Special Meeting ~ August 22
The Town Council accepted an easement on Tanglewood Drive for a turn around on Phinney Street with the temporary authorization to plow and sand Paul Smiths’ private driveway, approved on March 7, 2017, withdrawn. (4 yeas, 2 nays: Phinney, Hartwell 1 abstention: Smith)
The Planning Board was authorized to review the Town’s Land Use and Development Code and asked to provide recommendations for amendment to make the code consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Town Council re-appropriated the following funds that have been left over from reserve accounts:
Appropriate from:
Appropriate to:
1. Project to replace Corrugated Metal Pipe on Dingley Spring Road: $95,000
2. Project to replace Arch Pipe Culvert on Buck Street: $65,628.64
Total= $160,628.64
Regular Meeting ~ September 5
Michael Shaughnessy from Westbrook represented the Friends of Presumpscot River by asking elected officials in Windham, Westbrook, and Gorham to designate the Presumpscot Historic and Natural River Corridor as a Historic & National River Corridor.
Roger Wheeler, the Director of the Friends of Sebago Lake (FOSL) made a brief presentation regarding the Saccarappa Agreement and the impact it will have on the sea run fisheries on the Presumpscot River and Sebago Lake.
Aaron Frederick from Gorham, a Board Member of a non-profit program with Environmental Education for Youth, supports this joint agreement between Towns and would like the Town of Gorham to adopt this resolution as well.
David Alexander from Gorham commented that the Presumpscot River is a great resource to be preserved.
The Town Council approved a Victulars License for Pine Crest Bed & Breakfast. (4 yeas, 3 nays: Stelk, Smith, Benner)
A new Olde Canal Industrial District was adopted in order to provide areas within the Town of Gorham for manufacturing, processing, research, warehousing, heavy equipment sales, and large scale office buildings. The full zoning regulation can be found at www.gorham-me.org.
A renewal liquor license for M and G X-Mac II, LLC, doing business as Ocean Garden Restaurant and Tavern, 390 Main Street was approved.
The Town Council appropriated $150,000 from the Land Acquisition Reserve Fund as a loan to the School Department. This will be paid back from project funds if voters chose to approve a project to expand Gorham High School.
The Town Council accepted the report of the Main Street Utility Study.
Art Handman was appointed to the Steering Committee to assist and advise METRO Bus as they develop their new bus route to Gorham.
The Town Council referred a proposal to amend the Narragansett Development District to the Planning Board for their public hearing and recommendations.
Polls will be open on November 7 for the Annual Municipal Election and the State Referendum Election between the hours of 7:00 am and 8:00 pm. Absentee ballots will be processed on Monday, November 6, at 10:00 am and on Tuesday, November 7, at 9:00 am, 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
The Registrar of Voters will be in session on the following dates and times to register voters, correct the voter list and accept Absentee Ballots: October 31 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, November 1 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, November 2 from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, November 3 from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, November 6 from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, and November 7 from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm.
The Town Council appointed the following Wardens and Ward Clerks for Election. The Town Clerk is authorized to make changes to these appointments as needed: Ward 1-1 Warden: Susan Emerson, Ward Clerk: Laurel Smith; Ward 1-2 Warden: Kathy Corbett, Ward Clerk: Connie Loughran; Ward 2 Warden: Marty Towle Ward, Clerk: Nancy Kenty, and Central Warden: Paula Nystrom, Ward Clerk: Teresa Sanborn.
Molly Butler Bailey was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Planning Board. Bailey’s term will expire in 2019.
The Town Council went into executive session to discuss an application for abatement of taxes based on poverty and to discuss contract negotiations with the Fire Department.
Complete minutes are available on the town’s website here.