REPORT OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE GORHAM TOWN COUNCIL
AUGUST 23, 2005
Chairman Loveitt opened the meeting at 7:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call Present: Chairman Loveitt; Councilors Dugas, Justice, Willett, Phinney, Robinson, & Hamblen; Town Manager, David Cole, Town Clerk, Christina Silberman, and Town Attorney William Dale.
Item # 7158 Moved by Councilor Robinson, seconded by Councilor Dugas.
Chairman Loveitt invited William Dale, Town Attorney, to explain this item. Mr. Dale explained this item and answered the Councilors questions.
Chairman Loveitt invited public comment regarding setting the date for the Special Referendum Election. Three residents spoke with questions regarding this item.
Ordered to call a Special Referendum Election for September 12, 2005 as a result of the citizen petition to overrule council action on order #7149 with the ballot question as follows;
REFERENDUM QUESTION #1
“Item #7149 Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Justice and voted that,
Whereas, the cost of the Town’s communications dispatching services have increased approximately 130% over the last 8 years drastically outpacing the rate of inflation; and,
Whereas, Cumberland County has proposed to provide dispatching services to the Town at substantial savings estimated to be in excess of $223,000.00 annually while maintaining valuable services; and,
Whereas, regional dispatching centers operate very well in all areas of the United States including many areas of Maine; and,
Whereas, recent legislation has capped increases in property taxes restricting growth in municipal budgets; and,
Whereas, the Town has many significant needs where some of the resources currently deployed for dispatching could be used to provide other valuable services; and,
Whereas, Cumberland County could use additional employees for its dispatch operations, providing valuable employment opportunities for many of the displaced Town employees.
Now Therefore Be It ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled accept the proposal from Cumberland County to provide consolidated dispatch service; and,
Be It Further ORDERED that the Town Manager is authorized to execute any necessary documents to implement this change; and,
Be It Further ORDERED that the Town is authorized to make personnel adjustments in accordance with the recommendations contained in the Town Manager’s memo dated July 22, 2005. 4 yeas. 2 nays (Dugas and Hamblen).
Shall the above action of the Gorham Town Council taken at its meeting held August 2, 2005 be overruled?
7 yeas.
Item #7159 Moved by Councilor Phinney, seconded by Councilor Robinson and VOTED to waive the rules and add an item to tonight’s agenda. 7 yeas
Item #7160 Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Justice and Ordered that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled go into executive session pursuant to Title 1, M.R.S.A., Section 405 (6) to discuss a personnel matter. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Justice and VOTED to come out of executive session. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Justice and VOTED to Adjourn the meeting at 7:45 pm. 7 yeas.
A TRUE RECORD OF MEETING Attest: ____________________________
Christina Silberman
Town Clerk
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