Spring is in bloom and the Town is buzzing with activity these days! The warmer temps bring with it the start of beach parking pass sales, Comprehensive Plan updates, Plover eggs and more! Memorial Day is on the horizon as well, and preparations for the Memorial Day Parade are in progress. Now that Spring has officially sprung, read on to learn how you can help protect our pollinators, volunteer with a gardening opportunity, enjoy new Library programs and more!

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2023 Beach Parking Pass sales are underway

The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, flowers are blooming and dare we say, beach days are right around the corner! With that, Beach Parking Pass online sales have begun, and in-person sales will begin on May 15th.


Online Beach Parking Pass Portal


For those who are looking to purchase their Beach Parking Passes online, use the following link to our online Parking Pass Portal.


We encourage those using the online platform to avoid using Gmail accounts. We have recently been made aware of an issue that some Gmail users are encountering, due to the program's spam filters, when it comes to receiving temporary passwords, resetting passwords, and receiving confirmation of purchase by email. The program is working to resolve this issue, but we ask that those using this online portal refrain from using a Gmail address in the meantime. If you do experience an error message, we ask that you email wellsmebeachstickers@wellstown.org for assistance. In your email, please include the Parcel ID that you are using to access the portal.


In-Person Beach Parking Pass Sales


Beach Parking Pass sales will begin in-person, starting May 15th. Passes can be purchased in the Finance Department of the Wells Town Hall during regular business hours.

For residents and taxpayers that will be purchasing their beach parking passes in person, for faster processing please make sure to bring:


Beach Sticker Location


The Beach sticker has been relocated to the rear window of the vehicle and should no longer be affixed to the front windshield. Before affixing sticker to vehicle, make sure that the rear window or bumper (as applicable) has been properly cleaned. 

  • The sticker MUST be affixed to the exterior bottom left-hand side (driver's side) of the rear window. 
  • For vehicles without a permanent rear window, the sticker MUST be affixed to the left-hand side (driver's side) of the rear bumper.
  • Motorcycles that have windshields MUST affix the sticker to the windshield.
  • Motorcycles and scooters without windshields must affix the sticker on the left side so it is visible to the Community Service Officer.
  • The sticker must be visible and completely legible all times while parked in one of the Town of Wells Municipal Parking Lots. If not properly displayed, vehicle may be issued a parking ticket.
  • The sticker is not transferable.
  • The license plate number on sticker must match license plate on vehicle.

To assist beachgoers, the staff has compiled these Frequently Asked Questions related to beach parking.

When do you have to pay for parking at Wells beaches? 


Paid parking in Wells is from the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend (Saturday, May 27, 2023) through the Monday of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Monday, October 9, 2023). 

 

What are the hours for paid parking?

 

Parking fees are collected from 8AM to 6PM

 

What is the hourly parking fee collected by the meters? 


The hourly fee is $5.00 per hour

 

Where are the metered parking lots in Wells? 



  • Eastern Shore Lot: located at the end of Atlantic Avenue 
  • Mile Road Lot: located with the playground on Mile Road 
  • Drakes Island Gross Lot: located at the eastern end of Drake’s Island 
  • Drakes Island Jetty Lot: located at the end of Island Beach Road on Drake’s Island 
  • Gold Ribbon Lot: located on Webhannet Drive 

 

Are there free parking lots in Wells? 



  • Casino Square Parking Lot: located at the end of Mile Road (near Forbes Restaurant) 
  • Harbor Parking Lot: located at the end of Harbor Road 

 

Do I have to pay for parking or need a beach parking pass if I have a disability plate and/or placard?  


The fee for parking is waived when the proper plate and/or placard are displayed, and the parking is being used by the holder of the plate and/or placard. 

What is the cost of a beach parking pass?  


A pass costs $40.00 per sticker. A veteran/current armed forces service member pass costs $20.00 per sticker

 

Who is eligible for a beach parking pass?

  

The passes are a taxpayer benefit. To be eligible a person must either own property in the Town of Wells that is assessed by a real estate tax bill or live in Wells and pay a vehicle excise tax.   

