At a March 24 public forum at Gorham High School (GHS), about 50 people listened to GHS Building Committee members give an historical overview of the project, including a discussion of the differences between the 2013 proposal and the concept plan now under consideration.
Before taking questions and comments from community members, many of whom live in the surrounding neighborhood, Darryl Wright, School Committee Chair, made clear that this is the planning stage. “The high $97 million estimate is not what will go to voters in referendum.”
To demonstrate why this plan is so much more expensive than the one discussed in 2013, Daniel Cecil from Harriman Associates, explained the earlier proposal projected a student population of 900, instead of the current 1100 projection which requires more classroom and programming space. There was no plan for renovating the existing building systems in 2013; the new plan includes upgrading all systems, moving the front offices and providing more security. Just as significant, construction materials and labor costs have increased markedly since then.
Great Falls Elementary School, built for just over $20 million in 2010, would cost more than $27 million to build today. He said that his $329/square foot estimate is in line with Maine high schools currently under construction. A detailed comparison between the 2013 proposal and the concept plan currently under discussion is on the Gorham School District website under GHS Project.
Wright invited people to ask ques- tions and voice concerns. “We need to reduce the scope and find the best balance between total project cost and meeting student needs. We want your feedback to help us develop five or six themes for ideas of how to move forward in a possible new direction,” he said.
Attendees were quick to provide that feedback. Several people questioned the decision to expand on the current high school site. After a study commissioned by the Building Committee looked at constructing a new high school on a different site as well as swapping buildings with the Gorham Middle School, it was determined that both options would be more expensive than renovating and expanding the existing building.
Residents expressed opposition to using part of Robie Park for the proposed building expansion and new tennis courts. The park “would need to be clear cut and regraded. It would be drastic,” said Jeff Bolduc.
“People use that park,” said Amanda Vickerson. “Lack of green space is a problem in Gorham.”
Mike Chabot, who believes the lifting of the deed restriction on the park had not been properly addressed, said that abutters received no notice about changes. “If it is legal, it is not right.”
Chabot believes that traffic is a major concern for people living in the area “who can’t get in or out with buses coming and going.” Jean Fickett, a school bus driver, agreed, “More building means more kids. There is traffic chaos now.”
“How could you address a major event at this location?” questioned Lynn O’Leary. “How could emergency vehicles get in?”
Others felt that increasing parking spaces and removing the Access Road, as indicated in the concept plan, would only make a bad situation worse. “Consider not taking out Access Road,” Claire Minor suggested. “This is a massive problem.”
“There is just too much traffic and not enough parking,” said Jim Edwards. “Why not move the athletic fields to GMS?”
In response, Cecil said, “the public will have input in solving the traffic problem.” Brian Jandreau, GHS principal, explained that parking is needed for teachers, staff, and senior students who are encouraged to work in the community. He also feels that keeping the athletic fields close to the school encourages community.
Gorham resident Jim Means asked, “why are we trying to shoehorn a big project into a small site?” He also questioned the need for a 100% expansion for 30% projected growth as suggested by the concept plan. He argued that even a $50 million dollar project would mean more than $600 more in taxes on a $250,000 house. “The town and the schools need a strategic plan,” he said.
The need for more strategic planning and more time to consider various options were issues many raised. They felt the School Committee and the Town Council were not working together on a strategy for dealing with population growth and funding for capital improvements. People are concerned that unlimited growth will continue to create more problems for taxpayers and they want to see some specific plans for dealing with it.
“Development has run this town,” said resident Phillip Smith. “Why is there open-ended development?” He asked about a possible moratorium on development. Noah Minor, a former Town Council member, suggested impact fees as one way to help manage growth. He asked about possible state funding.
Several people felt that Town Council members and the Town Manager should have been present, citing questions that could not be answered without their input.
Wright said that the Town Council and the School Committee are in a conversation about the community’s long-term building needs, but there is no possibility of state funding for this project. Town Council vice-chair Suzanne Phillips, who was in attendance, said that the council is discussing impact fees.
Wright emphasized again that the concept plan and its estimated cost is the start of a process. The Building Committee is looking at many options. There will be more opportunities for community members to ask questions and make suggestions.
Some people expressed concern that there is not enough publicity about public meetings and projects under consideration by the town and the school district. They would like to see more effort to reach residents who are not directly involved with the schools.
No decision has been made about a referendum question in November. Everyone involved will be working to reevaluate the scope of the project based on feedback and the fact that costs must be realistic. “If we can’t meet the needs of the students, or if we can’t get the cost down, we might not do it,” Wright said.
The public is encouraged to go to the Gorham School District website and review the information under the GHS Project link. The next Building Committee meeting will take place on April 11 at 6 p.m. on the second floor of the Municipal Center.
The public is welcome to attend the meeting, but there will not be a time for public comment. Residents can speak with Building Committee members after.