Click here to view 2007 Town Council goals

The Town Council on Jan. 8 approved its list of goals for 2007.

The top goal remains as it has in past years, to ensure quality services with as minimal impact on the property tax rate as possible.

This year's set of goals expands on goals of the past year, including reviewing a report from the town's Road Safety Committee, reviewing and implementing the report of the Comprehensive Plan Committee, and exploring ways to enhance Fort Williams Park.

Added goals this year address timing of the next townwide property revaluation, a futures plan for the Fire Department, and space needs at the Thomas Memorial Library.

Previous story:

• Quality service, minimal tax impact remains top goal for new Town Council year (02/14/06)

Here is the list of goals approved by the council Jan. 8:

Cape Elizabeth Town Council Goals
2007

1. Ensure that quality services and programs are maintained with as minimal impact as possible on the property tax rate.

a) Continue quarterly reviews of expenditures and revenues by the Finance Committee.

b) Set targets for any adjustment in the expenditures total of the FY 2008 budget prior to budget submissions.

c) Communicate to the Cumberland County commissioners the need to restrain future growth of the county budget.

d) Communicate to state officials the impacts of state decisions on local budgets.

e) Review and use as a resource an updated study that benchmarks the costs of municipal and school services with other communities.

f) Work with surrounding communities to discuss opportunities for regional cooperation and possible expenditure savings.

g) Review the feasibility of consolidating dispatching with a neighboring community or Cumberland County and receive a cost benefit analysis on the potential options.

h) Apply toward property tax relief additional net state revenue resulting from LD 1.

i) Review the Town fee structure to ensure that fees are in line with actual costs.

2. Increase opportunities for interaction of the Town Council with boards and commissions.

a) Conduct an annual orientation for all board and commission members.

b) Have a council member attend at least one meeting of each board and commission.

c) Enhance the working relationship between the School Board and the Town Council.

3. Continue implementation of the master plan for the Gull Crest trails.

4. Explore ways to enhance recycling in Cape Elizabeth.

a) Meet with the Recycling Committee to determine how recycling education efforts may be enhanced and work with the school board to collaborate on items such as public education through the student population.

b) Continue the universal waste recycling program and the hazardous waste collection day.

c) Review recycling center procedures to enhance recycling and to ensure that waste is generated within Cape Elizabeth.

5. Explore opportunities to provide alternative energy to municipal and school buildings and vehicles.

6. Develop a plan to improve the landscaping of town and school buildings  in the town center zone.

7. Receive the report of the Traffic Calming/Road Safety Committee and act upon its recommendations.

8. Make progress on other roadway and drainage initiatives:

a) Install a traffic light at the entrance to the Cape Elizabeth High School by the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year.

b) Utilize extensive citizen input in the finalization of plans for the Shore Road/Route 77/Scott Dyer Road intersection.

c) Work with MDOT to complete the Spurwink Avenue rehabilitation project from the Spurwink Church to Deer Run Road.

d) Improve pavement on Spurwink Avenue from Deer Run Road to the Purpoodock Club entrance and on Shore Road from the Town Center to Pond Cove.

9. Review of the report of the Comprehensive Planning Committee and start implementing its recommendations following adoption of the new Comprehensive Plan.

10. Explore ways to enhance Fort Williams Park including :

a) Work with the Fort Williams Advisory Commission and the Fort Williams Charitable Foundation to update park needs and to provide estimates of the costs of improvements and to assess the potential of acquiring voluntary donations.

b) Consider as directors of the Museum at Portland Head Light 501 c., the availability of funds in the Portland Head Light accounts to improve Fort Williams Park for the enjoyment of lighthouse visitors.

c) Consider the reuse of Building #326 at Officers Row for needs of not for profit organizations and community groups within Cape Elizabeth.

11. Receive and review reports from the town manager on:

a) Expansion of online services including additional use of credit and debit cards both online and in person.

b) The status of the sewer rehabilitation project and the need to and the funding for completing the original project scope.

c) The Assessor's recommendation regarding the timing of the next revaluation program.

d) A futures plan for the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department prepared by a department committee including a Town Council representative.

e) A process to review space needs of the Thomas Memorial Library which includes specific recommendations from the Trustees of the Thomas Memorial Library.

f) The establishment of a committee to raise funds for the preservation of the Spurwink Church.

12. Review a report from the Conservation Commission on the stewardship needs of municipal trails and for land held in conservation.