The Falmouth Economic Development and Industrial Corporation is looking to get into the holiday spirit.
The restored Falmouth Station will be a part of the Main Street Stroll on Saturday, December 2. It will be a stop along the Main Street Stroll’s trolley service route that night. A portion of the station will be decorated and there will be refreshments served by the newly formed Falmouth Station Events Committee.
The EDIC allotted $750 for the purchase of decorations and $500 for the purchase of food and drinks for the Main Street Stroll event. The corporation is considering various decorating ideas.
“My idea is a little corny, but we have that potbelly stove. We could make a Christmas corner with the potbelly stove,” EDIC member James E. Fox said.
EDIC member Susan L. Moran said she liked the idea of decorating the stove, but reminded the board about the need for inclusivity.
“The board should consider not limiting the type of decorations to one holiday that comes up in November or December,” Ms. Moran said.
The EDIC appointed Bill Nies and Anne E. Connolly to the Falmouth Station Events Committee, with plans to add a third member at a later date. The duo will be tasked with not only preparing the station for the December 2 event, but planning future events as well.
“We’ll find a way to decorate the interior,” Mr. Nies said.
He added that he would like to find a way to decorate the exterior of the station to better tie it into the holiday spirit of the Main Street Stroll.
In addition to the stroll, Mr. Nies wants to get the Falmouth Station involved with the annual Arts Alive event in June and Jazz Festival in September. He said the station has excellent acoustics, and would serve well for musical performances.
Mr. Fox was confident in the committee’s ability to prepare for the Main Street Stroll.
“I think we should just turn the committee loose and let them get it done,” he said.
The EDIC also discussed the need to repair 10 benches at the Falmouth Station. Chairman Michael P. Galasso said four benches needed a complete renovation, at a cost of $1,000 each. The remaining benches require approximately $550 in repairs each.
The department of public works has offered to take the benches, repair them, and place them around town. Mr. Galasso said he’s willing to take them up on this offer, at least in part.
“We can’t fit them all at the station,” he said.
Mr. Galasso said if they are to give some of these benches to the DPW for repair, the EDIC would like a sign on the bench noting the donation.
EDIC member Christopher R. Simmler said they should keep at least two of the benches, which they would place outside of the station by the 15-minute parking spots.
Mr. Fox added that the repairs should be built into the EDIC’s operational budget. As they prepare their budget for Fiscal Year 2019, they’ll see what they can allot toward repairs.
“If there is room for the benches, we do it,” Mr. Fox said.
