Brunswick Town Council Meeting: May 18, 2026

The Brunswick Town Council met on May 18, 2026, to discuss several new business items, including the approval of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Hawthorne School redevelopment, setting a public hearing for a Mayorbrook watershed compensation fee plan, approving fee waivers for downtown events, and setting a public hearing for a data center moratorium. The meeting also included a manager's report, public comments, and a consent agenda. Key votes were taken on the Hawthorne School RFP and the data center moratorium.

Announcements

• Councillor Hicks announced she is cancer-free after treatment for early stage breast cancer, thanking the council and community for support.
• Councillor Teamby reminded the public of the Restoration Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers, also available online.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jim Triziani (149 Main Street) expressed concern about a phone conversation between Economic Development Director Sally Costello and Parking/Recreation Director Tom Farrell, alleging they planned to fast-track projects and hand-pick a committee without proper process. He claimed Costello said she would seek additional funding from Bowdoin College ($250,000) and Midcoast Hospital ($100,000) to cover a $360,000 shortfall, and that Costello mentioned her "AI is following me everywhere." Triziani also questioned the timing of the RFP for Hawthorne School before the committee finished its work.
• Donna Chale (Brunswick, part of Brunswick Area Indivisible) encouraged voting in the June 9th primary and thanked Bowdoin College for its contributions to the town as a budget contributor and provider of free cultural events.
• Sean Hogan (Brunswick resident) advocated for burying utility poles on Pleasant Street, citing aesthetic and climate resilience benefits. He showed AI-generated images of before/after scenarios and urged the council to consider ordinances to address double poles and dangling wires.
• Kristen Haynes (Columbia Avenue, Brunswick Renters Organization) expressed disappointment with the council's previous decision to waive fines for landlords who failed to register units with the town registry, arguing that it undermines accountability and loses revenue.
• Jane (Jordan Avenue) thanked town staff, police, school leaders, and Councillor Teamby for participating in a walk to observe pedestrian and cyclist challenges near Kate Furbish Elementary School, and looked forward to next steps.
• Jennifer Navarro (Brunswick resident) raised concerns about cumulative impacts on Thomas Point Road and Cook's Corner Corridor, including low-flying aircraft noise, development intensity, pedestrian safety, and public drug use near Tedford housing. She requested the council look into the shelter ordinance immediately.
• Stacey Kelly (Hennessey Avenue) initially wanted to speak about the Hawthorne School RFP but was directed to the public comment period for that item later.

Manager's Report

• Financials for the general fund: Excise tax on vehicles is above budget by $81,000; overall revenue is above budget by $573,000. Revenue sharing is below budget, expected to be about $200,000 less for the year. Expenditures are on track to be within budget.
• Absentee ballots are available now for the June 9th primary. Election day is 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Rec Center (220 Neptune Drive). The town clerk's office is open Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM-4:30 PM (closed Memorial Day Monday, last Thursday until 7:00 PM). Drop box is available 24/7 outside town hall. Unenrolled voters can choose either Democratic or Republican ballot without enrolling. Two school-related questions are on the ballot for all voters.
• The town recognized the passing of Fred Kerber, a longtime teacher, basketball coach, and town committee volunteer.

Discussion Items

1. Hawthorne School Request for Proposals (RFP)

Adam Mowitz, Economic Development Project Manager, presented the RFP. The task force conducted community outreach (survey with 925 responses), developed the RFP based on that vision, and has received interest from seven developers. The RFP includes evaluation criteria: project consistency with community vision (10 points, later amended to 20), qualifications of project team (20 points), and financial feasibility (20 points, later adjusted). Affordable housing is defined as 80% area median income for rental, 120% for homeownership. The inclusionary zoning requires at least 15% of units affordable, but the RFP aims for more. The task force recommends a broad approach to see diverse proposals.

Public Comment on Hawthorne School RFP:

• Jim Triziani opposed the RFP, arguing the task force should not negotiate on behalf of the town, citing the Central Fire Station deal (sold for $200,000 against assessed value of $798,000). He demanded disclosure of the assessed value and environmental studies.
• Lucas Lincoln (neighborhood resident) urged preserving the playground, which is the only playground in downtown Brunswick. He asked for stronger language in the RFP to require keeping the playground, or dividing the lot to give a 60-foot strip to the town.
• Nathaniel Shedd (Cedar Street, task force member) criticized the 15% affordable housing requirement as too low, advocating for 100% affordable. He also noted the RFP overemphasizes the survey without considering housing needs data from the housing authority and state. He suggested increasing the community vision points from 10 to 20.
• Sanser Torres (Brunswick, born and raised) spoke against giving away town assets, suggesting the housing authority should handle the property directly.
• Claudia Knox (task force member) clarified that the ordinance requires at least 51% of units to be affordable for a project to qualify as affordable housing. She expressed confidence the RFP ensures community space and outdoor gathering areas.
• Jane (Jordan Avenue) supported retaining the playground and called for traffic studies in the RFP.
• JC Kelly (Hennessey Avenue) strongly supported maintaining a playground on the property.
• Jennifer Navarro questioned potential conflicts of interest (Claudia Knox on Maine Housing board, John Lodge on task force) and requested a public hearing before proceeding. She also noted the survey only offered affordable housing options, not other community needs like a parking garage, and asked for environmental studies and greater transparency.

