The Town Council elected Suzanne Phillips as the Chair for the 2019-2020 year.

The Town Council elected Ron Shepard as the Vice-Chair for the 2019-2020 year.

Kathy Garrard, Gorham Village Alliance, announced that the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 30, is Small Business Saturday and urged people to get out and visit the many small businesses in town.

Councilor Pratt announced that he attended the Jetport Noise Abatement meeting last month and reported there will be no changes to the flight path over Gorham or any increase in flight traffic.

Councilor Wilder Cross thanked everyone who put together an extraordinary Veteran’s Day Ceremony including Georgia Humphrey, Jeffrey Knox, James Rathbun, the Girl Scouts, the Color Guard, the Flag Bearers and Councilor Ron Shepard.

Councilor Hager reported that the Finance Committee met and that we are slightly ahead on property tax revenue and also expenditures. He noted that he appreciates the continuous effort of Finance Director Sharon LaFlamme.

Chairperson Phillips reported that the Gorham Founders Festival Committee met and is getting closer to setting a date for the event.

Town Manager Paraschak thanked everyone involved in the election including Public Works, election workers and the Clerk’s Office. He reported that he and Superintendent Perry escorted a group of kindergarten students from Great Falls Elementary on a tour of the municipal building last week and thanked all of the teachers and chaperons involved. He disclosed that Wreaths Across America will be in Gorham on December 9 and there was a mobile display at the Public Works building on November 13.

Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors reported that the election went well. There were a total of 2525 ballots cast, which was an 18% voter turnout. She thanked all of the election workers and her office staff for their hard work and dedication. She noted that it would be impossible to run a successful election without each and every one of them. She also thanked the Gorham Public Works for their help in setting up and taking down voting booths and for their early morning and late night transportation of election material to each polling place.

The Town Council appointed the following people: Finance Committee: Jim Hager, Chair, Lee Pratt; Ordinance Committee: Ron Shepard, Chair, Ben Hartwell, Virginia Wilder Cross; Appointments/Personnel Committee: Virginia Wilder Cross, Chair, Jim Hager, Ron Shepard; Economic Development/Capital Improvements Committee: Lee Pratt, Chair, Ben Hartwell; Representative to Greater Portland Council of Governments: Virginia Wilder Cross, Ephrem Paraschak; Representative to Ecomaine: Jim Hager; Representative to Jetport Noise Abatement: Lee Pratt; Representative to PACTS Policy Committee: Ephrem Paraschak; Representative to Metro Regional Coalition: Virginia Wilder Cross; Gorham High School Building Committee: Lee Pratt; Gorham Athletic Campaign Committee: Suzanne Phillips; Cable Franchise Committee: Virginia Wilder Cross, Jim Hager; GPCOG Regional Voice: Ron Shepard.

The Town Council adopted the same rules for the 2019-2020 year as for the 2018-2019 year.

A renewal liquor license and a Special Amusement License was issued to School Street Pub & Grill LLC, located at 29B School Street.

The Town Council issued a renewal Liquor License to Sebago Brewing Company, 29 Elm St. (5 yeas, 1 abstention: Hartwell)

The Contract Zone Agreement for Avesta Housing was amended. The full amendment can be read on the town’s website.

The Town Council accepted the recommendation of staff on the composition of a comprehensive plan amendment committee as follows: Members of the Town Council: 3, Member of the Planning Board: 1, Member of the Gorham Economic Development Corporation: 1, Members of the last Comprehensive Plan Update Committee: 2

A plan to expand the Development Transfer Overlay District including the area in the vicinity of Mosher’s Corner was sent to the planning board for review.