OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - August 3, 2026

Town Council — Monday, August 3, 2026
BodyBrunswick, Maine
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, August 3, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:59:51

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Okay, good evening, everybody.

0:10

If you could please wrap up your conversation, we are starting now.

0:15

Welcome.

0:17

Audience members, please.

0:20

Thank you.

0:22

We are officially calling the meeting of August 3rd, 2026 to order.

0:26

And all counselors are present.

0:30

Town Clerk, was this meeting properly noticed?

0:32

Yes, it was.

0:33

Perfect.

0:33

I'll ask that everybody in the room, please silence your electronic devices however you do so at this point in time.

0:40

I'll give you a second to do that.

0:42

Airplane mode, silent button.

0:46

Any of those?

0:46

And now please rise if you are willing and able for the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:52

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

1:00

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

1:08

Thank you.

1:11

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

1:20

Adjustments to the agenda.

1:21

We're gonna make a couple.

1:22

One of them is that we are going to take off item number 100.

1:27

That is going to come back at a later date.

1:29

It needed a little bit more work.

1:30

So just so you are aware, we're gonna pull that one from the agenda today.

1:35

And then uh we're gonna move item 102 to just after the manager's report.

1:44

Is there any further adjustments to the agenda?

1:48

Questions there?

1:49

No?

1:49

Okay.

1:50

Are there any announcements of council?

1:54

Council announcements.

1:57

Not seeing any.

1:58

I'll just make one reminding folks that if you work for a nonprofit that serves the basic needs of Brunswick residents.

2:06

Um we currently have our social services funding application open.

2:10

Uh it runs until the end of the month uh is when the due date is.

2:15

Um, they are small grants of up to $7,500 to support the basic needs of Brunswick residents.

2:22

So if you're aware of a nonprofit that is doing work, uh make sure to pass along that this is a funding source for them, and they can find their application right on our website.

2:32

Any other announcements?

2:35

Great.

2:36

Um, one logistics, just as a reminder, uh, that I tried to do at the beginning of these meetings.

2:40

We have a couple of new business items that are to set public hearings.

2:43

If we are setting a public hearing, we will not be taking public comment on setting the public hearing.

2:48

We will take public comment at the public hearing.

2:51

So if you're hoping to talk about items, you know, 98 or 99, we'll take those public comments when the public hearing is actually happening.

3:00

Great.

3:00

Uh I will pull us out for public comment.

3:03

If you wish to speak tonight for on a non-agenda item only, uh, please come up to the podium.

3:09

You'll have three minutes.

3:10

You'll have uh we'll do 30 minutes this session, say your name, town of residence, follow the code of conduct that's posted on either side, um, and show your name, town, pronouns if you'd like.

3:19

If you want to follow up on the table over there, we have a sign-in sheet where you can put your contact information for us to follow up with you.

3:25

So, would anybody like to make public comment?

3:30

We'll start in person and then we'll go to Zoom.

3:35

Steve Walker, 900 River Road.

3:38

Um, I wanted to comment on the new Stanwood Pleasant Street intersection improvements.

3:45

Um now with those white plastic things extending down instead of basic basically an acute angle when you're coming from Stanwood Street on to Pleasant, where you can actually see what the people coming off Mill Street are gonna do, if they're gonna stop or not.

4:03

Now you're channeled into parallel lanes, and you have to, if you're coming off stand, we'd go in Pleasant Street and you're going down, you have a couple hundred feet of going parallel.

4:15

So, in order to see if the person from Mill Street is actually gonna stop when the little yellow lights are flashing, you have to look all the way over your shoulder.

4:24

There are people now stopping in the southern lane of Pleasant Street to try to cross over into the northern lane to get to River Road, which just brings traffic to a standstill.

4:39

Um it's not an improvement.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Affordable Housing███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%
Procedural██████████████14%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Environmental Protection███████████11%
Zoning Regulations█████████9%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Community Engagement██████6%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - August 3, 2026

This meeting covered a wide range of topics including a resolution honoring the closing of a 71-year-old family market, adoption of a rate of growth ordinance for rural areas, setting public hearings on mobile home park and downtown zoning amendments, board appointments, and recognition of community volunteers. The council also heard public comments on traffic safety, comprehensive plan process, downtown parking, and the carbon impact of the air show.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda, including town council special meeting minutes from April 9, 2026, with a correction noted regarding attendance. The vote was unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Steve Walker (900 River Road) expressed safety concerns about the new Stanwood-Pleasant Street intersection improvements, describing near-accidents and dangerous channeling. He also requested a solar-powered speed sign on Outer River Road due to excessive speeds and passing on double yellow lines.
  • Jennifer Navarro (Brunswick resident) asked about the process for submitting comments on the recently adopted comprehensive plan, specifically whether to use the town's online platform or contact the town planner.
  • Sean Hogan (Brunswick resident) thanked staff for installing a speed sign at Exit 28 off Pleasant Street, but criticized the town's failure to prioritize parking in downtown development, specifically citing the missed opportunity to build a park and garage at the former fire department site. He argued that current parking problems should be addressed before adding more housing and commercial development.
  • Ralph Keys (Brunswick resident) commented on the carbon impact of the recent air show, questioning the permitting process and suggesting a surcharge on ticket fees to fund climate mitigation. He also asked to reactivate the climate action committee and avoid scheduling conflicts with the Moxie Festival.

