USM Student Intern

Municipal & State |
February 2, 2023

The Gorham Town Council met on Tuesday, Jan’ 3, 2023. The meeting began with an acceptance of the minutes of the Dec. 6, 2022, Regular Town Council Meeting.

Open public communications began with an expressed request for a YMCA in town, specifically for the use of a public pool and childcare program. No further public comments were made.

The Town Manager’s report included updates on sand availability for storms, including the new limitation put in place. He reported that a new town engineer has recently been hired.

The School Committee report began with talk of the new education apprenticeship being offered to those interested in entering the education field. Updates were also given on the increase in the special education student population and the K-5 autism enrollment and K-5 functional life skills program. The reported demand for school bus drivers remains to be an issue.

Public hearings were held to hear comments on:

  • Item #2023-1-3, a proposal for action to consider a resignation from the planning board. Proposed Order #23-6 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2023-1-4, a proposal for action to consider an appointment to the planning board. Proposed Order #23-7 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2023-1-5, a proposal for action to re-appoint a registrar of voters. Proposed Order #23-8 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2023-1-6, a proposal for action to set a workshop for the month of March to review planning services avail- able through GPCOG. Amendments were made to the item to change the month of review to April, and the Proposed Order #23-9 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2023-1-7, a proposal for action to consider authorizing the issue of a bond that was approved by voters on November 8, 2022. Proposed Order #23-10 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2023-1-8, a proposal for the action to consider authorizing an abatement of taxes for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 tax years. Proposed Order #23-11 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2023-1-9, a proposal for action to consider amending the LUDC to allow for reduced setbacks in the Gorham Village Districts. Proposed Order #23-12 failed 6-1.
  • Item #2023-1-10, a proposal for action to consider a housing authority. Council Siegel expressed his concern for affordable housing. Discussion was mainly concerned with senior housing and workforce housing. Proposed Order #23-13 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2023-1-11, a proposal for action to consider changing the names of urban residential expansion districts. Proposed Order #23-14 failed 6-1.
  • Item #2023-1-12, a proposal for action to consider accepting a recreation access easement. Discussion was focused on the time limitations placed on accessible trails possibly causing accidental trespassing. Proposed Order #23-15 passed 7-0.
  • Item #2022-12-3, a proposal for action to consider accepting the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee to utilize a vendor to adjust ordinance language to be gender neutral. Proposed Order #23-16 passed 7-0.
  • Item 2022-10-11, a proposal for action to consider amending dog kennel standards in the Land Use & Development Code. Proposed Order #23-17 passed 7-0.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m. The complete minutes and meeting video can be found at gorham-me.org.