A plaque was presented to Councilor Benner for her six years on the Gorham Town Council.
Gorham Town Clerk, Laurie Nordfors, administered the oath of office to the newly elected Town Council members, Virginia Wilder-Cross and Lee Pratt.
The Town Council elected Ben Hartwell as the Chair and Suzanne Phillips as the Vice-Chair for the 2018- 2019 year.
Town Manager, Ephrem Paraschak, reminded residents that sand is now available from Public Works, and that there is a two five-gallon bucket limit per snow event. He reported that there is now a vacancy on the Planning Board and anyone who is interested in applying for that position can apply to the Town Clerk though November 30.
The following people were appointed to the following committees:
1. Finance Committee: Jim Hager, Chair, Lee Pratt, Suzie Phillips
2. Ordinance Committee: Ron Shepard, Chair, Paul Smith, Ginny Wilder-Cross
3. Appointments/Personnel Committee: Ginny Wilder-Cross, Chair, Jim Hager, Paul Smith
4. Economic Development/Capital Improvements Committee: Suzie Phillips, Chair, Lee Pratt, Ron Shepard
5. Representative to Greater Portland Council of Governments: Ephrem Paraschak
6. Representative to Ecomaine: Bob Burns, Paul Smith
7. Representative to Jetport Noise Abatement: Lee Pratt
8. Representative to PACTS Policy Committee: Ephrem Paraschak
9. Representative to METRO Regional Coalition: Ginny Wilder-Cross
10. Gorham High School Building Committee: Lee Pratt, Suzie Phillips, Paul Smith
11. Gorham Athletic Campaign Committee: Jim Hager
12. Cable Franchise Committee: Ginny Wilder-Cross, Jim Hager
The Town Council approved a renewal liquor license for Lucky Thai Restaurant.
A new liquor license, and new Special Amusement license were approved for School Street Pub & Grill.
The Town Council approved the new State annual maximums for the General Assistance Ordinance.
The Victualer’s Ordinance has been amended and is available on the town’s website. (5 yeas, 2 nays: Shepard, Pratt)
The Town Council forwarded a proposal to amend the Land Use & Development Code to the Planning Board for a Public Hearing. The amendment would allow one farm animal, under 50 pounds, to be kept on a lot with a lot area of under 40,000 square feet. The full amendment is available on the town’s website. (5 yeas, 2 nays: Shepard, Phillips)
The Economic Development & Capital Improvements Committee was asked to work with staff on a review of the five-year capital program and to make recommendations to the Town Council for adoption.
The Town Council appropriated $245,000 to build a Recreation Field House & Storage Facility at the Little Falls Recreation Area. This follows the Little Falls Recreation Area Master Plan adopted by the Town Council on August 6, 2013. (6 yeas, 1 nay: Smith)
The Ordinance Committee was asked to review and provide recommendations on improvements to the Cemetery Ordinance.
Town staff has been asked to prepare an analysis of properties eligible to provide payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and provide recommendations to how to encourage the use of PILOT.
The Ordinance Committee was asked to review home cultivation of marijuana for personal adult use and to prepare an ordinance regarding the same for adoption by the Town Council.
Lee Pratt’s resignation from the Gorham Planning Board was accepted.
The Appointments Committee was asked to make recommendations for a vacancy on the Planning Board.
One application for abatement of taxes based on poverty was accepted.
Complete minutes are available on the town’s website at www.gorham-me.org.