Chairperson Suzanne Phillips recognized outgoing Councilors Lee Pratt and Virginia Wilder-Cross with a plaque in their honor.
Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors swore in new Councilors David Willis and Janet Kuech.
Moved by Councilor Rob Lavoie, seconded by Councilor Seven Siegel, and Ordered, that the Town Council elect Suzanne Phillips as the Chair for the 2024-2025 year. (7 yeas)
Moved by Councilor Siegel, seconded by Councilor Charles (Lou) Simms and Ordered, that the Town Council elect Rob Lavoie as the Vice-Chair for the 2024-2025 year. (7 yeas)
Town Council adopted the same Council rules as the 2023-2024 Town Council year along with the following amendment: No Councilor-sponsored ordinance, order, or resolve shall be in order for action at any meeting of the Town Council unless such ordinance order or resolve shall be filed in the office of the Town Manager and the Council Chair on or before noon of the day two weeks prior to the regular meeting held on the first Tuesday of each month, and before noon on the day two weeks prior to the day of any other meeting. Delivery of all items to the members of the Town Council in accordance with the foregoing, if by postal service, shall be postmarked no later than Thursday prior to the regular meeting. (7 yeas)
Open Public Communications:
Susan Duchaine expressed her concerns about the Council’s vote last month on the contract zone for multiple single-family residential dwellings for Map 6, lot 14.
Hannah Hamblen addressed her concerns with the health and well-being of residents around the brickyard and quarries in Gorham.
Councilor Communications:
Councilor Simms reported on the Scarborough Town Council’s recent vote against the Maine Turnpike Authority’s proposed toll highway expansion known as the Gorham Connector. A portion of Simm’s full report can be found here.
Councilor Siegel reported that there are two open seats on the Baxter Memorial Library Board of Trustees encouraging residents to apply, and specified after all applications are received, the Appointments Committee will conduct interviews. Councilor Siegel disclosed that South Portland joined the METRO board which reduces the amount of money that the Town pays for bus services by $42,000 per year. Councilor Siegel encouraged residents to take the bus more, which reduces traffic and the number of cars on the roads.
Councilor Gagnon reminded residents that the 1st half of the 24/25 Real Estate Taxes are due on Nov. 15.
Councilor Kuech noted that the 70% voter turnout was exciting and thanked the residents for voting.
Councilor Willis recently visited the Food Pantry on Thursday and has deep respect for what they do for the residents of Gorham. He acknowledged a very dedicated Food Pantry volunteer Shelby Zaner, who recently passed away and remarked that she will be sadly missed.
Chairperson Phillips welcomed Councilor Kuech and Willis and is looking forward to working with them.
Town Manager Paraschak thanked the town clerk and her election workers as well as the Department of Public Works and Gorham Police Department for a safe and successful election. He also thanked Baxter Memorial Library for a wonderful Halloween event and reminded residents of the Gorham Rec’s Light Parade and Tree lighting which will be held at Robie Park on Dec. 1. More information can be found on the Rec. Departments website. Town Manager Paraschak announced that the new pedestrian lighting is now complete in the village and is up and running. He also informed residents that the overnight parking ban in the village is now in effect and winter sand is available at the Public Works garage, 2 5-gallon buckets per storm.
The following were appointed to the committees listed below:
- Council Finance Committee: Rob Lavoie – Chair, Janet Kuech, David Willis
- Council Ordinance Committee: Seven Siegel – Chair, Phil Gagnon, Lou Simms
- Council Appointments Committee: Seven Siegel – Chair, Janet Kuech, David Willis
- Council Economic Development / Capital Improvements Committee: Lou Simms – Chair, Phil Gagnon, Rob Lavoie
- Representative to Greater Portland Council of Governments: Lou Simms
- Representatives to EcoMaine: Seven Siegel
- Representative to Jetport Noise Abatement Committee: Phil Gagnon
- Representative to GPCOG Metro Regional Coalition: David Willis
- Joint Fiscal Sustainability Committee: Lou Simms, Rob Lavoie
- Metro Bus Service: Seven Siegel (7 yeas)
Town Council forwarded a concept for the creation of an agritourism venue for Erin Flett, located at 64 Flaggy Meadow Road, to the Planning Board for their review and a public hearing. (7 yeas)
Town Council authorizes access for access of a private way off of the public road of Lily Lane providing that the public access and use is maintained, the developer builds access of off Lily Lane on the Town right of way to a standard acceptable to staff; and that the developer (and future property owners) will be responsible for snow removal abutting the Town’s maintained roadway unless an easement is provided to the Town of Gorham, acceptable to the public works director, by which snow can be adequately removed and/or stored. (5 yeas, 2 nays: Gagnon, Siegel)
Capital Improvements Committee was asked to investigate ways to improve accessibility to Husky Line, and ways to better utilize multi-modal transportation opportunities as a catalyst for economic development in and around our village center, and other growth areas and report back with any recommendations. (4 yeas, 3 nays: Phillips, Gagnon, Lavoie)
Town Council instructed the Capital Improvements Committee to investigate cost-effective solutions to improve street safety in and around Gorham Village, to thereby catalyze net-positive economic development in the Village to include bicycle advisory lanes, temporary bollards/flex posts, and other practical interventions with demonstrated success in other municipalities. (7 yeas)
Ordinance Committee has been asked to evaluate a vacant/abandoned building ordinance and report back to the Town Council with recommendations. (5 yeas, 2 nays: Gagnon, Phillips)
Town Council scheduled a public hearing and vote on Dec. 2, to amend the Fire Suppression Systems Ordinance as recommended by the Ordinance Committee. (6 yeas, 1 nay: Gagnon)
Amendments to Map 106, Lot 46 from Urban Residential to the McLellan-Sampson House Conditional Zone were forwarded to the Planning Board, for review and public hearing. (7 yeas)
Town Council forwarded amendments to sections of the Land Use and Development Code pertaining to districts in the Gorham Village located under Chapter 1 to the Planning Board for review and public hearing. (7 yeas)
Town Council voted against amending the Land Use and Development Code to include a percentage of affordable housing requirements into the Land Use and Development Code. The item was not sent to the Planning Board for review and a public hearing. (3 yeas, 4 nays: Philips, Kuech, Willis, Lavoie)
Town Council set November 19, 2024 as a workshop to discuss waste hauling options, as well as a discussion with legal counsel on roles and responsibilities of elected officials. Meeting will take place at 6:30 PM (7 yeas)
Town Council adopted a revised fee schedule for specific fees within the Gorham Fire Department as follows:
- Ambulance Mileage Fee: $14.70 per mile
- Basic EMS Transport Fee: $609.00
- Advanced Life Support I Transport Fee: $825.25
- Advanced Life Support II Transport Fee: $1,050.00 (6 yeas, 1 nay: Gagnon)
To read the full meeting minutes, along with the complete amendment language visit the town’s website at https://www.gorham-me.org/node/49/minutes.