Falmouth Heights-Maravista
Neighborhood Association
Mission Statement
To preserve and improve the residential character of the Falmouth Heights and Maravista neighborhoods. To protect and enhance our beaches, parks, estuaries and other public spaces. To encourage activities that promote civic pride and the healthful and peaceful enjoyment of our neighborhoods. To provide a forum to identify concerns affecting our neighborhoods, make relevant information available to our members, and address areas of concern with appropriate Town bodies.
Current News, Issues & Events
TO READ OLD NEWS, click on dates under “Annual Archive” (left).
ANNUAL CLEANUP HEIGHTS & MARAVISTA: TBD, April 2019. To volunteer, email cleanup@fhmna.org
“SPRING INTO SUMMER” SOCIAL: TBD, June, 2019, Falmouth Yacht Club. Adult members and others Heights and/or Maravista residents considering membership are invited. Hors d’oeuvres; cash bar.
ANNUAL MEETING: Saturday, August 3, 2019, 8:00 – 10:15 AM, Falmouth Yacht Club. Guest Speaker: TBD. See: 2018 Annual Meeting Minutes
NEW BALANCE FALMOUTH ROAD RACE: Sunday, August TBD, 2019. www.falmouthroadrace.com. Road closures to be announced.
FALL SOCIAL: October 14, 2018. Adult members (free) and guests ($5, free if join). Paul’s Pizza & Seafood. 1:00-3:00 PM. RSVP to social@fhmna.org
Director Openings
2 Director Positions Open (ending 8/19)
3 Director Positions Open (ending 8/20)
2 Director Positions Open (ending 8/21)
2 Alternate Positions Open (annual appointment)
Helmis Circle 40B project update from member and Helmis Circle neighbor Ed Jaloweic:
Both the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and Conservation Commission (ConCom) have approved the Helmis Circle 40B project. The developer has appealed the ConCom decision to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on several points and that appeal is still pending. The major issues include areas of jurisdiction, limits of work, and monitoring of the project during all development.
The ZBA decision is also being appealed in Superior Court by an abutter. There have been no updates on the status of that appeal which was filed last week.
During many hearings over the past year, by both the ZBA and ConCom, numerous issues were raised by neighbors and board members. Some significant changes were made to the project to address a few of these concerns. Site elevation has been reduced so that it will remain at existing levels rather than being increased to direct runoff onto abutters’ properties. A poorly designed open trench drainage system, originally proposed, has been eliminated. The storm water management system has been redesigned after the ZBA required a peer review of the first plan submitted. The ability of that system to handle heavy rainfall remains a concern of neighbors. Long-term maintenance of the system will be the responsibility of the Homeowners Association once that is formed. Until that time the developer will remain responsible.
A solid wood stockade fence will be installed to shield abutters on Alma Road from the project. Concerns remain about the integrity of the coastal bank after removal of most of the trees and vegetation on the site. The ConCom attempted to address this with some of their conditions that are now under appeal.
Due to concerns from the public and ConCom members, a turtle protection plan will be in place during all construction. Also, a rail fence will be installed instead of stockade to the north of the site to permit passage of wildlife.
Lastly, the developer offered to eliminate all proposed garages if the ZBA allowed all 28 houses. The ZBA Board accepted this offer.
Also see: Falmouth Enterprise, 8/10/18, page 6: “Falmouth ZBA Continues Discussion on Alma Road 40b Project“.
Also see: Cape Cod Times, 9/19,21/18, online: “Neighbors sue to block Falmouth housing plan“.
We received the following information from Amy Lowell about garbage disposals in the LPSSA:
“Garbage disposals are not prohibited for sewer connections in Falmouth, whether gravity or low pressure or grinder pump.
“However, property owners should be aware that garbage disposals increase water use and can cause plumbing or sewer problems if not used properly. For example, people should not put fat/grease, bones, rags or shells down the drain, whether they have a garbage disposal or not. Sufficient water must be used when the garbage disposal is running to wash the ground food waste down the drain.
“For properties connected to septic systems (not sewer), the state regulation (Title 5) requires a larger minimum tank size, a two compartment tank (or two tanks in series) and a 50% larger soil adsorption system when a “garbage grinder” is installed, because of the increased solids load to the septic system associated with use of a garbage disposal.
Amy Lowell
Wastewater Superintendent
416 Gifford Street
Falmouth, MA 02540
(508) 457-2543 x 3018
alowell@famouthmass.us
2018 FHMNA Annual Meeting DRAFT Minutes are now available on our website.
Answers to questions posed at the Annual Meeting 8/4/18, provided by Sargent Jim Cummings, Police Liaison to the Heights and Maravista (jcummings@falmouthpolice.us
or 774-255-4527 x4561):
Golf Carts. Golf carts and other “Low Speed Vehicles” can now be registered and are assigned special LV plates by the Registry. These vehicles are subject to some restrictions in addition to the established “rules of the road”. They must also be operated by a licensed driver. If anyone has any concerns regarding the operation of a golf cart on public streets they should call the non-emergency number (774-255-4527), so that we can go out and address the issue.
Neighborhood Watch: The term “neighborhood watch” has become a generic term that has many definitions based on the communities in which they exist. In Falmouth, our neighborhood watch program is also referred to as the Community Liaison Program. Approximately 30 neighborhood groups across town work with Liaison Officers in order to address issues and concerns. There are several other neighborhood watch program models in use across the country. In the past, members of FHMNA have inquired about enhancing the current program to include “citizen patrols” etc.
Sgt. Guthrie, coordinator for the FPD Community Liaison Program, can provide some resources for expanded programming. However, the administration of these additional programs would be left to the association. Sgt. Guthrie can be contacted via email at bguthrie@falmouthpolice.us.
2018 FHMNA Bylaws, as revised per the vote taken at the Annual Meeting, are now posted on our website (Paula add link: )
Route 28 Master Plan: Some of our members have asked us at our Annual Meetings if we have information about the changes anticipated on Route 28 between Friendly’s and Stop and Shop. Because both the interchanges at Falmouth Heights Road and 28 and at Worcester Ave and 28 are the main entrances to the Heights, we thought we should email the following link to you. This is posted on the Falmouth town website and is a 72 page detailed plan for the Town of Falmouth provided in 2016 by McMahon Associates (Transportation Engineers and planners).
As this vicinity is outside our “focus area”, FHMNA will not be tracking the story as it unfolds. Please watch for relevant stories in the Enterprise, and relevant town meetings of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals on the town’s agenda web page. You can also subscribe to receive automatic email notifications of agendas for any/all town committees.