 

Who is eligible for a veteran/current armed forces service member pass?  


This pass is for vehicles registered to a Veteran or Current Armed Services Member or their spouse. Proof of being a Veteran or Current Armed Forces Service member is required (ie DD 214 or Active Service Member ID).   

 

When can a beach sticker be purchased?

  

Beach stickers are available for sale starting NOW through the Monday of Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 9, 2023). 

 

How can I purchase a beach sticker? 

 

Beach stickers may be purchased online, in person or by mail.  

 


 

How can I purchase a veteran/current armed forces service member pass? 

 

These passes must be purchased in office or by the mail. 

Beach Parking Passes

Wells Harbor welcomes the signs of Spring

Michael Yorke, Harbormaster

Loon in Wells Harbor with crab, courtesy of Jack Coughlin

With the arrival of Spring in Wells Harbor, the loons that winter here have departed for the lakes and ponds inland as their ice retreats.


All floats and gangways, that are removed for the Winter, are back in place and ready for the upcoming season on May 1st. A reminder to Mooring and Slip holders that fees for 2023 season were due by April 30th.


A reminder for beachfront property owners on Drakes Island and Atlantic Avenue, please return the signed easements as soon as possible to keep the planned 2023-2024 Dredge and beach nourishment project on schedule.

The Shellfish Lab is undergoing some finishing touches and will open for the year towards the end of June. We are thrilled to welcome back Olivia Hardy for her 2nd year as resident intern. The Wells Shellfish Committee will be receiving a half million, one-millimeter clams to grow this upcoming year in the labs' upwellers.


This shell stock could reach ¾ of an inch by October and will be placed on the flats after the 2024 dredge is complete. Last year, the lab successfully raised 280,000 clams to seed the flats this Spring.


The Lab is always looking for volunteers that have an interest in aquaculture. Please call 207-646-3236 if you are interested.

Drakes Island Road Bridge Public Meeting scheduled

Public Meeting: May 23rd on Proposed New Designs


Two proposed designs for the replacement of the Drakes Island Road Bridge will be presented at a public meeting on Tuesday May 23, 2023 at 6 pm at the Wells Town Office. Access to the meeting, including the ability to ask questions and make comments in real time, will also be available via Zoom.

 

The Zoom link will be posted on the town home page a week before the meeting; pre-registration is not required. People who would like the meeting link emailed directly can provide their email address to drakesislandbridge@wellstown.org. 

 

“The date of the meeting was shifted to May from April to include the full hydrologic and hydraulic analysis. This work took longer than anticipated, but it is now complete and provides a very thorough analysis of both the existing and proposed conditions at this site,” Carol Murray, Wells Public Works Director, noted. She added that the hydraulic conditions at the bridge and in the surrounding wetlands are a very important part of this project, since this informs the height of the bridge. “Having this information available for the second public meeting is critical,” she said.

 

CMA Engineers will present two different design alternatives, along with an analysis of the effects of doing nothing. This "No-Build" analysis is always created for an engineering project to provide a benchmark situation against which to compare the build alternatives. 

 

Questions or comments on this project can be directed to drakesislandbridge@wellstown.org. 

Send Questions or Comments

Second Tax Installment Due

Finance Department staff has been busy posting tax payments, registering vehicles and fielding calls regarding beach parking. The 2023 second installment tax bills were mailed from the printer on Monday, April 17th. Taxpayers have until May 22nd to pay the second installment before interest starts accruing. Taxpayers that have not paid the first installment should call the office to get the current amount due as interest is accrued daily on outstanding first installment balances. As a reminder, any payments received will be applied to the oldest outstanding balance first.

Library celebrates reopening, fun programs planned for May

Cindy Appleby, Library Director

The library re-opened April 10th with new carpet, a new circulation desk, and updated furniture in the young adult area. Staff and patrons alike were excited to have a full-service library again! All programs are back in person, and we have some great ones planned for May:


Tick Talk with Mainely Ticks

Monday, May 1 at 11:00 a.m.

Bob Maurais from Mainely Ticks will share strategies to better protect your family from ticks and the diseases they carry.


