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Record of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Special Meeting – November 24, 2025: Tax Rate Workshop and CIP Presentations

Town Council — Monday, November 24, 2025
BodyBrunswick, Maine
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, November 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 3:03:26

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Good evening.

0:07

And welcome to the Monday, November twenty fourth, twenty twenty-five special meeting of the Brunswick Town Council.

0:21

All members are present.

0:24

And Mr.

0:26

Assistant Manager was the meeting properly noticed.

0:30

Yes, it was.

0:31

Thank you so much.

0:33

Uh, do I have oh, I want to explain what's happening this evening.

0:39

We have actually three meetings that will be run consecutively.

0:46

The first is an executive session meeting, which we'll go into very shortly.

0:54

The second meeting is a workshop on a discussion of tax rate.

1:01

And the third meeting.

1:10

Oh, the CIP, thank you so much.

1:14

I knew there was something else.

1:16

Okay.

1:17

So we'll start with our first meeting.

1:20

Is there a motion to go into executive session?

1:24

Councillor Wilson.

1:31

Oh, I just I'd like to make a motion to go into executive session.

1:45

Acquisition of real property or economic development.

1:50

Exactly.

1:51

Thank you.

1:52

And seconded by Councillor McDonald.

1:55

Oh my God.

1:56

Chair, I also have a brief question before we jump into executive session, if if you allow me.

2:00

Yes.

2:01

Um, in the later half of the meeting, the kind of six to eight thirty portion.

2:06

Is there a uh are we taking any public comment during this time?

2:11

Yes.

2:11

Okay, thank you.

2:14

And as we get there, I'll explain the format.

2:18

Um those in favor.

2:23

We are moving to executive session and we'll be back within thirty minutes.

39:58

Welcome back.

40:00

We are adjourning the executive session and going into meeting number two for tonight.

40:11

Before we go further, I would like to welcome our three new counselors elect Ramona Chimi and Corey Peralt and Rich Ellis.

40:25

And thank you all for coming.

40:29

And during this next phase, you may have questions, you may want to make some comments or not.

40:42

The next meeting is a workshop on tax rate discussion.

40:51

And let me explain a little bit about why we're here.

40:56

At our November 6th joint school board town council meeting, we had a number of items.

41:04

We talked about this item about whether or not to establish, and the aspirational target tax rate was among the items discussed.

41:25

And consequently, several counselors asked if we couldn't bring it back for further discussion.

41:35

That's what we're doing tonight.

41:38

This is a workshop.

42:13

And I should have mentioned that a little bit earlier.

42:18

So topics that we are going to consider tonight is whether or not the council is interested in talking about a target tax rate.

42:36

Why would we want to do that?

42:41

Criteria for determining an appropriate target.

42:47

And if we don't want to talk about it, why not?

42:53

One thing I want everyone to keep in mind is that while we're talking about this, uh this is a conceptual conversation.

43:04

We are in a unique position this year to have one-third of our council in 2026 be brand new.

43:27

And to decide on a rate at that point.

43:54

And to get us started about how you'd like to move forward.

44:11

Yeah, I think this the past few years that I've been on the council, it has been a topic to try to set some form of aspirational target for the overall budget property tax increase sooner in the process rather than what has happened in some past years where it's later in the process or it happens at the end.

44:37

So I think there's been good collaboration the past few years with the school department on this, obviously a key key partner.

45:00

For me, I think fundamentally we should be looking at uh the overall increase at a level that is uh in line with the rate of inflation uh and that can be tied to various indexes call it for right now three percent as a place everyone should start for as as the aspirational target to go for um I know there's concerns about um some uh unprecedented changes happening at the federal level and maybe some at the state level too um that could impact that um how we think about this but I don't believe we can simply um uh uh relieve ourselves of our um uh fiduciary responsibility to set a target uh as best we can knowing what we know today uh but perhaps these times um are good times a good time for us to think about contingency planning as well uh what do we do if some source of funding does not come through planning it now or having an idea or discussions about it now would be far better than having it happen when we're at the end of the budget season and something happens so those are those would be my two kind of maybe guiding premises uh one yeah an increase not above uh or in line with the rate of inflation tied to an index as a target and the second is uh is some thoughtful contingency planning thank you very much uh anyone else at this but counselor shatter so um I'm glad our deputy finance director is here you might be able to help us out um I always think it's hard to as I've said before to box us into future things when we haven't heard from our department heads we haven't heard from what's what the outcome of from management of union negotiations what contracts are rolling through what are the things that we have no control over um and how we can figure that out and so um I agree that that it's a good place to start at three percent um you know and I I maybe inflation might even be lower than that um 2.6 is a number I've heard out in the public.

