Thursday, March 18th
Click "View entire message" at the bottom of your email to read the entire newsletter!
Special Notices
Did you hear? Cumberland is leasing two new, all-electric Hyundai Ioniqs through a rebate program from Efficiency Maine! This rebate will cover the costs associated with leasing both these vehicles for three years. One vehicle will be used by the Police Department for officers traveling to court and trainings, while town officials will use the other for town business.
Bicentennial News
Cumberland is turning 200! Help us kick-off the Bicentennial celebration with a Birthday Parade on Saturday, March 20th at 10am! Members of our public safety team will be leading concurrent parades that will meet in the center of town. Click here for parade routes!
 
Get creative when standing/sitting along the routes! Decorate your car, front door (or even your mailbox!), make a festive sign, bring some balloons, wear your Bicentennial apparel, cheer, or whatever your heart desires. Download Bicentennial coloring pages here. Let’s make this an exciting milestone in our town’s history!

During the parade, please respect social distancing guidelines and wear face masks. Let’s do our part to keep our community safe! We also ask that resident's do not follow the parade in cars.
Will you be there?
Yes, I wouldn't miss it!
No, I won't be able to make it. Happy Birthday, Cumberland!
"Cumberland" Book Launch

The “Cumberland” books have arrived in town! Books are available for purchase at Town Hall and Prince Memorial Library for $23.20 (sales tax included)

All mail order requests must be placed online through Arcadia Publishing! Click the link below to place your order.
Bicentennial Gear
Celebrate Cumberland’s birthday in style with Bicentennial gear! You can purchase non-sized items at Town Hall during office hours! You must place an order for sized items (t-shirt, long sleeve, sweatshirt, onesie). Order forms can be found here!
Council, Board, and Committee News
Agenda Item #21 – 032: To set a Public Hearing date of April 12th to consider and act on a Mass Gathering permit from the Cumberland Farmers Club for harness racing events. 

On Monday evening the Town Council will be setting a public hearing date of April 12th to consider and act on a mass gathering permit from the Cumberland Farmers Club for harness racing events.

This agenda item is to solely set a public hearing date of April 12th. This meeting is not intended for discussions on specifics on the proposed racing events as we don't have all the details at this time.

The public hearing on April 12th will provide more information and public comment will be encouraged. At this time, this is what the Town Council knows about these proposed events:
  • Races will take place during daylight hours on 56 days during the 2021 calendar year. (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and an occasional Sunday.)
  • Events will run through May, June, July, October, November and December.
  • 100-200 people in attendance on each race day
  • 7 to 9 races on any given day (4-6 hours in total)
  • Betting will be available on the horses at the fairgrounds (no off-track betting).
  • No decision has been made about alcohol being available at these events.
  • Traffic will go through the Bruce Hill Road entrance.
  • Amplified sound will only be used in the area directed towards the grandstand.

We encourage those with questions, comments, or concerns to attend the Public Hearing on Monday, April 12th at 7pm. Residents can attend in-person or virtually on Zoom. You can also send an email to towncouncil@cumberlandmaine.com and ask for it to be recorded as public record.
Town Council Meeting
Monday, March 22nd (Council Chambers)
5:30pm - Budget Workshop
7:00pm - Regular Meeting
Top Row: Thomas Gruber (Chair), Robert Vail (Vice Chair), Ronald Copp
Bottom Row: Michael Edes, Allison Foster, Shirley Storey-King, and George Turner
Supports documents will be available on the Town Website by the end of the day. Seating will be available and will adhere to social distancing guidelines. Face masks are required.
 
To watch the meeting, please use the following link: Town of Cumberland YouTube. Meetings will also be broadcast on Channel 1301. If you would like to provide public comment, you can attend the meeting in-person or via Zoom. (Passcode: 636891, Webinar ID: 810 2185 1620)
I. CALL TO ORDER

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
  • March 8, 2021
  • March 15, 2021 Special Meeting
 
III. MANAGER’S REPORT

IV. PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Public discussion is for comments on items that are not on the agenda. Comments are limited to 5 minutes per person. Rebuttal comments will be limited to 2 minutes. Public discussion topics may be brought up again under New Business for further Council discussion.

V. LEGISLATION AND POLICY

21 – 028   State of Maine Proclamation from Representative, Steve Moriarty, for the Town of Cumberland Bicentennial.

21 – 029   To hear a report from the Lands & Conservation Commission re: Climate Action Plan.

