GORHAM – In a surprise move Tuesday before its newly elected members took the oath of office, the Gorham Town Council named its chambers for Burleigh Loveitt, the veteran councilor.

After decades of public service, Loveitt, 63, did not seek re-election this year. Loveitt thanked councilors, Town Manager David Cole, Town Manager Assistant Jeri Sheldon, and the town’s staff.

“I’ve been honored to serve the citizens of Gorham,” said Loveitt, who began public service in 1975.

Town councilors lauded Loveitt for his accomplishments over the years. Councilor Matt Mattingly, who made the motion to name the chambers in Loveitt’s honor, commented on the sacrifice Loveitt had made in serving the town. “I have a great deal of respect for your years of service,” Mattingly said.

Councilor Matt Robinson credited Loveitt as responsible for Gorham’s Bernard P. Rines Highway, a bypass around Gorham Village, becoming a reality. Brenda Caldwell cited Loveitt as one of the most effective councilors the town has ever had.

Loveitt was known for his wit and repertoire of catchy expressions.

“I’ll miss his one liners,” said Town Councilor Noah Miner, recalling one, “a bag of cats.”

Councilor Mike Phinney, who was the outgoing chairman, said it was a pleasure and honor serving with Loveitt. In an obvious reference to Loveitt’s quips, Phinney said that he knew Loveitt before squirrels collected nuts.

Following his final remarks as a town councilor, Loveitt said to Phinney, “I’ll take my leave, Mr. Chairman.”

Town Clerk Christina Silberman administered oath of office to Robinson and new council members John Pressey and Phil Gagnon, Robinson was elected its chairman. Caldwell was re-elected vice chairwoman.

In new council action, the board unanimously sent a proposal of a concept for a cross-town bicycle trail-pedestrian trail to its Capital Improvements Committee for review. Bob Frazier, president of Gorham Trails Inc., presented the plan. which would follow the former Sanford and Eastern Railroad right-of-way from the roundabout at the intersection of Narragansett Street and the Bernard P. Rines Highway to the Westbrook city line.

Frazier said the trail would run close by the high school and Village School and would be near the campus of the University of Southern Maine. Frazier said the trail would help take cars off the roads. Public buses could be boarded in Westbrook.

Not all the trail would be on town-owned property.

Phinney said the trail is a “great idea,” but said some of the route would be on private property and not all landowners had been notified of the meeting. Cole said the plan would require some easement acquisitions.