The holiday season is looking brighter for Gorham this week.

Town Manager David Cole announced Tuesday that the town had reached a three-way deal with Central Maine Power and FairPoint Communications that allows Gorham to post holiday display lights on approved utility poles.

“We have an agreement to install the lights. So we are moving forward as quickly as possible,” Cole said.

It marks the first year the town has holiday lights. The town council budgeted $20,000 this year to purchase and pay for installation of 25 lighted displays to be mounted on poles, dressing up Gorham Village and Little Falls.

Last week, town leaders were anxious about hammering out an agreement with utilities in time for this holiday season.

An issue involving language in a $5 million liability insurance requirement for the town had been a hang up in negotiations, according to a CMP spokesman.

Gorham’s festivities at Robie Park on Sunday – a tree lighting and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus – did not require a CMP permit.

Santa waves to those assembled in Robie Park Sunday as he and Mrs. Claus arrive on the back of Tower One for the annual lighting ceremony of the Gorham Christmas tree.
A large crowd of all ages turned out on the chilly afternoon to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to town.