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Town of Cape Elizabeth E-Newsletter

E-Newsletter

APRIL 11, 2025

Portland Head Light, courtesy of Matthew Young

Even though we’re not yet halfway through April, there are many items to report and reflect on—some of which will culminate with the June 10 Referendum. This includes the School Budget Referendum, Town Center Amendments, and the School Construction Project—initiatives that have been months in the making, and in the case of the School Construction Project, years. At the same time, other items mark the start of new beginnings, such as the upcoming launch of a new town website late next week and the development of improved processes to better support our local businesses.

No matter where one stands on these subjects, it’s hard not to recognize the time, energy, and coordination involved—and the shared intention to address the needs and priorities of our town as thoughtfully as possible.

BUDGET SCHEDULE

The Town Council Finance Committee has added an extra budget workshop to the schedule below for:

Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 6 PM in the Council Chambers

FY 2026 SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED BUDGET

PART I

PART II

PART III

The School Board voted unanimously on April 8, 2025, to approve the proposed Cape Elizabeth School Department FY 2026 budget.  The total budget expenditures of $36,318,46 shows an expenditure increase of 2.46% and a property tax rate increase of 2.91%. 

On April 7, the final medical insurance increase rate was announced at 3.22%, far below the 15% placeholder included in the original budget. With the ED279 Report showing an $800,000 reduction in state funding for Cape Elizabeth, this lower-than-anticipated insurance rate allowed the board to return items to the budget that had been earmarked for removal during a March 25 workshop due to the significant state funding decline. The lower health insurance rate reduced an additional $234,000 from expenditures.

In addition, the School Board has decided to increase the utilization of the Fund Balance to $1,000,000 from $800,000 to lessen the impact on taxes.  Unlike the municipal budget, the use of the Fund Balance is fixed upon adoption of the budget. The remaining unused funds are labeled “Unassigned Fund Balance” and cannot be expended during the school year outside of the adopted budget.  In contrast, the Town Council may vote to draw from the municipal unassigned fund balance within a fiscal year budget to cover expenses not included in the budget (e.g., Senior Tax Relief Program increase and a new outdoor basketball court).  The state allows schools to retain unallocated balances of up to 9% until June 30, 2025. , schools will be required to maintain under 5% of the previous year’s school budget.  The state permits schools In future yearsthree-year plan to align their fund balance with to implement a  the 5% requirement.  With the use of $1 million in the FY 2026 budget, the school's fund balance moves closer to the state requirement at 5.61%.

The School Board will present the FY 2026 approved budget to the Town Council on April 28 during the Finance Committee Budget Workshop. 

CESD expenditure increase compared to neighboring districts

Percentage changes for expenditures and property taxes

Message from School Board Chair Phil Saucier

Town Council Sends School Construction Project to

June 10 Referendum

At the April 7, 2025 Special Meeting, the Town Council voted 4-3 in favor of authorizing expenditures of up to $86,499,993 (plus Bond Premium and Investment Earnings) for a "Critically Needed New Middle School and for Other Critically Needed Building Repairs and Renovations and Safety Upgrades to Pond Cove Elementary School and Authorizing Issuance of the Town’s General Obligation Bonds Therefor."  

In separate votes, the Council voted to send the project to the June 10, 2025 Referendum (Vote 5-2) with language stating, "The Town Council, as the municipal officers of the Town, recommend that the foregoing referendum question be approved," (Vote 4-3). 

Additionally, the council voted unanimously to authorize expenditures of up to $1,725,000 in the form of Gifts and Grants to pay for Solar Panels to Enhance the New Cape Elizabeth Middle School.

And unanimously voted that the referendum be held on June 10, 2025, and includes a recommendation within the order that "The Town Council, as the municipal officers of the Town, recommend that the foregoing referendum question be approved." 

Town Council Sends Town Center Amendments to

June 10 Referendum

At the April 7, 2025 Special Meeting, the Town Council voted to schedule the referendum resulting from the Citizen Petition entitled Cape Elizabeth Petition to Send Town Center Zoning Amendments to Referendum for June 10, 2025.

