In the fall of 2018, restrictions that prohibit development of the parcel of land known as Robie Park were removed by the Town of Gorham. These restrictions had been in place since 1915, when the land was sold to the Town for the sum of one dollar by Percival P. Baxter. The Gorham Village Corporation oversaw Robie Park, but this entity was dissolved in the 1970’s. A search of the maine.gov website revealed no further information regarding the Gorham Village Corporation.

The process of removing the restriction was begun by previous Town Manager, David Cole, in August of 2017 when the Town believed it might need the land for future use and lifting the restrictions gave them options. Ephrem Paraschak continued this work when he assumed the role of Town Manager in September of the same year.

The Town followed the normal process to announce public hearings which usually includes running an ad in the Gorham Times. Paraschak believes an ad was run in the Gorham Times also requesting information regarding the Gorham Village Corporation or anyone with knowledge of the entity, with no resulting information.

The town attorney filed a legal action with the state, whose responsibility it is to represent defunct entities such as the Gorham Village Corporation. After public hearings were held in April 2018 and again in the fall of 2018, the deed restrictions were officially lifted.

Paraschak stated that as it is now, the restrictions have been lifted, but no official decision has been made to use the park for any other purpose. There is a concept plan for expansion of the current high school, but the plan is only a concept and could drastically change before any final decisions have been made.

Residents living in the neighborhoods surrounding Robie Park expressed concerns about losing the green space of Robie Park, increased traffic due to the removal of the access road, and a general lack of consideration by the Town and the School Board for the impacts this potential change has on local property owners.

Claire Miner believes the expansion of Robie Park, which is actively used by residents, could start a trend of dedicated green space being used for expansion. She also wants to ensure that there remains a buffer between residences and any future expansion.

Jim Edwards, a resident of Gorham since 1999, feels like the removal of deed restrictions goes against the spirit of the original intent of the land being donated to the Town. Edwards shared a copy of the original deed with the Gorham Times and pointed out that the words “solely for PARK PURPOSES” were underlined for emphasis. While Edwards has a child in the Gorham schools and realizes there are needs for future expansion of the high school, he does not feel like the Town and School Board are taking the neighbors into consideration.

He reiterated that the neighboring residents would like to keep as much green space as possible and minimize the negative affects of any high school expansion. He also mentioned a slippery slope where using a little portion of Robie Park for the high school expansion could easily turn into a lot. He acknowledged that adjustments had already been made to the high school concept plan to include removal of parking along Ball Park Road, which had initially raised tremendous concern with neighbors.

This is certain to be an item of interest to all Gorham residents for the foreseeable future and one that could have lasting impacts for years to come.