DEB LANE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Assistant Town Manager Debra Lane's retirement announcement has reverberated throughout the community. Since the news was posted on December 31, 2024, an outflow of residents have visited her office to express their gratitude and best wishes. Lane, who has worked in Cape Elizabeth's municipal government for more than 39 years, has been a stalwart resource to her fellow citizens and colleagues, including three Town Managers and multiple Town Councils, boards, and committee members.
While her retirement, effective July 2, will undoubtedly leave a void felt by all who have had the privilege to work alongside her, Lane has thoughtfully prepared for this moment with a two-year succession plan. Her dedication to ensuring a seamless transition reflects her commitment to her town and the people she has so positively impacted.
BUDGET REVIEW SCHEDULE FY 2026
Councilors, from left to right: Andrew Swayze, Stephanie Anderson, Chair Penny Jordan, Caitlin Jordan Harriman, Elizabeth Scifres, Jonathan Sahrbeck, and Tim Thompson
TOWN COUNCIL'S BUSY MONTH AHEAD
The Town Council has set an ambitious schedule for February, requiring the addition of an extra workshop on February 27. Looking ahead, the council will meet with the Energy Committee to discuss the developing Climate Action Plan; the Ad-hoc Privacy Advisory Committee to discuss issuing an RFP to conduct a comprehensive privacy and security review of the Town's information technology systems; Supplemental LD 2003 Amendments as recommended by the Planning Board on January 21; Audit review with Runyon Kersteen Ouellette; Town Council Goals 2025; and Town Center Amendments.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3 - WORKSHOP
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10 - MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING*
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27 - WORKSHOP
All workshops and meetings will be streamed on CETV and offer remote participation.
*TOWN CENTER AMENDMENTS PUBLIC HEARING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 @ 7 PM
Aerial view of Cape Elizabeth town center
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM regarding the Ordinance Committee's recommended amendments to Chapter 19 of the Zoning Ordinance concerning Town Center Amendments.
The proposed Town Center Amendments were developed in response to a request for zoning changes to the Town Center District by HardyPond Development Company in late July 2024. The amendments recommended to the Town Council by the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board create a development category within the Town Center Zoning District for multifamily housing located 125 feet or more from a public road right-of-way.
The Town Council encourages residents to attend the public hearing with a complete understanding of the proposed amendments. Detailed information about the amendments can now be found in the "Town Spotlight" section on the town website's home page.
The proposed zoning ordinance amendments for a development 125' or greater from a public road are listed in the graph below.
  SENIOR TAX RELIEF PROGRAM REPORT
The Property Tax Assistance Program Annual Report substantiates the Town Council’s recent efforts to expand tax relief for seniors through amendments to the Chapter 27 Property Tax Assistance Ordinance. Issued on December 6, 2024, by former Assessor Clinton Swett, the report shows a significant increase in qualifying applicants since the program’s launch in 2019.
In the first year,132 qualifying applicants received reimbursements from the Town for a total of $64,407. The income limit was $60,000, and reimbursement was fixed at $500. Following amendments to the ordinance approved by the council on September 9, 2024, which raised the income limit to $70,000 and introduced tiered benefits ranging from $750-$1,500, the number of eligible applicants for 2025 jumped to 242 - for a total of $289,240 in reimbursements. In part, the increase in applicants was driven by greater marketing efforts by town staff and community outlets. However, the council’s financial commitment allowed the program to reach more residents.
The expanded program, initially earmarked for $95,000 in the FY 2025 budget, estimated a total cost of $300,000 to fund. As a result, following the September 9 vote to accept amendments to the ordinance, the council took a second vote to appropriate the needed funding from the Unassigned Fund Balance. As budget season begins, the success of the program and qualifying parameters will ideally be considered withinthe municipal budget instead of the Unassigned Fund Balance, which is currently below target levels.
For more informaiton, please visit our Senior Tax Relief Program page.
SCHOOL BOARD REVIEWS REVISIONS TO SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT; AUTHORIZES SUPERINTENDENT TO PURSUE FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
The Cape Elizabeth School Board received an update from Lisa Sawin from Harriman Architects on further revisions to the Cape Elizabeth’s Middle Ground School Project. The project aims to address critical safety, security, and educational needs. In addition, the project seeks to modernize the middle school while minimizing disruption to students and staff, but recent cost escalation has prompted the need for significant adjustments.
Key Updates on the Project
The project, estimated at $89.9 million after removing the 1934 building from the scope, has faced cost increases due to inflation, raising the anticipated price to $93.5 million by mid-2025. The School Board is targeting $85 million through scope reductions and strategic planning.
Among the proposed cost-saving measures are reductions to gymnasiums, locker rooms, music and STEM spaces, classroom sizes, and the cafeteria. These adjustments could save $4.4 million. Additional savings of $5.2 million might be achieved by deferring certain maintenance projects to the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which would be addressed over a 12-year period using existing budgets.
Designing for the Future
The new school design prioritizes flexible learning spaces, improved safety, and modernized infrastructure. The plan eliminates the need for temporary learning spaces during construction, avoiding $3 million in additional costs. Furthermore, the project addresses long-standing needs for enhanced special education facilities and more efficient mechanical systems.
The proposed reductions include trimming classroom sizes from 800 to 775 square feet—still larger than the current average of 714 square feet—to maintain flexibility for varying enrollment sizes.
