TOWN COUNCIL
Timothy Reiniger, Chair • Stephanie Anderson • Jeremy Gabrielson • Susan Gillis • Caitlin Jordan Harriman • Penelope Jordan • Timothy Thompson
Next Meetings:
- Wednesday, October 9 / 7:00 PM - WORKSHOP - Council Chambers
- Wednesday, October 16 / 7:00 PM - MEETING - Council Chambers
Town Council Meetings generally occur on the second Monday of each month at 7 PM, with exceptions for Monday holidays. Workshops generally occur on the fourth Monday of each month at 7 PM. Residents may subscribe to the Town Council Meetings Notification Email to receive agendas and meeting materials when they become available.
Welcome Patrick W. Fox!
At the Monday, September 9, 2024 Town Council Meeting, the Town Council voted unanimously to appoint Patrick W. Fox as the new Town Manager with a starting annual salary of $160,000. Fox will begin his 3-year contract on October 7. As Town Manager, Fox will also serve as the town's Tax Collector and Treasurer.
Following the vote, Fox addressed the council and community, expressing his gratitude for the thorough selection process and his excitement for the opportunity. "I am honored to be appointed as Cape Elizabeth's Town Manager. I deeply appreciate the time and care taken to ensure the right fit for the role and I am committed to proving that you made the right choice. I look forward to working with the town's staff, getting to know the community, and serving Cape Elizabeth to the best of my abilities," Fox said.
Fox will begin serving as Town Manager on Monday, October 7, 2024.
 The Town Council voted unanimously to approve the recommendation from the Ordinance Committee to amend Chapter 27 of the Property Tax Assistance Ordinance for senior tax relief. The amendments raise the income limit to $70,000 and introduce a system of tiered benefits with maximum benefits increasing from$500 to $750-$1,500 based on income.
In a separate vote, the council unanimously approved additional funding in FY 2025 of $192,000 from the Unassigned Fund Balance. The estimated cost of the expanded program is $300,000, up from the original budget of $107,000.
To qualify for assistance:
- Applicant must be 65 years of age or more.
- Applicants must be a resident of Cape Elizabeth with a Homestead for more than 10 years.
- Applicants must have a Homestead Exemption.
- Applicants must own the property at the time the relief check is issued.
- Applicant's taxes exceed the Adjusted Gross Income by more than 5%.
The amendments to Chapter 27 Property Tax Assistance will go into effect on October 9, 2024. The first tax bill is due October 15, 2024.
For more information on Senior Tax Relief Programs and/or to apply to Cape Elizabeth's Senior Tax Relief Program, please visit the Senior Tax Relief Programs page found on the Assessing Department website
2024-25 TAX RATE SET
The Town Assessor committed the 2024-2025 property tax rate on August 20, 2024. The Town of Cape Elizabeth's new tax rate is now $11.00 per $1,000 of property value for the 2025 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.
The new rate applies to the taxes due on October 15, 2024, and April 15, 2025.
2025 Tax Commitment Summary
2025 Tax Commitment Report
Comparison of FY 2024 Taxes to FY 2025 Taxes
FAQs for Property Tax Assessments
Residents may pay their tax bill by any of the following ways:
- Online: View or Pay Your Bill
- Your bank's bill-payer service
- Mail
- Use the new drop box in front of the town office.
Please do not mail cash or put cash into the drop box. Please ensure that your telephone number is on your check in the event there is a question about the payment. If there is a question or a concern, please contact Kristie Bradbury, Finance Director, at 207-767-2273 ext. 259.
PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENT DUE TO POVERTY OR INFIRMITY
Any citizen may apply for a property tax abatement for their primary residence for reasons of infirmity or poverty. The state law governing such application is provided below. Applications are available online or through the Town Manager’s office. All applications are confidential are reviewed and decided by the Town Council in a non-public session. The Town Council then publicly votes on the abatement request without reference to the particular property or to the property owner.
