Hans Hansen suggested the Town should take a new approach to bringing in new business and commented on his many struggles over the past 55 years to run several businesses in Gorham.
Dan Glover, member of the Archangel Committee of Greater Portland, thanked Gorham for its support for the relationship and involvement in various exchanges over the years. He reported that the group will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the Sister Cities Relationship between Greater Portland, Maine and Archangel, Russia with a photo exhibition of photography at the Stonewall Gallery in Yarmouth, Maine from November 9, 2018 – January 7, 2019.
Alan Tardiff voiced his opinion on the high density development that is being considered near his property. He raised concerns for the wildlife in the area having no place to go if all of the houses are built.
Councilor Phillips thanked Bruce Roullard and the Gorham Village Alliance for a successful Welcome Back to Gorham event for USM students. She also reported that the High School Building Committee met on August 14 and went over more detailed plans and will meet again in September.
Councilor Stelk attended the opening ceremony of the new METRO Husky bus line service that started in Gorham on August 27. She urged everyone to take advantage of the bus service and hopes that it will help alleviate the traffic issue in Town and help citizens get into the Greater Portland Region.
Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak reported that there will be a road closure on Dingley Spring Road Extension on September 10 that will last approximately two months. He also reported that work is continuing on South Street for the next couple of weeks at night to complete that project and a meeting would be held with the DOT to discuss the proposed work on the Little River Bridge on Route 237.
School Committee Chairman Darryl Wright reported that the school year got off to a great start. He thanked the members of the Gorham Fire Department and the Gorham Police Department who came out to welcome the students back to school. He also thanked the staff and parents. He reported that due to the high temperatures, Wednesday was moved to a half day for the students, and Officer Drown and Chief Jones delivered “Ramcycles” to students on Thursday. The dismissal on Thursday was smooth and every student was home by 4:30 pm. He thanked the transportation department, the building administrative office and other staff for their hard work in making sure things went smoothly.
Wright informed parents and guardians to keep an eye out for communication coming regarding adjustments for early release days. The unofficial student enrollment numbers are as follows: K-5 elementary, 1289; GMS, 629; and GHS, 870 for a total enrollment of 2788. These are preliminary numbers and they will change. Implementation of the new transportation policy is going well.
He reported that the site work for the two portable classrooms is almost done and expects them to arrive by the end of September and ready for use by early October.
The GHS Building Committee will be meeting in September and the Athletic Capital Campaign Committee will be meeting on October 1. GHS homecoming will be the week of September 17 and the beginning of the year activities will be listed on the Districts website.
The Town Council approved a renewal liquor license for M and G X-Mac II, LLC, DBA Ocean Gardens Restaurant and Tavern.
Jed Taft voiced his concerns about the Sprinkler Ordinance and urged the Council to bring it to referendum for the public vote on.
The Town Council discussed amendments to the Sprinkler Ordinance. The Ordinance was voted on and passed as amended. 5 yeas, 2 nays (Benner, Phillips). Full details can be found at www.gorham-me.org
The Town Council forwarded potential amendments to the Land Use & Development Code regarding increased density within a new Small Dwellings Overlay District to the Planning Board for a public hearing and recommendation.
The Town Council forwarded potential amendments to the Land Use & Development Code which remove certain fire protection water supply requirements to the Planning Board for a public hearing and recommendation.
The Town Council approved all applications from the Senior Property Tax Relief Program as reviewed and recommended by staff, and ordered that $12,560 be transferred into the existing program budget from Contingency Account 950-02-50640 to cover all approved application rebates at their qualifying amounts. 6 yeas, 1 nay (Smith).
The Town Council discussed a referendum for November 6, 2018 to borrow up to $1,900,000 to replace the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the Gorham Middle School, and scheduled a Public Hearing on October 2.
Several people spoke in disapproval of the referendum question. Norm Justice gave a presentation on what the project would entail. Hollis Cobb reported that the bond would be for 10 years at 2.75% interest.
The Town Council amended the item to reflect the cost of the bond to be $2,100,000 instead of $1,900,000 due to the uncertainty of the bidding process. 5 yeas, 2 nays (Smith, Shepard).
The Town Council voted against the referendum. 3 yeas, 4 nays (Hartwell, Benner, Shepard, Philips)
The Town Council authorized a referendum for November 6, 2018 to allow the Gorham School Department to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the Greater Sebago Educational Alliance, and scheduled a public hearing on October 2, 2018.
The Town Council instructed staff to review the feasibility of a moratorium(s) on new construction of single-family homes, duplexes, multi-family buildings, accessory apartments, and subdivisions and bring back information to the Council for its review and consideration. 5 yeas, 2 nays (Hartwell, Benner).
Complete minutes are available on the town’s website at www.gorham-me.org.