Addressing Community Concerns
During the update, Sawin highlighted responses to community and board concerns. Issues like drainage impacts on neighboring properties and the integration of pedestrian pathways are being carefully reviewed. Independent third-party assessments and continued collaboration with local officials are planned to ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards.
Next Steps
- Finalize scope reductions and referendum date.
- Determine fundraising plans for additional features.
- Collaborate with the facilities director on maintenance and repair strategies.
- Continue public communication and stakeholder engagement.
Later in the School Board meeting, the board approved a motion in support of the Superintendent pursuing private donations and partnerships with nonprofits and foundations for donations to enhance and support the School Building Project in addition to bond proceeds.
January 23 Workshop
A following workshop on January 23, discussed a phased three school construction plan, revised building design and possible reductions, referendum timing, and fundraising details. As of this writing, a video recording of the workshop has not yet become available.
PLASTIC FILM RECYCLING COMES TO AN END
After eight successful months and over 1,000 pounds of plastic film collected, the Cape Elizabeth Recycling Committee and Thomas Memorial Library announce the conclusion of their plastic film recycling program at the library. This milestone is a testament to the commitment of the community and the hard work of volunteers who embraced the NexTrex Recycling Challenge to reduce plastic waste and earn a Trex bench made from recycled materials. Please visit the bench in the Children’s Garden at the library.
The program, which began on Earth Day 2024, not only met but exceeded its goals, reaching the 1,000-pound mark in record time. Residents were encouraged to drop off clean, dry plastic film at the library, including items like plastic bags and other film packaging. Volunteers dedicated countless hours to collecting, weighing, and delivering the plastic to NexTrex-approved sites, ensuring its responsible recycling.
As the library collection site closes on January 18th, the Recycling Committee is pleased to share alternative locations where residents can continue their plastic film recycling efforts. Both Shaw’s and Hannaford grocery stores in the area accept clean plastic film at their dedicated recycling bins (please CLICK HERE to see photos of drop off locations) Or, find another location by visiting NexTrex drop off directory. Residents are encouraged to utilize these drop-off points to continue reducing plastic waste.
SCAM ALERT FROM CMP
If someone is knocking on your door claiming to be from Central Maine Power, it could be a scam. CMP says it's seeing an increase in calls about people going door to door claiming to be with CMP.
A spokesperson says if a legit CMP employee does go to your door, they will always have a CMP badge, be in a marked CMP vehicle, and not ask for account information.
As a reminder, CMP will never:
Customers should also be aware of some of the known scammer tactics:
Types of scams that customers should look out for include:
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Information request: The caller insists that a recent payment encountered a system glitch and was not completed, or that the company had not received the payment at all. The perpetrator then asks the customer to make a false payment using a prepaid debit card or by providing personal bank account information.
 The 13th annual Fuel Rally community fundraiser by Project GRACE will be Saturday, February 8th from 10:00am-Noon at the ScarboroughPublic Library. The rally raises critical funds for fuel assistance for neighbors in need, with a goal of $25,000—about 7,000 gallons of oil or k1, or about 70 'helps' to get a neighbor through the winter.
The event will also feature other community organizations like Scarborough Lions Club, Rotary, Kiwanis, Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, Friends of the Library, and the Historical Society, along with the Town's Public Safety crew. Soup and chowder will be available to purchase by donation in advance (check the Project GRACE website to register as it gets closer). Activities include:
- Bake sale
- Bottle drive
- Book sale
- Valentine craft for kids
- Chili/chowder/soup catered by Bread & Butter
- Music by Hadacol Bouncers
REIMAGINE ROUTE 1
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How would you improve Route 1? Greater Portland Council of Governments is conducting a study of Route 1 from Biddeford to Freeport with the goal of improving the accessibility of the corridor for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, and freight operators. This study will look at everything from safety improvements to potential charging locations and will include assessments of key areas for potential housing and mixed-use development.
If you’re interested in staying up-to-date about the project, visit our project page to sign up for updates. By signing up, you’ll be the first to know when there are opportunities to get involved!
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SHORT TERM RENTAL RENEWALS DUE JANUARY 31
Short Term Permits expire on December 31st of each year and must be renewed by January 31st. The permit application fee is $500 if renewed by January 31st OR $1,000 if submitted on or after February 1st.
Short Term Rental FAQs can be found at: https://www.capeelizabeth.com/ShortTermRental
You can renew your permit two ways:
- Use our Online Permit Program located at capeelizabeth.patriotpermitpro.com OR capeelizabeth.com / services / CEO permitting system to launch the program. Credit cards are accepted.
- Visiting the Code Enforcement office located on the 2nd floor of the Town Hall, 320 Ocean House Road. Checks or cash accepted only.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Code Enforcement Office at 799-1619.
 BE A PART OF A NEW TRADITION! THE WINTER LANTERN FESTIVAL!
Join us for what we hope will become an annual community event! Help us bring light into the darkness of winter as we decorate the library’s front lawn with an illuminated village, and hang illuminated paper lanterns all around the grounds!Our festival will include an evening parade down Scott Dyer Road, and live music and hot chocolate at the library!
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Rachel Davis, Library Director.
For more information, CLICK HERE
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Do you have an event that you would like featured? Just email our Public Communications Coordinator at susana.hubbs@capeelizabeth.org
COMMUNITY LINKS
Cape Elizabeth Community Services • Cape Elizabeth School Department • CETV On Demand •. Thomas Memorial Library •. Meetings Calendar
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