Board of Assessment Review
The Board of Assessment Review is staffed by the Town Assessor.
- Responsibilities include hearing appeals of decisions made by the town assessor. The Board follows state statutes when making decisions. Interpretation of these statutes is required.
Committee members for 2025: David Scheffler, John Thibodeau, and James Walsh
Community Services Committee
The Community Services Committee is staffed by Kathy Raftice - Director of Community Services and Fort Williams Park. The committee meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month.
- This year, Community Services saw the implementation of a two-step approach to registration when registering for two sessions of the same class. Residents are able to pay for the first session and place the second on a payment plan. Additionally, online reservations for pool parties are now available.
- Final stages are in place for the implementation of U.S. Passport processing. This will be for new passports and will include an online calendar for reserving a time to come in and meet with staff to complete necessary paperwork. A February 3 start-up date is anticipated.
Committee members for 2025: Rebecca Bryant, Andrea Ernst, Debbie Grew, Jill Palmore, Meg Rogers, Meagan Roy, and Christine Shaka.
Conservation Committee
The Conservation Committee is staffed by Maureen O'Meara - Town Planner. The committee meets monthly on the second Tuesday of each month.
Many of the projects completed by the Conservation Committee are aided by additional volunteers assisting with trail and boardwalk repairs, as well as the Maine Conservation Corps Team and professional contractors. Completed and ongoing efforts by the committee include:
- Great Pond boardwalk repairs
- Winnick Woods parking lot improvements, and boardwalk repairs Special thanks to the Maine Conservation Corps and Public Works!
- Gull Crest boardwalk repairs. Special thanks to Mitch Wacksman for this time and labor!
- Town Farm trail rerouting to mitigate muddy conditions on some trails near the marsh.
- Cross Hill Greenbelt improvement with machine-built trails.
- Purchase of a mechanized tracked wheelbarrow to help with the transportation of lumber for Greenbelt boardwalk lumber.
Committee members for 2025: Michelle Boyer, Emily Helliesen Day, Stacey Dietsch, Matthew Grymek, Corinne Ketcham, Bruce Moore, and Mitch Wacksman
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is staffed by Rachel Davis - Director of Thomas Memorial Library. The committee meets monthly on the second Wednesday of each month.
- Last winter, the DEI Committee partnered with the Cape Elizabeth/South Portland Best Buddies Chapter, Brown School Skates, and Cape Arena to offer a special skating event for children and adults with IDD. CEPD officers provided hot chocolate, and staff from CELT were on hand to provide guided nature walks during the event.
- In the summer, the DEI Committee held a workshop for Town Councilors and Department heads, with special guest Dr. Ryan Polly, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Leadership Development at Maine Health. The workshop focused on how our community can best address the needs of Cape Elizabeth residents and how the DEI Committee can work with Town service providers to amplify existing work and find gaps that can be effectively addressed.
- In the fall, the DEI Committee also partnered with the Thomas Memorial Library to offer a series of discussions based on the book I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times, by Moníca Guzmán. Thanks to support from the Thomas Memorial Library Foundation, the library distributed almost 50 free copies of the book to interested citizens. Four different discussion sessions were offered, facilitated by DEI Committee member Sarah Elizabeth Clinton.
Committee members for 2025: Sarah Clinton, Heather Drake, Nancy Della Mattera, Kara Law, Monica Malcomson, Christina McAnuff, and Regan St. Pierre
Energy Committee
The Energy Committee is staffed by David Bagdasarian - Director of Facilities. The committee meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month.
As we reflect on 2024, the Energy Committee is proud to share the progress we’ve made toward building a sustainable and resilient future for our community. Despite some challenges, this has been a year of meaningful accomplishments that set the stage for continued success in 2025.
1. Advancing the Climate Action Plan
This year, in partnership with the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG), we made significant strides in developing a Climate Action Plan. Our plan is designed to align with Maine’s state climate goals, ensuring our town contributes to a healthier environment for future generations.
- Despite some setbacks earlier in the year, we are on track to present the plan to the Town Council in January.
- Once approved, the plan will guide us in taking the next steps toward full implementation, working collaboratively with both the town and the schools.
