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 - Jordan Conference Room
- 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.
Town Manager's First Day
Patrick Fox will begin serving as Town Manager on Monday, October 7, 2024. We look forward to welcoming him!
Michael McGovern, will continue to serve as Interim Town Manager until Fox's start date. McGovern came out of retirement last May to provide stability and progress during the Town Manager search period. Please join us in thanking McGovern for steering us through this period of transition!
ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS & COMMITTEES
 The Town Council’s Appointments Committee will begin accepting applications from residents to fill anticipated vacancies on October 1, 2024, for the following boards and committees:
Board of Zoning Appeals
Community Services Committee
Conservation Committee
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee – (unexpired term until 12/31/2025)
Fort Williams Park Committee
Planning Board
Recycling Committee
Thomas Memorial Library Committee
Residents may apply starting October 1st at: www.capeelizabeth.com/boardscommittees
Questions should be directed to Debra Lane, Assistant Town Manager
at 799-7665 or debra.lane@capeelizabeth.org.
Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 31, 2024.
New terms begin January 1, 2025.
Terms are 3 years, unless otherwise noted.
MIDDLE GROUND SCHOOL PROJECT
SCHOOL TOUR, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
The Cape Elizabeth School Department will hold the first of two school tours on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., starting at the middle school entrance. The second tour is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29.
PUBLIC FORUM TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8
 The School Board will hold a Public Forum on the School Middle Ground Project at the Town Hall on Tuesday, October 8, at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the Middle Ground School Project, please visit the CESD School Project website.
ANNUAL PAPER SHREDDING DAY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
The Recycling Center will host its annual paper shredding event on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Cape Elizabeth residents looking to dispose of confidential or sensitive documents can utilize this service. Proof of residency or a valid Recycling Center pass is required to participate.
NEW DATE!
Candidates' Night will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 6 PM at the Cape Elizabeth High School Library. CEHS A.P. Government students will conduct two sessions with municipal candidates seeking seats on the Town Council and School Board.
This event will be streamed live on CETV LIVE and available for future viewing on CETV On Demand.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' DAY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2024
In observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, the following town offices will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024:
- Town Hall offices CLOSED*
- Thomas Memorial Library CLOSED
- Recycling Center CLOSED (Regular closure)
- Community Services CLOSED
- Pool and Fitness Center OPEN
NOTE: The October Town Council meeting will occur on Wednesday, October 16 at 7 PM.
2024-25 TAXES DUE OCTOBER 15
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.
Property taxes have been mailed. As of 9/30/2024, Invoice Cloud is not yet ready for online payments. Updates will be posted to the town website.
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.
NOTE: Invoice Cloud is not yet ready for online payments. Updates will be posted to the town website.
PROPERTY TAX SUPPORT
SENIOR TAX RELIEF PROGRAMS
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.
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.
BOTTLE SHED GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE!
 The Recycling Committee is now accepting Cape Elizabeth Bottle Shed Grant applications. Bottle Shed grants are intended to benefit Cape Elizabeth-based not-for-profit and non-profit service clubs and organizations serving Cape Elizabeth's youth. Organizations interested in applying to the Bottle Shed Grant must complete the following application by Friday, 4:00 p.m., October 18, 2024 and provide the organization's W-9 form. The application form is available for online submission and/or downloading. Questions should be directed to the Director of Public Works Jay Reynolds.
ONLINE FORM: Bottle Shed Grant Application 2024
DOWN LOAD PDF: Bottle Shed Grant Application 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, 4:00. p.m., October 18, 2024
If you would like more information about the Recycling Committee, please click here.
ELECTIONS 2024
In-Person Absentee Voting Begins Monday, October 7
Absentee Voting In-Person will begin the week of October 7 in the Town Council Chambers. The last day to request an absentee ballot will be Thursday, October 31 at 4:15 p.m.
Hours for Absentee In-Person Voting:
Mondays 7:30 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. and Tuesdays - Thursdays 7:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Absentee Ballot Requests
Residents may request Absentee Ballots for the November 5, 2025, General Election using 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.
Nomination Papers Verified for November 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.
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.
BOARDS & COMMITTEE NEWS
Conservation Committee
This Fall, the Conservation Committee will be seeking volunteers to help move boards at selected locations on the Outer Loop boardwalk where existing boards are failing. Individuals and groups who are willing to donate an hour or two of time to move boards are welcome! For more information, contact the Town Planner, Maureen.omeara@capeelizabeth.org, and watch for announcements on the town website and in the next gazette.
Latest Issue of the Greenbelt Gazette!
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
HUMAN LIBARY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19: Please consider volunteering to become a Human Book during our second annual Human Library event on Saturday, October 19 between 11 AM - 4 PM.
This event is offered in partnership with the Cape Elizabeth DEI Committee and made possible by the TML Foundation.
Click here to learn more!
Planning Board
The October 1st Workshop Agenda Includes:
Town Center Zoning Amendments 2024
At the August 12, 2024 meeting, the Cape Elizabeth Town Council referred to the Planning Board a request by HardyPond Development Company for amendments to the Town Center Zoning District for the construction of a 33-residential unit apartment building consisting of 55-plus older populaiton.
The Planning Board received a presenation from HardyPond at the September 3 workshop and will continue discussion at the October 1 workshop.
Link to Workshop Materials
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.
RECREATIONAL NEWS
Cape Elizabeth High School Leadership Experience:
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The Cape Elizabeth High School Leadership Experience invite you to join them for an intergenerational learning experince on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 from 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the CEHS.
Accompany a student to two seventy-five minute classes (with a 15-minute break in between) followed by a debrief and overview of the Leadership Experience.
Limited to 16 Cape Elizabeth residents age 65 and older.
Call 799-2868 to register.
Registration closes on Tuesday, October 16th.
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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.
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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