TOWN COUNCIL

APRIL 14, 2025

Meeting Agenda

The Town Council will discuss the following items at the Monday, April 14 Regular Meeting:

1. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Update

2. Town Manager's Monthly Report

3. Consent Calendar On 

• Tostones Cafe Liquor License Renewal
• Recycling Committee Vacancy
• Code Enforcement Appointments

4. Public Hearing on Amendments to Chapter 13 Traffic Regulations

5. Amendments to Chapter 13 Traffic Regulations

6. Opportunity for Public Comment Relating to the Proposed FY 2026 Municipal Budget

7.  Landfill Solar Project - Change Proposal

Immediately following the adjournment of the Regular Meeting, the Town Council will Convene in a Workshop Session to discuss the following items:

Workshop Agenda

1. Traffic Committee Framework

2.  Ad Hoc Privacy Advisory Committee Discussion

3.  1934 Building

Next Steps Identified in Business Solutions Workshop

The Town Council held a workshop on Monday, April 7, 2025, to review the results of the Cape Elizabeth Business Outreach initiative, which began in October of 2024. At the request of the Town Council and led by Councilor Stephanie Anderson, Paul Johnson of the Greater Portland Council of Governments was retained to address challenges and opportunities faced by the local business community and explore actionable solutions to foster a more business-friendly environment.

Johnson's outreach efforts included phone interviews with 15 business owners, a December 18, 2024, Business Forum with approximately 30 residents in attendance, and a post-forum survey over a two-month period. Johnson emphasized that this process did not include a review of specific ordinances, a review of town systems and/or staff, or capital improvement project planning.

The top-rated priorities were conducting an ordinance review, streamlining staff workflow, and assessing the inventory of available business properties. Branding received the lowest average score, and the formation of an economic development committee was consistently ranked less important than other priorities. Infrastructure improvements, which fell outside this initiative's scope, were a persistent theme.

In conclusion, Johnson created a list of immediate and short-term recommendations for the council to consider pursuing.

Immediate Recommendations:

1. Staff works with an elected official to identify historically frustrating/confusing processes.
2. Staff creates a one-sheet on how to navigate each of the processes identified above.
3. Staff creates a step-by-step checklist for residents engaging in the processes identified above.

Short-term Recommendaitons:

1. Engage a third-party to suggest specific changes to ordinances to alleviate issues with historically frustrating/confusing processes.  The deliverable should be specific ordinance amendments that can be approved, denied, or altered by the Cape Elizabeth Town Council.
2. Engage a third-party to suggest specific changes to ordinances to alleviate issues with historically restrictive processes.  The deliverable should be specific ordinance amendments that can be approved, denied, or altered by the Cape Elizabeth Town Council.
3. Engage a third-party to take inventory of available business inventory and allowable uses. The deliverable should be a report that is understandable by a prospective business owner.

Long-term Recommendations:

1. Do not create an Economic Development Director position. [The cost for this position is not supported by the low number of commercial businesses currently existing in Cape Elizabeth.]
2. Explore a shared position with South Portland.
3. Retain a business navigator that will work on an ad-hoc basis.

Next Steps:

The Town Council will begin addressing possible next steps at a June workshop.

Attention Cape Elizabeth Mooring Holders!

Please make sure your mooring application and fees are submitted to the Cape Elizabeth Police Department no later than June 1, 2025.  The application is linked below.

All moorings must be:

1. Registered
2. Permitted by the Harbor Master
3. Fees Paid in Full

If you have any questions, please contact the Harbor Master:

Daryen Granata
Email: dgranata@scarboroughmaine.org
Office: 207-730-4356
Cell: 207-671-2821

Thank you for your cooperation!

NEW BUILDING CODES ARE IN EFFECT

New building codes set by the state went into effect April 7, 2025. Please see the Maine Uniform Building and Energy Code (MUBEC) Standards and Amendments posted on the Town's website or visit the State of Maine's Department of Public Safety webpage: https://www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/building-codes

CONGRATULATIONS!

Chief Steve Young with Lieutenants Berman and Thomas

We are happy to announce that Sam Berman and Jake Thomas have been promoted to Lieutenant with the Cape Elizabeth Fire-Rescue Department.

After an application and review process, several candidates were interviewed for the positions. Fire Chief Steve Young announced that Lieutenant Berman and Lieutenant Thomas will assume their roles effective today, April 9th, 2025.

Lieutenant Berman has been a Firefighter/EMT with the Town of Cape Elizabeth since 2017, when he started as a High School Student Member of CEFD. Since then, Sam has been a member of Engine Co 2, where he’s been involved in the Department’s Student Program, Fire Prevention, Emergency Management, and Public Information.

Lieutenant Thomas has been a Firefighter/EMT with the Town of Cape Elizabeth since 2016. Jake has been a member of Engine Co 1, where he’s been involved in a variety of department functions and has a wealth of experience and background in both structural and wildland firefighting.

Please join us in congratulating Lieutenants Berman and Thomas!

WET TEAM RECEIVES

SPIRIT OF AMERICA AWARD!

The members of Cape Elizabeth's Water Extraction Team (WET) were recently awarded the Spirit of America Award in recognition for the rescue of the occupant of a vehicle swept into the Spurwink Marsh on January 10, 2024, and the rescue of four crew from the fishing vessel, Tara Lynn 2 on January 13, 2024. 

