OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting – July 20, 2026: Comprehensive Plan Amendments, Rate of Growth Ordinance, and Trail Grant

Town Council — Monday, July 20, 2026
BodyBrunswick, Maine
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, July 20, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:26:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:06

Good evening, everyone.

0:08

I am going to officially call the meeting of July 20th, 2026 to order.

0:13

And I'll do a roll call.

0:15

We currently have two members that are absent, Councillor Hicks and Councillor Ecker.

0:20

We have Councillor Peralt on Zoom.

0:23

I'll ask that you all please silence your electronic devices at this time.

0:28

And clerk, was this meeting properly noticed?

0:31

Yes, it was.

0:32

Perfect.

0:33

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

0:38

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

0:45

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

0:57

Just a note as chair that I ask that while we hold this space together, we treat every person here with respect and compassion while we work to serve our town.

1:05

Are there any adjustments to the agenda?

1:11

Not seeing any.

1:12

Are there any announcements of council?

1:16

Councilor Ellis.

1:21

No.

1:21

Okay, then I'm going to I just wanted to bring forward uh for those who weren't aware.

1:26

Uh on the 22nd of this coming week, Main State Music Theater is doing a music on the mall from 5.30 to 6:30, uh, where they're bringing their shows to the lawns of Brunswick.

1:38

So uh I thought I'd bring that up.

1:40

Uh and uh it's uh free of charge.

1:42

You just bring your lawn chairs and foods and sodas and enjoy the music.

1:48

Very good.

1:49

Other announcements of council.

1:54

I will remind folks that our uh social services funding application is currently open.

1:59

So if you are a nonprofit that is serving the basic needs of Brunswick residents, we will have we have a social services funding committee that will review those applications.

2:09

You can find it right on our website under the Committee for Social Services Committee.

2:13

Um that application will close at the end of August.

2:16

I believe it's the 27th of August, but I'll remind you again when we meet again.

2:21

Any further announcements.

2:24

Not seeing any, we will move to public comment.

2:28

As a reminder, public comment is for non-agenda items only, three minutes per speaker, 30 minutes this session.

2:34

We'll have 30 minutes at the end if we need it.

2:36

Follow the code of conduct that's posted on either side of the room.

2:39

Share your name, tone town, pronouns if you'd like, and if you want to follow up, fill out the sheet on the table.

2:45

The floor is yours.

2:47

Hi, my name is Paul Whitcomb.

2:49

I'm from Brunswick.

2:50

I'd like to talk about the proposed uh project on Industry Road for the uh public works.

3:00

It's not often when two parties with opposite needs and goals have an ideal compromise.

3:13

But I think one is presenting itself to uh to the people and the government of Brunswick right now.

3:24

And as as I've stated in previous meetings, that I think that this compromise consists of locating the locating the proposed fuel station at the site of the uh uh leaf uh the former leaf compost uh pile.

3:50

Uh I I think that this is a reasonable uh the most reasonable uh scenario for this project going forward.

4:07

Uh re maintaining the use of the current salt shed is uh uh perfectly acceptable.

4:19

And this would save the the town of Brunswick uh a lot of money, uh a couple million dollars uh uh thereabouts.

4:29

And uh the administration building could still be uh improved at the end of n at nine industry road.

4:42

Uh the um this the salt shed should continue to be used uh for its intended purpose rather than for storage as proposed by Wright Pearce.

5:00

Uh I it's completely unsuitable for storage.

5:04

Uh it would take uh uh a great deal of modification to that to turn it into a feasible uh s storage uh shed.

5:17

Um I understand that that no other site for the fuel station uh and the the rest of the proposed buildings uh can be found.

5:33

Uh there I find it revealing that the town is willing to spend 47 million dollars approximately, but is unwilling to spend enough to get the gas station up on Bath Road.

5:53

That's out of business.

5:55

Uh spend a couple million dollars to uh to to purchase that.

6:02

Anyways, moving the the the uh fuel station to the leaf compost pile is the perfect solution for both parties.

6:12

Thank you.

6:13

Thank you.

6:15

Are there other members of the public in the room that would like to speak?

6:21

Not seeing any and not seeing any hands on Zoom.