2. Securing Funding for Energy Efficiency
As part of our climate action planning, we secured a grant in partnership with the state to fund an LED retrofit of the interior lighting at the Police Station and Town Hall. This project represents a practical step toward reducing energy costs and emissions.
3. Hosting Our First EV Car Show
In an effort to engage the community and promote sustainable transportation, the committee hosted its first-ever Electric Vehicle (EV) car show. The event was a success, drawing strong attendance and sparking meaningful discussions about EV adoption and infrastructure.
4. Monitoring the Solar Project
The solar project continues to be a priority for the committee, though it has faced numerous delays. This year, we took the opportunity to brief the Town Manager on the project’s history and potential future steps. We remain committed to addressing challenges and keeping this project on track as we move into 2025.
Looking Ahead
As we close out the year, we are energized by the progress we’ve made and the opportunities ahead. The committee looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the town and schools to bring these initiatives to fruition. Thank you for your support as we work together toward a sustainable future.
Committee members for 2025: Rosalie Blenkhorn, Nikolaas Dietschi, Vince Faherty, David Kane, Sam Milton, Richard Parker, and Ian Sample
Fort Williams Park Committee
The Fort Williams Park Committee is staffed by Kathy Raftice - Director of Community Services and Fort Williams Park. The committee meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month.
Progress in completing items identified in the Fort Williams Master Plan continues to be the focus of the committee's work.
- RJ Grondin has been contracted to excavate the pond's dredge and to install a new outlet control system for managing the water level and drainage of the pond. Work is expected to begin in early January 2025. Contractors will enter through the old gate on Shore Road, which will require blocking off parking spaces for safe access. Grondin will provide trucks and excavators to complete the project, which is estimated to take three weeks, depending on the weather.
- In 2024, the Fort saw the completion of the Pickleball Courts, the installation of four new water-bottle filling stations, and two new stairways -- one leading to the lighthouse and the second leading to the picnic shelter.
Committee members for 2025: Terry Bagley, Curtis Kelly, Jim Kerney, Dennis Leiner, Kenneth Pierce, Lauren Springer, and Doreen Johnson Theriault
Personnel Appeals Board
The Personnel Appeals Board is staffed by Paul Fenton - Police Chief. The quasi-judicial board meets in the event an employee files an appeal of a disciplinary action.
Committee members for 2025: Leonard Cole, Philip Moss, and Alison Whitmer Tumas
Planning Board
The Planning Board is staffed by Maureen O'Meara - Town Planner. The quasi-judicial board meets on the third Tuesday of each month.
- Accessory Dwelling Unit amendments recommended to and approved by the Town Council. Amendments:
- Clarify the definition of an ADU as separate and distinct from an accessory building or structure.
- Clarify that an existing accessory structure can be converted to an ADU with a maximum unit size of 800 sq. ft.
- Clarify that ADUs cannot be used for short-term rental (STR).
- Blue Meadow Subdivision has received preliminary approval from the Planning Board for an 18-unit condominium project at 90 Ocean House Road.
- Town Center Amendments recommended to the Town Council. The Council recognized receipt of amendments on 12/9/24 and will forward them to the Ordinance Committee. Planning Board recommended amendments create a type of development, “Multifamily housing located 140’ or more from a public road right-of-way in the Town Center District.” A development that qualifies is eligible for an alternative set of dimension requirements. A 125’ setback to build in some flexibility for possible reuse of the 1934 middle school building.
- Outdoor salt storage approval for Public Works. This will be a new shed adjacent to the Public Works garage at 10 Cooper Drive.
Board members for 2025: Daniel Bodenski, Natalie Burns, Matthew Caton, Andrew Gilbert, James Huebener, Derek M. LaVallee, and Alton Palmer
Ad-Hoc Privacy Advisory Committee
The Ad-Hoc Privacy Advisory Committee is staffed by Ben Davis - Deputy Fire Chief (formerly Detective with CEPD). The committee meets monthly, typically the second Thursday of each month. The ad-hoc committee has appointed to serve for a period of two years.
- The Ad Hoc Privacy Advisory Committee began their work in July 2024. The committee has spent time reviewing the charge and determining the best process moving forward. This process may include the suggestion of a third party audit of the IT Department as well as policy creation.
