2025 State Referendum Questions
Fall is back in Falmouth, the trees are bright, the air is crisp, and the streets are lined with political signs. Yes, election season has arrived. But what do all these “yes on 1” and “no on 1” signs even mean? And, if you’re eighteen, which one should you vote for?
Early voting started last week, meaning if you are a registered voter, you can send in an absentee ballot. If you prefer, you can wait until election day on November 4th in the FHS gym from 7 am to 8 pm.
There are two questions for the Town of Falmouth that you should know about, as well as two State Referendum Questions.
Article One of the Falmouth questions asks, “Shall Ordinance No. 104-2025 entitled “Amendments to Ch. II-21 of the Town of Falmouth Code of Ordinances [Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation]” be repealed?” This question was added to the ballot by voter petition; more than 1,200 residents signed a petition to repeal the pesticide and fertilizer ordinance.
On May 28, amendments to the ordinance were passed by the Town Council. It builds upon an ordinance from 2020 while also prohibiting the use of pesticide and fertilizer applications within 75 feet of a body of water, among other changes, limiting the use of these toxic chemicals in Falmouth. In 2021, 180,000 lbs of pesticides were used in Falmouth, and the ordinance aims to stop that. However, it still allows the use of pesticides in town and school fields as well as on the three golf courses.
Some people claim that the ordinance has “no scientific basis” and bans “proven lawn and tree products, approved by federal & state regulators.” By voting yes on 1, they believe it will save their lawns and trees. Others argue that the ordinance was worked on by the Town Council and Falmouth Conservation Commission for nine years. They studied the issues to make changes that would protect our town. Many people say that in voting yes on 1, Falmouth removes the protections of the ordinance, which can endanger the health of our pets, pollute the water, and kill pollinators that are essential to the ecosystem.
The second Falmouth question is “Shall the Order entitled, Order authorizing renovation and addition of the Public Works Building (the "Project") and the issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount not to exceed $ 13,710,000 to fund Project costs, be adopted?” This decides if the Public Works building will be renovated and expanded, costing $13.7 million. The project will be funded by an increased property tax for Falmouth homeowners. The building was built in 1969 and is showing its age. It forces public works employees to work in tight spaces and lacks necessary storage.
No matter which way you vote, be sure your voice is heard in the upcoming election. You can find more information on the election, as well as sample ballots, on the Town of Falmouth website.