OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - December 1, 2025

Town Council — Monday, December 1, 2025
BodyBrunswick, Maine
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, December 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:19:18

Transcript — Verbatim
0:07

Good evening and welcome to the December 1 2025 meeting of the Brunswick Town Council.

0:19

All counselors are present except for Councillor McDonald.

0:25

Councillor Wilson is on Zoom.

0:30

Now, Clerk Smith, was the meeting properly noticed?

0:36

And Council McDonald has arrived.

0:39

There he is.

0:40

So we're all present.

0:42

Thank you very much.

0:47

I would ask that all electronic devices be silenced, please.

0:54

And then let's rise for the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:00

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic.

1:07

For which it stands to have one nation under the individual justice for all.

1:18

Are there any adjustments to the agenda?

1:25

I believe the member item we discussed having to be postponed.

1:30

Yes, I I have one, but I didn't know if anyone else had any.

1:36

Thank you very much.

1:44

169.

1:48

Oh, you're right.

1:49

162.

1:50

162 is going to be postponed until the meeting on December 5th.

1:59

One of our principals is not able to be here tonight.

2:04

So that one is off the agenda and will be on the agenda for the 15th.

2:28

And I don't see the people involved in the room.

2:32

So we'll hold that for a few minutes.

2:46

And so if you're communicating with any people, please let them know they can stream the meeting from our website or they can Zoom.

2:58

Use Zoom.

3:00

But regular access on Channel 3 is not available this evening.

3:07

Any other announcements from the council.

3:13

Councillor McDonald.

3:15

Yeah, I'll just remind folks that we are hosting a food drive in town here.

3:20

So there are boxes when you walk in on either side of the door.

3:24

That's uh heading to Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program.

3:27

Um it runs through December 12th, I believe is the last day that you can contribute.

3:33

But um, if you do have the ability to donate, um we know that friends are in need.

3:38

Um something that we heard at the Social Services uh Committee when we were doing funding applications this time last time was that some of the different food groups are groups that give food to folks um were already breaking record starting in January.

3:52

I'm starting, yeah, uh in July, sorry.

3:55

Um so we know that the need is there, so if you are able to give, please donate.

4:00

Thank you.

4:02

Thank you.

4:03

Any other announcements?

4:05

Great.

4:06

We'll go to public comment.

4:09

This is a time for people to talk to us about non-agenda items, and remember to identify yourselves, and you have three minutes.

4:30

At least two, I say.

4:32

Good.

4:37

Hi, Brenda Day, uh, Brunswick Main.

4:39

Um, two weeks ago, I didn't make the meeting, but I sent an email asking about the crosswalks along Lower Main Street downtown.

4:48

So I see many crosswalks that have lights on them for signal, but none on Lower Main Street where there's four lanes.

4:55

And I think it's a grave safety concern, especially since it's dark so long.

5:00

So I don't know if there's any plans.

5:02

Um, if somebody can get back to me, if there's any plans to put lit lighting, flashing lights for an indicator to cross that street because it's dark and people do not wear bright clothing when they get out of work.

5:14

So it's hard to see people.

5:16

Thank you.

5:17

Thank you.

5:21

Sean Hogan, Brunswick President.

5:24

Uh my comments are not related to item 156.

5:27

I did want to, however, um take a moment to I didn't get to finish all my thoughts last week when I was speaking about uh some comments uh on the housing committee, and just wanted to clarify um and finish my thoughts on that.

5:42

Um as I had said last week, I really do believe it's valuable that we have a housing committee.

5:48

We definitely have a problem with housing, and it's good to have a group that's formulating policy.

5:54

So I I am in support of that, and I want to make sure that that's understood.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works██████████████████████████████30%
Zoning Regulations█████████████████17%
Procedural███████████11%
Public Comment████████8%
Comprehensive Planning████████8%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Marine Activities████4%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - December 1, 2025

The Brunswick Town Council held a lengthy meeting on December 1, 2025, addressing multiple public hearings and agenda items. Key actions included adopting a zoning amendment for school facilities, updating marine ordinances, authorizing a reduced bond for the Public Works facility phase 1A, adopting a moratorium on rural subdivisions, and setting public hearings for the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and related amendments. The meeting also featured public comments on crosswalk safety, housing committee concerns, PFAS contamination, traffic hazards, and development issues.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brenda Day (Brunswick Main) expressed concern about the lack of lighted crosswalks on Lower Main Street and requested flashing lights for pedestrian safety.
  • Sean Hogan (Brunswick resident) clarified his previous comments about the housing committee, supporting the committee but noting that some members may lack full understanding of zoning and comprehensive plans; he offered to serve on the committee to provide a different perspective.
  • Donna Chale (Brunswick Area Indivisible) thanked the council for work on the Maybridge ordinance and survey, praised public works for holiday lights, and thanked Sandy Updograph for her service.
  • Bruce Cantner (Brunswick resident) highlighted a letter from Brunswick Area Citizens for a Safe Environment regarding PFAS contamination at the former naval base, calling for an ombudsman, a central website for information, and a working group meeting.
  • Peggy Siegel (Admiral Fitch Avenue) seconded the call for an ombudsman to answer questions about the chemical spill and ongoing development.
  • Jennifer Navarro (Brunswick resident) reported a dangerous traffic situation during the November 28 ribbon cutting ceremony on Thomas Point Road, with illegal parking and safety hazards; she formally requested the council acknowledge the hazard, review the GM4 boundary, and direct planning for safer infrastructure.

