Councilor Hager announced that the Finance Committee met on June 22 and is happy to report that expenditures are down, which was expected due to COVID-19. Non-property revenue is up but property tax revenue is down a bit which is directly related to COVID-19. The next Finance Committee will be September 21.
Councilor Wilder Cross reported that the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Committee met and has officially begun its work. They are considering amendments to the plan regarding future land use for the South Gorham Crossroads District and the South Gorham Commercial Center District. She also reported that the Gorham Village Alliance (GVA) met and is continuing to do as much possible to make the Village more attractive. The GVA has installed picnic tables around the Village for people who would like to grab a bite to eat outdoors.
Chairperson Phillips announced that the Gorham Founder Festival Committee met with the Town Manager and made a decision that if the situation stays the same with the COVID-19 statistics that there will be a mini festival in September celebrating Gorham. It will consist of fireworks on September 12 and a parade with a Maine-themed float contest on September 13. More information can be found at www.Gorham2020.com.
Town Manager Paraschak thanked Public Works for their help making the turnover from our old trash hauler R.W. Herrick to the new trash hauler Casella.
On behalf of the School Committee, Chairman McCallister said the school dept. has reached out to each Gorham kindergarten family to let them know that the first week or two of school this fall, starting August 31, will be used to conduct screening and placement processes for Kindergarten students. The schools will not be allowing any MPA sponsored athletic activities until after the first of August at the earliest. Fall sports don’t typically begin until August 17. The school dept. will await further guidance from MPA before determining how to proceed with fall athletics.
The Town Council adopted the proposed Development Program for the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District as presented to the Town Council.
The Town Council adopted a Marijuana Cultivation or Manufacturing Licensing Ordinance and amended the Land Use Development Code to add permitted uses in the Rural, Industrial Olde Canal Zoning Districts. (6 yeas, 1 nay: Pratt)
The Town Council amended the Land Use and Development Code to expand the Development Transfer Overlay District to include areas of Mosher’s Corner through the adoption of a new zoning map.
The Land Use and Development Code was amended to change an area currently identified in the Comprehensive Plan as Rural to Suburban through the adoption of a new zoning map.
The Town Council issued a renewal Liquor License to Gorham Sports Center, located at 215 Narragansett Street, and to Rustic Taps and Catering, LLC, located at 25 Elm Street.
The Town Council amended the Gorham Streets and Sidewalks Ordinance to include streets where parking will not be allowed.
The Town Council instructed the Ordinance Committee to review adding requirements to the Land Use & Development Code requiring that taxes be paid before the issuance of permits and bring back its recommendations to the Town Council.
Amendments to the Land Use and Development Code to allow for Varied Density in the Village District and Urban were forwarded to the planning board.
The Town Council appointed Councilor Kuech to the Economic Development and Capital Improvements Committee.
The Town of Gorham has been authorized to require electrical inspections for original installations of electrical equipment and alterations or additions to existing electrical equipment. (6 yeas, 1 nay: Hartwell)
Staff was instructed to schedule a workshop for the Council to discuss Agritourism, agricultural event centers, and other related topics as potential allowed uses in the Town.
The Town Council authorized the Finance Director to close out negative reserve and/or committed fund balances. The full list of close outs can be found on the town’s website.
The full minutes and amendments can be read at www.gorham-me.org.