The monthly meeting of the Ordinance Committee took place on Monday, July 13, with all three members present, along with Town staff and several interested members of the public.
The committee continued discussions on the issue of rent stabilization of mobile home parks of 100-plus units with the goal to recommend an ordinance for this purpose to the full Town Council. The committee will continue to review the draft ordinance options based on the discussions for different exemptions thresholds, park sizes, and enforcement and notice periods. They voiced their intent to revisit the item at the next Ordinance Committee meeting, scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10.
Regarding proposed updates to the Solid Waste Flow Ordinance, the committee voted to recommend the amended Solid Waste Ordinance to the Town Council for approval (3 Ayes).
The committee also discussed amending the Land Use Development Code to restrict large-scale data centers, and asked the Town attorney to draft a definition for data centers for review at the next meeting.
Discussion of parking and traffic flow issues around Gorham High School was the main order of business at this month’s Capital Improvement Projects/Economic Development Committee meeting, which took place on July 16. All three committee members were present, along with Town Councilor Janet Kuech, members of Town and School Department staff, and several members of the public, who voiced concerns about safety, access, and congestion. A short-term plan to adjust traffic flow and add modest parking near the high school was outlined. The Committee agreed that more data will be needed to create long-term solutions to the challenges of parking and traffic flow.
The Committee concluded discussion of this item with a general agreement to let Town staff proceed with the one-way Access Road and striping plan as a reversible, short-term measure, informed by the neighborhood’s feedback, while continuing broader joint work with the School Department and residents on long-term circulation, parking policy, and safety around the high school and Village area.
Committee members also received an update on multiple sidewalk projects focused on South Street, Narragansett Street, Main Street, and school campuses. Also discussed was a Main Street/Village Square rehab project to rebuild and potentially widen sidewalks from the Village toward New Portland Road.
Municipal meeting results and minutes, as well as agendas for upcoming meetings, can be accessed at https://www.gorhammaine.gov/boards.