Harold Parks, of George Street asked the Council to consider having Public Works remove fall leaves from the George Street cul-de-sac.
Councilor Phillips reported that a “Gorham Cleanup” will take place on October 3 and will focus on the Village and South Street. More information is available on the Conservation Commission and the Village Alliance Facebook page. Phillips reported that the Town Council/School Department Facilities Committee will meet September 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Councilors Kuech and Wilder Cross both attended the MMA Women in Leadership Symposium in Augusta last month. They enjoyed the event and hope to see more women working for municipalities.
Councilor Hager reported that the Finance Committee will meet for their quarterly meeting September 20 at 5:30 p.m.
Chairman Pratt reminded citizens that school is back in session and to please slow down, stop looking at your phones and stop for buses and at crosswalks.
Director of Community Development Tom Poirier remarked that the town-wide revaluation is still going on. Letters have gone out to homeowners to announce that they will be in their area. He reported that speed limit studies are conducted by the DOT, who come out and assess the road in question. He mentioned that the DOT only allows 3 requests per year. The police department cannot enforce a speed limit unless that speed limit is set by the DOT.
Town Council issued a Medical Use Marijuana License to Nicholas Wilson, Forest City Organics, located at 11 Gorham Industrial Parkway. The property is owned by Jack McInerny. (7 yeas)
A Medical Use Marijuana License was also issued to Robert Derrey, Alternative Relief, located at 17 Industrial Parkway, Unit A. Property is owned by Dave Cowan. (7 yeas)
Town Council chose to amend the Town’s General Assistance Ordinance by updating the maximum levels of assistance as required by the State. (7 yeas)
The Town Clerk was authorized to issue the warrant for the November 2, 2021 Annual Municipal Election. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The following residents were appointed for the below voting districts:
- District 1-1 – Susan Emerson, Warden and Laurel Smith, Ward Clerk
- District 1-2 – Katherine Corbett, Warden and Cornelia Loughran, Ward Clerk
- District 2 – Martha Towle, Warden and Nancy Kenty, Ward Clerk
- Central – Paula Nystrom, Warden and Nanette Belanger, Ward Clerk
The Registrar of Voters will be in session during the following times:
- Tuesday, October 26, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Thursday October 28, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Friday October 29, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
- Monday November 1, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
The Town Clerk is authorized to process absentee ballots between Tuesday, October 26 and Tuesday, November 2 starting at 10:00 a.m. each day. (7 yeas)
Town Council approved all qualifying applications from the Senior Property Tax Relief Program as reviewed and recommended by staff. (7 yeas)
Jodie Keene’s resignation from the Conservation Commission was accepted, and she was thanked for her years of service. (7 yeas)
Amendments to the Land Use and Development Code were sent to the Ordinance Committee for their review and recommendation. The amendments would allow for a refund of Zoning Board of Appeals application fees when a determination of the Code Enforcement Officer is overturned by the ZBA. (7 yeas)
Town Council authorized staff to research and apply for funding that would benefit local agricultural businesses through the advancement and/or construction of a facility that could be used for local farmers markets and other local events. (7 yeas)
Amendments to the Land Use and Development Code were sent to the Ordinance Committee. These amendments would adopt the South Gorham Crossroads District and South Gorham Corridor Commercial District as identified by the Town’s Compressive Plan. (7 yeas)
Town Council requested that the Ordinance Committee provide recommendations and review of examining performance standards for multi-family housing to promote effective multi-family development in the Town of Gorham. (7 yeas)
Full meeting minutes can be found online here.