47:22

And so there but then the other side of it is when I asked the superintendent do you have any idea of where you're going and I didn't get an answer.

47:30

They seem to not know what it is and I know for our department on finance it's hard for us to extrapolate into the future but it's also hard for the school department to extrapolate into the future but I would think it would behoove both departments to take a serious look now that we're close to halfway through the year you know the I know the controlling factors that the school department had was um they were able to reorganize some staffing positions that weren't filled and move some around and and save some money there.

48:05

They got extra money from the state of Maine or not maybe extra money but more money than within the budget.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████15%
Capital Improvement Projects███████████████15%
Public Works███████████████15%
Tax Increment Financing██████████10%
Budget Equity Analysis██████████10%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Economic Development███████7%
Public Engagement██2%
Education Funding██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Special Meeting – November 24, 2025

The Brunswick Town Council held a special meeting consisting of three consecutive sessions: an executive session, a workshop on setting an aspirational tax rate target for the 2026 budget, and a workshop on the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) covering public works facility, economic development projects, and the MARC recreation center. No formal votes were taken; the discussions were intended to inform the incoming council and guide future decisions.

Consent Calendar

  • No items were presented for consent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Rich Ellis (counselor-elect, District 1) advocated for a 3% property tax increase target as aspirational, noting that the average mill rate increase over the last 10 years was 3.6% and last year was 2.94%. He suggested controlling spending growth to 4% and emphasized fairness between municipal and school budgets.
  • Carol O'Donnell (Brunswick resident, Housing Committee chair) highlighted the importance of deferred maintenance and noted that the Social Security COLA for 2026 is 2.8%, which could serve as a reference point for senior citizens.
  • Elizabeth Sokoloff (Vice Chair, Brunswick School Board) and Sarah Singer (School Board member, District 7) described heightened budget uncertainty due to federal funding unknowns, rising special education costs, health insurance premiums, and the need to meet all students' needs. They stated that the school department is already in an austere budget, cutting field trips, materials, and books.
  • Later, during the CIP workshop, Rich Ellis asked questions about the public works facility phase 1A, specifically whether the acquisition of the 2 Industry Road property could be deferred. He also noted the town's history of purchasing land that remains unused and expressed concern about the tax impact of the $6.5 million phase.
  • Corey Peralt (counselor-elect, District 4) asked about the lack of hotel rooms in Brunswick to support regional events and tournaments, which could be a barrier to economic development.

Discussion Items

Tax Rate Target Workshop

  • Council members debated whether to set an aspirational target tax rate increase for the 2026 budget.
  • Councilor Ecker proposed a target aligned with the rate of inflation, currently around 3%, and suggested contingency planning for federal or state funding changes.
  • Councilor Shedd cautioned against committing to a target before hearing from department heads and noted uncertainties from union negotiations, insurance costs, and school budget unknowns. She preferred to keep the process flexible.
  • Councilor Weems argued for a sustainable approach focused on controlling costs (about 4% spending growth) rather than a fixed tax rate target, noting that valuation growth typically adds about 1%.
  • Councilor Hicks emphasized the need for nuanced conversations about long-term investments and deferred maintenance costs, and requested more detailed financial data from the finance department.
  • Deputy Finance Director Darien Plant noted that union contracts include substantial annual increases, health insurance costs are rising 12% for the town, and department heads made significant concessions last year to keep the tax increase low due to the revaluation.
  • The council decided to document the discussion for the new council, which will take office in January 2026.

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Workshop

1. Public Works Facility Project (Phase 1A)

  • Jay Chace (Assistant Manager) presented Phase 1A, costing $6.5 million, which includes: acquisition of 1.1 acres at 2 Industry Road, design-build of a new fuel station, overall site design, utility work, and a new salt shed. The fuel station's underground tank must be replaced by April 2028.
  • Council members debated the necessity of acquiring the adjacent property now. Councillor Anderson and Councillor Wilson supported the purchase for long-term planning and campus consolidation. Councillor Ecker wanted more detailed analysis and a valid needs assessment before committing. Councillor Weems argued that the project could proceed without the purchase, and questioned the cost impact on taxpayers.
  • The public hearing for Phase 1A is scheduled for the next Monday (December 1, 2025).

