Susan Duchaine, of Design Dwellings, expressed her concerns about the ongoing commercial re-zoning issues between her and the Town. She is concerned that another person has now been affected on Brackett Road.
Councilor Hartwell reminded citizens of the legal requirements of the consistency in zoning and the Comprehensive Plan and explained that zoning has to be in harmony with the Comprehensive Plan. He disclosed that last week he attended a meeting with Town Manager Paraschak, Tom Poirier, Councilor Pratt and a person from the private sector and they discussed how to better streamline the planning process and get projects through more easily and more efficiently.
Councilor Pratt reported that residents could file flight path and noise complaints online,
Councilor Shepard reminded citizens that the Ordinance Committee meets every third Tuesday of the month.
Councilor Wilder-Cross urged citizens to go see the high school musical “Big Fish.” She noted that the play is spectacular in every way from the acting, special effects, amazing costumes and a wonderful “pit band.”
Councilor Hager reported that the Finance Committee met on January 27 and expenditures are slightly behind and revenue is slightly ahead for the fiscal year. He also reported that the committee discussed the Portland Water District sewer rates and how they have not been revised since 2006, which is behind other communities around us. It is recommended that the rates need to be up around $3.00 so he recommends doing that over a period of three years.
Chairperson Phillips reported that the Founders Festival Committee will meet on February 13 at 6 p.m. at the library and invited people to share any ideas they had. Phillips has been contacted by numerous people about the alarming rate of dog waste reported on trails and sidewalks around town. She asked people to be more mindful and take care of their dog waste.
Town Manager Ephram Paraschak thanked the Council for a productive Goal Setting Workshop last month and announced that there are a lot of issues they want to tackle. He explained that because of the unusually warm winter, the roads are taking punishment and road postings may be posted early. He mentioned that the Public Works Department is doing their best to keep up with the numerous potholes and maintain the roads around Town. He also reported that the department heads are working on the budget process and that the Council should get the budget and supporting documents by the end of the month. There will be a budget workshop on April 4. He reported that the Little Falls lights on the bridge are installed and looking good.
School Committee (SC) Chairman Stewart McCallister reported that the initial ED 279’s have come out and the good news is that the State has been able to reduce the minimum mil rate from $8.28 to $8.18. This, combined with the increasing enrollment numbers, has resulted in an overall gain of just over $900,000 in state subsidy for Gorham over FY20. The Budget process is moving along at a pretty quick pace. He also reported that the work on the Narragansett Modular expansion is moving along well. The big hurdle they are working on right now is problem solving what to do with the kitchen cafeteria space. He encouraged residents to go to the Town website and subscribe to receive the SC agendas.
The Town Council forwarded amendments to the contract zone of Hans Hansen to the Planning Board for public hearing and recommendation. (4 yeas, 2 nays: Pratt, Phillips)
A refund of impact fees in the amount of $1,715 was issued to John and Kimber Cross.
During the second public hearing of the evening Noah Miner of Green Street thanked the Council for considering the changes in the Ordinance and also thanked Tom Poirier and the Ordinance Committee for all the hard work put into the changes.
Phil Gagnon of Gordon Farms Road voiced his concern about the definition of a historical house and declared that just because a building is old doesn’t mean it is historical.
The Town Council amended the Historic Preservation Ordinance to include the following Historic Landmarks & Sites: Old Yard Cemetery – Historic Site – South Street in Gorham Village Center, Town Clock – Historic Landmark in the First Parish Congregational Church, Civil War Monument – Historic Landmark, Founders Monument – Historic Landmark.
The Town Clerk was authorized to issue the warrant for the March 3, 2020 State Presidential Primary Election and Special Municipal Election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
The following persons were appointed as wardens and ward clerks for the designated voting districts: District 1-1 – Susan Emerson, Warden and Laurel Smith, Ward Clerk; District 1-2 – Katherine Corbett, Warden and Marie Plummer, Ward Clerk; District 2 – Martha Towle, Warden and Nancy Kenty, Ward Clerk; Central – Paula Nystrom, Warden and Nanette Belanger, Ward Clerk.
The Registrar of Voters will be in session during the following days and hours: February 25 & 26 from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., February 27 from 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m., February 28 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and March 2 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Town Clerk is also authorized to process on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The Ordinance Committee was instructed to review and propose amendments to Chapter 2, Section 2-4 of the Land Use and Development Code, Clustered Residential Development, and bring back recommendations for updates to the Town Council.
The Ordinance Committee was also instructed to work with staff to review and propose amendments to the Streets and Sidewalks Ordinance to allow for more on street parking in Gorham Village for Town Council review.
The Town Manager was authorized to enter into an agreement for services related to the design, permitting, review and development of the new Industrial/Business park located off of Main Street.
The creation of an Industrial/ Business Park Steering Committee was authorized. The committee will work with the Town’s consultant and staff to develop the initial plans for the new park. The Committee will consist of two town councilors, Owens McCullough, a member appointed by the Gorham Economic Development Corporation, a citizen from Shamrock Drive, and a member of the business community.
The full amendments and meeting minutes can be found on the town’s website.