At the Nov. 12 meeting of the Gorham Town Council, Councilor Lou Simms read his report related to the proposed Gorham Connector project. The following is a portion of that report; the complete report can be heard at the Town’s website.

“Last month, Scarborough’s Town Council passed a resolution, by a 6-1 margin, that withdrew their Town’s support for the Maine Turnpike Authority’s proposed expansion of a 5-mile, 4-lane, elevated toll highway that would carve through both Scarborough and Gorham.”

“Scarborough’s leaders have clearly stated that they do not want this turnpike expansion due to the negative impacts of similar highway expansions, which are well-documented in communities all across our country. Destroying natural ecosystems, damaging public health, and worsened quality of life for local residents, similar highway expansions commonly have a negative impact on the long-term fiscal sustainability of impacted communities because the sprawling expansion does not generate enough property tax revenue to offset the towns’ increased costs for servicing that emaciated pattern of development.”