Brunswick Town Council Meeting – April 21, 2026

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and a technical adjustment to agenda item 44 (renaming a grant as reimbursement). The council heard extensive public comment, debated several zoning and funding items, and took votes on land preservation, a tree fund, subdivision open space amendments, and other actions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fulton Pinett (58 Water Street) opposed relocating a fuel tank to his yard, citing runoff, light, and noise pollution.
• Patrick Oslin (6 Thompson Street) urged the council to provide an alternative leaf drop-off at Public Works after the closure of the leaf dump, noting increased burning and illegal dumping.
• Carol O’Donnell (Housing Committee chair) thanked the council for participation in a recent listening session on mobile home parks.
• Heather Nearing criticized a council member for not standing during the Pledge of Allegiance and called for new council requirements.
• Jody Newcomb (60 Water Street, physician) expressed health concerns (respiratory illness, leukemia) from a proposed fueling station within 50 meters of homes, asking for relocation nearer the highway and a focus meeting with residents.
• Kate Burns (Water Street) detailed concerns about noise, lighting, odors, and air quality from the proposed fueling station located 75–100 feet from her home, urging a slower process and more stakeholder engagement.
• Jackie Cutbart (Stone Street) asked to slow down the public works redevelopment and provide meaningful input, especially regarding traffic safety for children.
• Seburn Reeves (65 Water Street) asked the council to “tap the brakes” and reconsider the gas depot location, noting the community’s investment in the area and the loss of a food-producing garden.
• Patricia Porrell (68 Water Street) stated residents were not notified about the fueling station until two weeks prior, asked for a slower process, and raised issues of noise, lighting, air quality, drainage, contamination risks, and property values.
• Carolyn Eklund (Spring Street) spoke about gun violence, referencing the Shreveport shooting, and urged the council to prohibit guns in public buildings and voting locations.
• Paul Wheatcombe (Water Street) petitioned to move the fueling station to the former leaf composting area, arguing the current salt shed is adequate and that the senior garden should be preserved.
• Jennifer Navarro (Zoom) demanded disclosure of comprehensive plan revisions, objected to the pyramid connector concept, and asked for removal of certain budget line items.
• Councillor Ellis suggested a community hearing to inform Water Street residents about the long-planned public works project, noting the communication gap.
• Councillor Hicks urged respect and condemned misgendering.

Manager’s Report

• Financials: State revenue sharing is tracking below expectations; excise tax is strong. Budget workshops continue Thursday, April 24.
• Comprehensive Plan: The Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) found the plan non‑consistent in March. Staff are making required revisions (mostly formulaic/formatting), to be reviewed by the steering committee in May.
• Leaf Pile: Closed January 1 due to abuse and non‑compliance with DEP. Graham Road processing facility now open three days/week; free with a $5 annual permit.
• Voter Registration: A third-party mailing caused confusion; the town clerk’s office provided clarification. Absentee ballots will be mailed ~30 days before the election.
• Restoration Advisory Board: Next meeting May 21, 6–8 p.m. in council chambers.

Discussion Items & Public Hearings

Landscape Preservation Zoning Amendments (Item 41)

Principal Planner Jimmy Dielman presented amendments requiring 30% retention of trees ≥10 inches DBH within 30 feet of property lines during development, and a five‑year moratorium on clearing before approval. Council debated impacts on affordable housing in growth zones without public utilities. The motion passed 8–1 (Perell dissenting).

Tree Fund Creation (Item 42)

The council established a fund to accept in‑lieu payments for tree preservation, administered by the town arborist. Passed 8–1.

Subdivision Open Space & Conservation Development (Item 43)

Amendments require rural subdivisions to permanently protect 60% (RF/RR) or 70% (RP/RN) of the site. Passed unanimously.

NEPRA Reimbursement for Train Station Upgrades (Item 44)

Riley Collins (Brunswick Downtown Association) and Sally Costello (Economic Development) presented a request to apply for 80% reimbursement ($73,591) from NEPRA for visitor center upgrades (lighting, flooring, paint, furniture, digital signage, water fountain, signage). The 20% match ($18,373) comes from the train station enterprise fund. Motion to apply and authorize reimbursement passed unanimously.

Morse Court Public Way Acceptance (Item 47 moved up)

Assistant Town Manager Jay Astill explained that Morse Court (560 ft, 12 ft paved) has been maintained as public for 75 years but never formally accepted. Council authorized staff to complete survey and legal work to bring forward acceptance. Passed unanimously.

Mobile Home Park Moratorium Extension (Item 45)

Set a public hearing for May 4, 2026, to extend the moratorium. Passed unanimously.

CDBG Housing Assistance for Septic Replacement (Item 46)

Set a public hearing for May 4, 2026, to apply for $400,000 in CDBG plus a $100,000 match (from Brunswick Bay) to replace failing septic systems at Brunswick Bay Cooperative Mobile Home Community. Passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Landscape Preservation Ordinance adopted 8–1.
• Tree Fund established 8–1.
• Subdivision Open Space / Conservation Development amendments adopted unanimously.
• NEPRA Reimbursement for train station upgrades authorized unanimously.
• Morse Court public acceptance process authorized unanimously.
• Public hearings set for May 4, 2026, on mobile home park moratorium extension and CDBG septic replacement grant.
• Consent Calendar approved.
• Meeting adjourned after three hours.