Brunswick Town Council Meeting - November 17, 2025: Moratoriums, Zoning, and Public Works
Brunswick Town Council Meeting - November 17, 2025
The Brunswick Town Council held a lengthy meeting on November 17, 2025, addressing a packed agenda that included emergency moratoriums on mobile home park rent increases and rural subdivisions, several zoning amendments, a public works bond, and a letter supporting state firearm legislation. Public comments were heavy, especially on the moratoriums, and the council took multiple votes, many near-unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- The council unanimously approved an executive session for real property/economic development.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Melissa Pocasato (Brunswick resident) reported on a food drive: 836 lbs collected at Cook's Corner Hannaford, 761 lbs at downtown Elm Street Hannaford, and $603 in donations.
- Bruce Cantner (Brunswick resident) raised concerns about communication between public and town officials, irregularities by the Planning Board regarding rapid growth, and loud gunfire from semi-automatic rifles in his rural neighborhood.
- Cheryl Golok (State Rep., House District 99) invited residents to a food drive on Nov 21.
- Jennifer Navarro (Brunswick resident) warned against municipal overreach, arguing that the town is acting in areas preempted by state law and urged the council to stay within its authority.
- Amy Preston (112 Bracket Rd) presented data: Brunswick has 44% of local housing inventory across five towns; she asked if the town had done an impact analysis of new development, estimating that 398 new properties could add nearly $4 million net expense to the town (schools only).
- Nate Hince (Arrowhead Dr) supported the rural moratorium but urged a town-wide moratorium, citing school capacity (two of four schools at capacity) and lack of impact analysis.
- Sean Hogan (Brunswick) echoed concerns and asked whether the housing committee had been assigned to study growth impacts.
- Donna Shale (Brunswick) thanked staff for organizing the vote recount.
Town Manager & Staff Reports
- Town Manager Julia Hensey acknowledged public concerns, noting the moratoriums are a “last ditch effort” but necessary due to rapid growth and lack of methodical planning.
- Dan Devereaux (Coastal Resource Manager) presented the Septic System Risk Analysis: over 10,000 property files reviewed, 3,095 septic systems mapped, 643 still unaccounted for. Risk factors include system age, distance to shoreland, aquifer proximity, and short-circuit potential. The tool will help plan growth and leverage grants. Councillor questions focused on next steps, average leach field lifespan, and nitrogen removal.
- Carol O'Donnell (Housing Committee Chair) reported the committee’s mission and accomplishments, including $1 million awarded from the Affordable Housing Support Fund for production, preservation, and direct assistance. $250,000 remains.
Discussion Items
1. Jordan Avenue Parking Amendment
- Proposed 8 AM–5 PM Monday–Friday no-parking on Jordan Avenue near Kate Furbish School to improve traffic flow. Public comment from Zach Champ (Jordan Ave) supported but suggested a total ban. Council voted unanimously to adopt.
2. Chapter 17 Weapons Ordinance Amendment
- Cleaned up obsolete reference to Section 701 of the 1997 zoning ordinance. Public comment from Jennifer Navarro criticized the town for an eight-year oversight. Sean Hogan asked for clarification that the permitting process remains unchanged. Adopted unanimously.
3. Mobile Home Park Lot Rent Moratorium
- Economic Development Director Sally Costello presented the need: rapid lot rent increases causing displacement risk for 1,200+ residents in 7 parks. A study was funded on Sept 2, 2025. Proposed moratorium for 180 days (emergency and regular).
- Public comments (dozens of residents from Bay Bridge Estates and other parks): Described dramatic rent hikes (e.g., from $600 to $700 in two years), illegal fees (water, insurance, background checks), and predatory practices by corporate owners. Many urged a full 180-day moratorium.
- Opposition: Chris Rashid (Sun Communities, representing Maplewood Manor and Mary Meeting) argued the moratorium creates hardship for operators and discourages investment; urged waiting for state law LD 1723 to take effect.
- Council discussion: Councillor Watson, a longtime advocate, noted the vulnerability of residents. Amendment to sharpen “lot rent” definition passed unanimously. Councillor Shedd dissented on emergency declaration, saying it didn’t meet “emergency” standard. Moratorium passed 8-1 (Shedd opposed).
- A separate motion to send a letter of support for Rep. Golak’s appeal on her rejected bill (LD 1723) passed unanimously.
4. Rural Subdivision Moratorium
- Planning Director Julie Erdman presented: seven active rural subdivision proposals (90 units, 80 on dead-end roads). Proposed 6-month moratorium to strengthen ordinances and evaluate rate-of-growth options. Noting that only 9.6% of 2025 dwelling units would be affected.
- Public comments (20+ speakers): Many supported the moratorium, citing loss of wildlife, traffic, school capacity, and outdated comprehensive plan. Some criticized the Housing Committee for opposing it. Speakers described clear-cutting, waived regulations, and lack of affordable housing in rural projects.
- Housing Committee Chair Carol O’Donnell reported the committee unanimously opposed the moratorium at this time, calling it overly broad and not an emergency.
