The traffic circle on Solomon Drive won’t be removed after all.
The Gorham Town Council took no action on the plan Tuesday night after several residents protested its removal.
Arthur Bolles, of William Henry Drive, handed the council a petition signed by 52 residents of Lombard Estates, who didn’t want the traffic circle removed. Bolles said the circle helps reduce speed on the drive.
“Removal would create a Beech Ridge Speedway,” Bolles said.
Sonja Frey, who lives on Solomon Drive, was one of seven residents who spoke.
“The circle makes people slow down,” she said.
Steve Tewhey, also of Solomon Drive, said commuters cut through the neighborhood on their way to work, He said many of the motorists using the drive as a shortcut don’t live in Gorham. Tewhey said removing the traffic circle shouldn’t be discussed until the Gorham bypass is built.
No sugar daddy
In other road-related council business, Hans Hansen spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, asking for help to pay for highway improvements at the intersection of South Street and County Road, where he is proposing a development.
His proposal is before the Gorham Planning Board. The town now wants Hansen to pay to upgrade the intersection and traffic signal.
Hansen, who owns a farm market at the intersection, told the council he’s willing to pay his “fair” share in the costs of improvements.
“I’m not a sugar daddy to repair South Gorham,” Hansen said.
Also Tuesday, the council unanimously approved adopting the National Incident Management System. The system outlines a common system for emergency responders.
Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre said if the Gorham didn’t adopt the system, the town wouldn’t have been eligible for grants from Homeland Security.
Town Manager David Cole said Gorham’s emergency plans were similar to the national system. But, he said, adoption of the national system would require some additional training by Gorham personnel.
“It brings unification to the whole system,” Lefebvre said.
The council approved spending $140,000 for a new bucket loader for the Public Works Department, and also approved painting the South Windham Library in Little Falls as soon as possible instead of replacing siding.
“The building does look shabby,” Town Councilor Burleigh Loveitt said.
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