The Tuesday, Oct. 1 meeting was opened with six council members (Gagnon absent) and over 40 members of the public present, along with Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak and Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors.

Open public communication included three residents speaking about the health and safety concerns of neighbors of the Shaw Brothers quarry, Queen Street residents Kathy Robbins and Breanna Meister, and Charlie Hamblen of Hamblen Road.

Councilor communication included:

• Councilor Simms speaking about the work of the Fiscal Sustainability Committee with regards to the Town Council and School Committee.
• Councilor Siegel reported on the Ordinance Committee discussing the Wastewater Ordinance, Fire Suppression Ordinance, and items on the agenda for the Nov. 28th meeting.
• Councilor Lavoie indicated that the last Finance Committee meeting included items that will be discussed later in the meeting.
• Councilor Wilder Cross spoke about Art on South, the Metro Region Coalition of GPCOG, the Department of Economic and Community Development’s Housing Opportunity Program and a new round of grants expected. She also spoke about New Year Gorham, information available through the town website.
• Councilor Pratt spoke about illegal tampering with political signs, and the urgent need for blood due to the recent hurricane.

Town Manager Paraschak announced Oct. 12 and Oct 26 as brush drop days from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., the availability of winter sand, and contractor work for pedestrian lighting on South Street. He announced a public input and open house session for Gorham’s Economic Development Strategy plan on Oct. 15 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., and that absentee ballots are available at the Town Clerk’s office.

School Committee Chair Sara Perkins reported on the Bond Referendum and a newly created “Referendum Information” page at https://www.gorhamschools.org/, and that the recent candidates night at Baxter Memorial Library can be viewed at https://gocat. org/About/. She also spoke about GHS Homecoming, community events at Narragansett School and Gorham High School, and the 2025/26 Budget.

The committee has launched a Thought Exchange Survey to help develop budget priorities with the hope that all community stakeholders will participate. Find the survey at gorhamschools.org. Also announced was the annual Dessert and Discuss meeting on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. at the GHS library to begin determining budget priorities. Perkins also announced new resources to support mental health and wellness at https://parentguidance.org/.

Bond Referendum: For anyone looking for information on the upcoming school referendum questions, find a newly created “Referendum Information” page on the gorhamschools.org website. In addition, Superintendent Perry presented information at the recent candidates’ night at Baxter Memorial Library. Thank you to the library and the GoCat teams for making this event possible. It can be viewed at the GoCat website.

Community Events: To increase broader community stakeholder engagement with the schools, they will be hosting several different activities as a district to promote partnerships with all community members. Each school will host at least one event of their planning, two of which are already in the works:

• Narragansett Elementary School – will host a “bean suppah” on Saturday Oct. 12 from 4:00 – 6:00 p. m. Students leaders will be helping to serve meals, and we’ll have other student information and presentations planned.
• Gorham High – will host a “taste of nations” event on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 11:00 a.m., highlighting our multilingual students and families. This should be a great event showcasing the various cultures represented in Gorham.

The following public hearings were held:

• To hear comments on a proposal to issue a renewal Liquor License to Orchard Ridge Farm, 236 Sebago Lake Road. (Admin. Spon.), no comments from the public, VOTED 5 yeas.
• To hear comments on a proposal to issue a renewal Liquor License to Side Car Pub, 7 Railroad Avenue. (Admin. Spon.), no comments from the public, VOTED 5 yeas.
• To hear comments on a proposal to issue a renewal Medical Marijuana License to Austin DiMaria, Kush Hours LLC, 36 Bartlett Road. Property owned by Jack Weir. (Admin. Spon.), no comments from the public. Amendment contingent on repairs, ordered, that the Town Council issue a renewal Medical Marijuana License to Austin DiMaria, Kush Hours LLC, 36 Bartlett Road contingent upon correcting issues identified by the Fire Department. Property owned by Jack Weir. VOTED as amended 5 yeas.
• To hear comments on renewal applications for Automobile Graveyards/ Junkyard Permits for 2024-2025. (Admin. Spon.), no comments from the public and the Hearing was closed.

Proposed Order moved by Councilor Lavoie, seconded by Councilor Wilder Cross and Ordered, that the Town Council issue renewal Automobile Graveyards/Junkyard Permits for 2024-2025 to the following: Steve Luce, LKQ Corp/Gorham Auto, 192 Narragansett Street Jim Stone, Casco Federal Credit Union, 393 Ossipee Trail Gary Nelson, Chet’s Auto Sales, 475 Ossipee Trail, Gordon Reichert, Reichert’s Auto Body, 112 Shaws Mill Road Shawn Moody, Moody’s Coworker Owned, 200 Narragansett Street John Dumbrocyo, Dumbo Enterprises, 86 Longfellow Road, VOTED 5 yeas.

• To hear comments on a proposal to amend the Town’s General Assistance Ordinance by updating the maximum levels of assistance as required by the State. (Admin. Spon.), no comments from the public and the Hearing was closed, VOTED 5 yeas.
• To hear comments on a contract zone for KV Enterprises for the Robie Street Subdivision (M24/L19,20; M25/L8; M27/L20). (Admin. Spon.)

Owen McCulloch, Sebago Technics revealed that they are ready to move forward with the project and would answer any questions the Council had. Dave Walsh, Falcon Crest Drive suggested that the Contract zone would be an excellent tool for positive growth in Gorham and urged the Council to approve it and allow it to move forward.

Ruth Kelly voiced her opposition to the Contract zone stating that there are just too many houses proposed. The public hearing was closed.