E-Newsletter
MAY 16, 2025
Cows in the field
It's a busy time of year! There are many important dates for the community to take notice of: the Cape Elizabeth Memorial Day Parade on May 26; Graduation Day for the CEHS Class of 2025 on June 1; Family Fun Day on June 7; and Election Day on June 10.
Each of these events plays a meaningful role in the fabric of our community—honoring service, celebrating achievement, fostering connection, and shaping our shared future. Whether through participation, celebration, or casting a vote, residents are encouraged to show up, stay engaged, and contribute to what makes Cape Elizabeth thrive.
FY 2026 BUDGETS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL
At the May 12, 2025 Town Council Meeting, the Council voted unanimously in favor of adopting the FY 2026 Municipal General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, in the amount of $22,021,930, with estimated non-property tax revenues of $9,159,584 and estimated property taxes of $12,862,346 and the FY 2026 Special Revenue Funds and CIP Budget for the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with proposed expenditures and revenues of $5,374,153. In addition, the council voted unanimously in favor of the School Department budget for FY 2026 with a total appropriation of $36,318,456 and estimated revenues of $3,654,644.
All told, this shows an estimated total tax rate of $11.85 and a 7.73% increase from FY25 to FY26.
 The proposed budget reflects a measured, sustainability-focused approach that prioritizes maintaining essential services, fostering employee growth and retention, and building a stronger financial foundation for the future.
• No use of fund balance: After multiple years of drawing from reserves to fund service enhancements and capital projects, this budget avoids further use of the unassigned fund balance, which currently stands at 6%, well below the 12.5% policy target.
• Service-level stability: The budget maintains the same level of public services as last year with no new staff positions, demonstrating a commitment to operational efficiency.
• Workforce support: The budget recognizes regional challenges in recruitment and retention and emphasizes fostering a positive work environment to attract and retain quality employees.
• Sustained tax relief: The expanded Senior Tax Relief Program, previously supported through fund balance, is now fully integrated into the operating budget, ensuring continuity of support for older residents.
• Support for Council goals: The budget maintains funding to continue progress on Town Council–established priorities.
• Long-term capital planning: A new framework is being developed to guide sustainable capital investment by asset category and gradually increase capital funding over the next five years.
In short, this year’s budget reflects deliberate choices to balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s stability—investing in people and services while restoring the Town’s financial resilience.
MOORS & CABOT PRESENTATION ON TOWN'S DEBT MANAGEMENT
Wednesday, May 7
To understand the potential impact of the proposed school project bond, the Town Council welcomed the Town's bond counsel, Joe Cuetara from Moors & Cabot Investments. Cuetara, who has advised the town since 1989, reviewed the Town's debt management position, approach, and strategy.
Cape Elizabeth maintains excellent credit ratings from Moody's of Aa1 and a S&P of AAA. These top ratings directly impact borrowing costs; stronger ratings reduce interest rates. However, the town's debt service as a percentage of expenditures at 3.64% is regarded as "low." The target range according to the S&P is 8%-15%. Cuetara cautioned that falling below this range suggests, "You are letting your infrastructure deteriorate, letting your assests fallow and creating greater problems and expenses in the future."
 Cuetara also highlighted that within ten years the Town's remaining debt will be reduced to 8%. This includes prior debt maturity for Town facilities such as the new library and police station.
 Cuetara's full presentation and a video recording are linked below.
JUNE 10 REFERENDUM SAMPLE BALLOTS
With in-person absentee voting now underway, Cape Elizabeth voters are being called to do more this June than weigh in on the School Department’s FY 2026 budget—we’re being asked to help shape the Town’s future by voting on projects and policies that will directly impact our community’s priorities for years to come.
More than ever, it's critical that all voters remain informed and prepared to cast their ballot by June 10! Below are sample ballots and links to provide greater information on this election.
Notice of School Budget Validation Amounts Adopted at the
May 12, 2025, Town Council Meeting for Voters
ABSENTEE IN-PERSON VOTING THROUGH JUNE 5
Residents may request an absentee ballot for the June 10, 2025, referendum by any of the following options:
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Come Use Our New Voting Booths!
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Hometown Heroes Honored at SpringFest!
