Brunswick Town Council Meeting – December 15, 2025

The December 15, 2025 meeting of the Brunswick Town Council featured farewell presentations for outgoing councilors, public comment on environmental concerns, a unanimous vote to authorize $1,393,300 in TIF funds to MIRA, and the adoption of the 2025 comprehensive plan after extensive discussion. The council also approved zoning text amendments, committee consolidations, and new appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (minus the December 1, 2025 meeting minutes, which were pulled for correction).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Walker (900 River Road) raised concerns about MIRA having nine unserviceable aircraft in the Aquifer Protection Overlay District, arguing this constitutes a prohibited junkyard and harms grassland bird species (at least three state-listed species). He said the aircraft create vertical structures that deter nesting within 300 feet.
• Bruce Cantner (Brunswick resident) criticized the lack of town leverage over MIRA, referencing a November 19 letter from BACSE urging no further development on the Landing until proper permitting and oversight are achieved. He urged continued attention to environmental threats.
• Sean Hogan (town resident, via Zoom) requested that MIRA install a stop sign at Pelican and Admiral Fitch for safety, noting that existing signs are faded and flashing signs unreliable.
• Jennifer Navarro (Brunswick resident, via Zoom) opposed the TIF appropriation on fiscal and due process grounds, stating it shifts infrastructure costs to taxpayers. She also opposed the comprehensive plan and zoning amendments, arguing the plan weakens environmental protections, omits PFAS/superfund concerns, and embeds policy commitments (e.g., immigrant services at the recreation center) without public consent.
• Christine Foster (Brunswick resident) noted the growth area designation for the former base omits mention of the superfund site and the 2024 PFAS spill. She cited test results showing PFOS at 763,000 ppt in a hangar’s oil-water separator.
• Rich Ellis (Councilor-elect, District One) praised revisions adding education to the comp plan’s vision, but noted challenges in siting schools and urged proactive planning.
• Bill Dana (Planning Board chair) and Bruce Cantner endorsed the comprehensive plan.
• Emily Schmidt (Parks and Rec vice chair) expressed concern that expanding the commission from five to seven voting members would lengthen meetings and increase staff burden.
• Brianne Smithson (Parks and Rec chair) confirmed the commission supported the new charge and adding a non-voting student member, but noted the expansion was debated.

Discussion Items

• TIF Appropriation to MIRA (Item 166): Manager Henzi introduced the annual request to allocate $1,393,300 of tax increment financing proceeds to MIRA for infrastructure. The TIF committee had unanimously recommended approval. Dan Stevenson (MIRA Executive Director) detailed projects: straightening Alagash Road, water distribution system extension ($300,000), and Catardin Drive paving ($779,600). Councilor Shedd requested future resolutions list specific projects for accountability. Councilor Hicks raised concerns about transparency on PFAS groundwater treatment and oil-water separator testing. Stevenson committed to quarterly reports and posting documents. Councilor Watson noted these infrastructure improvements reduce future town costs (e.g., stormwater infiltration into sewer system). Discussion on the TIF cap ($15M) and remaining capacity (~$4M for ~3 years). Vote: unanimous (8-0).
• Comprehensive Plan Adoption (Item 163): Emily Schmidt (Steering Committee Chair) presented the 2025 plan “One Brunswick – Beautifully Balanced,” a six-year effort. Key changes: reduced designated growth area in response to state LD 1829 density mandates, retaining local control over medium-density zones; added education back into the vision statement and added action strategies A10 and H13 about supporting public schools. Principal Planner Jimmy Dilleman explained that the reduced growth area does not change existing zoning but guides future changes. Staff will next undertake a comprehensive zoning update. Council discussion centered on affordable housing (Councilor McDonald noting 78% of survey respondents saw lack of affordable housing, only three housing options under $300,000) and the balance between growth and environment. Councilor Watson moved to adopt with additions and modifications. Vote: unanimous (8-0).
• Zoning Text Amendments (Item 164): Planner Dilleman presented amendments to align zoning ordinance references with the new comp plan (e.g., definitions of growth area vs. growth district). Planning Board had found them in conformity. Councilor Ecker praised simplification. Vote: unanimous.
• Committee Updates (Item 165): Councilor McDonald introduced ordinance amendments to dissolve the Tree Committee and Town Commons Committee, absorbing their duties into Conservation Commission (expanded to 9 members) and Parks & Recreation Commission (renamed, expanded to 7 voting members plus non-voting student and council members). Changes effective January 1, 2026. Some public comment raised concerns about commission size. Vote: unanimous.
• Sunsetting Committees (Item 167): Motion to sunset Tree Committee and Town Commons Committee as of December 31, 2025. Vote: unanimous.
• Appointments (Item 168): Appointments approved for Parks & Rec (Blaine Moore, Mark Fukusado), Conservation (John Hodap, Adrian Leahy), Planning Board (Allison Harris, Chris Baldwin, Steve Walker), Water District (John Williams), Assessment Review Board (Larry Delaney), Cable TV Committee (Dave Watson), Personnel Board (Dave Watson as alternate). Councilor Watson recused himself for the last two votes. Votes: unanimous (8-0 on first slate, 8-0 on second with one recusal).

Key Outcomes

• TIF Appropriation: Approved $1,393,300 to MIRA for capital projects on Brunswick Landing and Executive Airport (unanimous).
• 2025 Comprehensive Plan: Adopted with addition of action strategies A10 and H13 and modified vision statement; effective 30 days after adoption (unanimous).
• Zoning Amendments: Adopted to align zoning ordinance with new comp plan (unanimous).
• Committee Consolidations: Approved amendments to merge Tree and Town Commons duties into Conservation and Parks & Rec commissions (unanimous).
• Committee Sunsets: Tree Committee and Town Commons Committee dissolved effective Dec 31, 2025 (unanimous).
• Appointments: All recommended appointments approved (unanimous).
• Other: Storm response presentation scheduled for Dec 18, 2025 at 6:30pm; special council meeting and recognition of Brandon Peralt on Dec 22 at 5:30pm.

Presentations & Honors

The meeting began with farewell ceremonies for retiring councilors: David Watson (23 years on council, 35 as police officer) received sentiments from Rep. Cheryl Golek and others; Sandy Updograph (Town Council Chair, 25 years public service) received sentiments from Rep. Poppy Arford and Rep. Dan Ankeles; Nat Shedd (3 years on council) was honored by Councilor Acker. Town Manager also presented annual achievements report and noted police re-accreditation.