The Gorham Town Council met for their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Chairperson Suzanne Phillips called the meeting to order and all seven members were present.
Their first action was to approve the minutes of the Dec. 2 meeting. (7-0)
Eight members of the public spoke to urge the council to reject the deal to sell town property to Amazon. Issues raised by citizens included traffic concerns, quality-of-life concerns, the incongruity of this sale with the town’s comprehensive plan and public sentiment about the treatment of Amazon employees by this company.
Virginia Wilder Cross thanked the council and community for the support for the highly successful New Year Gorham program. Ginny, one of the organizers of the event, noted that over one thousand people attended the events this year and she thanked all of the town departments for their assistance with the celebration as it has grown the past 18 years.
Each councilor had the opportunity to speak about recent town events. Several, including Councilors Simms, Dearborn and Willis, spoke about the recent fire at the Orchard Ridge Farm and thanked the first responders for all that they did that evening. They also directed the public to consider donations to ReedAllen.org, as all proceeds this month will be directed to Orchard Ridge. Councilor Siegel thanked Public Works for the plowing and clearing of roads that has taken place this winter, and Councilman Willis noted the need for several new members on town boards and committees listed on the town website. Chairperson Phillips noted an upcoming informational meeting and groundbreaking for a new arts building at USM.
Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak noted the municipal budget process is underway and that dog licenses are due for renewal by Jan. 31. He also announced that town departments would be updating the council on their work during these monthly meetings.
Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors offered an update on the work of her department. This year, they have added a new clerk, managed two elections and registered an increased number of vehicle registrations.
Nicole Yeo-Fisher, chair of the Gorham School Committee, provided a monthly update. The school budget process is underway, with the first draft due to be presented to the committee in early February. She also announced that there are three new preschool partners for the Public Pre-K Program for children who will be four years old by Oct. 15, 2026.
Winter athletics are in full swing, as is preparation for the school musical, “Something Rotten.” Lastly, she noted that Superintendent Heather Perry is one of four finalists for the 2026 Superintendent of the Year Award by the American School Superintendents Association.
The council voted 7-0 to renew 12 applications for Medical and Adult Use Cannabis licenses for 2026. Gorham does not allow storefront cannabis operations.
The council formally endorsed (7-0) two Community Development Block Grants, which include ADA accessibility, drainage and safety concerns at the Little Falls Activity Center and the purchase of a walk-in refrigerator and freezer at the Gorham Food Pantry. Each town in Cumberland County is able to submit two requests to the county for possible funding.
The council voted 7-0 to forward the findings of the Gorham Wayfinding Project to the Capital Improvements Committee for additional councilor input.
The committee took no action on two proposals and tabled a proposal of a rent-control ordinance for mobile home parks to the February meeting.