Stands on Issues

League of Women Voters^®
of Falmouth

The League uses its positions to advocate on issues.

Local Positions. Transportation. Water Quality. Town Charter. Education. Land Use. Falmouth Town Budget. Affordable Housing. Environment.

League advocacy begins with members selecting, studying and seeking consensus on issues which are of public concern. When consensus is achieved, the League has a position. The League uses its positions to advocate for policies, legislation and ballot measures which it believes would best serve the public interest and against proposals which are in conflict with those goals.

League of Women Voters of Falmouth - Local Positions

Transportation
Water Quality
Town Charter
Education
Land Use
Falmouth Town Budget
Affordable Housing
Environment

Transportation

Transportation (Consensus 1996)
LWV Falmouth supports
Promotion of a local transportation network and taking action on issues relating to the Steamship Authority as they affect Falmouth

Limitation of growth of ferry service originating from Falmouth
Reservation-only services, particularly for auto transport and parking
Use of fare structures which encourage solutions to traffic problems
Capping of ferry passenger parking in Falmouth at 3385 (1994 Selectmen's position.)
Links between intermodal public transportation
Programs which encourage passengers to leave their cars at home
Development of town objectives and performance standards for Steamship Authority planning and operations
Local governance of Steamship Authority as it exists.
Steamship Authority compliance with local and regional land-use regulations.
Study of alternate mainland ports for service to the Islands

LWV of Falmouth Opposes:

Parking away from limited access highways and in zones of contribution or water recharge zones
Development of a third operational slip in Woods Hole
Replacement of existing vessels with larger capacity vessels

Water Quality

Water Quality (Consensus 1980, 1995)
LWV of Falmouth Supports:

Watershed protection through both outright purchase and easements
Minimum lot size of two acres in watershed areas
Ban on toxic septic system cleaners
Public education on use of fertilizers/pesticides/septic system cleaners
All efforts to speedily and completely contain and clean up the contamination plumes emanating from the Mass. Military Reservation and from other sources
All efforts to protect groundwater quality and quantity, including maintenance of the natural environment and open space as a means of protecting the groundwater supply
Efforts to upgrade and maintain Falmouth's water supply system
Equitable water rates, long-range planning and public education on water issues.

Town Charter

Town Charter (Consensus 1987; update 1989, 1990, 1991 , 1998 and 2007)
LWV of Falmouth Supports:

The Town charter form of government as adopted on January 1, 1991 and amended in May, 2007

Education

Education (Original consensus 1975; updated 1983)
LWV of Falmouth Supports:

School budget process
Use of subcommittees
Citizen participation
Increased effectiveness through public meetings, publicity, and early completion of budget for public explanation and resolution with Finance Committee and town administration
Policy review process and the procedure manual

Land Use

Land Use (Consensus 1972, 1973, 1974; updated 1981 and 1991)
LWV of Falmouth Supports:

Motels/hotels in General Residence and Business zones only
Apartments in all Residential and Business zones by special permit
Lower density for motels, hotels, and apartment

Additions to cluster zoning by-law:

1. Allow condominium apartments as 40% of units
2. Mandatory that deeded neighborhood
associations maintain open space
and an easement to the Town to preserve that
land in perpetuity for conservation or
recreation

Open space preservation by:

1. Outright purchase
2. Conservation easement

Local zoning to allow multi-family housing:

1. Overlay district
2. Special permit from Planning Board
3. Conversion of existing buildings

Village centers or malls set back off the road
LWV of Falmouth Opposes:

1. Business growth along highways

Falmouth Town Budget

Falmouth Town Budget (Consensus 1983)
LWV of Falmouth Supports:

Budget which considers future needs and goals
Town Meeting warrants which are clear, timely, and complete

LWV of Falmouth Opposes:

Bonding used for local operating expenses

Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing (Consensus 1986; updated 1987)
LWV of Falmouth Supports:

Local/county government involvement in development of affordable housing
Government collaboration with the private sector
Changes in zoning to permit affordable housing, provided ecological needs, safety and parking are taken into consideration
Use of town-owned lands and structures to provide affordable housing

Environment

Environment (Consensus 1999; updated 2000)
LWV of Falmouth Supports

Taking action on environmental issues as they affect Falmouth and the upper Cape
Taking action on issues surrounding the cleanup of contaminants at the Mass. Military Reservation, groundwater protection, water conservation and air pollution.
Ongoing monitoring of issues
Public education

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 31, 2012 13:15 PST.