Each year, municipal governing bodies are invited to nominate a local person, project, or group to receive the Spirit of America Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service.  For their heroism in January of last year, the WET Team was nominated by former manager, Matthew Sturgis.

Officer Hathaway Completes DRE Certification

Officer Eric Hathaway recently completed the intensive certification to become a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), one of only 88 in the State of Maine and approximately 9,000 in the United States. Officer Hathaway’s training consisted of two weeks of classroom instruction, field training on impaired subjects, and a comprehensive final knowledge exam.

Officer Hathaway is the first Cape Elizabeth Police Department officer to become a DRE since 2011.

A recent study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscores the prevalence and danger of drivers impaired by substances other than alcohol:

Overall, 55.8% of the injured or killed roadway users tested positive for one or more drugs (including alcohol) on this study's toxicology panel. The most prevalent drug category detected was cannabinoids (active THC) with 25.1% positive, followed by alcohol (23.1%), stimulants (10.8%), and opioids (9.3%).

From the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety:

A drug recognition expert or drug recognition evaluator (DRE) is a police officer trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than, or in addition to,  alcohol. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) coordinates the International Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program with support from the National Highway  Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

TAXES DUE APRIL 15

The second half of the Fiscal Year 2025 real estate and personal property tax bill is due Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Please visit the Tax Office Department website to determine the most convenient method of payment:  TAX OFFICE WEBSITE

JUNE 10, 2025 REFERENDUM

Residents may now request an absentee ballot for the June 10, 2025 referendum by any of the following options:

• Call the Clerk's Office 207-799-7665
• Pick up an application at Town Hall, Community Services, or Thomas Memorial Library.
• Access from the Town Website: Elections & Voting  

Ballots are expected to be mailed out in the middle of May. Absentee in-person voting in the Town Hall Council Chamber is expected to begin May 13th.

The last day to request an absentee ballot will be Thursday, June 5 at 4:15 p.m.

ELECTIONS & VOTING PAGE

Voters will be asked to vote on:

1. School Budget 
2. Town Center Amendments
3. School Construction Bond Order Vote Authorizing Expenditures of up to $86,499,993 (plus Bond Premium and Investment Earnings) for a Critically Needed New Middle School and for Other Critically Needed Building Repairs and Renovations and Safety Upgrades to Pond Cove Elementary School and Authorizing Issuance of the Town’s General Obligation Bonds Therefor.
4. Expenditures of up to $1,725,000 in the form of Gifts and Grants to pay for Solar Panels to Enhance the New Cape Elizabeth Middle School.

NEW YORK TIMES FREE ALL ACCESS PASS!

Thanks to support from the Thomas Memorial Library Foundation, the Thomas Memorial Library is now able to provide free access to all of the New York Times digital content!  Please visit the TML website for details.

While the weather is soon to be warming up, the water is still cold!

Several things to consider:

Always wear a life jacket.

Dress for the water temperature, not air temperature. Wear cold water protection, like a wetsuit or dry suit.

Carry an Emergency Position Indication Radio Device.

File a float plan with someone you trust.

Check the latest marine weather forecast, including water temperatures, with the US National Weather Service Gray ME

PUT THE PHONE AWAY OR PAY

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching a national high-visibility enforcement effort, April 10-14, 2025, to deter distracted driving.

Law enforcement officers nationwide will work together to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws and remind drivers: Put the Phone Away or Pay. This effort comes during April, which is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

Distracted driving is a leading cause of vehicle crashes on our nation’s roads, and most of this distraction can be attributed to cell phone use. Drivers will see increased law enforcement efforts, as officers will be stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting and driving.

NHTSA urges drivers to put their phones away when behind the wheel. If you are the driver, follow these steps for a safe drive:

• If you are expecting a text message or need to send one that can’t wait, pull over and park your car in a safe location before using your device.
• Ask your passenger to be your “designated texter.” Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination.

Cell phone use while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. Remember: Put the Phone Away or Pay. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.

SPRING SUNDAYS AT RECYCLING CENTER

The Recycling Center will be open for the disposal of residential leaf and yard wastes on the Sundays listed below.  As a reminder, items normally destined for the Transfer Station will not be accepted.  Additionally, fees will be assessed on all applicable items.

2025 SUNDAY SPRING SCHEDULE

Open 10 AM - 5 PM on the remaining following Sundays:

Sunday, April 13

Sunday, April 27

EARTH DAY-INSPIRED EVENTS

Saturday, April 12

Saturday, April 26

South Portland's Parks and Recreation Department and Sustainability Department, Dirgo Science Connection, and the South Portland Land Trust will host an Earth Day Resource Fair at Mill Creek Park on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10 AM to 2 PM.  The event will include over 40 businesses, organizations and groups who will provide a variety of educational resources on sustainability and climate change.  Entertainment, food trucks, and raffle for those to travel to the event sustainably!

