The Gorham Town Council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Chairperson Suzanne Phillips called the meeting to order and all seven members were present. They approved the minutes of the Aug. 4 regular meeting (7-0).
Nine members of the public addressed the board. Five spoke in opposition to the proposed Amazon project, citing traffic congestion, the environmental impact of the project and the importance of town ordinances being enforced. One spoke in favor of the Amazon project, citing the need for businesses to be welcomed in the town. Two other community members spoke about the ramifications of changes in the sewer proposal for the Fairways project. One spoke about the wonderful dedication of the Horace S. Wilson Field, as well as the need to revisit the necessity of the turnpike spur.
For the public hearing on amending the Town Zoning Map for a portion of a parcel owned by Shaw Brothers from Urban Residential to Industrial, 22 members of the community spoke. Sixteen spoke in opposition to the change, citing environmental and quality-of-life concerns. Many encouraged the council to wait until the council-requested study was completed and submitted. Six others spoke in favor of the proposal, citing the treatment of workers and professionalism that Shaw Brothers has demonstrated. After a lengthy discussion the change was approved (4-3, Hamblin, Siegel, Simms).
Each council member was provided the opportunity to provide community updates. Councilor Kuech encouraged drivers to be careful now that school is back in session. Councilor Willis thanked members of the public for coming out to express their concerns and made people aware of the Stephen Ward 5K Fundraiser on Sept. 13. Councilor Dearborn mentioned that the Gorham Historical Society would not be meeting this month. Councilor Simms spoke about the misconceptions that had appeared in a recent letter to the Gorham Times; Amazon will not be bringing in huge amounts of tax revenue to the town. He stated that 100 new houses would bring in about three times as much revenue as the Amazon project. He reminded the board that Amazon represents their shareholders and not the town of Gorham.
Town manager Ephrem Paraschak provided reminders about the trash program and that all carts will be distributed in the next two weeks. He also mentioned that the town will facilitate recycling of the old carts.
Nicole Yeo-Fisher, chair of the Gorham School Committee, provided an update from the School Department. The school year is off to a great start. It was necessary to add a new fourth-grade teacher to Great Falls School due to increased enrollment. She mentioned that three bus drivers had resigned in the past week, so these positions need to be filled. There are also openings for special education educational technicians. She thanked GOCAT and the Gorham PD for an excellent public service announcement, thanked Public Works for their work on the Village School parking overlay and highlighted the ribbon-cutting ceremony at GHS.
The council voted (6-1, Dearborn) to extend the Moratorium Ordinance on large-scale mobile-home-park lot-rent increases for an additional 180 days.
The council voted (7-0) to authorize the Town Clerk to issue the warrant for the Nov. 3 election and appointed ward clerks and established voting hours.
The council voted (7-0) to approve all qualifying applications from the Senior Property Tax Relief Programs for a total of $68,350.00.
The council voted (7-0) to accept the resignation of Stephen Crisafulli from the Planning Board and to thank Mr. Crisafulli for his service to the town.
The council voted (7-0) to forward to the Planning Board for a public hearing and comments on amending the Land Use Development Code to restrict large-scale data centers in the town. The goal of this action is to define a “data center” and to effectively prohibit land in town for this use.
The council voted (7-0) to forward to the Ordinance Committee for review and recommendation the possibility of restricting or banning automated license plate readers and similar products on town roads and property.
The council voted (6-1, Dearborn) to forward to the Ordinance Committee for review and recommendation an ordinance that would prohibit town employees from interacting with and/or supporting federal officials with immigration enforcement actions.
The council approved (7-0) to forward to the Ordinance Committee to work with town staff to draft Smart Use principles for road connectivity.
The council approved (7-0) to instruct staff to work with the Town Council and Ordinance Committee to develop additional standards and definitions for mixed-use land use.
The council voted (7-0) to forward to the Ordinance Committee amending the land use code to allow greater flexibility for existing land owners with regard to accessory apartments.
After a long discussion and multiple proposals, the council voted (4-3, Phillips, Dearborn, Willis) to authorize the Town Manager to use up to $32,400 in TIF funds to complete the previously approved hiring of a consultant to review Gorham’s quarry and mineral extraction ordinances.
The council voted (6-1, Siegel) to forward to the Planning Board a request for a contract zone located at 252 Ossipee Trail East for a dog daycare and overnight boarding facility.
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.