Discussion Items

  • Item 153: Zoning Text Amendment for Public School Facilities – Principal Planner Dieleman presented the amendment to exempt public school facilities from the maximum building footprint requirement. The Planning Board had recommended approval. The council voted unanimously to adopt.
  • Item 154: Marine Activities Code Amendments – Town Clerk presented amendments for a student apprentice program and harvester reporting requirements. Public comment from Ray Trombley (Cascal Bay Shellfish) opposed the program and reporting, arguing it was not beneficial to the industry. The council clarified that the apprenticeship program is for those seeking a career, and reporting is already required in the ordinance. The council voted unanimously to adopt.
  • Item 155: Public Works Facility Phase 1A Bond Authorization – Assistant Town Manager Jay Assel presented the project, which included acquisition of 2 Industry Road, a new fuel station, salt shed, and utility work. Total project cost $6.5M. After extensive discussion, Councillor Weems proposed an amendment to remove the acquisition of 2 Industry Road from Phase 1A, reducing the bond to $4.7M. The amendment passed 6-3, and the amended motion passed 8-2. The acquisition will be considered for Phase 1B.
  • Item 156: Rural Area Subdivision Moratorium – Planning Director explained the need for an emergency moratorium (50 days) due to noticing errors, now seeking a 180-day moratorium until May 16, 2026. Public comments strongly supported the moratorium, with concerns about overdevelopment, waivers, and environmental impact. The council voted unanimously to adopt.
  • Item 157: Rezone 46 Federal Street (Hawthorne School) – To support redevelopment, the property was rezoned from GR7 to GM6. The council voted unanimously.
  • Item 158: Rezone 22.6 Acres on Brunswick Landing – MIRA requested rezoning from GI to GM7 to allow commercial expansion. Concerns about residential use were addressed by MIRA and land use controls. The council voted unanimously.
  • Item 159: Set Public Hearing for 2025 Comprehensive Plan – Principal Planner presented the plan, which emphasizes managed growth with a reduced growth area. The council set a public hearing for December 15, 2025, unanimously.
  • Item 160: Set Public Hearing for Zoning Text Amendments Related to Comp Plan – To align ordinances with the proposed comprehensive plan. The council set a public hearing for December 15, 2025, unanimously.
  • Item 161: Set Public Hearing for Recreation and Conservation Commission Amendments – To consolidate the Tree Committee and Town Commons Committee into the Conservation Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission respectively. The council set a public hearing for December 15, 2025, unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted zoning text amendment exempting public school facilities from max building footprint (unanimous).
  • Adopted marine ordinance amendments for student apprentice program and harvester reporting (unanimous).
  • Authorized Phase 1A of Public Works Facility project at $4.7 million (excluding 2 Industry Road acquisition) with bond issuance not to exceed $4.7 million (8-2 vote).
  • Adopted moratorium on subdivisions in the rural area effective until May 16, 2026 (unanimous).
  • Rezoned 46 Federal Street from GR7 to GM6 (unanimous).
  • Rezoned 22.6 acres on Brunswick Landing from GI to GM7 (unanimous).
  • Set public hearings for December 15, 2025 for: 2025 Comprehensive Plan, zoning text amendments, and amendments to Recreation/Conservation Commissions (all unanimous).
  • Item 162 (appointments) postponed to December 15, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the December 1 2025 meeting of the Brunswick Town Council. All counselors are present except for Councillor McDonald. Councillor Wilson is on Zoom. Now, Clerk Smith, was the meeting properly noticed? And Council McDonald has arrived. There he is. So we're all present. Thank you very much. I would ask that all electronic devices be silenced, please. And then let's rise 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 to have one nation under the individual justice for all. Are there any adjustments to the agenda? I believe the member item we discussed having to be postponed. Yes, I I have one, but I didn't know if anyone else had any. Thank you very much. 169. Oh, you're right. 162. 162 is going to be postponed until the meeting on December 5th. One of our principals is not able to be here tonight. So that one is off the agenda and will be on the agenda for the 15th. And I don't see the people involved in the room. So we'll hold that for a few minutes. And so if you're communicating with any people, please let them know they can stream the meeting from our website or they can Zoom. Use Zoom. But regular access on Channel 3 is not available this evening. Any other announcements from the council. Councillor McDonald. Yeah, I'll just remind folks that we are hosting a food drive in town here. So there are boxes when you walk in on either side of the door. That's uh heading to Midcoast Hunger Prevention Program. Um it runs through December 12th, I believe is the last day that you can contribute. But um, if you do have the ability to donate, um we know that friends are in need. Um something that we heard at the Social Services uh Committee when we were doing funding applications this time last time was that some of the different food groups are groups that give food to folks um were already breaking record starting in January. I'm starting, yeah, uh in July, sorry. Um so we know that the need is there, so if you are able to give, please donate. Thank you. Thank you. Any other announcements? Great. We'll go to public comment. This is a time for people to talk to us about non-agenda items, and remember to identify yourselves, and you have three minutes. At least two, I say. Good. Hi, Brenda Day, uh, Brunswick Main. Um, two weeks ago, I didn't make the meeting, but I sent an email asking about the crosswalks along Lower Main Street downtown. So I see many crosswalks that have lights on them for signal, but none on Lower Main Street where there's four lanes. And I think it's a grave safety concern, especially since it's dark so long. So I don't know if there's any plans.

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