Councilor Wilder Cross announced that the Gorham Village Alliance will be adding benches to the park next to Robie Gym and has already added picnic tables to Phinney Park and the green space next to Robie Gym to help the Village look nice and attract businesses.
Councilor Pratt reported that the Industrial Park Committee agreed on a road design for the new Industrial Park. The consultants will now start to design utilities and the process of DEP permitting.
Councilor Hartwell announced that he had training and took a test on implicit bias per a requirement for law school.
Councilor Kuech reported that she attended a live music event at Junction Bowl and the opening of Lone Pine’s tasting room and was impressed with their creativity.
Town Manager Paraschak reminded people that the Town Clerk’s Office is now open normal business hours for walk in service and suggested that people be patient during busy times and expect lines to be a bit longer than usual. The rest of the Municipal Offices are by appointment only. He pointed out that absentee ballot applications are now available for the November 3 election. He reported that the Town has submitted another application for the COVID funds through the State to use for COVID-related business expenses.
Paraschak also reminded citizens that construction work is continuing on Main Street, which should be wrapped up by fall, and that improvements will start on sidewalks in Little Falls soon.
Amendments to the contract zone of Hans C. Hansen, Inc. were approved. (5 yeas, 1 nay: Pratt)
The Town Council approved amendments to the Land Use & Development Code.
A resolution to end systemic racism, the oppression/misrepresentation of minority groups, and to continue to assure that law enforcement honors equal justice for all in Gorham was tabled until the September Council meeting. (5 yeas, 1 nay: Kuech)
The Town Council selected Vision Government Solutions as the vendor to complete the Town’s next revaluation.
A request for a qualifications process for a town-wide facilities inventory study was approved.
Staff was authorized to work with the Gorham School Department to remove dangerous trees between the high school parking lot and Robie Softball Field as recommended by an arborist. (4 yeas, 2 nays: Hager, Wilder Cross)
The Town Council formally voted for Ephrem Paraschak, Gorham Town Manager, and Jean-Marie Caterina, Scarborough Town Councilor, as continuing representatives of the MMA’s Legislative Policy Committee’s Senate District 30.
The Town Council forwarded regulations for Medical Marijuana Caregiver performance standards to the Ordinance Committee.
Amendments to Clustered Residential Development standards of the Land Use & Development Code will be forwarded to the Planning Board for a public hearing and recommendations. Amendments include Active Open Space requirements and removal of invasive species.
The full minutes and amendments can be read at www.gorham-me.org.