Fiction Book Group

Tuesday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m.

Participants will discuss Sweet, Soft, Plenty Rhythm by Laura Warrell. The author will be joining the discussion via Zoom.


Great Decisions

Friday, May 5 at 10:30 a.m.

Join with other community members for lively and informative discussions of major global issues.


Author Talk with Joe Hardy

Tuesday, May 9 at 2:00 p.m.

Local author Joe Hardy will be at the library to discuss his newest book, "The Year Without a Summer".

 

Adult Crafternoon: Gardening Swap

Thursday, May 25 at 2:00 p.m.

Bring leftover seeds, plant cuttings and gardening tools you want to swap with other gardeners.


A new story walk has been installed at the harbor pier: If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t! by Elise Parsley.

Come read about what happens when a young girl decides to bring her piano to the beach, and enjoy the views of the harbor!

Wells Public Library

Comprehensive Plan updates and ordinance changes in progress

Mike Livingston, Town Planner & Engineer

Comprehensive Plan Updates


The Town has received review comments back from the State on the Comprehensive Plan Update that was worked on by the Comprehensive Plan Update Committee (CPUC) from January 2020 to June 2022. The CPUC met 3 times prior to Covid and was suspended for a year during Covid. The updated Plan was submitted to the State on June 22, 2022. The CPUC will be initiating meetings again soon with the goal of addressing the State comments, producing final Plan documents and conducting public hearings to place the Plan on the November Town meeting ballot for voter determination. The existing 2005 Comprehensive Plan and the current draft update are available on the Town website.


Ordinance Changes


Two proposed ordinance changes have had workshops and public hearings by the Planning Board and Board of Selectman and have been approved by the Board of Selectman to be placed on the June 2022 Annual Town Meeting. One change proposed is to reduce the Planning Board quorum requirement from the current number of 4 members to 3. The other ordinance changes are in regard to the definition of a Registered Medical Marijuana Dispensary and required performance standards. The proposed ordinance changes will limit the number of allowed Dispensaries to 3 within the Town and limit the locations to the General Business District. The current proposed changes are available on the Town website.

Earth Day Beach Clean Up clear over 1,000 pounds of trash

The Earth Day Beach Clean Up Event, which took place Saturday April 22nd, successfully removed 1,045 pounds of trash and litter from the beaches of Wells. The event, sponsored by the Wells Police Department and spearheaded by Dispatcher Saundra Skoczen is always incredibly popular, and this year, over 250 participants attended.  



The day began with a presentation by the Blue Ocean Society, who helped explain the impact of human disruption on marine life to the crowd of volunteers. They explained why these clean-ups were so important and how residents could collectively make a huge impact on preserving marine life by clearing waste. Lead Piping Plover monitors, and Animal Control Officer, Ashley Johnston, were also in attendance, to alert volunteers of the proximity of Piping Plover nests, and instruct them on how to act in a way that would not disturb the endangered species during the clean up event.

Volunteers walked the shores of Wells Beach, Drakes Island Beach, and Wells Harbor Community Park, as well as adjacent parking areas and were able to clear over 1,000 pounds of trash from the areas. Volunteers logged on a data sheet the type of trash that was collected for further research by the Blue Ocean Society. Each bag collected was also weighed and logged. “It’s nice to get the beach cleanup up and running again,” Skoczen said. “To bring in that much trash is amazing.”


Thank you to Blue Ocean Society, the Piping Plover Program, Wells Volunteers, Wells Police Department, Congdon's Doughnuts, and all our selfless volunteers for making the day a success and helping clean our beautiful beaches and preserve our planet.


You can view more photos from the Earth Day Beach Clean Up Event here. 

Code and Planning Department Office Hour Changes

Code Enforcement Office, Planning & Development Office

Due to the extremely high volume of building permits and other workload changes from January 1, 2023 to present, the Code Office & Planning Office will be open Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for customers and phone calls starting May 1, 2023 until further notice.  The 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month we will be open until 6:00 p.m. coinciding with the Board of Selectmen meetings. Field inspections starting prior to 8:00 a.m. will continue. 