FMI: CLICK HERE

Saturday, April 19 - Sunday, April 27

Saturday, April 22

Celebrate Earth Day and come to Payson Park for a free, family-friendly celebration with music, local food trucks, and fun for the whole family. Join Portland Parks & Rec for fun outdoor activities, try out e-bikes from Portland’s local bike shops, learn about composting with our friends at Garbage to Garden, connect with nature, celebrate with neighbors, and so much more – all in Payson Park on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10AM – 1PM.

FMI: CLICK HERE

Saturday, May 3

FMI: https://www.thomasmemoriallibrary.org/clothing-swap/

Registration is now open for the 2025 Cape Challenge event on Sunday, May 18th! There is a Kids Fun Run at 8:30 am, a 1 Mile race at 9 am, and a 5k at 9:30 am. The Cape Challenge is a fundraiser for all three school parent associations. Pleaes join us for a fun morning - all are welcome (runners, joggers, walkers, runners with strollers).

Save money by pre-registering at:

https://www.runinarace.com/CapeChallenge/index.html

(No pre-registration required for the Kids Fun Run.)

APRIL 15 

CAPE ELIZABETH RESIDENT REGISTRATION

All registrations will open at 7 am EST

April 15 – Registration opens for Cape Elizabeth Residents (limited to 600)
April 16 – General registration opens for the 10K race, Kids Fun Run, & Beacon Walk, Run, Roll
May 1 – Volunteer Registration Opens
August 2 – Race Day!

CEPD & National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day:

Saturday, April 26 / 10 AM - 2 PM

The drug overdose epidemic in the United States is a clear and present public health, public safety, and national security threat. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects our commitment to the communities' safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is a safe, convenient, and responsible way to dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs at locations in communities throughout the country.

Swing by the Cape Elizabeth Police Department on April 26th between 10:00am to 2:00pm to dispose of your unused or unwanted medications. We will have a tent set up on Jordan Way in front of the police department for for an easy and fast drop off experience.

STAY CONNECTED

For our residents who enjoy local print news, we want to make sure you are aware that the Maine Trust for Local News has announced that it will no longer offer the printed version of the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Sentry. The March 28, 2025 edition will be the last paper edition. Starting in April, local news will be available only online.

While we know that this is sad news for those who have relied on the Sentry’s coverage of local news, it’s important to know how to stay informed and how to access the same news online.  Now, more than ever, it is equally important for Cape Elizabeth’s residents to stay connected to news and events specific to Cape by subscribing to our own E-Newsletter.  This is a free, bi-monthly Town E-Newsletter available by subscription. To STAY CONNECTED, sign up for E-Newsletter and other subscriptions:  capeelizabeth.com/stayconnected

The Portland Press Herald, which operates within the Maine Trust for Local News, will offer the following digital options:

• Cape / Sopo / Scarborough Now Newsletter – This free weekly newsletter delivers local news, photos, event listings, and more every Wednesday. Sign up at com/cssnow
• Digital ePaper Edition – The new weekly Cape / Sopo / Scarborough digital ePaper will provide a curated selection of top stories in a familiar newspaper-style format. Links to these editions will be included in the newsletter and available at com/epaper

New Community Pages – Easily access dedicated pages on PressHerald.com featuring stories specific to Cape Elizabeth and South Portland at pressherald.com/communities

COMMUNITY LINKS

Cape Elizabeth Community Services  •   Cape Elizabeth School Department  •   CETV On Demand  •.  Thomas Memorial Library  •.  Meetings Calendar   •  Community Events

STAY INFORMED!

To watch a live meeting from home, visit CETV LIVE on your computer, select the white "play" arrow, or access CETV through Apple TV or Roku (see below for instructions). Remote participation is available for Town Council, Planning Board, and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings.  To participate remotely, please use the link embedded within each meeting's agenda.  Please be advised that per the Remote Participation Policy, remote participation is offered as a convenience. In the event there is a disruption in service and the communication cannot be restored the expectation is the meeting will continue.   Not able to attend a live meeting?  Visit CETV On Demand (cetv.capeelizabeth.org) to watch video recordings of meetings that take place in the Council Chambers.

CETV LIVE

CETV On Demand

Apple & Roku Instructions

Did you know? Closed Captioning is available for both live stream and recorded meetings that occur in the council chambers.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay connected with town news by signing up for email subscriptions. You can select as few or as many topics that interest you. Topics include: E-Newsletter, Agenda postings, Latest News, Town Alerts, and Recent Building Permits.  It's a simple way to stay engaged and informed!