummus, LLC (d/b/a Jaffa Mediterranean Grill).
• There was a Public Hearing regarding ordinance amendments to 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 Ordinance is scheduled for April 24.
• There was an introduction of amendments to Article II-19-2 of the Code of Ordinances to amend the Town's Floodplain Management Ordinance and associated Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and an amendment to the Town's Shoreland Zoning Map. The public hearing is scheduled for May 13.
• The Council approved an Order to approve two license agreements and record a notice regarding a sewer easement encroachment.
• There was an introduction of amendments to Section 19-21.9 of the Zoning and Floodplain Management Ordinance and amendments to the OceanView Conceptual Master Plan. The public hearing is scheduled for May 13.
• There was an introduction and Public Comment Period on an Ordinance to Amend Ch. II-21, Art. II-21-1 of the Code of Ordinances to Establish a New Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Ordinance. The Council agreed to reintroduce this on April 24.
• Introduction of an Ordinance to Amend the Code of Ordinances to Establish a New Chapter, Ch. II-24, Municipal Green Building Ordinance. The Council agreed to schedule the public hearing for May 13.
• There was a presentation of the Draft 2024 Comprehensive Plan. The Council agreed to schedule the public hearing for May 13.
• The Council approved an order to Amend the Town Council Rules, Section 22, Procedure for Addressing Council.
• 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).

At the May 7 Planning Board Meeting, the board will consider the following items. Find the agenda here in advance of the meeting.

• Smelt Hill Drive - Sebago Technics representing Ford Reiche - Request for Private Way Amendment of the 2013 Planning Board approval. Map/lot U33-002-A/B; Zoned RA, RCZO, SZ-RP.
• 20 Town Landing Road - Flycatcher LLC representing LHJ Holdings - Request for Shoreland Zone Permit Approval for Shoreline Stabilization. Map/lot U17-060; Zoned RA, SZ-LR, RCZO, WVOD.
• PUBLIC HEARING: Amendments to Section 19-21.9 of the Zoning and Floodplain Management Ordinance and amendments to the OceanView Conceptual Master Plan.
• 108 Winn Road - Justin M. Fletcher, Inc. - Request for Subdivision Amendment Pre-Application Sketch Plan Review for Winnwood Farm Phase II. Map/lot R06-006/006-A; Zoned F, RCZO.
• 117 Gray Road - Anthony W. Hayes - Request for Subdivision Amendment to Constellation Estates for the addition of a sewer connection. Map/lot U43-004; Zoned VMU, SZ-LC, SZ-RP, RT100CO.
• 5 Ellrose Lane - Kathryn Ellis - Request for Private Way Amendment to remove the Country Estate Development Overlay from the December 2016 approved plan and amend the RCZO District. Map/lot R09-039-C/-041; Zoned F, RCZO, HLOD.
• 78 Leighton Road - Falmouth Dentistry - Request for Site Plan Re-Approval for a building addition previously approved in August 2022. Map/lot U44-014; Zoned VMU, RT100CO.

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 [email protected]

At the April 30 meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Board will consider the following items. Find the agenda here.

• 1 Penny Lane - Clay V. Perry - Request for an Administrative Appeal of a decision by the Building Inspector. Map/lot U32-011-001. Previously tabled.
• 28 Shoreline Drive - Anne Torsney - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 to remove and replace existing garage and carport. Map/lot U01-043. Previously tabled. The Board will conduct a site walk at 28 Shoreline Drive on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. just prior to this meeting. The public is welcome to attend.
• 6 Babbidge Road - Bob Adams representing Sam & Melanie Monaco - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-77 for renovations to existing dwelling. Map/lot R08-0323.
• 11 Foreside Road - Portland Country Club - Request for Conditional Use Approval under Section 19-119 for renovations to the existing tennis courts. Map/lot R02-004.

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.

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