August 9, 2021

As the Maine CDC has classified Cumberland County as an area of substantial risk of Covid infection due to the arrival of the highly contagious Delta variant, as of this morning, Town employees and visitors to all Town buildings will be required to wear face masks while inside. This action is an attempt to provide a safer environment for all. A positive sign in Cape Elizabeth is the vigilance of residents battling the virus, as in excess of 95% of Cape residents are vaccinated. Town employees also mirror this level of vaccination. However, the mask requirement’s aim is to help combat breakthrough infections. The requirement will adapt as CDC recommendations change, which is the protocol followed all along. 

The Cape Elizabeth Town office will be closing for annual training and employee appreciation day on August 19.  Town staff will undertake annual mandatory training and then at noon will go to the picnic shelter at Fort Williams for a luncheon and annual longevity awards. All council members are invited to the lunch celebration.

Summer Camp at Community Services concluded last Friday. It was one of our largest summer camps, and we are grateful for the support. I would like to extend my gratitude to Kathy Raftice, Community Services Director, and Kelly Phinney our Cape Care Coordinator for a creative, fun, and safe camp experience.

Nomination papers for three seats on the Town Council and the School Board are now available. All positions are for three-year terms. Between 25 and 100 signatures of registered Cape Elizabeth voters are required to be nominated for office. The deadline for submission is September 3 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, please contact the Town Clerk’s office. 

Absentee voting by mail continues to be encouraged. Applications to request an absentee ballot are now available on the Town’s website. Ballots become available 30 days prior to the election. 

Finally, for those looking to combine public service with outside exercise, volunteers are needed to assist the Cape Elizabeth Conservation Committee with its largest boardwalk project yet. The Gull Crest Outer Loop boardwalk is being replaced this fall. Volunteers are needed to carry in 620 boards and posts, and to carry out old boardwalk materials between September 8 through the 12^th.  On September 13, a Maine Conservation Corp 6 person team will arrive to construct the new boardwalk, and volunteers are needed to partner with them.  If you would like to help, please contact Town Planner Maureen O’Meara at 799-0115.

Respectfully submitted,

Matthew Sturgis
Town Manager