Joseph Drive resident asked if the Town is responsible for picking up trash on the side of the road. Town Manager, David Cole, stated that Public Works is not responsible and that citizens should clean up in front of their own homes and property.
Darryl Wright, from the School Committee, said that June 17 is “We Love Gorham Day” at the schools. The day is used for rubbish clean up and residents are encouraged to participate at home as well.
David Cole gave an update on the status of the Main Street construction project for which the bids from DOT came in higher than budgeted. DOT needs to review bids and this will push the project later in the year and quite possibly into 2018.
The Town Council postponed the proposed moratorium of retail marijuana establishments and retail marijuana social clubs until August 1, 2017.
A request from Tim Devine, Ossipee Trail Motors, to draft a Contract Zone for 135 Dingley Springs Road, which would allow both buildings to be used as a body shop, was tabled until staff could come up with a plan. Tom Porier, Town Planner, stated that a contract zone is not compatible with the Comprehensive Plan that was updated in 2016 and that prior use was a Non-Conforming Use which was grandfathered in, however, due to the property being vacant for over a year it reverted back to the 2016 Comprehensive Plan guidelines.
The Town Council asked staff to draft an amendment of Section 2 of the Streets and Sidewalks Ordinance, which would require a permit for large events that may cause congested parking and traffic on public roads. The permit will require appropriate traffic control measures to minimize congestion and to include no-parking on one side of the road to allow room for emergency vehicles. Item will be sent to the Ordinance Committee for further clarification. (2 Yeas, 5 Nays: Benner, Shephard, Hartwell, Hager, Phinney)
A memorandum of understanding for a reciprocal borrowing agreement between Baxter Memorial Library, Scarborough Public Library Corporation, South Portland Public Library, Thomas Memorial Library in Cape Elizabeth, and Walker Memorial Library in Westbrook was approved.
The Town Council authorized the Town Clerk to issue a warrant for the School Budget Validation/Referendum/Portland Water District Election on June 13. The polls will be open from 7:00 am-8:00 pm. The following residents were appointed for the designated voting districts: District 1-1- Susan Emerson, Warden and Laurel Smith, Ward Clerk; District 1-2 – Katherine Corbett, Warden and Marie Plummer, Ward Clerk; District 2 – Martha Towle, Warden and Nancy Kenty Ward Clerk; Central – Paula Nystrom, Warden and Teresa Sanborn, Ward Clerk.
The Registrar of Voters will be in session on: Tuesday, June 6 from 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Wednesday, June 7 from 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Thursday, June 8 from 8:00 am-7:00 pm, Friday, June 9 from 8:00 am-1:00 pm, and Monday, June 12 from 8:00 am-4:00 pm.
The Town Clerk is authorized to process absentee ballots on Tuesday, June 13, at 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm.
A deed for a parcel of land located in the Glenwater Village Subdivision was accepted for open space and trail use. Town Council also accepted an easement access for access to the open space lot.
The Town Council entered an Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations.
Complete minutes are available on the town’s website.