21 – 030   To reappoint William Longley as Code Enforcement Officer and Dan Small as alternate from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

21 – 031   To set the week of May 17th – 21st for Spring Bulky Item Pick Up Week.

21 – 032   To set a Public Hearing date of April 12th to consider and act on a Mass Gathering permit from the Cumberland Farmers Club for harness racing events.

21 – 033   To set a Public Hearing date of April 12th to consider and act on authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a labor contract agreement with the Cumberland Police Benevolent Association for the period of July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2024.

21 – 034   To set a Public Hearing date of April 12th to consider and act authorizing the Town Manager to enter into a labor contract agreement with the Public Services/Val Halla Employees Association for the period of July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2024.
                 
21 – 035   To set a Public Hearing date of April 12th to consider and act on a Credit Enhancement Agreement for Lakeside Concrete Cutting & Abatement Professionals, as recommended by the TIF Committee.
 
VI. NEW BUSINESS
  • Finance Committee Budget Workshop, Saturday, April 10th beginning at 8:00 a.m. until budget review is complete
  • Nomination Papers for June 8th election are now available

VII. ADJOURNMENT
Communication Survey

Have you taken the Town's Communication survey? It will take less than 2 minutes to complete. We greatly appreciate your participation!

Paper copies are available at Town Hall in the entry way. When completed, please leave them in the drop-box located outside the front entrance of Town Hall.
Parks & Recreation News
The Summer Recreation Brochure is scheduled to be released in the next two weeks! Registration for all summer programs will begin on Tuesday, April 13th at 8am. Online registration is available here!
 
We have several spring programs that you can register for now!
The spring/summer/fall dog rules are in effect at the parks! Dogs are allowed at Twin Brook now that the ski grooming season has concluded. Dogs are no longer allowed at Val Halla as crews begin to prepare the golf course for its upcoming season
Scoop your dog's poop! We are fortunate to have such wonderful recreational facilities and sidewalk networks in Cumberland. Please pick up after your dog so these areas aren’t littered with dog waste.

We have bags and trash bins located at all our parks. Scoop it, bag it, trash it! Violations may result in a $500 fine.
Assessing News
April 1st is fast approaching, which is a significant date in terms of your property assessment and your taxes for the upcoming fiscal year. In Cumberland, as for most municipalities, the fiscal year begins July 1st and ends June 30th. Our Assessor has compiled a great deal of information on our website to explain the significance of the April 1st date, provide information and applications on available exemptions, and frequently asked questions.
Aging In Place News
Would you like to have a young pen pal? Students in Mrs. Russell’s class at Mabel I Wilson would to write to older adults in the community!

You might also receive some art work too! They will share some of their lives and want to ask you questions about your school experience. We hope that the students might meet their pen pals later when it is safer or by a Zoom meeting.

If you are interested, please contact Sarah Davis at 829-2208! 
If you, or someone you know, would like a regular call from a Friendly Caller, please contact Sarah Davis at 829-2208. Trained volunteers will provide companionship by regular phone calls to decrease isolation and loneliness.

Friendly Caller Training (by Zoom) is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6th. If you would like to volunteer for this program, or if you want more information, please contact Sarah Davis at 829-2208.
Prince Memorial Library News
Community News
COVID-19 Vaccination in Maine
NEW! Maine DHHS offering free rides to Mainers to COVID-19 vaccine clinics. People should call 1-855-608-5172 at least 48 hours before their appointment to reserve a ride.

Check out Maine CDC's COVID-19 Vaccination website!

FAQs
A History of Maine in 112 Objects
Wednesday, March 24th @6:30pm (Cumberland Town Hall)

The Cumberland Historical Society presents, A History of Maine in 112 Objects!

Bernard Fishman, Maine State Museum Director, will give a presentation about key objects reflecting Maine’s history that are part of the Maine State Museum’s collection. Cumberland has 3 different objects in the collection that are featured in the award-winning book. Copies of the book will be available for sale at the presentation

The program will be held at Cumberland Town Hall and livestreamed on YouTube and Channel 1301. Limited in-person seating available. Call Steve at 829-5095 to reserve a seat.
East Branch Piscataqua River
Watershed Outreach

Do you live, work, or play in the East Branch Piscataqua River Watershed? A watershed is an area of land, where all of the water that falls on it, flows downhill across the land to the same waterbody.

The things you do to your yard can harm the health of your local waterbody. You can have a healthy lawn that's safe for you, your family, and pets to play on by reducing your use of fertilizers and pesticides.