MUNICIPAL
HEADLINE: Clerk’s Corner
BYLINE: Laurie Nordfors, Gorham Town Clerk
The Town of Gorham is continuing the tradition of the Boston Post Cane. We are looking for the oldest living resident of Gorham. The person must have lived in the Town of Gorham for a minimum of the most recent ten-year period and must be willing to receive the honor. If you know of someone who may qualify, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (207) 222-1670, or fill out the Nomination Form. Additional supporting documentation may be required.
Voters can request an Absentee Ballot now for the Nov. 4, 2025 Election. Requests can be made by phone, on-line or be picked up at the Clerk’s Office. Ballots will be mailed out sometime the first week of October.
We’re excited to announce that starting Oct. 1, 2025, Gorham’s municipal ordinances will be available through General Code, a modern, digital-first platform designed to make our local laws more accessible and easier to navigate.
General Code organizes and publishes our ordinances in a searchable, user-friendly format via the eCode360® portal. Whether you’re a resident, staff member, or official, you’ll be able to view, search, and share Gorham’s code from any device.
Why This Matters:
– Transparency: Easy access to local laws for everyone.
– Efficiency: Quick reference for staff and officials.
– Accessibility: Available 24/7 online.
Beginning in October, citizens can find a button on the Town of Gorham website homepage (http://gorhammaine.gov/) to access the General Code. To explore Gorham’s General Code before October, visit http://www.ecode360.com/GO6630
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HEADLINE: Gorham Fire Department Summary of Incidents, August
BYLINE: Gorham Times Staff
The Gorham Fire Department responded to 353 calls for service in the month of August, adding 31 more calls than last month. 221 of these incidents were medical emergencies, 30 fire alarm activations, 13 motor vehicle accidents, 7 reported woods fires, one in fact being a moderate size, and 1 major natural gas leak.
The Gorham Fire Department had no reported building fires for the month of August, described as “very rare” by GFD staff.
The department had a total of 61 requests for mutual aid in total. Of those incidents, 24 were requests for other communities to respond to incidents in Gorham, and the other 37 of those were requests for Gorham to respond to other communities such as Windham, Standish and Westbrook.
There were also 4 “house calls” for the month of August that were struck. A house call is a request for any members off-duty to respond back to the station when all of the on-duty members are dedicated to other emergencies. These events are necessary due to the potential nature of the emergencies the members of the Gorham Fire Department face, whether those challenges be physical or mental. The Gorham Fire Department will continue to answer the calls of the citizens and provide the best possible service, as always.
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HEADLINE: Planning Board Recommends Quarry Expansion
BYLINE: Gorham Times Staff
At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Gorham Planning Board dealt with several significant items, including the controversial issue of allowing Shaw Brothers Construction an industrial use zoning change for approximately 6.5 acres, which would allow them to expand the acreage of their Brickyard Quarry operation.
Danny Shaw spoke on behalf of Shaw Brothers. A resident of the quarry vicinity, Charles Hamblen, spoke in opposition, citing the dust and noise pollution produced by the existing quarry. Mr. Hamblen claimed he was speaking on behalf of 400 Gorham residents. Keith Richard, an attorney who was representing Mr. Hamblen, also spoke in opposition. Gorham resident Mark Curtis spoke in favor of the proposal, stating “a zoning change makes sense”.
The board voted 5-0 to recommend that the town council approve the zoning change. Chairperson Hager, and members Benson, Delaney, Frank, and Nichols all voted in favor. (Crisafulli and Walsh were absent. )
Another significant item was the request by the developers of Narragansett Reserve Estates for approval of a master plan to construct a 102-unit condominium community for residents 55 and older, which would be located off Newton Drive in the South Gorham Crossroads zone. Chairperson Hager recused himself, then spoke at the podium as a member of the public and a resident of the Newton Drive neighborhood, mentioning his concerns about traffic issues. Two other neighborhood residents also spoke, citing their concerns about whether the developers’ current plans for sewage lines and leach fields would be adequate or permissible.
The motion passed with conditions, four in favor, one recused (Hager), and two absent.
In other business, the board voted 5-0 ( two absent) to approve the master plan for the Mitchell Woods Condominiums, a 32-unit multifamily housing project with associated infrastructure on County Road, located in the South Gorham Commercial Corridor.
Also regarding the South Gorham Commercial Corridor, the board voted to recommend a minimum amount of non-residential use in a Mixed-Use building and Mixed-Use development in that zone. The motion was sent to the Town Council with recommendation to adopt (5-0, two absent).
The board voted to recommend changing the Land Use and Development Code (Chapter 1 Sections 1-11, 1-12, 1-13, 1-21, 1-22, and 1-27) to add indoor/outdoor recreation facilities and similar commercial and industrial permitted uses. This was sent to the Town Council ( 5-0, two absent).
The board discussed Troiano Properties LLC’s request for approval of a development plan for phases one through five of a proposed development on approximately 170 acres of the former Gorham Country Club near McLellan Road, but did not take action.
The board discussed Shamos Paving and Sealcoating’s request for approval of a plan for development of a commercial building, outdoor storage area, and associated infrastructure on an approximately 9.5-acre parcel (adjacent to their recently developed retail location on Ossipee Trail) but did not take any action.
Approval of the Aug. 4, 2025 meeting minutes was tabled pending revisions (5-0, 2 absent).
Approved the July 15, 2025 Maka Builders site walk minutes (5-0, 2 absent).
Approved the July 17, 2025 Deering Drive site walk minutes (5-0, 2 absent).