CORRECTED REPORT OF THE GORHAM TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
August 1, 2006 - 7:00 p.m.
Auditorium – Gorham High School
Chairman Phinney opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Roll Call: Present: Chairman Phinney; Councilors, Hamblen, Robinson, Loveitt, Willett, Justice and Dugas; David Cole, Town Manager and Connie Loughran, Deputy Town Clerk.
There were 10 members of the public present at the start of the meeting.
Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED to accept the corrected minutes of the July 11, 2006 Regular Meeting. 7 yeas.
Open Public Communications
Allene Bowler, of Mosher Road, referenced a letter sent to the Council requesting funding to replace the siding on the Little Falls Library, use of the Little Falls School and the Council should look into regulating the sale of adult items in town.
Councilor Communications
Council Willett reported that the Finance Committee will meet on August 2. Councilor Robinson reported that the Capital Improvement Committee had met on July 17th with members of the School Department, the Town Manager, and Recreation Department Director, the use of playing fields was discussed. It was suggested that these two groups meet on an annual basis. Councilor Robinson also congratulated the youth softball and baseball teams; youth 14 Softball won the Regional Championship and is going to the National Championship in Virginia; youth 12 won the New England Softball Championship; youth 10 Cal Ripkin baseball won States and youth 11 Cal Ripkin won the State and will be going to New England. There is going to be a Fund Raising Golf Tournament on Sunday, August 6.
Councilor Loveitt reported that the bypass is in the final stages of implementation and that there are two (2) land acquisition issues that have been brought to his attention that are having trouble being heard. Citizen concerns regarding the bypass are something that the Council had assured citizens would be heard. Dr. Loveitt requested the consent of the Council to ask that the Chairman write to DOT land acquisition managers of the bypass project and invite them here to discuss their policies and procedures. We could help facilitate individuals and DOT understanding one another. Chairman Phinney agreed to write to DOT.
Chairman’s Report
Chairman Phinney reported that the Route 114 project from Gorham Village to Sebago Lake Village contract had been awarded to Grondin’s and would be starting in the near future. Chairman Phinney complimented the organizers of St. Anne’s/Gorham Family Fair on the success of the festivities and hoped we would do it again next year.
Town Manager’s Report
Mr. Cole reported that the Portland Water District would be holding a public hearing on the Little Falls Sewer conveyance project on August 9th at 7pm at the Little Falls School. The Route 114 project is due to start August 14th and go into 2007. Donning his Groucho Marx’s glasses Mr. Cole also congratulated Cindy Hazelton and others, on a well-run and well-organized event. We beat the old Guinness Book record by 52 with 1489 people wearing Groucho Marx glasses at the same time in the same place.
School Committee Report
James Hagar, School Committee Chairman, reported on vandalism at the Gorham Middle School; collective bargaining contracts for Educational Support Personnel; negotiations with Gorham Teachers Association will begin in the coming months; The White Rock Project Committee will meet August 10th; the next School Committee meeting will be on August 16th at 6pm; on August 30th at 6pm there will be an informal “Candidate Night” there are two seats up for election this November. School begins September 5th for grades K-9 and September 6th for grades 10-12.
Old Business
Item #7300 Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Willett and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled approve renewal of a Victualer’s License for Todd’s General Store & Diner. 7 yeas.
New Business
A Public Hearing on a proposal to amend Chapter I and Chapter II of the Land Use and Development Code to create a Development Transfer Overlay District allowing well-planned, higher density residential development to be located in areas with public sewerage in exchange for the payment of a development transfer fee that would be used to purchase conservation land or easement and open space. David Homa, Fort Hill Road, had several questions to which Mark Eyerman of Planning Decisions responded that Scarborough has used a similar mechanism. This is an optional proposal and a developer can choose the old zone standards or the overlay district, and this is not a mandatory requirement. Allene Bowler has concerns about what would happen to taxes should the ability for the higher density make a
tract of land considerably more valuable. The public hearing closed at 7:45pm
Item #7318 Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that the Town Council schedule a workshop for August 22, 2006 to discuss the Transfer Development Overlay District. 7 yeas.
Prior to the above vote Councilor Loveitt spoke of the benevolence of James Eddy in donating land to the Gorham Historical Society.
Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Willett and voted to POSTPONE the public hearing and Item #7319 an amendment to the Land Use and Development Code, Chapter II, Section V (G)(4)(h) and Table 2-Pavement by adjusting the pavement standards for roads. 7 yeas
Item #7320 Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Loveitt and voted to POSTPONE setting a fee for the Development Transfer Overlay District, pursuant to the Land Use and Development Code. 7 yeas.
Item #7321 Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED to Amend the prepared order by changing the loan amount to ‘not to exceed $25,500.’ Moved by Councilor Justice and seconded by Councilor Willett and VOTED to AMEND the amendment to ‘not to exceed $35000.’ 7 yeas. The Amended order was VOTED resulting in the following; ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled authorize the purchase of a small, 14 passenger bus for the Recreation Department to provide for cost effective transportation for recreation programs; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the bus will be purchased- using $23,000 in Recreation Department Reserve funds with the balance of funds, not to exceed $35,000, to be loaned to the Recreation Department from the Capital Reserve Fund and paid back in 5 annual and equal payments from Recreation Department Fees. 6 yeas 1 nay (Hamblen). Prior to the above vote the council recommends that a diesel vehicle be seriously considered.
Item #7322 The order as moved by Councilor Willett and seconded by Councilor Loveitt FAILED OF PASSAGE to approve a Tax Increment Financing Policy (TIF) as proposed. 3 yeas. 4 nays (Robinson, Phinney, Justice, Dugas)
Item #7323 Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled vote for Sylvia Most and David Cole to serve on the Maine Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Committee. 7 yeas.
Item #7324 Moved by Councilor Robinson and seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled authorize the purchase of a street sweeper from Howard P. Fairfield, Inc. at a price not to exceed $149,800.00; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the town is authorized to fund this purchase with a 5-year lease purchase in accordance with the approved town budget. 7 yeas.
Item #7325 Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled authorize the Portland Water District to use remote meter reading technology for wastewater sub meters; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Town Council authorizes a $2.00 per month user fee surcharge for sub meter account to pay for the capital and operating costs. 7 yeas.
Item #7326 Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled authorize the Portland Water District to offer a sewer line warranty program for residential sewer lines. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Robinson to ADJOURN. Time of adjournment 9:11pm. 7 yeas.
A TRUE RECORD OF MEETING
Attest ___________________________
Cornelia C. Loughran, Deputy
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