FMI: CLICK HERE
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
There are several classes of exempt property (property upon which real estate taxes need not be paid) such as government-owned property. In addition, several other personal exemptions exist:
THOMAS JORDAN TRUST
The Thomas Jordan Trust is a local resource administered by the Town of Cape Elizabeth to help citizens. To apply, use the online PDF application or call 207-799-7665 during normal business hours.
The policies and standards for the administration, distribution and investment of the Thomas Jordan Trust were adopted effective September 12, 1994, subject to amendment from time to time by the Town Council.
RESIDENCY
In order to be eligible for benefits under the Thomas Jordan Trust, a person must be a resident of the Town of Cape Elizabeth. A "resident" of the Town of Cape Elizabeth is a person who has established a domicile in Cape Elizabeth and has no other residence.
STANDARD FOR ELIGIBILITY
The maximum household income of any household benefited from the Trust initially shall be no higher than 150% of the most recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty income guideline. Priority shall be given to those at the lowest percentage of the poverty level. The above percentage and the resulting number of beneficiaries eligible for benefits under the Trust shall be reviewed from time to time by the Town Council.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: CLICK HERE
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps qualified homeowners and renters pay for heating costs. Benefits include help paying for fuel and emergency fuel delivery. You can also qualify for energy-related repairs if you are eligible for HEAP.
Households are encouraged to apply for HEAP as early as possible. The application process involves both an application and an interview, to help determine eligibility and the level of benefit. The amount of benefit eligible households receive varies depending on household size, income and other factors. FMI & APPLY: CLICK HERE.
 Town Center Intersection
The Town Council voted unanimously to move forward with "Option 1" to improve the Town Center Intersection. Option 1 refers to the original design developed by Sebago Technics in March of 2024, in which the intersection of Scott Dyer Road/ Ocean House Road/ Shore Road "squares up."
The council expressed that while Option 1 was a practical step toward pedestrian safety, it was a first step toward improving the intersection and pedestrian safety. Public Works Director Jay Reynolds was asked to gauge which of the other three design options could best overlay option 1 in the future. Reynolds said that either of the two roundabout options could be integrated with the squaring-up design. The "peanut intersection" would require an entirely new design.
Option 1, unlike the three other options, is funded entirely through grants which must be used in 2025 and the town's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) account for a total project cost of $825,000.
ELECTIONS 2024
Absentee Ballot Requests
Residents may now request Absentee Ballots for the November 5, 2025, General Election. The preferred method is via the State of Maine's Absentee Ballot Online Request Form. Accessible Ballots are also available on the state's absentee ballot website.
Alternatively, voters may download a paper application from the town's Election & Voting page OR call the Town Clerk's office at 207-799-7665.
WE ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGING VOTERS TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
MUNICIPAL BALLOT
By the 5:00 PM September 9, 2024, deadline, the following candidates nomination papers were verified by the Town Clerk, and their names will appear on the November 5, 2025 Municipal Ballot:
TOWN COUNCIL (3 seats - 3-year term)
- David W. Andrews
- David W. Hughes
- Timothy S. Reiniger
- Jonathan T. Sahrbeck
- Elizabeth K. Scifres
- Andrew B. Swayze
SCHOOL BOARD (3 seats - 3-year term)
- Christopher H. Boniakowski
- Peter Joy S. Engel
- Lee B. Schroeder
PORTLAND WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES (1 seat - 5-year term)
- NO Candidate - this will be a write-in contest on the ballot.
CANDIDATES NIGHT - Date Change -
Thursday, October 3 / 6 PM - 9 PM
Cape Elizabeth High School AP Government students will host a Candidates Night with candidates seeking to serve on the Town Council and School Board on THURSDAY, October 3, 2024, in the Cape Elizabeth High School Library starting at 6 PM.
SCHOOL PROJECT BOND
School tours will be offered to the public on:
- Monday, September 30 at 6 PM Cape Elizabeth Middle School entrance.
- Tuesday, October 29 - at 6 PM Cape Elizabeth Middle School entrance
Updated tax impact calculations based on the $94.7 M bond amount: CLICK HERE.
Click here for the Middle Ground website.