Join us Saturday, May 17, at noon sharp, at the Gnomezebo in Mill Creek Park for a special moment at #SPspringFest25, the Hometown Heroes Awards Ceremony, honoring five local leaders with the Paul Harris Fellow Award, Rotary’s highest recognition for service.
South Portland Chief of Police Daniel Ahern
South Portland Fire Chief Phil Selberg
Cape Elizabeth Chief of Police Paul Fenton
Cape Elizabeth Fire Chief Steve Young
Former South Portland Mayor and City Councilor, and champion for community connection, Linda Cohen
Help us celebrate their dedication to our community and “Service Above Self.”
 The Town of Cape Elizabeth Memorial Day Parade
Monday, May 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Memorial Day in Cape Elizabeth will be observed with a parade and ceremony. This is an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance of those who have died serving our nation.
The parade begins at 9:00 a.m. Parade participants are asked to gather at the Middle School parking lot at 8:30 a.m. The parade route begins there, turns right on Scott Dyer Road, turns right onto Rt. 77, and ends at the Village Green adjacent to Town Hall. A brief ceremony and laying of the wreath will be held at the Village Green after the parade.
The parade will include members of the Cape Elizabeth police, fire and rescue departments, the Water Extrication Team, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Middle School Marching Band, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
Veterans and active-duty personnel are invited to march. We encourage anyone who has a family member on active duty or in the Reserves/National Guard to notify Jim Huebener prior to the parade at 207.767.1754 (cell) or jhuebener56@gmail.com so they can be recognized. Groups interested in marching should also contact Jim Huebener.
The 2025 Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal is Lester Jordan, an Army veteran of the Korean War.
The event will be canceled only in the event of heavy rain. The cancellation will be announced on the Cape Elizabeth town website by 7:00 a.m. on the day of the parade.
Note: Scott Dyer Road will be closed from 9:00 a.m. to 9:10 a.m., and Ocean House Road between Jordan Way and Town Hall will be closed from 9:05 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. All times are approximate.
The portion of Route 77 at the Village Green will be closed to vehicular traffic during the ceremony. Alternate routes are Scott Dyer Road to the north and Fowler Road to the south. The road will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
Immediately following the ceremony at the Village Green, the Cape Elizabeth Police Department and the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department invite attendees to an Open House with light refreshments.
For more information on the Town of Cape Elizabeth's Memorial Day Parade, including a map of the parade route, please visit our Memorial Day Parade page.
There's always something new happening at
Thomas Memorial Library!
Look below for the library's exciting new offerings for Cape Elizabeth residents!
Thanks to funding from the Thomas Memorial Library Foundation,
Thomas Memorial Library now offers the only personalized, adaptive language-learning experience that provides the tools and guidance you need to expand your language skills wherever and however you learn best. All you need is a TML card to sign in and start learning!
Thomas Memorial Library is pleased to participate in the Maine Library E-bike Loan Program, a partnership between Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the MaineDOT.
This program, which will run for 4 – 6 weeks beginning Monday, May 12, will allow adult TML cardholders to borrow a Class I electric-assist bicycle.
The goal is to let more people see how practical and fun e-bikes are, and how they might help with car-free personal transportation.
Stop by the library beginning May 12 to borrow a bike!
SUNDAY, MAY 18
Road Closures & Delays
The Cape Challenge 5K Road Race will occur on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 9:30 AM. The following roads will be closed or have delays. Please plan accordingly.
CLOSURES:
9:30 AM - 9:40 AM Route 77 between CEHS and Shore Road
9:35 AM - 9:50 AM Scott Dyer Road Westbound from Hill Way to Spurwink Avenue
9:35 AM - 10 AM Scott Dyer Road Eastbound
DELAYS
9:40 AM - 10 AM Spurwink Avenue between Wells Road and Dennison Drive
MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS!
Looking for more things to do? Visit our Community Events page located on our new website under "Residents" for an ongoing list of events in Cape Elizabeth and neighboring communities! Don't want to miss anything? Sign up for our weekly email subscription!
COMMUNITY LINKS
Cape Elizabeth Community Services • Cape Elizabeth School Department • CETV On Demand •. Thomas Memorial Library •. Meetings Calendar • Community Events
STAY INFORMED!
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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.
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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. |
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