If you want to schedule an inspection, it would be best to schedule it prior to 2:30 in the afternoon. Of course, calling earlier in the day gives you a better chance for a next day inspection.

The first Plover eggs of 2023 have been spotted in Wells

The first Piping Plover egg in the State of Maine for 2023 has been spotted on Wells Beach by a Plover Monitor. Plovers began arriving at the end of March to Wells Beach, for their yearly migration north, and multiple nests have been spotted along the beaches of Wells.


The Piping Plover Program Monitors kicked off their 2023 season of volunteering with a training session on April 15th to review best practices for plover monitoring and plan for the upcoming months. The meeting was headed by Lead Monitor, Suzanne Craig, and Volunteer and Communications Coordinator, Rebekah Kelley. Presenters also included Laura Williams, Wildlife Biologist and Conservation Assistant from Maine Audubon. The presenter topics ranged from Piping Plover basics, to navigating leash rules, to logging hours of volunteer time. The monitors expressed words of advice to the general public to ensure the safety and overall well-being of the endangered Piping Plovers. 

There was also an informational session on Piping Plovers, available to the public, hosted on April 26th at the Wells Public Library. There, Maine Audubon was present to educate about Wells’ endangered Piping Plovers and how you can help protect them. Prospective volunteers were also able to ask questions about participating in the Piping Plover Program as beach monitors. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Plover Monitor, you can email our Volunteer Coordinator.


Here is what you can do to share the beach with our local plover residents.


  • Stay clear of fenced areas marked with “Restricted Area” signs. Observe the birds from a distance.
  • If you see a hole that someone has enjoyed digging but abandoned for the day, fill the hole in so no chicks are inadvertently trapped.
  • Keep dogs leashed and all pets far away from nesting areas. Roaming dogs and cats are among the top threats to the eggs of Plovers.
  • Fly kites well away from nesting areas. Plovers mistake them for predators and leave their nests to ward off “intruders.”
  • Take your trash and food scraps with you when you leave the beach for the day. Garbage attracts animals that prey on plover eggs and chicks.
  • Notify Maine Audubon, at 207-245-2353, of any disturbances to nesting areas.


For more information on the Piping Plover species and how you can take part in helping protect and grow their endangered population, you can read the following article or visit Maine Audubon.

Memorial Day Parade plans underway, Veterans welcome

We invite you to join the Town of Wells for the 2023 Memorial Day Parade, taking place on Monday, May 29th, at 9 AM, as we honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedoms and all who serve, past and present. The parade will begin at Wells High School, located at 200 Sanford Road, continue East on Sanford Road (Route 109) to Post Road (Route 1) and continue South on US 1 to Ocean View Cemetery.


We invite all veterans and active military service members to participate in the 2023 Wells Memorial Day Parade. RSVP's are recommended but not required. Those interested in participating are welcome to meet at 8:30AM at the Wells High School Parking Lot.

Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 207-361-8130, or by email with questions or to reserve your spot.

Fire Department prepares for hydrant testing and lifeguard training

Mark Dupuis, Fire Chief

With spring finally upon us, we can start testing all the dry hydrants around the community. This testing consists of hooking into a dry hydrant with the pumper or “Engine.” We then first push water through the hydrant to “blow out” all the sludge, slime, and mud that could clog up our fire pump. This could be very costly to repair if sludge gets drawn into the pump or if the sludge prevents water from entering the pump. Once the water has been blown through the hydrant, the crew will then “Pull” water up through with a vacuuming or suctioning effort made possible with these large fire pumps. These pumps have the capability of pulling as much as 1,500 gallons of water up approximately 30 feet of elevation every minute. This is done annually, each spring, to make sure every dry hydrant is in good working condition. This testing is also great training for our firefighters as they become more efficient at “pulling a draft” from a fire pond. Although this task might sound easy, it takes great skill and understanding, as well as a considerable level of experience to get this accomplished quickly. Any loose couplings in the setup will render this task impossible to accomplish so the firefighter must understand this to troubleshoot the problem. In addition, our staffing requires our firefighters to be able to do this task alone, which is extremely difficult to do and takes considerable time, of which is limited when trying to establish a water supply for a building fire. 

