The Ordinance Committee met and discussed a proposed contract zone off Robie Street.
Three items will be on the August Town Council agenda: stream protection, pedestrian improvements and standards for curb cuts on arterials.
Councilor Wilder Cross thanked staff and volunteers for the fun afternoon sponsored by Baxter Memorial Library. She also recognized Linda Frinsko’s countless years of volunteering at the library.
Husky Line Transit will be extending their line to the Ocean Gateway terminal in the Old Port. Metro plans to add two additional weekdays round trips from Portland to Freeport and Brunswick.
Councilor Phillips announced the passing of former Town Councilor Paul Smith, 71, due to complications from heart surgery.
Councilor Gagnon reported that the Robie Park Steering Committee held their community charette on July 12 to discuss the future of Robie Park.
Chairman Pratt reported that Councilor Siegel was not present because he was ill with COVID 19. He also reminded people to donate blood if possible.
Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak reported that the Brackett Street/Saco Street improvements have started, and the work will mostly be done at night. Paraschak reminded residents that the Little Falls Food Truck event will be held at the Little Falls Recreation area on Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. through the summer.
The school budget vote will be held on July 25 with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Senior Property tax refund applications are available and are due by August 1.
The total school budget was $50,232,490 of which Gorham would pay $14,926,952. $1,256,943 would be appropriated for payments on debt service for non-state funded portions of school construction projects in addition to the funds appropriated as the local cost of funding public education from Kindergarten through Grade 12. The School Committee recommended that $10,000,684 be raised in additional local funds to support all of the costs of the schools.
Councilors Phillips and Shepard voted to reduce the amount of the school budget by $2,000,000. The vote was passed 5-0.
A proposed amendment to the Roadside Commercial District to add accessory storage was sent to the Planning Board for recommendation and a public hearing was approved 5-1 (Gagnon).
The Council accepted the resignation of Linda Frinsko from the Board of Trustees for Baxter Memorial Library and thanked her for her years of service. Deborah Arcaro was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Baxter.
The Town Council voted to use $70,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act for a bathroom privy at Weeks Road Recreation area and one at Cherry Hill Farm Recreation area.
The Council authorized release of $47,000 in ARPA funding for heat pump mini splints for Climate Control at Baxter Library.
The Council went into Executive Session and adjourned at 9:15.