Welcome to the Town of Brunswick Town Council special meeting.

Today is November 24th.

Nope, my apologies.

December 24th.

It is a problem when you read something and don't pay attention to what you're reading.

Councils are present except for Uptograph and Watson.

Was this meeting properly noticed?

Yes, it was.

Thank you very much, Clerk Smith.

I just wanted to go over the sort of agenda so people are know what's happening.

We will start with a pledge.

We'll have presentations from Maddie Doherty from the state of Maine, and we will have presentation from Jen Hicks and representing Dan Anchiles, our state representative.

And then we'll go into the business, which is the uh reading of the proclamation and the approval of the proclamation.

And there'll be an opportunity for council members to speak on the proclamation and on the life of Brandon.

And then we'll have an open sharing.

Um, and there'll be a microphone that'll be able to come to you if you stand up.

Uh one of our staff members will bring it by and you'll be able to speak into the mic and share, and that'll be happening as long as it does, and then we'll close the meeting and go from there.

Thank you.

If we could rise for the pledge.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

It is unfortunate to come before you uh in an evening like this, but I did want to share.

Is this okay the lights flickering at me?

I think I think we're good.

Um of the jobs that we have in the legislature is to recognize prominent members of our communities, whether that's celebrating something like a team, you know, win or something happening in a community.

The other difficult but important part is recognizing members of our community whom we've lost.

And I'm here to share that in Brendan's memory, we have had this uh read into the record of the state of Maine, which means that his name and his legacy will be part of the permanent fiber of our state.

And I'll read the memorium.

Whereas the legislature has learned with the deep regret of the death of Brandon Todd Pearl of Dresden.

Mr.

Perolt was a dedicated public servant and beloved member of the Brunswick community.

He most recently served as the finance director for the town of Brunswick, a role he held with deep pride and gratitude.

His commitment to public service was matched only by the joy he found in collaboration, and he brought warmth, humor, and integrity to every meeting, every project, and every shared moment.

His presence in the Brunswick community was a gift, and he leaves behind a legacy of kindness, excellent, and genuine connection.

He also owned Brendan's books and was a co-owner with his husband Will of the Animal House.

Both community-building businesses were passion for people and animals shone brightly.

Customers became friends and friends became family, all drawn in by the kindness and the inspiration both he and Will offered so freely.

Mr.

Perl will long be remembered and sadly missed by his loving husband, William Peralt Paul, his parents Stephanie and Kemberley, and many family and friends and all those of his lives that he touched.

Therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, pause in a moment of understanding and prayer to inscribe this token of sympathy and condolences to all who share with this great loss and respectfully request that when the legislature adjourns on January 7th, that they do so in honor and lasting tribute to the deceased.

And with that, I am going to share this with his family, and thank you.

Councilor Hicks.

To Will, the Perolt family, the Town Council, and all of Brandon's colleagues, I want to express my condolences to all of you and share my deep admiration for Brandon.

When I was part of the town council, I spent two different blocks of time on the finance committee.

It was always Brandon who went the extra mile when it came to all things finance, and he did it with he did it all with kindness, calmness, and patience.

After we put into place our local senior property tax relief program, it was always Brandon who ran the numbers for us and walked us through all the different scenarios about what it would mean to increase the size of the benefit or expand eligibility.

But most impressively, and you've likely already read already heard this from others today, he would personally call people who were eligible for the program and make sure they didn't miss out.

He took extra time out of his work day to troubleshoot people's applications, answer questions, and make sure people knew they had uh to reapply each year.

His dedication to saving older Brunswick residents' money was unrivaled.

And I remember thinking that this man was the platonic ideal of a civil servant.

I was so excited later when the town was able to keep Brandon on staff and promote him to finance director when Julia became our permanent town manager.

To learn that he was gone so suddenly was deeply upsetting.

No family deserves a loss like that, but especially a family like the Peraltes, who have given so much to this community.

I hope that Brandon's legacy of service lives for lives on forever.

I hope that his way of doing things is taught to civil servants all over Maine.

I hope that all of you find some comfort in knowing how much we thought of him.

With love and regret that I cannot be with you all in person tonight, Dan Anchole, State Representative, District 100, and former at-large town council.

Thank you, Councilor Hicks.

I'm going to read the resolution and ask for a second.

Councilor McDonald is agreed to be my wing person in case I can't get through the whole thing.