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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - March 16, 2026

Town Council — Monday, March 16, 2026

BodyBrunswick, Maine

SessionTown Council

DateMonday, March 16, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:10:22

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the uh meeting of March 16th, 2026 of the Brunswick Town Council.

0:13

Uh roll call, everyone is currently present.

0:16

Uh Councilor Wilson is on Zoom.

0:20

Uh Town Clerk, was the meeting properly noticed?

0:22

Yes, I was.

0:23

Perfect.

0:24

I ask that everyone please silence your electronic devices, however, you plan to do that before we get started here.

0:30

And please rise if you're willing and able for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:35

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:43

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:54

Just a note for myself.

0:55

I ask that as chair, as we hold this space together, we treat every person here with respect and compassion as we go doing the business of our town tonight.

1:04

Are there any uh adjustments to the agenda?

1:08

I know I have a couple here, but does anybody any other counselors have any adjustments?

1:12

Not seeing any.

1:13

Okay.

1:14

Um one is going to be to add an item.

1:17

This is item we will number name it idle number item number 30.

1:21

The town council will receive a presentation on uh on the town of Brunswick governmental funds.

1:26

This is just a presentation by the town manager about some of the different governmental funds that we receive.

1:32

Um is that okay with everyone?

1:34

Everyone's good with that?

1:35

Cool.

1:36

Um, the second one is a little bit of a I guess clunky way of I'm gonna risk need to have a motion, but for item number 25, which is about the uh mark grant.

1:48

Uh we are currently gonna push that back one meeting um because there's some uh details that need to be ironed out a little bit more before it could come here for uh the public to give comment on.

2:01

So the way that it would work is that um we would take public comment on it next meeting, so the April 6th meeting.

2:08

So if you're here to talk on that item, that's when we would move it to.

2:11

But for this, because it's a public hearing, I'm gonna need a formal motion and stuff.

2:15

So I'll make a motion and then we'll see how it goes from there.

2:18

Does that sound okay to folks?

2:20

Okay.

2:20

So I'm gonna make a motion to continue the public hearing for item 25 to Monday, uh, April 6, 2026, at which time public comments will be taken and possible action by the council.

2:33

The ordinance will not change.

2:35

Uh is there a second on that motion?

2:37

Seconded by Councilor Ellis.

2:39

Are there any questions on this tabling for or moving the continuance?

2:44

Not seeing any, I'll call the vote.

2:46

Counselor Ellis?

2:46

Yes.

2:47

Counselor Ecker.

2:48

Yes.

2:48

Counselor Anderson.

2:49

Yes.

2:50

Counselor Peral.

2:51

Yes.

2:51

Counselor Hicks.

2:52

Yes.

2:52

Counselor Teamy.

2:53

Yes.

2:53

Counselor Weams.

2:54

Yes.

2:55

Counselor Wilson.

2:56

Yes.

2:57

And the chair is a yes.

2:58

That is unanimous of the council.

2:59

We will continue that public hearing at our next meeting.

3:03

So thank you, everyone.

3:05

Uh announcements of council.

3:07

Does anybody have an announcement that they would like to make?

3:14

I have Councilor Perl.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Environmental Protection██████████████████████22%

Fiscal Sustainability████████████12%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%

Mobile Home Parks█████████9%

Public Engagement████████8%

Procedural███████7%

Public Comment██████6%

Transportation Safety██████6%

Public Health Awareness█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - March 16, 2026

The Brunswick Town Council held a regular meeting on March 16, 2026, covering a range of topics including public comments on taxes, PFAS contamination, and flag etiquette, as well as discussions on the budget, mobile home park regulations, and several votes.

Consent Calendar

Approved consent agenda items unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Jim Truzani (Brunswick resident) asked about the number of ongoing legal actions against the town and total legal costs over the last three years, specifically mentioning a $7 million claim against the police department.
Chris Teal (resident, taxpayer, voter) expressed frustration with council members not standing for the Pledge of Allegiance, criticized the proposed 9.7% tax increase, and questioned the use of TIF funds.
Brenda Day (Durham Road resident) requested the council not approve the school and town budget increases, citing a combined 9.4% tax increase, and asked all councilors to stand for the Pledge.
Ralph Keyes (Brunswick resident) urged caution regarding PFAS contamination on Brunswick Landing, calling for public health advisories and signage.
Sean Hogan (Navy veteran) criticized councilors for sitting during the Pledge and raised concerns about the impact of housing development on public safety, schools, and infrastructure.
Carolyn Eklund (Tedford Housing president) expressed support for the budget and the town's funding of nonprofits.
Kathy Thompson (Brunswick resident, lifelong) noted that taxes forced her family to move and called for action to help the elderly.
Derek Elwell (Brunswick resident) criticized the school system for not offering the Pledge of Allegiance, high taxes, and alleged prioritization of illegal immigrants over legal residents.
Jennifer Navarro (veteran wife, Brunswick resident) called the flag-protesting disrespectful, objected to a political event on the town calendar, and raised concerns about the Cook's Corner intersection and Tedford Housing's solar panels.
Christine Foster (Brunswick Landing resident) highlighted PFAS in soil piles from construction and called for proper testing.
Heather Neering (Brunswick resident) argued that protesting the flag on government property is inappropriate and asked councilors to stand for the Pledge.
Joel Wagner (Brunswick Landing resident) thanked the town for new development review requirements, but urged dedicated staff for Brunswick Landing issues, possibly funded by TIF revenue.