Explore the Floor Plan:
Explore Safety & Security:
BOARDS & COMMITTEE NEWS
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
Have you experienced prejudice, discrimination, or stigma due to some aspect of your identity, such as race, gender, disability, illness, or occupation?
Please consider volunteering to become a Human Book during our second annual Human Library event in October. This event is offered in partnership with the Cape Elizabeth DEI Committee and made possible by the TML Foundation.
Click here to learn more!
Energy Committee
The Energy Committee seeks resident input on the Cape Elizabeth Climate Action Plan Public Survey. CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE.
The goal of the Climate Action Plan process is to understand a town’s greenhouse gas emissions sources, to identify key areas of risk that are most vulnerable to climate change, and to create a plan that identifies short and long-term actions that can meaningfully reduce emissions and build resilience to climate change impacts. These actions should also support economic growth and improve the lives of residents.
For the most recent updates, please visit the Climate Action Plan Website.
Fort Williams Park Committee
At the September 9, 2024 Town Council meeting the council voted unanimously in favor of adopting fee schedule increases at Fort Williams Park as recommended by the Fort Williams Park Committee. This includes requiring Pay & Display fees year-round. The fee increases and year-round Pay & Display are effective January 1, 2025, through Fiscal Year 2028.
Fort Williams Park Masterplan updates are now highlighted on Cape Elizabeth Engage! See which recommendations have been completed and which are underway.
Planning Board
The September 17th Meeting Agenda Includes:
Blue Meadow Subdivision
The Planning Board will met on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 7:00 PM to review a request for a Major Subdivision Review and a Resource Protection Permit to construct an 18 unit condominium development located at 90 Ocean House Rd (U26-6 and 7), Sec. 16-2-4, Major Subdivision Review Completeness and Sec. 19-8-3 Resource Protection Permit Completeness, Blue Meadow Subdivision. The board voted 6-1 in favor of the project's completeness.
Two Lights State Park Site Plan.
The Maine DACF Bureau of Parks & Lands is requesting site plan review of improvements to Two Lights State Park, located at 7 Tower Drive (R3-59, 60), including replacement of the control station entrance building, new 3-space staff parking lot and access road improvements, Sec. 19-9 Site Plan Completeness and Public Hearing.
Recycling Committee
The Recycling Center and Thomas Memorial Library are calling on volunteers to play a crucial role in collecting 1000 pounds of non-recyclable plastic through the NextTrex challenge. FMI: CLICK HERE.
 Thomas Memorial Library is embarking on a strategic planning process to ensure that the library will be able to meet the community's needs over the next five years. TML will host a Community Conversation on Thursday, September 19, 2024, starting at 6:30 PM to kick off the planning process. In the meantime, the library invites residents to complete a brief survey to share their thoughts about the library. TO TAKE SURVEY: CLICK HERE
RECREATIONAL NEWS
Community Services Registration Now Open
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Looking for something to do while the weather is still hot? Look no further than our Community Events page for a listing of events in Cape Elizabeth and neighboring towns.
ANNUAL RABIES VACCINE CLINIC
In honor of World Rabies Day, please join the Veterinary and Rehabilitation Center of Cape Elizabeth in advocating for rabies prevention awareness by promoting the Sixth Annual No/Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinic to be held at the Fort Williams Picnic Shelter on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 9 AM - 11 AM. All are welcome. All pets must be on a leash or in carriers. Let's end rabies together! For questions, please call 207-799-6952.
Please bring a previous Rabies Vaccine Certificate if you would like a 3-year Rabies Vaccine. Otherwise, we will only be able to provide a one-year certificate.
ENGAGE CAPE ELIZABETH!
Our new Engage hub provides comprehensive information on current issues and projects within Cape Elizabeth. With this new hub, the community can stay informed and engaged with topics concerning our town. Click here to ENGAGE!
Current projects include:
- Town Center Intersection
- Sawyer Road Redevelopment
- Fort Williams Master Plan
Coming soon! Fort Williams Master Plan Updates
COMMUNITY LINKS
Cape Elizabeth Community Services • Cape Elizabeth School Department • CETV On Demand •. Thomas Memorial Library •. Meetings Calendar
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