Newsletter | Spring 2026 | Issue 8

SAVE THE DATE!

2026 WFVA ANNUAL MEETING

July 30th, 6:00PM, WEST FALMOUTH LIBRARY

Cape Cod is often celebrated for its natural beauty—but what many people don’t realize is how much of the Cape’s remaining undeveloped land is unprotected. The Cape We Shape, a new campaign led by the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, is working to change that by raising awareness about the importance of protecting the Cape’s remaining priority natural resource lands before they are lost to development.

APCC will be the guest speaker at our annual meeting on July 30th. Please join us as we learn more about this campaign. Visit thecapeweshape.org for more information and to join TeamSOS!

TRASH TALK

New trash carts are being delivered. For an updated FAQ sheet with detail about the program rollout, please see https://www.falmouthma.gov/1621/Trash-Carts

Thank you to Micheline, Katey, Tammy and Sue who responded to our Earth Week challenge and helped clean up litter along the bike path in West Falmouth. Enjoy some well deserved ice cream at Eulinda's compliments of WFVA, ladies!

HISTORIC DISTRICT SIGNAGE

As part of a town-wide initiative led by the Falmouth Historical Commission, beautifully designed signs have now been completed by Kiwi Signs and Marine Graphics for all seven of Falmouth’s historic districts. In the coming weeks, you may notice temporary stakes placed by the Falmouth Department of Public Works at proposed sign locations in each district. These markers are part of the review process, and community feedback on placement will be welcomed before final locations are approved. Permanent installation of the signs is anticipated this summer — an exciting way to recognize the unique history and character of our village and surrounding historic districts. Thank you to the Town Planner's Office and all those who are contributing to this meaningful project!

Click here to see a detailed map of the West Falmouth district.

0 WEST FALMOUTH HWY - NEXT STEPS

An important step toward permanent protection of the land around Long Pond took place this spring. At April Town Meeting, voters approved transferring the care, custody, and control of the Long Pond parcels to the Falmouth Conservation Commission. While the land was already believed to be protected under Article 97, this formal action strengthens those protections and helps ensure the property remains undeveloped forever.

The two parcels at 0 West Falmouth Highway are also part of this Article 97 protected land. You may recall that the WFVA has been advocating to protect this land from development for a very long time due to safety issues, historical significance and it's conservation status. We believe these parcels were not included in the April petitioner's article because efforts to develop the property were still ongoing at the time. Recently, however, the Falmouth Select Board voted not to award the property to the sole bidder, the Falmouth Housing Trust, who had planned to develop a duplex. This vote was in response to a recommendation made by Town Counsel and Mike Renshaw, Town Manager. Article 97 protections would need to be removed in order to develop the land which would require a lengthy and difficult legal process.

The final step to permanently conserve this land in accordance with its original purchase intent - forestation and water resource protection - is to follow the same process as the Long Pond parcels. The West Falmouth Village Association plans to support any efforts to submit and pass a petitioner's article at November's upcoming Town Meeting.

SUMMER SAILING PROGRAMS OPEN TO ALL!

The Chapoquoit Yacht Club has received approval to install sailing floats on moorings on the northern edge of South Cove. They will be offering sailing lessons for all ages this Summer beginning on June 29th and running weekly until August 31st. For more information about programs, scheduling and registration, please see https://www.chapoquoityachtclub.com/sailing-instruction

PERMEABLE REACTIVE BARRIERS PROJECT ON NASHAWENA

We were encouraged to see representatives from the Water Quality Management Committee and their consultant present detailed plans to the Conservation Commission on May 13. The project represents an important step toward mitigating groundwater impacts to the harbor associated with the wastewater treatment plant. Construction is expected to begin after Labor Day. For a recording of the meeting, see https://youtu.be/2YhW9P8cOd8?si=XzgXkmr0pSNeT4gg&t=2538

WEST FALMOUTH REAL ESTATE MARKET SNAPSHOT

2/1/26 - 4/30/26

Active Listings: 7 properties currently on the market

Pending Sales: 6 properties under contract

Closed Sales: 7 homes sold (5 during same period last year)

Average Sale Price: $1,333,857 ($2,940,000 same period last year)

Average Days on Market: 94 days (vs 153 days last year)

The West Falmouth market remained active this spring, with strong buyer demand continuing despite limited inventory. Pending sales activity suggests steady momentum heading into the summer market, while the increase in active listings is providing buyers with slightly more opportunity than earlier this year.

If you are interested in a confidential market analysis of your home, or would like to discuss the current West Falmouth real estate market in more detail, please don’t hesitate to reach out to katie@erminelovell.com who provided this content.

We are a not-for profit organization. Board members are invested in our community and volunteer their time. Efforts are focused on maintaining the character of West Falmouth as well as advocating for public safety and the preservation of natural resources. Please join today and/or email us if you would like to help in any way!