Protesters gather to oppose Amazon facility on proposed site in Gorham

Approximately 50 people gathered Saturday afternoon on a 94-acre wooded parcel in Gorham to protest a proposed Amazon distribution facility, signaling that opposition to the project remains active as it moves through regulatory review.

The event, organized by the grassroots group Gorham United and dubbed "A Day on the Land," drew residents to the undeveloped site along Route 25 where Amazon has proposed building a 146,280-square-foot "last mile" warehouse. The gathering combined a rally, sign painting, and guided nature walks aimed at highlighting what organizers say is at stake if the project moves forward.

"It's a way of symbolically, even just for one day, reclaiming the land as the property of the people of Gorham," said Josh Trombley, a leader of Gorham United. "We think that this project is going to bring a lot of negative impact without significant benefits."

The Gorham Town Council voted roughly a year ago to sell the industrially zoned land to Amazon for $4 million. Two earlier proposals for the same site, one involving a different company, had previously failed to materialize.

Speakers at the rally raised concerns about increased traffic congestion on already crowded roads west of Portland, environmental damage to the parcel's seasonal wetlands and plant life, the quality of jobs the facility would create, and compatibility with the town's comprehensive plan.

Sam Purinton, a candidate for Gorham Town Council who opposes the project, told the crowd the opposition is having an effect. "The reason we are here today is because our resistance has been working," Purinton said.

Two sitting councilors, Seven Siegel and Lou Simms, voted against the land sale last year. Simms is currently running for reelection. A more recently seated councilor, Charlie Hamblen, also spoke against the project at Saturday's rally.

Amazon has submitted revised plans following two public hearings before the town's planning board, but opponents say the adjustments are insufficient. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recently held only its third public comment session in 15 years regarding the project's permit application, a meeting that came in response to what residents described as overwhelming requests that the state deny the permit.

Gorham United is backing its opposition with fundraising and petition drives. An online petition has gathered more than 1,000 signatures from Gorham residents and neighbors in surrounding communities including Westbrook. A GoFundMe campaign aimed at hiring legal counsel has raised more than $13,000 from 82 donors toward a $30,000 goal. The group is asking the council to void the purchase and sale agreement and to establish new safeguards limiting future proposals of this kind.

After the formal remarks, Aaron Parker of Edgewood Nursery in Falmouth led walks around the property to point out wetlands and plant species that would be affected by construction. Anita Clearfield, representing the Artists' Rapid Response Team, set up a sign-painting station where attendees made placards to display at their homes or at upcoming public meetings.

The proposed facility is part of a $4 billion national initiative Amazon announced last April to expand its delivery network into smaller communities across the United States. The next public hearing on the Gorham project is scheduled for Sept. 14.

"We're making sure that we keep the pressure applied to make sure that we win this fight," Purinton said.

The event was attended by an estimated 50 people. The site remains undeveloped, and the regulatory process is ongoing.