The Gorham Town Council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 2. Chairperson Suzanne Phillips called the meeting to order and all members were present. Their first action was to approve the minutes of the May 5 regular meeting and the May 12 special meeting (7-0).
Eight members of the public addressed the board. One thanked writer Bob Lowell for his years of writing about the Gorham community and wished him well in his retirement. Three spoke in opposition of the proposed Amazon warehouse project and three spoke of continued concerns about the gravel pit, while one expressed concerns about both projects and the need to preserve the ecology of our natural community.
Each council member was provided the opportunity to provide community updates. Councilor Simms reviewed his recent attendance at the Greater Portland Council of Governments (GP COG) and the resources shared there. Councilor Dearborn discussed an upcoming Gorham Historical Society event at Cherry Hill Farm. Councilor Siegel thanked Bob Lowell for his service and reminded the community about the Baxter Library Spring Into Summer Event. Councilor Willis thanked the Village Alliance for the new planters placed throughout town. Councilor Hamblen mentioned the work of the Presumpscot Land Trust and the return of the alewives to the local river. Councilor Kuech noted the graduation of GHS class of 2026. Chairperson Phillips thanked Bob Lowell and noted the Seed Walk and Taste Walk that had recently taken place. Miller’s Market was chosen as this year’s winner for the Taste Walk.
Town Manager Laurie Nordfors outlined the election process on June 9.
School Committee chair Nicole Yeo-Fisher provided an update to the council including upcoming dates of importance including opening school dates. She encouraged members of the public to vote in the June 9 referendum process. She noted that there are openings in the public school program for four-year-olds and mentioned the June 10 School Committee meeting and important items on the agenda.
The council voted (7-0) to issue a new massage license to Isyss Rae Remillard.
Three members of the public spoke in support of the proposed moratorium on data centers in town for six months, the maximum allowed. The data center moratorium passed (7-0).
The council voted (7-0) to amend the Land Use and Development Code regarding sign standards for multi-occupant properties. It was felt that these changes were clearer and more straightforward.
The council voted (7-0) to recognize Heather Perry as Maine Superintendent of the Year and thanked her for her continued service to the Gorham community.
The council voted (7-0) to refer to the Ordinance Committee a proposal to limit the requirements for council action necessary to approve certain licenses.
After a long discussion, the council voted (4-3, Hamblen, Siegel, Simms) to approve rezoning a six acre parcel of land owned by the Shaw Brothers Quarry from Urban Residential Expansion to Industrial.
The council voted (7-0) to authorize staff to continue to implement walking and biking safety measures in the pedestrian overlay districts in Gorham.
The council voted (7-0) to forward to the Ordinance Committee a proposal for definitions for E-bikes and E-Motos.
The council rejected (3-4, Phillips, Dearborn, Willis, Kuech) a proposal to eliminate off-street minimum parking requirements.
The council referred to the Ordinance Committee (7-0) a proposal for creating a PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) program for non-profit organizations in town.
The Council, in two votes (7-0), accepted the resignations of Debra Arcaro and Thomas Chasse and appointed Allison Boyce and Luca Sharp to the Board of Trustees – Baxter Memorial Library.
For a complete account of the meeting, a copy of the minutes and a recorded video of the meeting may be found on the Gorham Town Council website.