REPORT OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF GORHAM TOWN COUNCIL
January 6, 2004
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call: Present: Chairman Loveitt; Councilors Hamblen, Robinson, Phinney, Willett, Justice and Dugas; David Cole, Town Manager and Brenda Caldwell, Town Clerk
Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Willett and VOTED to approve the Minutes of the December 2, 2003. 7 yeas.
There were no public communications and there were no Councilor communications.
Chairman Loveitt mentioned the service men and women in our community and asked that citizens reach out to their families. He also reported on the Fire Department Christmas Party which he attended. He then presented Town Manager David Cole with a 10-year service pin and read a resolution which he has written declaring Friday, January 9, 2004 as “Be Nice to David Cole Day”.
The Town Manager thanked the Council for its recognition of his ten years of service for its humor. He also reminded the Council of a workshop scheduled for next Tuesday.
The meeting recessed for a public hearing on renewal of the following Massage Therapist/Massage Establishment Licenses for 2004:
Bernadette W. Curtis a Massage Establishment License
Carolyn Dow Parker a Combined Massage Therapist/Massage Establishment License
Cynthia S. Doyle a Combined Massage Therapist/Massage Establishment License
There was no public comment and the hearing closed at 7:15 p.m.
Item #6899. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Hamblen and ORDERED that the Town Council authorize issuance of the following Massage Therapist/Massage Establishment Licenses for 2004:
Bernadette W. Curtis at 203A Main Street, Gorham a Massage Establishment License
Carolyn Dow Parker at 24 Osborne Road, Gorham a Combined Massage Therapist/Massage Establishment License
Cynthia S. Doyle at 7 Clay Road, Gorham a Combined Massage Therapist/Massage Establishment License
7 yeas.
The meeting recessed for a public hearing on a proposal to amend the voting districts of the Town of Gorham. The Town Clerk went over the new voting districts. There was no public comment and the hearing closed.
Item #6900. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Robinson and ORDERED that the Municipal Officers of the Town of Gorham, pursuant to Title 21A, Section 631 of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated, have determined that the voting districts of the Town of Gorham should be redefined and having given public notice thereof and held a public hearing on the same, we hereby redefine said voting districts of the Town of Gorham as follows:
Ward #1: That part of the Town of Gorham described as follows:
Beginning on Fort Hill Road at the Gorham-Standish town line; thence southeasterly on Fort Hill Road to Main Street; thence easterly and southeasterly on Main Street to the Westbrook-Gorham town line; thence northeasterly on the Gorham-Westbrook town line to the Windham-Gorham town line; thence northerly on the Windham-Gorham town line to the Standish-Gorham town line; thence southwesterly on the Standish-Gorham town line to the point of beginning.
Ward #2: That part of the Town of Gorham described as follows:
Beginning on Fort Hill Road at the Gorham-Standish town line; thence southeasterly on Fort Hill Road and South Street (Route 114) to Weeks Road; thence southwesterly on Weeks Road to a stream; thence southeasterly until stream runs into Gully Brook; thence southeasterly to the Stroudwater River; thence south along the River to the intersection with Deering Road; then westerly on Deering Road to the Buxton Town line; thence northerly on the Gorham-Buxton town line and the Gorham-Standish town line to the point of beginning.
Ward #3: That part of the Town of Gorham described as follows:
Beginning at the corner of Main Street and South Street; then easterly and southeasterly on Main Street to the Westbrook-Gorham town line; thence southwesterly on the Westbrook-Gorham town line to the Scarborough-Gorham Town line; thence southwesterly and northwesterly on the Scarborough-Gorham town line to the Buxton-Gorham town Line; thence northeasterly on the Buxton-Gorham Town line to Deering Road; thence southeasterly on the Deering Road to the Stroudwater River; then north on the Stroudwater River to Gully Brook; thence north on Gully Brook to a stream; thence northeasterly on the stream to Weeks Road; thence northeasterly on Weeks Road to South Street (Route 114); thence north to the intersection of South Street and Main Street to the point of beginning. 7 yeas.
Prior to the above vote a motion to waive the Clerk reading aloud the proposed order FAILED OF PASSAGE. 6 yeas. 1 nay (Dugas).
