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Seasonal Shifts

As the season turns toward autumn, the Town’s leaders enter a pivotal phase in making key decisions about community assets. At the same time, residents look to make their own essential choices at the ballot box this November 4th. In this spirit of reflection and stewardship, we honor Indigenous Peoples Day, recognizing the enduring history, culture, and contributions of Native peoples to the land and community we share.

Wishing all a day of learning and appreciation this Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

NEWS

Manager Addresses Council Questions Related to Spurwink Marsh

Following the Town Council's request for more information about the Spurwink Marsh Restoration and Sawyer Road Removal Project, Town Manager Fox addressed questions at the Town Council's October 8, 2025, Workshop with a high-level presentation ahead of the October 15th Public Hearing and pending council vote on the road’s discontinuance.  Fox restated that although the project has crossed several milestones since the December 2023 Town Council vote to accept a $1.59 million grant to remove a portion of Sawyer Road and perform marsh restoration, a decision to approve the road’s discontinuance formally has yet to occur.

Questions addressed at the workshop included: Grant Project Funding and possible overruns. Infrastructure. Traffic. Environmental impacts. Safety considerations. Legal review.

The council will hold a Public Hearing on October 15 at 7 PM in the Council Chambers. Residents will be permitted 5 minutes in which to address their comments.  

Cell Tower Considerations

The Town Council discussed a proposal made to Portland Water District (PWD) by the wireless infrastructure company, Tilson, looking to lease land in the Shore Road corridor at 7 Littlejohn Road to construct a 150’ cell tower to improve wireless service to the area.  The Town would need to create a cell tower overlay district in the zoning regulations, as well as grant setback easements on Town-owned land abutting the PWD property for a project to move forward.  Improving cell coverage has been a Town Council goal for several years. The neighborhoods and areas near Fort Williams have been identified as a high-priority for safety reasons.  

Town Manager Pat Fox informed the council and the public that the discussion was very preliminary and would help gauge if interest in continuing is sufficient.  Councilors, responding to comments from residents in the neighborhood of the proposed cell tower location, requested more information on other possible locations to compare. Fox agreed that the next step would be to provide a matrix outlining the pros and cons of each option. At that point, the council will vote to forward it to the Planning Board.

Annual Appointments to Boards and Committeess Accepting Applications

The Town Council's Appointments Committee is now accepting applications from residents to fill anticipated vacancies on the following boards and committees:

• Accessibility and Inclusion Committee (formerly DEI Committee)
• Ad-Hoc Privacy Advisory Committee
• Board of Assessment Review
• Board of Zoning Appeals
• Conservation Committee
• Engery Committee
• Personnel Appeals Board
• Planning Board
• Recycling Committee
• Thomas Memorial Library Committee

New terms begin January 1, 2026, and are 3-year terms unless otherwise specified.

To apply, please complete the Application for Boards and Committees by no later than 4:30 PM on Thursday, October 30.

School Building Project Update

Superintendent Dr. Christopher Record provided the Town Council with an update on the School Construction Project, approved by voters at the June 10, 2025, referendum.  Between now and the summer of 2026, five components will be addressed: finalizing the design, finalizing the construction documents, finalizing necessary approvals and permitting, going out to bid for a contractor, and, lastly, mobilizing on-site to prepare for construction.  Construction of the new middle school and renovations at the elementary school are expected to be completed by late August of 2028.  Following that, demolition of the current middle school and site work will occur over 12 months.

School Board Chair Philip Saucier reviewed the details of the new School Building Committee, which was informed by input received from the project’s Owners Representative. The School Board will vote on committee member nominations at the October 14 Regular Meeting.  The Town Council will vote to appoint a member at the October 15 Town Council meeting.  Council members Tim Thompson, Jonathan Sahrbeck, and Andrew Swayze have indicated interest in serving on the committee.  Councilor Elizabeth Scifres, a former School Board Chair, voiced interest in the committee given her experience, but has opted not to pursue an active role in the committee, knowing that the current board, “Is trying to move ahead with some new faces.”

GOOD TO KNOW

Absentee Voting In-Person Through October 30

Absentee Voting In-Person for State Referendums and Municipal Elections is currently available at Town Hall until the close of business on Thursday, October 30.

HOURS:

Mondays:   7:30 AM - 4:45 PM
Tuesdays - Thursdays:  7:30 AM - 4:15 PM

Municipal Election

TOWN COUNCIL: 2 Seats (four candidates)

SCHOOL BOARD: 2 Seats (three candidates)

At the October 1st Candidates Night, hosted by CEHS AP Government students, candidates had the opportunity for opening and closing statements.  A series of questions was asked for each group.  

Questions posed to the School Board candidates:

1. What other policies should be implemented to increase school safety?
2. Do you support bell-to-bell phone ban at school?
3. Do you feel the School Building Project approved by voters in June, is an adequate plan for improving infrastructure at all three school buildings?
4. Should students be equally encouraged to pursue careers in the trades as with four-year college degrees?
5. Are the Family and Educational Guidelines related to student privacy and information requested by government officials sufficient?
6. What is your position on banning certain books in schools?
7. Would you make changes to the current school curricula? How much input should parents have?
8. Should there be a vaccine mandate for Cape Elizabeth schools?
9. Do you believe Maine's educational standings are proficient?

Questions posed to Town Council candidates:

1. How would you balance safety issues along Shore Road/Cliff House Beach with being hospitable to visitors/tourism?
2. Is increasing the tax rate on summer homes or secondary homes a viable option to increase town revenue?
3. Do you favor building more affordable housing in Cape?
4. How would you ensure that town decisions are conducted with transparency, respect, and accountability?
5. Please explain how you are looking out for the welfare of high school students in this town?

State Referendum

The State of Maine Referendum Election has two Citizen Initiative Questions on the ballot.  A Maine Citizen's Guide to the Referendum Election has been provided by the Secretary of State.

Bottle Shed Grant Now Accepting Applications

Annually, the Cape Elizabeth Recycling Committee invites local youth organizations to apply to the Bottle Shed Grant.  The online application is now live and due by October 31, 2025.  A PDF application is also available for download.

Greenbelt Gazette

The latest issue of the Greenbelt Gazette is now available!

EVENTS

Fall Extended Hours at Recycling Center

The Recycling Center will be open on the following Sundays for the disposal of leaf/yard waste, wood waste, and brush only.  Fees will be assessed for all items on Sunday, November 23rd*.  As a reminder, no household refuse and/or recyclables will be accepted on the Sundays listed below.

Sunday, November 9, Sunday, November 16, and Sunday, November 23*

10 AM - 4:30 PM

Additionally, disposal Fees at the Recycling Center will be waived for residents transporting their own material and/or items from Saturday, October 25th, through Saturday, November 8th.

Commercial haulers will be assessed fees in accordance with current regulations.
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More 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.

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.