Among the functions of Gorham’s municipal government are the preservation and stewardship of the Town’s historical sites and resources, currently addressed through the work of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and the Cemetery Advisory Committee.
The former was established in 2016 via the Town Council’s adoption of the Town’s Historic Preservation Ordinance; the latter, via an order approved by the Council last year. Both entities are made up of citizens appointed by the Town Council.
Recent HPC actions include the approval at its Jan. 27 monthly meeting of an application to demolish a garage at 62 School Street, in the Gorham Historic District. Although the dwelling at the location, built circa 1910, is on the National Registry of Historic Places, the garage had been determined to be a noncontributing building to the Historic District.
The Cemetery Advisory Committee also met in January to discuss conditions at Town-owned cemeteries, including costs for stone repairs. Committee member Dennis Morton briefed the HPC about the maintenance needs and projected costs during the HPC’s March 23 meeting, where it was agreed that grant funding opportunities should be explored.