Click here to view 2008 Town Council goals

Following a year of tremendous progress on its goals, the Town Council on March 8 approved an updated list for the coming year.

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.

Having met its 2007 goal to adopt a new Comprehensive Plan, the council this year aims to begin implementation of the plan, including a first set of related ordinance amendments.

A related goal, new to the list this year, is to meet with the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust to consider a partnership to help reach the land preservation goals of the new Comprehensive Plan. Also new to the list of goals is developing a protocol for responding to citizen comments; and, to determine the future of the Goddard Mansion at Fort Williams Park.

The goals also aim to build on the work of the past year, including action on a report from the Spurwink Meeting House Preservation Committee; and updates from the Cape Elizabeth Farm Committee and Thomas Memorial Library Study Committee. The council also plans to receive and act upon reports from the town manager on use of credit cards by the Town, enhanced use of online services, a futures plan for the Fire Department, and, a disaster recovery plan for all Town departments.

Other ongoing goals include utilizing extensive citizen input in finalizing plans for the intersection at Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House roads, as well as pavement improvements to Spurwink Avenue and Shore Road.

Previous story:

• 'Tremendous progress' made on Town Council goals for 2007 (11/12/07)

Here is the list of goals approved by the council March 3:

Cape Elizabeth Town Council Goals
2008

Cape Elizabeth Town Council Goals

Approved March 3, 2008

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 2009 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) Apply toward property tax relief all additional net state revenue.

h) 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 Greenbelt Master Plan

4. Explore ways to enhance recycling in Cape Elizabeth and to contain waste disposal costs

a. Meet with the Recycling Committee to determine how recycling education efforts may be enhanced.

b. Work with major generators of waste including the school department to assist with recycling efforts.

c. Continue the universal waste recycling program and the hazardous waste collection day.

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

5. Receive and act on the report of the Alternative Energy Study Committee

6. Make progress on other roadway and drainage initiatives:

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

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

c) 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.

7. Begin implementation of the 2007 Comprehensive Plan including adoption of a first set of related ordinance amendments.

8. Explore ways to enhance Fort Williams Park :

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

b) Complete the projects funded in 2007 with a donation from the Museum at Portland Head Light.

c) Determine the future of the former Goddard home.

9. Receive and act upon 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 use of online registration and payment for the Community Services program offerings.

c) A futures plan for the Cape Elizabeth Fire Department.

d) Establish disaster recovery plans for all departments

10. Receive the report of the Spurwink Meeting House Restoration Committee and act upon its

11. Receive updates from the Farm Committee and from the Thomas Memorial Library Planning Committee.

12. Meet with the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust to consider a partnership to help reach the land preservation goals of the Comprehensive Plan.

13. Develop a protocol for responding to citizen comments.