6:26

We will continue on our agenda.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Regulations████████████████████████24%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Parks and Recreation████████████████16%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Public Engagement███████7%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Personnel Matters████4%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Public Safety███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting – July 20, 2026

The Brunswick Town Council met on July 20, 2026, in regular session. Key actions included adopting amendments to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, setting a public hearing for a rate of growth ordinance in rural areas, approving a $250,000 Maine Trails Bond grant for Phase 1 of the Brunswick Landing perimeter trail, and scheduling a special election to fill a vacant at-large council seat. The meeting also featured public comments on the Industry Road public works project and the comprehensive plan, a town manager’s report on year-end financials (excise tax $650,000 over budget; state revenue sharing $167,000 over budget), and updates on nomination papers and the mobile home park rent review board.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was approved unanimously with no discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Paul Whitcomb (Brunswick resident) spoke about the proposed Industry Road public works project. He advocated for a compromise: moving the proposed fuel station to the former leaf compost pile site, maintaining the current salt shed for its intended purpose, and improving the administration building at 9 Industry Road. He argued this would save the town “a couple million dollars” and noted that the salt shed is unsuitable for storage. He also questioned the town’s willingness to spend $47 million overall but not enough to purchase the fuel station site on Bath Road.
  • Steve Walker (Brunswick resident) praised staff for completing the comprehensive plan amendments and urged the council to implement the plan effectively, suggesting a division of the planning board into long-range and project review committees and adding comp plan elements to each council agenda.
  • Jennifer Navarro (Brunswick resident, Thomas Point Road) expressed strong opposition to continued development on Thomas Point Road without addressing traffic safety. She cited a failing Level of Service (LOS) rating at the Bath Road/Thomas Point Road intersection, noting that the 1998 Coastal Corridor Master Plan and 2008 comprehensive plan recommended no approval until the intersection is upgraded. She warned of dangerous conditions, increased commute times (12 to 32 minutes), and stated she had an appeal in Superior Court. She criticized the comprehensive plan for lacking enforcement mechanisms.
  • During the trail discussion, Steve Walker spoke in favor of the perimeter trail, highlighting its mental health and community benefits and offering to help form a “Friends of Brunswick Parks” nonprofit. Jennifer Navarro inquired about planting chestnut trees or vulnerable species in the area. Matt Shed supported the trail and emphasized connections to existing networks like Town Commons.

Discussion Items

1. Comprehensive Plan Amendments

  • Principal Planner Jimmy Dillman presented proposed technical amendments to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan, driven primarily by state (Maine Office of Community Affairs) review comments. Revisions include adding state-required policies, updating habitat mapping, creating a regional coordination section, and adding maps. The Comprehensive Plan Updates Steering Committee unanimously recommended adoption. Staff clarified that the plan is a policy guide and does not prohibit addressing local traffic concerns (e.g., Thomas Point Road) outside the plan. Councillor Ellis sought assurance that the amendments would not restrict ongoing projects like Stevens Drive.
  • The council also acknowledged the late Vice Chair Fred Kerber’s contributions to the plan.
  • After public hearing and debate, the council voted unanimously to adopt the amendments.

2. Rate of Growth Ordinance (Rural Areas)

  • Jimmy Dillman introduced a draft ordinance limiting new residential units in rural areas to 24 permits per year, applying only to new dwelling units in the rural zone. Exemptions were added for affordable housing developments, family gift lots, and a transitional exception for up to 10 single-family units on lots purchased before enactment. Staff explained that the ordinance does not prohibit development but regulates timing, and it is intended to slow growth in rural areas as recommended by the Comprehensive Plan. Councillor Teamy asked about mobile home park lots; staff clarified that replacement units are exempt but new units on vacant lots would require permits. The council held a straw poll and expressed support for the transitional exemption. They then voted unanimously to set a public hearing for August 3, 2026.