Council Discussion and Amendments:

• Councillor Teamby expressed a preference for working directly with the Brunswick Topsham Housing Authority, citing their capacity and long-term affordability. She criticized the RFP process as not adequately prioritizing affordable housing.
• Councillor Ecker supported using the RFP to get multiple options but wanted a clear vision statement at the end of Section 2, listing desired outcomes: maximize affordable housing (preference for permanent), provide community space, retain/expand green space and playground, preserve historic structure.
• Councillor McDonald noted the RFP already scores based on the survey results and that a broader process would yield more options.
• Amendments passed (5-3):
  1. Increase evaluation criteria for project consistency with community vision from 10 to 20 points (total points become 60).
  2. Add a vision statement at the bottom of Section 2 with the four desired outcomes (as proposed by Councillor Ecker, with language to "retain or expand" green space and playground).
  3. (Amendment to amendment) Add "retain or expand" green space and playground.
• The amended motion to approve the RFP passed 5-3 (Councillors Ecker, Anderson, Hicks, Weems, McDonald in favor; Councillors Teamby, Ellis, Wilson opposed).

2. Mayorbrook Watershed Compensation Fee Utilization Plan

Planning Director Erdman presented the plan, which allows the town to collect fees in lieu of stormwater mitigation credits for larger developments in the Mayorbrook watershed. The fee will fund priority watershed improvement projects identified in the 2022 Mayorbrook Watershed Management Plan. The plan requires adoption by the town council and Maine DEP. A public hearing was set for June 1, 2026.

Council Discussion:

• Councillor Hicks asked about the genesis, noting it came from developer requests.
• Councillor Teamby raised concerns about PFAS contamination on the landing and whether the fee would disincentivize mitigation there. Staff explained the fee is for additional urban impaired stream standards; off-site mitigation is still required for some projects.
• Councillor Ecker requested information on other communities' experiences with similar programs.
• Councillor Weems asked for continued work on a local program for smaller projects, which staff committed to.
• Motion to set public hearing passed unanimously.

3. Fee Waiver for Brunswick Downtown Association Events

The council considered waiving a $1,000 fee for events on the town mall, including the Brunswick Outdoor Arts Festival (August 15, 2026) and the Second Friday Brunswick Art Walks (June-September) including a July 10 Spindle Works block party. The waiver is required because for-profit vendors are present on public property.

Public Comment:

• Jennifer Navarro opposed the waiver, arguing it is unfair to taxpayers given recent tax increases. She suggested for-profit vendors pay the fee.

Council Discussion:

• Councillor Ecker noted the fee is small compared to the economic stimulation from the events.
• Councillor Wilson supported the waiver, emphasizing the value of community events.
• Councillor Teamby pointed out that the council recently waived over $100,000 in potential fees, so a $1,000 waiver is reasonable.
• Motion to waive fees passed unanimously.

4. Data Center Moratorium

Town Manager presented a moratorium to allow time to study and regulate large-scale data centers. The draft ordinance was based on state legislation that did not override the governor's veto. The moratorium would not affect an existing small data center on the landing. A public hearing was set for June 1, 2026.

Council Amendments:

• Removed the word "ordinance" after "moratorium" throughout the document.
• Replaced the definition of large-scale data center with the state's definition: "any facility... that primarily contains electronic equipment... that uses environmental control equipment to maintain proper conditions."
• Added a threshold: applies to data centers with an electrical capacity of one megawatt or greater.
• Clarified language: "There has been a recent increase in proposals to develop large-scale data centers" and "data centers consume disproportionate amounts of water and electrical energy, often equivalent to that used by tens of thousands of homes."
• All amendments passed unanimously.
• Motion to set public hearing passed unanimously.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved unanimously. Items included acceptance of a gift from the Cal Ripken Baseball League for improvements to Lishness Baseball Field.

Key Outcomes

• Hawthorne School RFP: Approved with amendments (5-3) to increase community vision scoring to 20 points and add a vision statement with four desired outcomes. The RFP will be posted for six weeks, with proposals to be evaluated by the task force and recommended to the council.
• Mayorbrook Compensation Fee Plan: Public hearing set for June 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM (or as part of the regular meeting).
• Fee Waiver for BDA Events: Approved unanimously.
• Data Center Moratorium: Public hearing set for June 1, 2026. The moratorium will be effective immediately upon passage (after public hearing and council vote).
• Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 PM.