Item #6901. A motion by Councilor Hamblen, seconded by Councilor Willett to consider selling a small parcel of Town-owned property, commonly known as the Wescott School lot (Tax Map 81, lot 28), by sealed bid FAILED OF PASSAGE. 2 yeas. 4 nays (Phinney, Loveitt, Willett and Justice). 1 abstention (Robinson).
Prior to the above vote Council Robinson was excused for discussion and voting on this item as he is planning on putting forth a sealed bid on the property. 6 yeas. 1 abstention (Robinson)
Item #6902. A motion by Councilor Robinson, seconded by Councilor Phinney to consider a proposal to amend the Town Charter to require a line item budget format for the School Department FAILED OF PASSAGE. 2 yeas. 5 nays (Hamblen, Phinney, Loveitt, Willett and Justice).
Item #6903. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Hamblen and ORDERED that the Town Council ask the Ordinance Committee to develop revisions to the Sprinkler Ordinance that would provide for an effective sprinkler system for small business and commercial project applications which would provide adequate property and life safety functionality at less expense than is currently required by the Sprinkler Ordinance. 6 yeas. 1 nay (Justice).
Prior to the above vote the question was moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED. 6 yeas. 1 nay (Justice)
Item #6904. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Robinson and ORDERED that the Town Council authorize the Town Manager to accept and execute any necessary documents to clarify an undefined easement on the property of Willard Dauphine (Map 77, lot 16) by:
1) Accepting a quit-claim deed for approximately 24,000 square feet from the owner of this property (Tax Map 77, lot 16) for the Fire Pond located on this property and area immediately surrounding the fire pond, and
2) The Town issuing a quit-claim deed to Willard Dauphine for the remainder of the lot (excluding the Fire Pond). 7 yeas.
Item #6905. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Robinson and ORDERED that the Town Council authorize the establishment of a Revolving Loan Fund program in accordance with the Guidelines and Procedures as attached, and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Loan Fund will be funded from Tax Increment Financing revenues derived from the Tax Increment Program approved by the Gorham Town Council at their meeting of August 5, 2003. 7 yeas,
Item #6906. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Robinson and ORDERED that the Town Council ask the Ordinance Committee to review the Minor Site Plan Review Ordinance and staff review process, to find a way to speed up the processing of applications and make recommendation to the Town Council. 7 yeas.
Item #6907. Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Willett and ORDERED that the Town Council authorize the Town to submit an application for a Maine Safe Routes to School Grant for Sidewalks Improvements, to the State, with a local funds matching requirement of 40 per cent (40%). 7 yeas.
Item #6908. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Hamblen and ORDERED that the Town Council refer a request from Tom Greer for the Town to establish a policy to encourage the development of a public water supply in the Dingley Spring area, to the Economic Development/Capital Improvements Committee for their recommendation. 6 yeas. 1 abstention (Robinson).
Prior to discussion and voting on the above item Councilor Robinson revealed that he lives in the area being discussed. Councilor Robinson was excused from the discussion and voting on this item.
Item #6909. Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas to authorize issue of general obligations bonds for the demolition of the two oldest portions of the Shaw Middle School on South Street and renovations of the remaining structure; financing for a new aerial platform fire truck to be jointly purchased and owned with the Town of Windham and financing to replace and improve the roof of the Narragansett School. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Robinson and VOTED TO POSTPONE ACTION ON THIS MOTION TO A JANUARY 13, 2004 SPECIAL MEETING. 7 yeas.
Prior to the above vote it was moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED to amend the proposed order by changing “Board of Selection” to “Town Council”. 7 yeas.
Item #6910. Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that pursuant to Title 36, M.R.S.A., Section 841, the Town Council go into executive session for the purpose of hearing an application for abatement of taxes based on poverty. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED to deny an application for an abatement of taxes based on poverty because the applicant had sufficient assets to contribute to the public charge. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED to adjourn. Time of adjournment - 10:25 p.m.
A TRUE RECORD OF MEETING
Attest: D. Brenda Caldwell
Town Clerk
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