Councilor Justice reported on the recent Ordinance Committee meeting and a recent meeting of RWS. Councilor Willett reported on the recent Finance Committee meeting. Councilor Loveitt reported that PACTS held a public form to review the proposals coming out of Gorham
Chairman Phinney urged everyone to attend the Gorham Gala on February 16th. The proceeds from the Gala will go to the Gorham Fire Department. Tickets are available at several locations throughout Gorham. He also announced that the Council will hold a workshop on February 6th on the status of the Baxter Memorial Library Building expansion and he congratulated the New England Patriots on their recent victory at the Super Bowl.
The Town Manager reported that he has recently awarded a 5-year service pin to Wendell Howard of Public Works and 20-year service pins to Wayne Drown and Larry Fearon of the Police Department. He also announced that the Recycling Committee has started a program to enable home owners to purchase home composting units at $30.00 each.
Dr. Joseph Kerwin, Chairman of the Library Steering Committee made a brief report on the capital campaign to expand Baxter Memorial Library stating that the project is ready to move forward but that the fund raising effort is $768,041 short. He asked the Council for direction. Chairman Phinney reminded everyone of the workshop to be held tomorrow evening on this subject.
The meeting recessed for a public hearing on implementation of a curbside household trash and recycling collection with a pay-per-bag system. Six people spoke from the audience with three speaking in favor and three speaking in opposition to the plan. The hearing closed at 8:00 p.m.
Item #6592. The order, as read aloud by the Clerk, was moved by councilor Dugas and seconded by Councilor Justice.
Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Hamblen and VOTED to amend the proposed order by adding that the bids shall be submitted to the Council for approval. 7 yeas.
The order, as amended, was then VOTED resulting in the following:
ORDERED that the Town manager is authorized to initiate appropriate steps, including soliciting bids, for the collection of waste, purchasing of recycling bins and special trash bags necessary to implement a program to collect household trash and recyclable material at curbside, with a pay-per-bag system as presented, and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the bids received will be submitted to the Council for approval. 7 yeas.
The meeting recessed for a public hearing on an application for renewal for a Massage Therapist License for Rebecca G. LaWind for 2002. There was no public comment and the hearing closed at 8:20 p.m.
Item #6593. Moved by Councilor Willett, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council authorize the renewal of a Massage Therapist License for Rebecca G. LaWind for 2002. 7 yeas.
Item #6594. Moved by Councilor Willett, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council authorize the renewal of a Malt, Spirituous and Vinous Liquor License for ARAMARK Educational Services, Inc. to do business at the University of Southern Maine. 7 yeas.
Item #6595. The order, as read aloud by the Clerk, was moved by Councilor Justice and seconded by Councilor Dugas. Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Justice to and the order by deleting the words “to refer to the Ordinance Committee for their review and recommendation” and to substitute that the Council will set a public hearing and vote for the March Regular Meeting of the Council. 7 yeas.
The order, as amended, was then VOTED resulting in the following:
ORDERED, that the Town Council set a public hearing and action item for the March Regular Meeting on a petition from Rusty Knoll Holding, Inc. to determine the status of Rust Road between the Little River and Fort Hill Road (Route 114). 7 yeas.
Item #6596. Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that the Town Council receive the Residential Growth Management Study, and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Study be referred to the Ordinance Committee to review the individual recommendations of the study and to make recommendations to the Town Council. 7 yeas.
Item #6597. Moved by Councilor Willett, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council issue a permit to the Maine Department of Transportation for Project No. STP-9329(00)X (Libby Avenue Project) to permit the hauling of loads in excess of limits specified in Title 29 M.R.S.A. 7 yeas.
Item #6598. Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council issue a permit to the Maine Department of Transportation for Projects No. STP-8150(00)X, NH-9159(00)E (Route 202) and NH-9172(00)E to permit the hauling of loads in excess of limits specified in Title 29, M.R.S.A. 7 yeas.
Item #6599. Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that the Town Council accept a drainage easement from Gregory and Susan McCormack for drainage on Route 114 as per the attached. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Robinson and VOTED to take up an item not on the agenda. 7 yeas.
Item #6600. Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTE that
WHEREAS, the burden of funding education in the State has been onerously and disproportionately placed upon the local municipal property tax, and
WHEREAS, local frustration with rising property taxes needed to fund K-12 education and other governmental services has led to efforts to cap property taxes, and
WHEREAS, the property tax burden facing the Four Hundred and Ninety-Two municipalities in Maine results in a regressive tax structure, social and economic dislocation, inefficient patterns of land use development and economic development and deep inequities in property tax impact among municipalities, and
WHEREAS, Maine tax structure should be changed to reduce the State
WHEREAS, the Maine Legislature established an Education Funding Reform Commission which developed LD 2086 and LD 2087 as a comprehensive proposal to provide property tax relief for homeowners, farmers, and businesses, more financial support from the State towards K-12 education and an enhanced balance between the income tax, sales tax, and property tax, and
WHEREAS, the Education Reform Commission
NOW, THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of Gorham strongly supports LD 2086 and LD 2087 and respectfully asks the Legislature to enact this legislation and forward these measures to the citizens for approval at the November 5, 2002 general election. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED to adjourn. 7 yeas. Time of adjournment - 9:00 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD OF MEETING
Attest:
D. Brenda Caldwell
Town Clerk
