REPORT OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GORHAM TOWN COUNCIL
April 4, 2006 - 7:00 p.m.
Chairman Phinney opened the meeting at 7:01 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Chairman Phinney; Councilors Dugas, Justice, Willett, Loveitt, Robinson, & Hamblen, Town Manager, David Cole, and Town Clerk, Christina Silberman.
Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Willett, and VOTED to accept the minutes of the March 7, 2006 Regular Meeting. 7 yeas.
Open Public Communications
Clinton Pearson of Mighty St. spoke regarding boards and committees.
Councilor Communications
Councilor Willett reported that the Finance Committee met March 21st and reviewed the February financials. They are waiting for the IRS response regarding a town acquired property item. A debt management policy has been distributed to the Town Council for review and will be on the May 2nd Council agenda. The investment policy is on tonight’s agenda. Councilor Willett reported on a commendation for the Finance Director, Maureen Finger, who received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The next meeting is April 25th.
Councilor Robinson reported that the Capital Improvements Committee met March 19th and there is an item on tonight’s agenda.
Councilor Hamblen encouraged veterans to march in the upcoming Memorial Day Parade. He commends the town administration on working with Nappi Distributors on their plans to move their business into town. He recalls a business being turned away many years ago and now the business has a very busy store in Scarborough. Councilor Hamblen is troubled that Mr. Hansen is having difficulty getting approval from the Planning Board to add some house lots on his property. Councilor Robinson spoke about a report in a local newspaper about comments made by planning board members on this project.
Chairman’s Report
Councilor Phinney reported that the Gorham Gala put on by the Gorham Business and Civic Exchange was very nice. They raised $5,000 at this event to be donated to the Gorham Ecumenical Food Pantry. The ground breaking for the Methodist Church of Gorham was on Sunday.
Town Manager’s Report
The Town Manager reported that he has awarded service pins to Mike Nault for ten years in the Police Department, to Tim Richardson for five years at Public Works and to Aaron Shields for five years in the Planning Department. The Budget has been distributed for the 06/07 fiscal year. There will be budget workshops on April 6th and 13th for town departments and on April 25th for the school.
School Committee Report
School Committee Chairman Jim Hager reported fthat the School Committee budget has been under review and the committee will vote on the final budget at their meeting April 12th. The proposed budget will have a 7.2% increase, not the 7.4% increase that was anticipated. This was a very difficult budget preparation this year.
The White Rock project committee has chosen 3 architects to come in for interviews on May 1st and they will hopefully make a selection on May 3rd.
The School Committee will have a written request to the Town Council for $100,000 in seed money for the White Rock project that will be repaid if the future referendum passes. The school committee is in the loop to receive state funding to continue on with the White Rock project. The Town Manager clarified that the Town Council will have the budget hearing and vote on May 9th.
Councilor Robinson asked about the amount of the increase in the school budget and asked about the entire school budget being available on the school department website.
Neal Allen gave a presentation about the Greater Portland Council of Governments.
New Business
Public Hearing #1 Chairman Phinney opened the public hearing. Heather Moody introduced herself as the new owner of Mister Bagel. Chairman Phinney closed the public hearing.
Item #7249 Moved by Councilor Willett, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled authorize the issuance of a Victualer’s License for H.A.M., Inc. d/b/a Mister Bagel to expire on May 31, 2007. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Willett and VOTED to take Item #7252 out of order and discuss it prior to Item #7250. 7 yeas.
Item #7252 (This item was taken out of order and heard prior to item 7250) Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Willett and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled place the proposed debt management policy on the May 2, 2006 Town Council agenda for Council action. 7 yeas.
Item #7250 The proposed order to schedule a Special Election for Tuesday, June 13, 2006 for a public referendum vote on a $3,000,000 bond issue was moved by Councilor Willett and seconded by Councilor Loveitt. Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that this item be postponed and brought back to the Town Council when the Finance Committee and Town Manger feel it is appropriate. 6 yeas, 1 nay (Willett).
Item #7251 Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Robinson and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled adopt the investment policy as proposed with the changes recommended by the Town’s attorney. 7 yeas.
Item #7252 This item was taken out of order and discussed prior to item #7250.
Item #7253 Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled appoint Councilor Burleigh Loveitt as the Town of Gorham’s representative to the ECO Maine Board of Directors for a 3 year term or until a successor is appointed. 7 yeas.
Item #7254 Charlie Pearson spoke on this item. Lauren Carrier also spoke on this item.
Moved by Councilor Willett, seconded by Councilor Hamblen and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled encourages citizens to volunteer for appointment to town boards, and to serve fairly and impartially if appointed to such a position; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that if the Appointments Committee fails to recommend a member of a town board for reappointment, the member concerned must be notified at least 14 days before the Town Council meets to vote on the Committee’s recommendation. If the member concerned chooses, the member may appear in person before the entire Town Council and seek reappointment regardless of the Committee’s recommendation; and,
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Appointments Committee shall notify all applicants who are being recommended for appointment to town boards by the Appointments Committee 14 days before the Town Council meets to vote on the Committee’s recommendation. 1 yea (Willett), 6 nays.
Item #7255 Moved by Councilor Dugas, seconded by Councilor Justice and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled refer a request from the Planning Board, regarding the Board’s ability to use discretion to waive certain standards or amend the Land Use and Development Code regarding Street Standards as discussed in the Town Planner’s memo dated March 28, 2006, to the Ordinance Committee for their recommendation. 7 yeas.
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Item #7256 Moved by Councilor Willett, seconded by Councilor Dugas and ORDERED that the Town Council of the Town of Gorham, Maine, in Town Council assembled issue the 2005 Warrant for Prosecuting Unlicensed Dog Owners-Keepers to Wayne Coffin. 7 yeas.
Item #7257 Moved by Councilor Justice, seconded by Councilor Dugas 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)(A) to discuss a personnel matter. 7 yeas.
Moved by Councilor Loveitt, seconded by Councilor Justice and VOTED to come out of executive session. 7 yeas
Moved by Councilor Robinson, seconded by Councilor Dugas and VOTED to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:43pm. 7 yeas.
A TRUE RECORD OF MEETING Attest: ____________________________
Christina Silberman, Town Clerk
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