Committee members for 2025: Michael Hussey, Curtis Kelly, Greg Reig, Al Romano, and Jon Stanley
Recycling Committee
The Recycling Committee is staffed by Jay Reynolds - Director of Public Works. The committee meets on the first Thursday of each month.
- Second Clothing Swap, in conjunction with the Thomas Memorial Libary
- Plastic film recycling and NexTrex challenge - over 1000 pounds of plastic film collected and recycled was a huge success! As a result of easily meeting the challenge, the town will receive a NexTrexx bench.
- Food waste minimization, composting, and diverting efforts at town transfer station and CESD schools.
Committee members for 2025: Stephanie Austin, Eve Downing, Becky Fernald, Jenna Pfueller, Greg Stewart, Tim Trachimowicz, and Nina Trowbridge
Registration of Appeals Board
The Registration of Appeals Board is staffed by Debra Lane - Assistant Town Manager. State law provides for a Registration Appeals Board, M.R.S. Title 21-A §103, in the event a person is aggrieved by the decision of the registrar of voters, that person may appeal to the board.
Appeals are an important process available to a person who feels their voter registration should not have been canceled or their application for registration should not have been denied.
Committee members through 2025: Karen Hessel, Stephanie Krupp (alternate), Tim Thompson, and Nancy Thompson (alternate)
Riverside Cemetery Committee
The Riverside Cemetery Committee is staffed by Debra Lane - Assistant Town Manager. The committee meets approximately 8 times a year, typically in the Jordan Conference Room.
- The Riverside Cemetery Committee heard several appeals from non-residents requesting to purchase lots in Riverside Memorial Cemetery. There are some instances when requests are denied. Criteria used in considering requests include but are not limited to past residency, past and present residency of immediate family, and family buried in the cemetery.
- There were also requests from lot owners for the Town to buy back their lots as they will no longer have use for them. The Committee is pleased to buy back vacant lots to resell which extends the availability of lots at that site. In early 2025, the Committee will be recommending fee increases to the council for lot purchases and burials.
Committee members for 2025: Wayne Brooking, Jr., Rev. Dr. Frances Bagdasarian, and Diane Brakeley
Thomas Memorial Library Committee
the Thomas Memorial Library is staffed by Rachel Davis - Director of Thomas Memorial Library. The committee meets quarterly on the fourth Thursday of January, April, June, and September.
- This year, the TML Committee embarked on the library’s first-ever Strategic Planning Process, voting to recommend that the library hire Will Plumley as a consultant. The process began in earnest in September, with four members of the TML Committee joining four library staff members and a member of the Thomas Memorial Library Foundation on the Strategic Planning working group. The TML Committee hopes to vote to finalize the library’s Strategic Plan at its quarterly meeting in April 2025.
- In addition to planning for and beginning the Strategic Planning process, the TML Committee finalized a draft Workplace Lactation Policy for the library, which was developed in consultation with the Maine Breastfeeding Coalition. The town council approved this policy at its November meeting.
Committee members for 2025: Tim Blackstone, Reed Dyer, Elizabeth Elliott, Griff Gilbert, Tim Hebda, Patience Maloney, and Scott Muzuzan
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Board of Zoning Appealsis staffed by Ben McDougal - Code Enforcement Officer. The board meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
In 2024, the board had:
- 15 agenda items. Of these, 11 were approved, 2 were denied, 1 was tabled, and 1 was withdrawn.
- Most often, the board hears requests to expand houses when the house doesn't meet the current setback requirements.
- Other items that come in front of the board include:
- Variances: When someone wants to further encroach on a setback.
- Administrative Appeals: Appeal of an approval or denial of a building permit or any other decision of the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Conditional Uses: Some "lighter" uses such as Home Businesses, go in front of the Zoning Board instead of the Planning Board.
Committee members for 2025: Joseph Barbieri, Doreen Blanc Rockstrom, Diana Chapman, Adam Foster-Webster, Kevin Justh, Gretchen Noonan, and Colin Powers
COMMUNITY LINKS
Cape Elizabeth Community Services • Cape Elizabeth School Department • CETV On Demand •. Thomas Memorial Library •. Meetings Calendar
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