At the January 13, 2025, Town Council Meeting, the council voted on the agenda items listed below.  All councilors were present.

1. Approval of Draft Minutes; Vote 7-0.

The following draft minutes were approved by the council: December 9, 2024 Regular Meeting, December 12, 2024 Workshop Notes, and December 16, 2024 Special Meeting.

2. Approval of Item #25-2025 regarding 2025 Uses for Fort Williams Park; Vote 7-0.

The council voted unanimously in favor of approving park uses for 2025 as recommended by the Fort Williams Park Committee.  This includes:

• Cape Elizabeth Little League - practices beginning possibly as early as March 19 and Opening Day in April
• Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk - May 17
• Cape Elizabeth High School Graduation - June 1
• Cape Elizabeth Family Fun Day and Fireworks - June 7 (rain date June 8)
• TD Beach to Beacon Road Race - July 28 - August 2
• American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk - October 18

3. Approval of Item #26-2025 regarding Proposed Fee Increases for the Riverside Memoria Cemetery; Vote 7-0. 

The Riverside Memorial Cemetery Committee recommended fee increases for the cemetery to address the rising costs to maintain the cemetery, increase reserve funds for future maintenance and expansion, cover the cost of burials, and to adjust the fee schedule to reflect the 4-day work week.  The Town has not raised lot purchase fees at the cemetery since September 2012 and burial fees since July 2015.  Click here for approved fees effective immediately.

4. Approval of Item #27-2025 to Schedule a Public Hearing on the Town Center Amendment for February 10, 2025; Vote 7-0.

The Town Council voted to schedule a Public Hearing on the Town Center Amendments for Monday, February 10, 2025.  The amendments to Chapter 19 Zoning Ordinance relating to the Town Center were developed by the Planning Board and then reviewed and recommended by the Ordinance Committee on December 11, 2024.  The amendments follow an August 12, 2024, referral made by the Town Council to the Planning Board in response to amendment requests from HardyPond Development Company, the developers behind a proposed 33-unit residential development at Ocean House Commons, adjacent to Town Hall.

Town Councilor Jonathan Sahrbeck, Chair of the Planning Board while amendments were crafted, said, "I want to make sure that everyone understands this only pertains to the town center, which is a very small but unique part of the town," and emphasized that the amendments have nothing to do with LD 2003.  “It would not have any effect on any neighborhood outside of the town center, any RA, RB, RC districts or any other business districts to that effect in the town as well,” he added.

Chair Penny Jordan, supportive of a more vibrant town center, said, "Before we have a public hearing about this project, I want people to be informed about what it is and what it isn't.”

5. Approval of Item #28-2025 to Acknowledge Receipt of the Property Tax Assistance Program Annual Report; Vote 7-0.

The Town Council voted to acknowledge receipt of the Property Tax Assistance Program Annual Report. The report was issued on December 6, 2024, by former Assessor Clinton Swett.  The council established the tax relief program in January 2019 to provide reimbursement to qualifying seniors on a portion of their tax burden.  Amendments to Chapter 27 Property Tax Assistance Ordinance were approved by the Town Council on September 9, 2024.  The amendments raise the income limit to $70,000 and introduce a system of tiered benefits with maximum benefits increasing from $500 to $750-$1,500 based on income.  Unlike the previous pro-rata share model, where relief was proportional to the applicant's tax burden, the new plan offers fixed benefits based on income tiers.  This simplifies the process and provides a more predictable relief for participants, ensuring a sense of security. 

 The report shows reimbursements totaling $289,250 will be distributed to 242 qualifying applicants.  Reimbursement checks to qualifying seniors will be printed and issued by the end of January 2025.  

The agenda, meeting materias, video recording, and transcripts are available here.