Lisa Bolduc of Sylvan Road discussed her concerns with the new development in town and asked the Council if there is ever any follow up to make sure the developers stay within their plans.
Jen Rush of Adeline Drive requested that the Town clear snow from the sidewalks of a mile stretch on Solomon Drive to ensure the children walking to and from the Middle School are safe this winter.
Councilor Pratt asked that any complaints or concerns of Jetport noise be given to him before the meeting of the Jetport Noise Committee on October 17.
Councilor Phillips reported that she attended the Founder’s Festival Committee meeting and they are looking at several different themes for a potential event next fall to coincide with Maine’s Bicentennial anniversary. The next meeting is on October 17.
Councilor Wilder Cross attended the Gorham Village Alliance Meeting and said she was excited to hear about the plans for the green space next to Robie Gym. She also announced that there is an opening on the Board of Appeals and that the Appointments Committee is seeking applications to fill the vacancy.
Town Manager Paraschak thanked Tom Ellsworth, Economic Development Director, for his many years of service to the Town and congratulated him on his retirement. The Town is currently looking to fill that position. He also stated that the Town is still having issues at the Silver Bullet recycling bins and announced that the Town is rolling out a slightly more aggressive enforcement plan to curb illegal dumping there.
Paraschak also stated that the regular Town Council meeting for November will be automatically moved to November 12.
Renewal applications for the following Automobile Graveyard/Junkyard Permits were approved for 2020: LKQ Corp/Gorham Auto, Jim Stone/Casco Federal Credit Union, Chet’s Auto Sales, Reichert’s Auto Body, Moodys/Insurance Auto Auction, and Dumbo Enterprises.
The Town Council issued a renewal liquor license to Gorham House of Pizza, LLC, 2 State Street.
The Town Council amended the Town’s General Assistance Ordinance to incorporate the updated maximum levels of assistance as required by the State.
Town Council amended the Special Amusement Ordinance as follows:
Section 1. Applicability: This Ordinance amendment applies to all events at all facilities licensed by the State to sell liquor, regardless of whether liquor is served at any specific event, including trivia, games, karaoke or other music events, pool tables, arcade games or video games.
Section 6. Definitions: The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this Ordinance, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning. Entertainment shall include any amusement, performance, exhibition or diversion for patrons or customers of the licensed premises whether provided by professional or amateur entertainers, by patrons, or by full-time or part-time employees of the licensed premises whose incidental duties include activities with an entertainment value including trivia, games, karaoke or other music, pool tables, arcade games or video games. (6 yeas, 1 nay: Phillips)
The Cemetery Ordinance was amended and will cover the following cemeteries that are maintained by the Town of Gorham: Eastern Cemetery, Fort Hill Cemetery, Hillside Cemetery, Huston Road Cemetery, Little Falls Cemetery, North Street Cemetery, Sapling Hill Cemetery, Shaws Mills Cemetery, Smith Cemetery, South Gorham Cemetery, South Street Cemetery, West Gorham Cemetery (sometimes called Dow Road or Lewis Cemetery).
The Town Council did not amend the Land Use & Development map to change Map 32, Lot 19 from Roadside Commercial to the Industrial District. (2 yeas, 5 nays: Pratt, Phillips, Hartwell, Wilder Cross, Smith)
An amendment to the land Use and Development Code was forwarded to the Ordinance Committee for its review and recommendation. The amendment will allow for the commercial adult-use cultivation, manufacturing and processing of marijuana. The Town Council will also schedule a workshop with legal counsel to cover this.
The Town Council adopted a resolution to encourage the number of housing units that can be afforded by lower and middle income households in our community by adopting and improving policies and incentives, which allow our community to contribute to achieving the overall regional goal of expanding the number of housing units in our region that are affordable to lower and middle income households, while managing the expansion of residential growth in smart and effective ways in the Town of Gorham. The Town Council will work with the Greater Portland Council of Governments and the Metro Regional Coalition to help achieve this.
The Town Council amended the Permanent Revolving Loan Fund Program the purpose of which is to be sure that the Town of Gorham is prepared to administer a permanent revolving loan fund (“RLF”) for small and medium sized businesses located here. The program will provide direct loans for businesses that can’t meet their entire financing needs through conventional sources of financing from banks and other financial institutions. The Town will work with banks doing business in the community to meet the needs of area businesses. The purpose of the fund is to provide financing to businesses that create taxable assessed value and increase the economic opportunity for citizens in the Town of Gorham.
An amendment to the Historic Preservation Ordinance was sent to the ordinance Committee for their review and recommendation. This amendment includes a new category for Historic Sites, to include the Old Yard Cemetery, Town Clock, Civil War monument and Founders Monument.
The Town Council instructed staff to provide recommendations for the composition of a comprehensive plan amendment committee to amend the Future Land Use Map in the Comprehensive Plan’s South Gorham Crossroads District and South Gorham Commercial Center District at the next regular Town Council Meeting. The committee was also tasked with reviewing proposed uses in both districts.
Staff has been authorized to solicit proposals from qualified vendors for solar facilities to be located on the landfill located off of Huston Road.
The Town Council instructed staff to install a waste & recycling receptacle at the Husky Line Bus Stop on Main Street and that they do so by cost effective means. (4 yeas, 3 nays: Shepard, Phillips, Pratt)
The Town Council asked the Planning board to look into amending the Zoning Map in the area of Harding Bridge Road to match the Future Land Use Map in the Comprehensive Plan currently zoned as Rural to Suburban Residential.
Councilor Pratt was designated as the official liaison to the Gorham Economic Development Corporation.
The amount of $151,507 in leftover funds from completed road projects were transferred to the following projects:
$66,000 – Drag shim two sections of Route 202 (Windham Town Line to Little Falls Roundabout & a section between the Bernard Rines Bypass and the Buxton Town Line.)
$15,000 – Overlay of Mallison Street.
$70,507 – towards overlay of Hurricane Road.
The Town Council went into an Executive Session to conclude the annual performance evaluation of the Town Manager.