Not so fast

The state has lowered the speed limit along Sebago Lake Road in Gorham near the new elementary school to 30 miles per hour after upping it to 40 mph sometime last month.

Terry Deering, deputy director of Gorham Public Works Department, said the posted speed limit went back to 30 mph on Tuesday.

Great Falls Elementary School, with kindergarten through fifth grade, opened this fall on Justice Way that intersects with Sebago Lake Road (Route 237). Gorham’s town and school officials recently asked the Maine Department of Transportation to reverse its earlier decision that increased the speed limit by 10 mph along that stretch of Sebago Lake Road where school buses exit and enter.

Based on a study last year, the Maine DOT had increased the speed limit but Gorham officials believed the state’s transportation department was unaware of the school.

Triad now official

Law enforcement and civilian leaders inked a charter in Gorham Friday, as Westbrook-Gorham Triad became official. The group, which is a collaborative effort of police, senior citizens and community providers, is aimed at stepping up security for elderly citizens and enhance their quality of life. The local group began a few years ago as a grass root organization. Besides education about security issues, Triad, which provides cell phones for seniors, also assists senior citizens with leaf raking and snow shoveling.

Those signing the official charter last week included Gorham Police Chief Ronald Shepard, Westbrook Director of Public Safety Michael Pardue, and Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce, along with David Garthe and Doris Ames, both of Gorham, who co-chair Triad.

Shepard said Triad is a crime prevention program for seniors. “This is a great day for Westbrook-Gorham Triad,” Shepard said in the event at Gorham Municipal Center. Pardue said it’s an honor to be part of the program and pledged his department’s support.

Garthe was recognized earlier this month when he was presented a “Trailblazer” award at the National Associations of Triads convention in Chicago, lll. Gorham Police Officer Ted Hatch nominated Garthe for the award.

The next meeting Triad will be at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, in the Westbrook Public Safety Building, 570 Main St.

Triad, which welcomes new members, will sponsor an informational meeting and light luncheon 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Lakes Region Senior Community Center on Acorn Street in Gorham.

For more information about Triad, call Hatch, who is the Gorham liasion officer, at 839-5581, or Westbrook Officer Christine LaBranche, 854-0644.