On June 10, Falmouth voters will decide who will sit on the town’s school board and Town Council for the next three years.

In the municipal election, voters will decide whether to adopt the Falmouth school budget adopted at the town council meeting on May 12, as well as whether to continue the budget validation referendum process in Falmouth for three more years.

Melissa Cilley and Katie Knapp are running unopposed for two three-year terms on the Falmouth School Board.

Four candidates are vying for three open seats on the Town Council. They will replace council Chair Jay Trickett and Councilors Tommy Johnson and Janice de Lima. The candidates are Aristides “Dos” Diaz-Pedrosa, Robert “Bob” Kline, Andrew Sharp and Danielle Tracy.

Polls are open on June 10 at at the Falmouth High School gym, 74 Woodville Road, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots can be requested by calling the Town Clerk’s Office or visiting Town Hall.

Aristides “Dos” Diaz-Pedrosa

What is your relevant experience? I’ve served the town already, as a volunteer firefighter and as a Sustainability Committee member. I operate my own recruiting agency, and previously worked as a finance lawyer at one of the country’s biggest law firms. I’ve learned to prioritize goals and to identify common ground to get things done.

Why are you running for Falmouth Town Council? My previous community work motivates me to have a broader impact on town operations. I can help set strategic goals, absorb varied perspectives, and apply rational and realistic thought to doing the work. I hope to contribute directly to solutions for our town, which I would do with compassionate pragmatism.

What are your top three priorities for Falmouth Town Council? Communication: I aim to bring continued improvement to the town’s communications with our community. Voices must be heard and messages must reach their intended audience. Town Council members should be active representatives, engaging with residents, welcoming feedback and ensuring the community is informed of, not surprised by, our decisions.

Collaboration: I would like to lead outreach to our neighboring communities to address common challenges. Whether it’s waste management, infrastructure projects, or economic development, collaboration can lead to more effective solutions. Building strong partnerships helps share insights, reduce costs, and ensure collective benefits from collective efforts.

Growth: I want to manage our growth responsibly and avoid short-sighted decisions. Our public buildings need rehabilitation, and new developments will bring new businesses and neighborhoods. It will be important to allocate resources according to priorities, and to balance opportunities against costs. A lack of discipline risks overburdening our infrastructure or negatively impacting daily life.

Robert “Bob” Kline

What is your relevant experience? Since July, I attended every Town Council and school board finance committee meeting, and multiple other town, board and committee sessions. I logged more than 500 hours listening and observing. While dedicating 45 years to representing others, I also led multiple HOAs (homeowners’ associations) and nonprofits, including establishing the Freeport YMCA.

Why are you running for Falmouth Town Council? I have the time. Beyond council meetings, councilors serve on three committees, liaising others — 20-plus hours per week. We may be asking too much — only two councilors made the March 7 full afternoon $52.4 million school budget rollout. I am prepared to respectfully frame well-researched questions which aren’t being asked.

What are your top three priorities for Falmouth Town Council? Town Council should be proactive — help develop the school budget. Per Charter Article V, council reviews and adopts, with or without change, the school budget. A $52.4M budget for 500-plus employees, with personnel running 83%, shouldn’t rest solely with administrators. Falmouth spends $2,000 more per student per year than neighboring districts. Our school budget is increasing 6%, Cape’s 2%. Why?

Town Council must manage capital spending town-wide. Municipal and school projects are siloed. Expect a November $35 million bond referendum on Public Works and Fire Department facility upgrades. Shouldn’t a $100 million new middle school figure in Falmouth’s major capital project planning?

Elect a more diverse council to respond better to citizen concerns. Council seems surprised that a pesticide ban and loftier building heights are triggers. Validate these questions. Engage in dialogue. Can’t we communicate better than “public comment” followed two weeks later by councilor monologues and a vote?

Andrew Sharp

What is your relevant experience? I spent 15-plus years as a corporate finance and operations leader and I am now a local small business owner. I have learned to listen to and work effectively with a wide range of partners and believe my business background would round out the experience and skillsets on the council.

Why are you running for Falmouth Town Council? Falmouth has difficult and important decisions to make in the coming years as we seek to balance growth with our desire to preserve the existing character of the community. I believe my experience will enable me to help shape those decisions and build consensus around our future direction.

What are your top three priorities for Falmouth Town Council? 1. Fiscal responsibility. I am fully committed to our schools and our services but recognize that every taxpayer dollar is precious. Fiscal responsibility should be the air we breathe every day on the Town Council.

2. Support more affordable and varied housing in a way that respects our existing neighborhoods. I believe Falmouth should be a place that is accessible to young families, seniors, and local and town employees. This is not only the right thing to do, but will help secure the future of our schools and local businesses.

3. Encourage redevelopment of our commercial centers to make them places that bring the community together and support small business. This will take time and careful management, but my goal would be to ensure these spaces are welcoming, walkable, and designed in a way that reflects the character of our community.

Danielle Tracy

What is your relevant experience? I am a longtime community leader with a deep commitment to public service: Falmouth Memorial Library Board of Trustees (2022-25, president 2023-25), Holy Martyrs Pastoral Council (2019-25, chair 2021-25), Falmouth School Board (2014-20, chair 2017-20), Cumberland Food Pantry (2013-25, president 2025), Falmouth Food Pantry (2011-25), and Falmouth’s Vision and Values Community Connector (2021-22).

Why are you running for Falmouth Town Council? I have lived in Falmouth for 31 years and believe community engagement is needed now more than ever. I am interested in discussing the issues in our community and finding solutions to keep Falmouth growing with intention and care. As an engineer, I approach problem solving with a level-headed collaborative approach and thoughtful planning.

What are your top three priorities for Falmouth Town Council? It is important that Falmouth continue discussion on the availability of a diverse housing stock. The affordability of houses and lack of rental options for young adults and community professionals to live and work within our community should be addressed. The need for downsized homes available for seniors is also key in this conversation. I am prepared to be a part of the town infrastructure conversation. We should review the architecture and layout of the growth zones and stress the importance of sidewalks and street shoulders. We need to keep safe connections for a bicycle ride or walk between neighborhoods and our fantastic public spaces. A priority of all councilors must be smart financial understanding and management of key issues, maintaining excellent schools, and growing with intention. The impact on our taxes is always a part of the discussion.