Discussion Items

Manager's Report: The town manager reported that revenue sharing is down $700,000 year-to-date due to lower state income/sales tax receipts, and expenditures are on track except for high winter costs. Budget workshops are scheduled; the school board will adopt its budget on April 8, and the council will receive the full budget on April 9.
RAB Meeting Report (Councilor Page): Discussed PFAS contamination, soil piles, and the need for greater oversight of construction on Brunswick Landing. Dr. Page noted that major contaminants have been remediated, but PFAS remains a concern due to its recent addition to the Superfund list.
Town Manager's Follow-up on Brunswick Landing: Detailed new procedures: DEP will require third-party inspectors at construction sites, soil piles must be covered impermeably, and the town will implement a GIS layer showing land use controls. The town received a 2026 Special Achievement in GIS award.
Mobile Home Park Study Update (Director Costello): Staff is drafting a mobile home ordinance beyond rent stabilization, including tenant councils and property management standards. The goal is to bring a proposal to council before the moratorium ends on May 16, 2026.
Trust Fund Advisory Committee Report (Chair DJ Shaughnessy): Recommended 5% distributions from 15 endowed funds, totaling $55,242.83. The funds are managed conservatively with low-cost investments.
Flixbus Bus Stop Request: Representative Noelia Calcano presented a proposal for a bus stop at Station Avenue for a New York City to Orono route. The stop would be 10-15 minutes, twice daily, seven days a week. Council discussed negotiation terms and potential monthly payments.
Bunganock Bridge Grant Application: The assistant town manager requested authorization to apply for a Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund grant (up to $3M) for a bridge replacement. The project is designed to transfer maintenance to the state. Local match would be 5% ($100,000).

Key Outcomes

Continued Public Hearing: Unanimously voted to continue the public hearing for item 25 (Mark Grant) to April 6, 2026. (9-0)
Chicken Ordinance Amendment: Adopted unanimously to comply with state law allowing chickens inside homes. (9-0)
Trust Fund Disbursements: Approved $55,242.83 in disbursements as recommended by the Trust Fund Advisory Committee. (9-0)
Flixbus Bus Stop: Passed a motion to authorize the town manager and assistant town manager to negotiate an agreement for a bus stop. (9-0)
Bunganock Bridge Grant Application: Approved applying for a Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund grant. (9-0)
Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously. (9-0)
Adjournment: Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the uh meeting of March 16th, 2026 of the Brunswick Town Council. Uh roll call, everyone is currently present. Uh Councilor Wilson is on Zoom. Uh Town Clerk, was the meeting properly noticed? Yes, I was. Perfect. I ask that everyone please silence your electronic devices, however, you plan to do that before we get started here. And please rise if you're willing and able 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, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Just a note for myself. I ask that as chair, as we hold this space together, we treat every person here with respect and compassion as we go doing the business of our town tonight. Are there any uh adjustments to the agenda? I know I have a couple here, but does anybody any other counselors have any adjustments? Not seeing any. Okay. Um one is going to be to add an item. This is item we will number name it idle number item number 30. The town council will receive a presentation on uh on the town of Brunswick governmental funds. This is just a presentation by the town manager about some of the different governmental funds that we receive. Um is that okay with everyone? Everyone's good with that? Cool. Um, the second one is a little bit of a I guess clunky way of I'm gonna risk need to have a motion, but for item number 25, which is about the uh mark grant. Uh we are currently gonna push that back one meeting um because there's some uh details that need to be ironed out a little bit more before it could come here for uh the public to give comment on. So the way that it would work is that um we would take public comment on it next meeting, so the April 6th meeting. So if you're here to talk on that item, that's when we would move it to. But for this, because it's a public hearing, I'm gonna need a formal motion and stuff. So I'll make a motion and then we'll see how it goes from there. Does that sound okay to folks? Okay. So I'm gonna make a motion to continue the public hearing for item 25 to Monday, uh, April 6, 2026, at which time public comments will be taken and possible action by the council. The ordinance will not change. Uh is there a second on that motion? Seconded by Councilor Ellis. Are there any questions on this tabling for or moving the continuance? Not seeing any, I'll call the vote. Counselor Ellis? Yes. Counselor Ecker. Yes. Counselor Anderson. Yes. Counselor Peral. Yes. Counselor Hicks. Yes. Counselor Teamy. Yes. Counselor Weams.

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