The Town Council Regular meeting of April 1 was called to order by Vice Chairperson Lavoie. Councilors Simms, Siegel, Willis, Kuech, and Gagnon were present along with Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak and Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors, and 25 members of the public. The minutes of the March 4, 2025 Regular and Special Town Council meetings were accepted. 6 yeas.
In open public communication Charlie Hamblen suggested updates to the Quarry Ordinance blasting report requirements. Harold Parks, Mark Curtis, Eric Bordeau, John Williams, Lou Simms and Gary Jordan each spoke about issues relating to traffic and the proposed Gorham Connector.
Councilor Communications included a variety of topics including the Gorham Village Alliance recent networking event, Legislative Bill LD1020 regarding the Gorham Connector April 3 meeting, several other discussions about the Gorham connector, the Capital Improvement Committee’s meeting with the superintendent and School Committee coming up on April 17, MDOT’s reduced traffic count on Route 22 and 114 over the past 20 years, the opening of new businesses in Gorham, and upcoming meetings of the Open Space Trail Steering Committee, Finance Committee, and a reminder for citizens to give blood.
Reports were given by Town Manager Paraschak and School Committee chair, Sarah Perkins.
The following pubic hearings were held:
- On a proposal to issue a renewal massage license to Heather Theriault and a new massage license to Jennifer Parent, Kendra Monroe, and Rachael Bombad. There were no comments from the public. Voted 6 yeas
- On a proposal to issue a Medical Marijuana License to John Lamparelli, Forest City Organics, 11 Gorham Industrial Parkway, Unit G. Property owned by JK Properties. There were no comments from the public. Voted to table the item until the Fire Department Inspection is complete, 6 yeas.
- On a proposal to amend the Zoning Map to change Map 22, Lot 7 on Washburn Road from the Suburban Residential (SR) District to the South Gorham Crossroads (SGXR) District. Jeff Jordan noted that only the northern section of Map 22, Lot 7 is the area being changed. The Council voted to amend the order accordingly, 6 yeas.
- On a proposal to amend the Land Use and Development Code for technical updates to Chapter 2, Section 2-5 Minimum Standards for the Design and Constructions of Streets and Ways. With no comments from the public, the Council voted to waive the reading of the order due to length, and to accept the proposal, 6 yeas.
The following actions were taken:
- To consider the purchase of property located at 77 County Road, and to authorize the Town Manager to have the existing building demolished from the property by the Public Works Department. After voting 4 yeas, 2 nays (Lavoie, Gagnon) to add an escalation clause, and Mark Curtis and Peter Mason expressed their opinions, the action was voted as amended 0 yeas, 6 nays by all councilors.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
The complete minutes of this meeting and video record can be found at the Town of Gorham website here:
Minutes: https://www.gorham-me.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif4456/f/minutes/04-01-2025.pdf