
Gorham voters Tuesday chose Phil Gagnon, Rob Lavoie and Seven Siegel to serve three-year terms on the Town Council.

Gagnon tallied 2,914 votes; Lavoie, 3,191 ; and Siegel, 3,864.
Incumbent Councilor Janet Kuech was defeated in the crowded seven-way race for three available council seats. Councilors Ben Hartwell and Jim Hager did not seek re-election.
Gagnon, a former Town Council chairperson, is finishing a three-year term on the School Committee. He advocates for attracting business to expand the town’s tax base.
“I am humbled and honored to return to the Town Council for another term,” he said Wednesday.
Lavoie, a chiropractor, favors honoring the town’s roots while planning its future. He had been a leading figure in promoting outdoor recreational activities in town.

Lavoie could not be reached for comment by the American Journal deadline.
Siegel, a product manager who serves on the town’s Planning Board, hopes to develop a long-term strategy to solve school overcrowding, the need for more businesses in town and high residential taxes.
“I want to thank the people of Gorham for believing in me and my vision. I’m looking forward to working with the other members of the council, the town staff, and the appointed committees to make our town the best it can be for everyone,” he said.
The best part of his campaign, he said, was hearing about what excites residents, what makes them hopeful for the town’s future and “people sharing their own vision of the town with me.”
The new councilors will be sworn in at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, in a special meeting in the council chambers at the municipal center, 75 South St. The board will choose a new chairperson and vice chairperson.

Also on Tuesday, Gorham voters approved a referendum 4,986 to 3,826 to amend the town’s charter to double the amount the town can spend on a capital expenditure, from $250,000 to $500,000, without asking voters for approval.
Town Clerk Laurie Nordfors reported 9,350 ballots were cast representing a 60.3% turnout of 15,505 registered voters. Voting appeared brisk throughout the day at Ward 2 (Shaw Gym) with long lines waiting to cast ballots.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less