3. Brunswick Landing Perimeter Trail Phase 1 Grant

  • Parks and Recreation Director Tom Farrell presented a request to accept a $250,000 Maine Trails Bond grant and appropriate $155,000 from Landing TIF revenues for construction of Phase 1 (3,600 feet) of the perimeter trail. The total project cost is estimated at $404,000. The trail connects the golf course parking lot to Sam Adams Road, following an existing single-track. The town has built 12.5 miles of the perimeter trail so far. Consultants (Flycatcher LLC and OBP Trails) have been hired; regulatory applications are in process. Councillors asked about topography, PFAS testing (no known issues), and maintenance impacts (no immediate staffing increase). Public comments were supportive. The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

4. Special Election for Vacant At-Large Seat

  • Clerk Smith reported that a vacancy exists for an at-large council seat (term ending December 2027, one-year term). Because the vacancy exceeds six months, a special election must be held. Nomination papers will be available July 23, due September 8, and the election will be November 3, 2026, coinciding with the regular election. The council voted unanimously to set the special election.

5. Appointment to MMA Legislative Policy Committee

  • The council considered two nominees for a two-year term (July 2026–June 2028) on the Maine Municipal Association’s Legislative Policy Committee: Joanna Benoit (Freeport Town Council Chair) and Matthew Gilley (Harpswell Select Board). After a show of hands, Joanna Benoit received unanimous support. The council then voted to appoint her.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted: Amendments to the 2025 Comprehensive Plan (unanimous 7-0).
  • Set Public Hearing: August 3, 2026, for the draft Rate of Growth Ordinance (unanimous 7-0).
  • Adopted Resolution: Accepting $250,000 Maine Trails Bond grant and appropriating $155,000 from TIF for the perimeter trail Phase 1 (unanimous 7-0).
  • Set Special Election: November 3, 2026, to fill the at-large council seat (unanimous 7-0).
  • Appointed: Joanna Benoit to the MMA Legislative Policy Committee (unanimous 7-0).
  • Approved: Consent agenda (unanimous).
  • Adjourned: Meeting concluded.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I am going to officially call the meeting of July 20th, 2026 to order. And I'll do a roll call. We currently have two members that are absent, Councillor Hicks and Councillor Ecker. We have Councillor Peralt on Zoom. I'll ask that you all please silence your electronic devices at this time. And clerk, was this meeting properly noticed? Yes, it was. Perfect. So please rise if you're willing and able for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the five 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 as chair that I ask that while we hold this space together, we treat every person here with respect and compassion while we work to serve our town. Are there any adjustments to the agenda? Not seeing any. Are there any announcements of council? Councilor Ellis. No. Okay, then I'm going to I just wanted to bring forward uh for those who weren't aware. Uh on the 22nd of this coming week, Main State Music Theater is doing a music on the mall from 5.30 to 6:30, uh, where they're bringing their shows to the lawns of Brunswick. So uh I thought I'd bring that up. Uh and uh it's uh free of charge. You just bring your lawn chairs and foods and sodas and enjoy the music. Very good. Other announcements of council. I will remind folks that our uh social services funding application is currently open. So if you are a nonprofit that is serving the basic needs of Brunswick residents, we will have we have a social services funding committee that will review those applications. You can find it right on our website under the Committee for Social Services Committee. Um that application will close at the end of August. I believe it's the 27th of August, but I'll remind you again when we meet again. Any further announcements. Not seeing any, we will move to public comment. As a reminder, public comment is for non-agenda items only, three minutes per speaker, 30 minutes this session. We'll have 30 minutes at the end if we need it. Follow the code of conduct that's posted on either side of the room. Share your name, tone town, pronouns if you'd like, and if you want to follow up, fill out the sheet on the table. The floor is yours. Hi, my name is Paul Whitcomb. I'm from Brunswick. I'd like to talk about the proposed uh project on Industry Road for the uh public works. It's not often when two parties with opposite needs and goals have an ideal compromise. But I think one is presenting itself to uh to the people and the government of Brunswick right now. And as as I've stated in previous meetings, that I think that this compromise consists of locating the locating the proposed fuel station at the site of the uh uh leaf uh the former leaf compost uh pile. Uh I I think that this is a reasonable uh the most reasonable uh scenario for this project going forward. Uh re maintaining the use of the current salt shed is uh uh perfectly acceptable. And this would save the the town of Brunswick uh a lot of money, uh a couple million dollars uh uh thereabouts. And uh the administration building could still be uh improved at the end of n at nine industry road. Uh the um this the salt shed should continue to be used uh for its intended purpose rather than for storage as proposed by Wright Pearce. Uh I it's completely unsuitable for storage. Uh it would take uh uh a great deal of modification to that to turn it into a feasible uh s storage uh shed.

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