With the warm weather we also start preparing the beaches for the thousands of visitors and community members that frequent the area each summer. With thanks to Wells Department of Public Works, we were able to get the lifeguard stands placed for this season. Lifeguards returning to work this summer will take turns monitoring the beaches starting Saturday May 27th for the holiday weekend. They will continue to monitor Saturday’s and Sundays until they start their fulltime season on July 1st after their required training.

 

Lifeguard training, or as we call it “In Service” training, is an intense week full of information and demonstrations. New and senior guards are all required to go through this every year before hitting the beach. It consists of first aid/CPR, open water rescues, Maine Marine Mammals, Audubon Society, Maine Healthy Beaches, radio communication, Jet Ski training and much more. They also continue medical and rescue training throughout the season to keep their skills current. 

Wells Fire Department

Staff Spotlight: Jack Russell


Name: Jack Russell        


Department: Public Works


Position: Transfer Station Manager


Year Started: 2020


Favorite thing about your position: My daily interactions with the residents from the friendliest town in Maine.


What do you like to do in your spare time: I like to spend my free time with my wonderful wife fishing, hiking, diving, and traveling. We most recently went on a shark cage dive in Oahu.

Police Department offers best practices to prevent burglary

Jo-Ann Putnam, Chief of Police

We will discuss how to best prevent two types of burglaries: burglary of your your motor vehicle and burglary of your residence. We will start with motor vehicle burglary prevention. Best practice says to park in a secure location, such as a garage or outbuilding. Try to park in a well lit area, using motion lights so that people are less likely to commit a burglary. Locking your doors and rolling up your windows ensure that people are less likely to break into your vehicle. Remove all items of value (including spare change) from visible places and place them in the trunk or bring them inside your residence. If you see something out of the ordinary, do not be afraid to call the police department and report the activity immediately. This allows us to investigate while the situation is actively occurring. Do not wait until later. People who burglarize vehicles are looking for a quick and easy “score.” For other best practices on how to prevent motor vehicle burglaries, look here.


Regarding your residence, we again ask that everyone locks all doors and windows, to include storm doors, when possible. Leaving your keys under the mat, in the fake rock, or in other obvious spaces makes it easy for burglars to enter your residence. We suggest that people trim hedges around the house so that an individual does not have a place to hide or enter your residence with concealment. Much like vehicles, we suggest using motion activated lights and/or cameras when possible. Completing routine maintenance such as shoveling your driveway, mowing your lawn, and other items like this make it appear your residence is occupied. For more information and tips on burglary prevention, you can look here.


If you believe your vehicle or house may have been burglarized, please call immediately. If you are in your home, please exit and do not touch anything until the police arrive. Police will then check your residence to make sure it is safe, collect any evidence and investigate. If your vehicle is burglarized, please do not enter your vehicle or move anything around until after police arrive to preserve evidence.    

No Mow May: How you can do more by doing less!

Sometimes, doing less, or even nothing at all in this case, can make a positive impact. Consider, for the next month, letting your yard go wild and breaking the habit of regular mowing to help preserve the threatened bee population. By waiting until at least June to mow their spring lawns, allowing wild plants to take over grassy areas, Mainers can give bees just emerging from hibernation the food they need to do the crucial work of pollination.



Towns across Maine are joining the initiative, and we ask Wells residents to consider taking part in the pledge to forgo mowing for May while the bee populations recover. Click below to read more benefits of forgoing lawn maintenance and learn where the idea originated from

No Mow May

Gardening volunteer opportunity available

The Town of Wells is seeking a few volunteers to assist with watering planters at Wells Harbor Community Park during the late Spring and Summer months. No experience or equipment is necessary. We will work with you and your schedule, all that is required is that you are available most days to water the beautiful flowers planted at Harbor Park.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (207) 361-8130 or by email.

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If you have submission requests for The Wells Connector, please contact us at 207-361-8130 or by email.

Town of Wells

208 Sanford Road

Wells, ME 04090

207-646-5113

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