Jim Means thanked the Council for having the best interest of the Town but also expressed worry about the future of Gorham and the overall tax increase that is forecasted with the passing of the School Budget.
Aaron Chadbourne offered to help the Council and School Board with the budget process.
Don Sedenka commented that his real estate taxes had already gone up significantly with the re-evaluation and was concerned with the anticipated tax increase for this year.
Demetria Chadbourne urged people to get out and vote on June 12 and to voice their opinion at the upcoming School Budget meeting.
Brenda Caldwell asked Councilors to remember the elderly and low income citizens and encouraged them to cut the School Budget to reduce a tax increase.
Chairman Hartwell reported that they are planning a workshop to discuss Gorham’s growth.
Chairman Wright reported that the GHS Building Committee and Athletic Capital Campaign Committee has toured two area high schools that were completely funded through local funds and will visit one more. A survey was sent to the community for feedback on the proposed project and the results will be analyzed. Wright said the district is continuing its work to ensure that the Class of 2021 will graduate with a Proficiency Based Learning (PBL) diploma.
The Town Council voted to table the fire sprinkler ordinance until July or August and add a workshop in June to discuss the item with Staff and Council after several residents spoke out against it.
Town Manager, Ephrem Paraschak, reported that he met with Portland Water District regarding the Main Street Project and will be meeting with the DOT soon to finalize how the project will proceed. Paraschak also stated that the Senior Property Tax forms will be available on Monday July 2.
The Town Council authorized the Town Manager to enter into an agreement with the Greater Portland Transit District for pilot bus services to the Town of Gorham.
The Town Clerk was authorized to issue the warrant for the June 12 School Budget Validation Election. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Town Council appointed the following people for the designated voting districts and if any of the following should fail to serve, the Town Clerk is authorized to appoint substitutes:
District 1 – 1 – Susan Emerson, Warden and Laurel Smith, Ward Clerk
District 1 – 2 – Katherine Corbett, Warden and Cornelia Loughran, Ward Clerk
District 2 – Martha Towle, Warden and Nancy Kenty, Ward Clerk
Central – Paula Nystrom, Warden and Teresa Sanborn, Ward Clerk
The Registrar of Voters will be in session on Tuesday, June 5 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Wednesday, June 6 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Thursday June 7 – 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Friday June 8 – 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Monday June 11 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The Town Clerk is authorized to process absentee ballots on Monday, June 11, at 10:00 a.m. and on Tuesday, June 12, at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m..
The Town Council appointed Councilor Shepard to the Greater Portland Council of Government’s Regional Voice Committee.
The Town Council will ask the Ordinance Committee to review the Senior Property Tax Relief Ordinance to amend the standards on eligibil- ity. (3 yeas, 4 nays: Phillips, Shepard, Benner, Stelk)
Up to $3,000 will be appropriated from the Contingency Account to assist in water damage mediation and mold removal at the Old Town Office on School Street.
After much discussion, the annual permit fee for a mobile vending unit was set at $150. (6 yeas, 1 nay: Benner)
The Town Council amended the O’Shea Family Trust as requested by the O’Shea family to allow for the funding of general projects related to the Gorham School Department.
Complete minutes are available on the town’s website at www.gorham-me.org.