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Around Town
The town Council will vote August 5 (Gorham Times print version was incorrect) regarding adding a "Downtown Gorham Parking Lot" by Robie Gym where there is currently open space. The proposed lot will have 22 spaces; the entrance would be on Preble Street.
Due to the Friday July 18 storm, the Public Works facility located on Public Works Drive off the Huston Road, will be accepting tree debris for disposal. The debris pile is located at the very end of the road past the fuel depot and to the left. There is no diameter restriction on logs, but the length should be kept to an 8-foot maximum length. Stumps are not able to be taken at this time. Public Works crews will be cleaning up storm debris around town starting in those areas hardest hit. Please call Public Works at 892-9062 if you have further questions.
Democtrats from House District 129 chose local businessperson, Daniel LeVasseur, as their candidate for the November election on July 16. The special caucus was called by the Maine Democratic Party to replace incumbent Democratic State Legislator, Chris Barstow, who recently withdrew his name from consideration for the seat for personal reasons. LeVasseur, who ran unopposed, was elected by a unanimous decision. During his address to the assembly, LeVasseur, who manages Gorham's 21st Century Motors, stated that he is running to represent House District 129 because small business owners and middle class families don't have a strong enough voice in Augusta.
Three Gorham employees received 20 year service pins: Bob Henckel, in the Gorham Police Department and Carol Robinson and Deb Buker, who both work at Baxter Memorial Library.
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Devastation Hits Gorham!
Once again Gorham bore the brunt of a most brutal storm, with much devastation and loss. Many areas were hit and now the Town is left with a tremendous amount of clean-up.
What was once a historic, beautiful 150+ year old barn was reduced to rubble in just a matter of minutes. Mike and Sue Franck's barn on the corner of Spiller Road /Route 114 was lifted up and then crushed by high winds on July 18. Those who travel Route 114 going north have seen the beautiful set of buildings back dropped by ever changing sky, storms, and cloud formations. The demise of the Franck barn is devastating to its many admirers.
Many trees around town were completely up-rooted with the Gorham Country Club losing at least 200 trees.
Photo Martha T. Harris
New School Referendum Date Set
Costs Lower Than Expected
Bill Ambrose
At a special Town Council meeting on July 15, the Council gave its unanimous approval of a school bond referendum to be held on September 16. The public will be asked to agree to issue $2,480,000 in bonds to pay the local costs for the replacement of the White Rock School.
Superintendent of Schools Ted Sharp characterized the proposed school as a "good deal for the Town," which "certainly meets our needs." It will relieve the overcrowding pressure on the two largest existing elementary schools, with Village School losing 200 students, and Narragansett losing150 tudents. All temporary buildings will then be retired.
Sharp told the Council that the entire project is expected to cost $25,800,000, with the state paying for 89%. The 20-year bond issue will cause a maximum increase of 20 cents in the mil rate in the second year of the issue, resulting in a tax increase of $40 on an average $200,000 house. After that, the net tax increase will diminish each year.
The referendum ballot will include a condensed explanation of the costs to the taxpayers of the bond issue. This is in response to a previous request by Councilor Phil Csoros, who asked that all future referenda include a statement of the costs involved.
Lyndon Keck, principal architect of PDT Architects, gave a detailed presentation of the school proposal to the Council members. Using large plans and renderings, he described the features of the new building and its site on the Stevens Farm on Sebago Lake Road. The property encompasses 25.6-acres, 23-acres of which will be developed. Two storm water retention ponds will be built, with the larger one draining into the existing farm pond. Keck stated that construction of the project, if approved by the voters, should begin in June 2009, with an expected completion date in September 2011.
The new school will be seven times larger that the old White Rock building, having a total area of 82,250-sq. ft. on two floors. It will have a student capacity of 550, and is designed in such a way that it can be divided into two separate "learning communities." Art, music, gymnasium and cafeteria facilities will be housed in their own wing.
Four athletic fields are planned for the site. Local funds will be needed to pay for three of the fields, with the fourth provided by state funding. Two access loops will enable the separation of school buses from parent pick-up and drop-off. There will also be 145 parking spaces available during regular school days, with approximately 100 additional spaces possible with parallel parking permitted on the access loops during athletic events.
Keck explained the energy strategies to be used in the new facility. It will be heated and cooled geothermally, in the same manner as the Gorham Middle School, which his firm also designed. Solar panels on the roof will provide domestic hot water, and various techniques will be used to enhance the energy efficiency of the building's ventilation and lighting systems. The roofs of the new school will be pitched, rather than flat. Since the state will only fund projects with flat roofs, local funds will be used for this portion of the construction.
Prior to the Council vote, Council Chair Burleigh Loveitt expressed the Council's gratitude to the members of the School Site Committee, in particular Councilor Jane Knapp and former Councilor Norm Justice. He also praised the Stevens family for their high level of cooperation in the lengthy site acquisition process.
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First Annual Gorham Taste Walk and PineCrest Music Fest
Dede Perkins
Save your appetite, Gorham's First Annual Taste Walk will take place from
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 27. A $5 ticket buys samples of signature dishes and locally grown food from participating Gorham restaurants and cafes. Walkers will have the chance to vote for the winner of Gorham's first "Golden Spoon Award" which will be awarded at 5 p.m. on the main stage.
Proceeds from ticket sales plus a portion of the music festival's food and beverage sales will benefit the Gorham Educational Foundation, Baxter Memorial Library, Gorham High School Key Club, and the Gorham Community Endowment.
After the Taste Walk, enjoy the PineCrest Music Fest from 1 to 7 p.m. Bring a blanket, settle onto the lawn and enjoy an afternoon of live, music performed by the bluesy-style jazz musician, Ellen Tipper, folk rock musician, Beth Wood, and the gypsy jazz swing trio, Amaranouche, recently named New Hampshire's Best Musical Group, 2008.
Matt Mattingly, owner of PineCrest Bed and Breakfast Inn, organizer of the event feels like the Music Fest natural fit for the Inn. "PineCrest has a rich musical history that stretches back to the 1750's," Mattingly said. "The original owner brought Boston musicians to perform in Gorham. Subsequent owners were singers and music teachers."
There will also be a Bake-Off Challenge which anyone can enter. Participants are encouraged to enter their favorite home-baked sweet or savory treat to be judged by local chefs. The winner (and their dish) will be featured on the menu of the local restaurants. Entries can include meat, seafood, fruit or other baked item, but must have at minimum of one local/regional ingredient and should be dropped off at PineCrest on the day of the event between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The winner will be announced at 3 p.m. on the main stage.
During the music festival, PineCrest Club will offer a summer grilled menu and beverages in the garden. Music Fest tickets are limited and will be sold at Hannaford and participating restaurants. Buy tickets ahead of time; on the morning of the event, stop by Town Hall to get a Taste Walk map, and suggested parking locations.
FMI check PineCrest's blog, www.pinecrestmaine.com/blog or call Matt Mattingly at 839-5843.
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