The Gorham Town Council met for their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 5. Chairperson Suzanne Phillips called the meeting to order and six members were present (Simms). Their first action was to approve the minutes of the April 7 regular meeting. (6-0)
Four members of the public addressed the board. All expressed concerns about the Amazon project and concerns about the wetlands, quality of life and the town’s ability to enforce the town laws and comprehensive plan.
Each council member was provided the opportunity to provide updates. Council Member Siegel wished all of the teachers a happy Teacher Appreciation Week and explained that Council Member Simms needed to leave to attend to an important issue. Council Member Willis thanked the organizers and volunteers of Gorham Cleans Up. Council Member Hamblen mentioned the Planning Board meeting and the large number of Gorham citizens who attended. He also expressed concerns about hearing from some Gorham neighbors who are considering moving out of town because of this project. Council Member Kuech noted Educators Appreciation Week and implored everyone to pay attention to the little ones out in the community. Chairperson Phillips spoke about the upcoming Taste Walk on May 31 and the Cherry Hill Market will be opening soon from 9 to 1 on Wednesdays.
Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak thanked the audio department for the new microphones in the chamber, and mentioned the budget validation process coming up and the availability of absentee ballots beginning on May 11. He reminded the public of upcoming projects including South Street sidewalks and continued work on Robie Park and the completion of the sewer project on lower Main Street.
The School Committee chair, Nicole Yeo-Fisher, provided an update to the council. She mentioned the budget process timeline resulting in a May 12 council vote and a June 9 referendum vote. She also announced that the superintendent evaluation survey link may be found in the superintendent’s blog and on the school website. She thanked all of the teachers and educators in the district for their hard work during this recognition week.
The council voted (6-0) to issue a new massage license to Stacy Marcoux and a new medical marijuana license to Grove Cannabis, owned by Davis Cowan.
Three members of the public spoke in opposition of the proposal to adjust the zoning map for Atlantic National Trust from rural to suburban residential zoning. The council took no action on this request.
The council discussed an amendment to amend the zoning map and create new zoning districts and performance standards for the Little Falls Village Area, which aligns with Windham’s standards on the other side of the bridge. The council voted (4-2 Siegel, Hamblen) to remove a parcel from the affected area and voted (6-0) to approve the changes with the lot removed.
The council voted (6-0) to table until next month a proposal to amend the Land Use and Development Code to exempt accessory dwelling units on private ways from the requirement of being considered a dwelling unit as it pertains to private ways.
The council voted (6-0) to authorize the town clerk to issue a warrant for the School Validation Election and appointed a roster of wardens, clerks and substitutes.
The council voted (6-0) to instruct staff to review long-term restrictions for Robie Park to preserve the use of this land as a public park.
The council voted (6-0) to adopt a proclamation in support of May as Bike and Walk Month in Gorham.
Finally, the council voted to table an action to authorize staff to implement walking and safety measures in and around Gorham Village. This seemed to duplicate an issue already on the agenda of the Capital Improvements Committee.
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.