At the Town Council meeting of Oct. 3, four people voiced their opinion that the tax increase due to the school budget is a burden to taxpayers. One person questioned the Council on their leadership to the Town and would like to see a plan for the future.
Councilor Siegal advised there is a community compost bin by the pickleball court on Main Street as well as a clothes donation bin in the parking lot at Ace Hardware and urged residents to use them.
Councilor Gagnon advised that there was to be a big reveal of what the Robie Park Steering committee had been working on all year.
Councilor Phillips reported that Baxter Library would hold a scarecrow event on Oct. 21 and that many trick or treat events are happening around town.
Chairman Pratt reminded residents to donate blood and to vote on Nov. 7. Town Manger Paraschak reported pedestrian and traffic improvements on Main and South Street will begin shortly. Fall Brush Drop Off Date is Oct. 21 from 8 a.m.to 12 noon. Economic Development grants are now available for eligible businesses. Gorham Police Department will host the Citizen’s Police Academy on Wednesday evenings. He also recognized Angela Fall, Administrative Assistant for Code, who is retiring this month for her many years of service. The Council voted 6-0 to renew medical marijuana licenses for Nicholas Wilson,
Forest City Organics and to issue a renewal liquor license to Make Dough, LLC doing business as Otto’s Pizza; to issue a large outdoor Event license to Daniel Walker for an event at Raceway Drive on Oct. 28.
Voted 6-0 to renew the auto graveyard permits to Steve Luce, LKQ Corp; Gorham Auto, Casco Federal Credit Union; Gary Nelson, Chet’s Auto Sales; Reichart’s Auto Body; Moody’s co-worker owned; John Dumbrocyo, Dumbo Enterprises.
Public Hearing to comment on a proposal to amend the Fire Suppression Systems Ordinance sections on accessory apartments was defeated 2-4 (Shepard, Pratt, Phillips, Gagnon).
The Animal Control Ordinance vote was tabled and sent back to the Ordinance Committee.
The Council authorized the Town Manager to list 2.25 acres of acquired property at 155 Dow Road with a realtor.
The Council voted 6-0 to authorize staff to review creating an additional Town Committee to assist with current and future community needs.
The council voted 6-0 to authorize staff to work with the Gorham Lions Club to place a bench at Fort Hill Park; and thanked the members of the Gorham Lions Club past and present for their volunteerism in the community.
The Council voted 6-0 to authorize the Town Manager to work with the School Superintendent on establishing a joint Fiscal Sustainability Committee that will evaluate the future financial landscape, and to use this knowledge to make recommendations for how to maintain sustainable taxes while continuing to manage the present and future growth of our community over the next 5-10 years.
The Council voted 6-0 that the Town Council instructs the Ordinance Committee to work with staff to review and propose public utility impact fee(s) for the purposes of expanding sewer and water availability in the Town of Gorham where extensions are possible.
The Council voted 6-0 that the Town Council enter into executive session pursuant to 1 MRSA ยง405(6) (C) for discussion or consideration of the condition, acquisition or the use of real or personal property permanently attached to real property or interests therein or disposition of publicly held property or economic development only if premature disclosures of the information would prejudice the competitive or bargaining position of the body or agency.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:32. The full minutes of the meeting can be found at www.gorham-me.org.