Brunswick Town Council Meeting - April 6, 2026

The Brunswick Town Council met on April 6, 2026, starting at approximately 6:55 PM after an executive session. The meeting included presentations, public comments, a public hearing, consideration of several ordinances and resolutions, and unanimous approvals on most items. Key topics included the Midcoast Athletic and Recreation Complex (MARC) phase, bridge naming, Pride Festival, landscape preservation, tree fund, subdivision regulations, and a rural subdivision moratorium extension.

Consent Calendar

• Approvals included routine items such as a proclamation for Poem in Your Pocket Day and acceptance of a resident's offer to paint rainbow crosswalks for the third consecutive year.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Cheo (Brunswick Area Indivisible) expressed gratitude for council members' representation and supported the right to sit during the Pledge of Allegiance. She also noted a website issue with email links.
• Sean Hogan (Brunswick resident) reiterated his objection to a councilor remaining seated for the Pledge behind the dais, arguing it is disrespectful and unethical. He called for the council to address the matter.
• Marika Geyson (Brunswick resident) reminded the council of the 1943 Supreme Court ruling that standing and reciting the Pledge is not required, and supported council members' constitutional rights.
• MARC Project Public Comments: Several residents spoke in favor of the MARC phase (basketball courts, lighting), highlighting benefits for youth, community, mental health, and economic development. Speakers included Josh Bankett (Maine Skateboard Association), Sterling Martinez (student), Alan Mulnar (coach), Bob Gray (educator/skateboarder), Camille Slay (parent), Larissa Darcy (community member), Toby McGrath (parent/coach), and Marika Geyson (Brunswick resident). All supported the project.
• Bridge Naming Public Comments: Mike Lyne (DAC co-chair) provided history of the committee's work. Alison Harris (Androscoggin Riverwalk Alliance) supported the name Pajebscot Falls Bridge. Representative Poppy Arford expressed pride in the community's work. Faith Barnes requested educational plaques about Wabanaki history on both ends of the bridge.

Discussion Items

• Midcoast Athletic and Recreation Complex (MARC) Phase 1, Tier 1C: The council considered an ordinance authorizing construction of two basketball courts, sports lighting for basketball, skate park, and pickleball courts, up to $1,200,000. Director Sally Costello and Parks & Rec Director Tom Farrell presented updated costs ($1,003,211) from bids coming in under budget, with no taxpayer funds needed. Annual operating cost for lighting estimated at $2,500. The project is funded by grants, impact fees, Bowdoin College capital, and donations. Council members discussed contingencies and fund usage priority.
• Bridge Naming Resolution: The council adopted a resolution endorsing the name 'Pajebscot Falls Bridge' for the new connection between Brunswick and Topsham, recommended by the Design Advisory Committee. The name honors the area's Native American history.
• Pride Festival: The council approved the annual Pride Festival scheduled for June 13, 2026, including a waiver of the $500 fee for for-profit vendors and permission for two to three additional food trucks on Park Row. The clerk noted input from existing vendors favoring non-conflicting food options.
• Landscape Preservation Zoning Amendments (Item 33): Principal Planner Dielman presented amendments requiring preservation of 30% of existing trees over 10 inches DBH within 30 feet of property perimeters, and a five-year development review ineligibility for land cleared before development approval. A tree fund companion ordinance was introduced. The council set a public hearing for April 21, 2026, after discussion including concerns about impacts on developers in areas without public utilities (Councillor Peralt) and alignment with the Climate Action Plan (Councillor Teamy).
• Tree Fund Ordinance (Item 32): The council set a public hearing for April 21, 2026, to establish a tree fund to accept developer contributions where landscape preservation cannot be met on-site. The fee structure (per inch diameter) was questioned by Councillor Teamy regarding replacement cost equivalency.
• Subdivision, Open Space, and Conservation Development Amendments (Item 34): The council set a public hearing for April 21, 2026, for amendments requiring 60% conservation land in rural subdivisions without changing density calculations. Councillors raised concerns about overlapping regulations and potential tax base impacts.
• Rural Subdivision Moratorium Extension (Item 35): The council changed the public hearing date to May 4, 2026 (from April 21) to consider a six-month extension of the moratorium originally adopted December 1, 2025. Staff cited the need for additional time to complete ongoing ordinance updates. The vote was 8-1 (Councillor Ecker opposed).
• Sidewalk Vendor Licenses (Item 37): The council approved nine licenses for prepared food sales on public sidewalks for summer 2026, noting that some new restaurants missed the application deadline and future outreach will improve.
• Region 10 Referendum (Item 38): The council countersigned a warrant to place a Region 10 technical education bond referendum on the June election ballot, with no cost to the town.
• Appointments (Item 39): The council approved appointments to the Bike/Ped Committee, Davis Fund Committee, Shellfish Committee, Sustainability Committee, and Trust Fund Advisory Committee.

Key Outcomes

• MARC Ordinance Adoption: Passed unanimously (8-0) to authorize construction up to $1,200,000 with funding from grants, impact fees, and donations. A motion to prioritize spending from recreation impact fees before Bowdoin College capital failed 4-3 (Chair voted no to avoid tie).
• Bridge Naming Resolution: Passed unanimously (9-0) to endorse 'Pajebscot Falls Bridge' and forward to the Maine State Legislature.
• Pride Festival Approval: Passed unanimously (9-0) with fee waiver and additional food trucks.
• Public Hearings Set (April 21, 2026): Landscape preservation amendments (Item 33) and tree fund (Item 32) were set unanimously. Subdivision amendments (Item 34) were set unanimously.
• Moratorium Extension Public Hearing: Set for May 4, 2026, passed 8-1.
• Sidewalk Vendor Licenses and Region 10 Referendum: Both passed unanimously.
• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.