The Gorham Town Council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Chairperson Suzanne Phillips called the meeting to order and all seven members were present. Their first action was to approve the minutes of the Jan. 6 regular meeting. (7-0)
Nine members of the public addressed the board. All were concerned about the proposed Amazon project and the lack of transparency in this sale process and the effects that it will have on traffic, property values, small businesses in town and quality of life for the neighbors of this project.
Each council member was provided the opportunity to provide updates. Councilor Siegel noted the recent death of Geraldine Day and her commitment to the town through the Baxter Library, the medical closet, the Lake Region Senior Center and others. Siegel also touted the GHS musical, “Something Rotten.” Chairperson Phillips noted the work of the Affordable Housing Committee and the Cemetery Committee and also noted that she attended the grand opening of the Big Moose Harley-Davidson business in town.
Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak reminded community members that the transition to digital applications is continuing and hopes to be completed by March. He thanked all of the town crews for their work on the 29 weather events that have required service this season. He also thanked the municipal staff and volunteers for their work on the ice rinks around town, and noted that there are several open positions on town boards and committees.
Nicole Yeo-Fisher, the chair of the Gorham School Committee, reported on a student-led walkout on Jan. 30 that involved approximately 130 high school students and 25 middle school students. In addition, she reported that district leaders participated in an emergency response tabletop exercise with local emergency personnel on Jan. 13, and that the school budget process is continuing. She also recognized the theater students at GHS for their successful musical and the unified basketball team for their continuing demonstration of inclusivity, teamwork and school spirit.
The council approved (7-0) to adopt a statement on Gorham community values, including the affirmation of the value of each resident and a commitment to ensure that our community continues to be a safe and inclusive place for all residents to live.
The council voted (7-0) to renew the applications of the six massage licenses of the six businesses in town. This renewal is done annually.
The council voted (7-0) to amend the Land Use and Development Code to establish all abutter notification requirements to 500 ft. In addition, they also amended this code (7-0) to allow for more digital application submissions, and changed (7-0) the number of rooms that constitute an “inn.”
The council voted (7-0) to amend the Fire Suppression Systems Ordinance to allow a one-time-exception for a “gift lot” and the Ordinance Committee will continue to review and recommend changes to this procedure as necessary.
The council voted (5-2, Phillips, Dearborn) to establish a six-month moratorium on large-scale (over 100 units) mobile park rental increases. There were concerns about the duplication of an existing state law and the methods of monitoring and enforcement.
The council voted (5-2, Phillips, Dearborn) to authorize the Ordinance Committee to review the issue of rent stabilization in large-scale mobile parks and to make a recommendation to the full council.
The council accepted (7-0) the resignation of Sarah Jackson from the Gorham Economic Development Corporation and thanked her for her many years of service to the board. They appointed Corinne Sampson to a position on that board with her term to expire in 2027.
The council tabled (6-1, Kuesch) a proposal to forward to the Ordinance Committee a proposal to update and clarify the town’s quarry and gravel processing operations ordinances. There was a long discussion about the need for clarity in direction and possible involvement of industry consultative services.
Action to release $11,287 to reimburse the Gorham SnoGoers for construction costs of a new trail bridge off Mighty Street was approved. (7-0)
The council approved (6-1, Hamblin) the release of $1,992,590 in tax increment financing funds for a sewer main project on Main Street between Mosher’s Corner and Shamrock Drive.
The council approved (7-0) the Town Council goals for the 2026 year.The council approved the release of development transfer overlay funds for the purpose of preserving active farmland in the rural district in the amount of $20,000 to preserve the Gordon Farm in North Gorham.
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.