2. Economic Development Projects

  • Sally Costello (Director of Economic and Community Development) presented several CIP proposals:
    • Housing Support Fund: Request for $325,000 from the general fund (unrestricted fund balance) to replenish the affordable housing support fund, which has been used for rental housing, mobile home park preservation, and direct assistance.
    • Cook's Corner Revitalization: Placemaking projects including gateway treatments, a pocket park, and public art, funded by $200,000 annually (already in CIP).
    • Stevens Drive Road Extension: Estimated $2 million, with town share expected through partnerships and donations from property owners (Pathway Vineyards Church and Priority Realty). The road will be a complete street with bike/ped facilities.
    • Allagash Drive Straightening: $1.7 million total, town share $750,000, to open land for mixed-use development and improve bike/ped connectivity to Hannaford.
    • MARC (Recreation Center): Tier 1C (basketball courts and lighting) funded by a $500,000 LWCF grant; construction expected summer 2026. Tier 1D (synthetic turf field, natural grass field, tennis courts) estimated at $5.625 million, with a future bond request planned for 2027-28. Tom Farrell (Parks and Recreation Director) noted that the turf field is expected to generate about $25,000 annually in revenue.
  • Council members asked about PFAS concerns at the MARC site, parking lot design standards, and the need for a comprehensive economic development master plan. Sally Costello referenced the existing Cook's Corner market study and regional CEDS.

Key Outcomes

  • No formal votes were taken during either workshop; all discussions were advisory for the incoming council.
  • The tax rate discussion will be documented and provided to the new council taking office in January 2026.
  • A public hearing on the Public Works Facility Phase 1A (including the property acquisition) will be held at the next regular town council meeting on December 1, 2025.
  • The CIP projects will be further refined and presented for formal consideration during the budget process; the MARC Tier 1C construction is expected to begin in late spring/summer 2026.
  • The council will continue to explore partnerships and funding sources for economic development projects, including potential TIFF financing and grants.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. And welcome to the Monday, November twenty fourth, twenty twenty-five special meeting of the Brunswick Town Council. All members are present. And Mr. Assistant Manager was the meeting properly noticed. Yes, it was. Thank you so much. Uh, do I have oh, I want to explain what's happening this evening. We have actually three meetings that will be run consecutively. The first is an executive session meeting, which we'll go into very shortly. The second meeting is a workshop on a discussion of tax rate. And the third meeting. Oh, the CIP, thank you so much. I knew there was something else. Okay. So we'll start with our first meeting. Is there a motion to go into executive session? Councillor Wilson. Oh, I just I'd like to make a motion to go into executive session. Acquisition of real property or economic development. Exactly. Thank you. And seconded by Councillor McDonald. Oh my God. Chair, I also have a brief question before we jump into executive session, if if you allow me. Yes. Um, in the later half of the meeting, the kind of six to eight thirty portion. Is there a uh are we taking any public comment during this time? Yes. Okay, thank you. And as we get there, I'll explain the format. Um those in favor. We are moving to executive session and we'll be back within thirty minutes. Welcome back. We are adjourning the executive session and going into meeting number two for tonight. Before we go further, I would like to welcome our three new counselors elect Ramona Chimi and Corey Peralt and Rich Ellis. And thank you all for coming. And during this next phase, you may have questions, you may want to make some comments or not. The next meeting is a workshop on tax rate discussion. And let me explain a little bit about why we're here. At our November 6th joint school board town council meeting, we had a number of items. We talked about this item about whether or not to establish, and the aspirational target tax rate was among the items discussed. And consequently, several counselors asked if we couldn't bring it back for further discussion. That's what we're doing tonight. This is a workshop. And I should have mentioned that a little bit earlier. So topics that we are going to consider tonight is whether or not the council is interested in talking about a target tax rate. Why would we want to do that? Criteria for determining an appropriate target. And if we don't want to talk about it, why not?

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