Gorham is considering consolidating its code enforcement and planning offices and creating a $106,000 managerial position to oversee the new department.

The Town Council voted 5-1, with Councilor Michael Phinney opposed, to schedule a workshop to further define a new position’s job duties and whether it is feasible to consolidate the departments.

In April, the Town Council eliminated two positions, an engineer and a compliance officer, to save money in the 2008-2009 budget.

Consolidating departments and hiring an administrative position would be irresponsible, said Councilor Phil Csoros.

“At this time with the budget being so tight and the economic times being what they are, there are other things that I would rather spend $106,000 on than create a new position inside the government,” Csoros said.

Chairman Burleigh Loveitt said he was in favor of defining the role of a new position more, but cautioned that councilors needed to act soon because he has received numerous complaints from residents about the code enforcement and planning offices lack of efficiency since making cuts in April.

“It seems to me that we have put our people in planning and code in an untenable position,” Loveitt said. “We expect them to perform. We expect them to be courteous, kind, obedient and professional. In the meantime, we expect them to answer the phone, answer the front desk and do everything except to change diapers and babysit.”

Phinney voted against a workshop saying that, while he wasn’t sure yet if he was for or against the item, he wanted to discuss the issue during the meeting in front of the public and make a decision that night.

Councilor Brenda Caldwell, although she voted for a workshop, was the only one in favor of voting yes on the plan.

“I feel this is a very needed position,” she said. “It isn’t quite as I visualized it, but it’s a start. As far as benefits to the citizens, this would speed up the planning process quite a bit.”

The next Town Council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10, at the Town Hall. The Town Council has not yet scheduled a date for the workshop to discuss the new position.