Cape Elizabeth Council Backs $50,000 for Robinson Woods Access Trail

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council voted to give $50,000 from the Land Acquisition Fund toward the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust's $412,000 accessible trail project at Robinson Woods. The council also set public hearings on the General Assistance Ordinance and Town Center TIF amendments, heard Shore Acres residents ask for parking limits on Reef Road, and directed the town manager to keep exploring a cell tower option at Fort Williams.

Key points

• The council approved allocating $50,000 from the Land Acquisition Fund for the Land Trust's improved access trail at Robinson Woods; the project is estimated at $412,000, with about $211,000 raised so far.
• Shore Acres residents presented a petition signed by 90 percent of Reef Road residents asking the council to add their neighborhood to the Chapter 13 Shore Road Parking District and refer the issue to the Traffic Safety Committee, citing emergency access and safety concerns.
• A resident raised questions about enforcement of the town's 20-foot crosswalk buffer ordinance, saying emails to the town had gone unanswered.
• The council set a public hearing for October 5, 2026 on the General Assistance Ordinance and appendices, and a separate October 5 hearing on Town Center TIF amendments.
• During a goals update, councilors said they do not want to pursue a cell tower at the Plaisted site and instead directed the town manager to explore a monopole at Fort Williams, with a possible flash vote later.
• The council entered executive session for the town manager's annual performance review and a property tax abatement request, then voted to abate the taxes for the individual named in the request.

Next steps

• Public hearings on the General Assistance Ordinance and Town Center TIF amendments are scheduled for October 5, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
• The town manager will refine information on a possible Fort Williams monopole and consider a flash vote in the coming months.
• The town manager will bring the ice arena land lease agreement back to the council in October.
• The 1934 Building Committee will explore price points for converting the building to municipal use, with its next meeting at the end of October.
• The council's communications work group meets this week and expects to bring documents to the next council meeting.

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