- Council discussion: Councillor Weems noted that 283 total units are in the pipeline, and none of the 90 rural units have affordable housing. Councillor Wilson acknowledged growth is inevitable but the ordinance needs fixing. Councillor Shedd again questioned the emergency nature.
- Vote: Emergency moratorium (50 days) passed 8-1 (Shedd opposed). A subsequent motion to set a public hearing for a regular 180-day moratorium passed unanimously.
5. Marine Activities Ordinance – Student Apprentice Program
- Set public hearing for Dec 1, 2025 to amend Chapter 11, adding a student apprentice program and clarifying harvester reporting requirements. Passed unanimously.
6. Public School Building Footprint Exemption
- Set public hearing for Dec 1, 2025 to exempt public schools from the 5,000 sq ft building footprint limit. Passed unanimously.
7. Rezoning – 46 Federal Street (Hawthorne School)
- Set public hearing for Dec 1, 2025 to rezone from GR7 to GM6 to support redevelopment. Corrected GM7 to GM6. Passed unanimously.
8. Rezoning – Admiral Fitch/Seahawk Avenue (22.6 acres)
- Set public hearing for Dec 1, 2025 to rezone from Growth Industrial to GM7 for flexibility for expanding businesses. Passed unanimously.
9. Letter of Support for Rep. Arford’s Firearm Bill (LR 2787)
- The bill would allow municipalities to adopt model ordinances prohibiting firearms in municipal buildings where public proceedings occur. Public comment: Sean Hogan opposed, arguing it only disarms law-abiding citizens; Jennifer Navarro argued the council lacked jurisdiction and warned of litigation. Council discussion: Councillor Watson changed his view after recalling a traumatic incident at town hall. Motion passed unanimously.
10. Public Works Facility Phase 1A Bond
- Assistant Town Manager Jay Astill presented the project: $6.5 million for acquisition of 2 Industry Road, new fuel station, underground utilities, and salt shed. Total estimated borrowing cost over 20 years at 4.25% is $9,400,625.
- Council discussion: Several members expressed discomfort with the level of information and lack of workshop; Councillor Shedd voted no. Others noted the purchase is time-sensitive. Motion to set public hearing passed 8-1 (Ecker opposed).
11. Purchase & Sale Agreement for 2 Industry Road
- Authorized the town manager to execute a P&S conditional on final council ratification. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Jordan Ave parking change: Adopted (unanimous).
- Weapons ordinance cleanup: Adopted (unanimous).
- Mobile home park rent moratorium: Passed emergency 50-day moratorium (8-1); set public hearing for regular 180-day (unanimous). Letter of support for Rep. Golak’s bill (unanimous).
- Rural subdivision moratorium: Passed emergency 50-day moratorium (8-1); set public hearing for regular 180-day (unanimous).
- All four public hearing settings for December 1, 2025 passed unanimously.
- Letter supporting Rep. Arford’s firearm bill passed unanimously.
- Public Works Phase 1A bond hearing set (8-1).
- Authorized P&S for 2 Industry Road (unanimous).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. I'm going to officially call our November seventeenth, twenty twenty-five meeting to order. Uh, doing a roll call. We currently are missing Counselor Hicks, who will be joining us in a few minutes. Uh, Counselor Updograph, uh, Chair Updog is currently on Zoom. Um, was the meeting properly noticed? Yes, it was. Perfect. Um, we will be looking at our first item is to go into executive session one MRSA four oh five, six C acquisition of real property or economic development. Do I have a motion? Oh motion by Counselor Wilson. Uh seconded by Councillor Shedd. Um, did you does anybody have any questions or discussion on the motion? Not seeing any. I'll call the vote. Counselor Watson. Counselor Acker. Yes. Counselor Anderson. Yes. Councilor Shedd. Yes. Counselor Weemes. Yes. Counselor Wilson. Yes. And the chair is a yes, that is unanimous of the council present. We will resume in about thirty minutes. Good evening, everybody. Good evening. I'm gonna draw your attention because we're gonna resume this meeting, please. Counselor Watson. Uh if you could all please silence your electronic devices, and we're gonna stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God. Thank you, everybody. We have a packed agenda here in a packed room, so please try to bear with us as we work through our agenda here. I will note that uh Councillor Updograph is here on Zoom. Um are there any adjustments to the agenda from counselors. Not seeing any. Do any council members have an announcement to make councillor Hicks? Uh I just wanted to thank um the folks who attended my uh district five community meeting at the library yesterday, and um we had a it was a s it was a small group, but it was a really engaged group. Um I was able to provide updates and um here are questions and concerns from uh those in attendance and uh Representative Dan Ankeles was in attendance as well, offering updates from the legislature and a preview of what's to come in the in the January session. And um at the same time I had asked for uh people to bring some donations of food for um the m Midcoast hunger prevention program and uh I didn't I have I will be bringing it to them this week. I haven't gotten an official wait, but we got um overflowed box of food and I do think that that was um also very good. So thank you for for all that and um as always I'm I'm always available to um be contacted and like to hear from folks at any point. Thank you. Thank you. Um as uh another reminder you may have seen when you came into this building. Uh we are actually hosting a food drive here um at the town as well. So there are boxes that are out by the front door on this side and the other uh exit in the back.
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