Published on December 15, 2020

December 14, 2020

Our battle against COVID-19 continues, as recent reports have shown increases in the positive cases, while last week Cumberland County was officially placed on the watch list by the Maine CDC.  With that information in mind, and some limited exposures within our operations, our plan is to maintain our current hours and protocols.  Our operations have a flow chart of managing exposure, testing decision points, and direction on when to quarantine and when it is safe to return.  This is with the express desire to keep our operations open and staff and customers safe.  Our plan is to continue business with Town Hall services by appointment, curbside operations at the Thomas Memorial Library, as well as other Town operations altered in the response to the pandemic.

The Governor's most recent executive order regarding masks will result in new signage at Fort Williams Park to remind on the executive order for mask wearing.  This is not to say people are not trying hard and doing their part, just to remind visitors of this requirement.

Departments are working on the annual budget, with capital planning and crafting of operational budgets underway.  The annual audit is in its final stages and we should be receiving the final product shortly, with a joint workshop with the school board to review the document in a January workshop.

The Kettle Cove watercraft launch improvements study was completed by Sebago Technics.  Our next step in this process is to hold a neighborhood meeting and share the initial recommendations with the neighborhood and other interested parties, scheduled for January 14, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.  Following this meeting the study and its recommendations will be submitted to the council for review at the February 1 Council Workshop.  The goal is to apply for Land and Water Conservation Fund grant funding this spring.  The State is firmly in support of this proposal, and we anticipate we will be receiving the easement language from them in late January.

The Village Green project was inspected Thanksgiving week by the Town Planner, Engineer, Public Works Director, and myself.  There are a few details that need completion, and we anticipate the acceptance of the property will be on the January council agenda.

Finally, I would like to receive guidance from the council on holiday closures.  Both Christmas and New Year's Day are on Friday this year, with a number of towns and the City of Portland closing on both Christmas and New Year's Eves.  This is partly as a gift of time to employees for service in this challenging year and as a way to limit exposure during this viral surge.  I would like to follow the same suit, but wanted to ask for your blessing.

On behalf of Town staff, I would like to wish all a safe, happy, and above all, a healthy holiday season.

Matthew Sturgis

Town Manager