Manager's Report & Recognition of LC4 Committee

  • Town Manager reported on upcoming events: nomination papers for town council and school board (due September 8), elections at the Rec Center, Mira board meeting at Tech Place (August 26), Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) meeting with PFAS treatment facility tour (September 10), and National Night Out (August 4) at the Rec Center.
  • Director Sally Costello and Director Tom Farrell presented on the Midcoast Athletic and Recreation Complex (The Mark) at Brunswick Landing. They highlighted the completed facilities (8 pickleball courts, skate park, walking loop, 0-5 playground), current construction (basketball courts and lighting due October 2026), and the committee's work. The LC4 committee (Landing Community Center Complex Committee) was formally sunsetted, with the Parks and Recreation Commission assuming oversight. The committee was praised for three years of dedicated work.

Resolution Recognizing Tess's Market

  • Councilor Peralt introduced a resolution honoring Tess's Market, which closed after 71 years of family operation. The resolution recognized the Tessier family's contributions to the community. Public comments were offered by former counselor David Watson (praising founder Tess Tessier, a WWII Marine) and John Peralt (thanking the family). Representative Poppy Arford presented a legislative letter and challenge coins. The resolution passed unanimously.

Discussion Items

Rate of Growth Ordinance (Item 97)

  • Planning Director Erdman presented the draft ordinance to cap residential growth in rural areas at 24 permits per year (18 for common scheme development, 6 for individual lots), with exemptions for ADUs, affordable housing, family gift lots, etc. The ordinance would take effect January 1, 2027.
  • Public comment included multiple speakers (Steve Walker, Susanna Rowe, Craig O'Donnell, Amy Preston, Kate Maringer, Nancy Folk, Sean Hogan, Sarah Dadniki, Ralph Keys, Marsha Harrington, and one Meadowbrook resident) who generally supported the concept but argued the number was too high, requested flipping the 75/25 split to favor individual lots, and urged stronger environmental protections (stream setbacks, wetland compensation, forest block protections). Some questioned the contract zone exemption and the lack of waivers.
  • Council discussion focused on the permit allocation. An amendment by Councilor Ellis to reduce total permits from 24 to 18 (6 individual, 12 common scheme) was initially proposed, then rescinded in favor of a compromise by Councilor Ecker to set 20 total permits (5 individual, 15 common scheme) while retaining the 75/25 split. This amendment passed 8-1.
  • A second amendment by Councilor Teamy to strike the contract zone exemption from the list of exemptions passed 8-1.
  • The amended ordinance passed 8-1.

Mobile Home Park Ordinance Amendments (Item 98)

  • Director Costello introduced amendments to the mobile home park ordinance regarding notice of lot rent increases and repeal of the rent moratorium. The amendments add requirements for landlords to submit current and proposed lot rents, include tenant names, and provide rents on vacant lots. The moratorium would be repealed effective September 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration for immediate effect.
  • Councilor Teamy raised a potential amendment regarding property tax increases from revaluation and suggested requiring park owners to pass along bills of sale to the assessor. The council agreed to study the issue for the public hearing.
  • The motion to set a public hearing for August 17, 2026, passed unanimously.

Main Street Overlay District (Item 99)

  • Planning Director Erdman presented the proposed Main Street Overlay District (MSO) to increase building height and density in the downtown growth area, driven by the comprehensive plan and state law changes. The overlay would allow up to 65-foot buildings with pitched roofs, require first-floor commercial use, and include design standards (fenestration, materials).
  • Council discussion included requests for more public outreach (e.g., posting the presentation online), concerns about parking (Councilor Peralt, Wilson), clarification on building height measurement and fenestration percentages (Councilor Ellis, Teamy), and questions about impact fees and affordable housing incentives. Councilor Weems suggested a prominent notice on the town website.
  • The motion to set a public hearing for August 17, 2026, passed unanimously.

Appointments to Committees (Item 101)

  • Councilor Anderson reported the committee appointments: Emily Schmidt to the Parks and Recreation Commission (three-year term expiring July 1, 2029) and Joseph De Rivera to the Sustainability Committee (three-year term expiring January 1, 2029). Appointments were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted Rate of Growth Ordinance (amended to 20 permits per year: 5 individual, 15 common scheme; contract zone exemption removed; effective January 1, 2027). Passed 8-1.
  • Set public hearing for August 17, 2026 on mobile home park ordinance amendments (emergency and regular basis). Unanimous.
  • Set public hearing for August 17, 2026 on Main Street Overlay District amendments. Unanimous.
  • Adopted resolution recognizing Tess's Market for 71 years of service. Unanimous.
  • Approved appointments to Parks and Recreation Commission and Sustainability Committee. Unanimous.
  • Approved consent agenda with correction to minutes. Unanimous.
  • Meeting adjourned.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good evening, everybody. If you could please wrap up your conversation, we are starting now. Welcome. Audience members, please. Thank you. We are officially calling the meeting of August 3rd, 2026 to order. And all counselors are present. Town Clerk, was this meeting properly noticed? Yes, it was. Perfect. I'll ask that everybody in the room, please silence your electronic devices however you do so at this point in time. I'll give you a second to do that. Airplane mode, silent button. Any of those? And now please rise if you are 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, individual with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. As chair, I ask that while we hold this space together, we treat every person here with respect and compassion as we work to serve our town. Adjustments to the agenda. We're gonna make a couple. One of them is that we are going to take off item number 100. That is going to come back at a later date. It needed a little bit more work. So just so you are aware, we're gonna pull that one from the agenda today. And then uh we're gonna move item 102 to just after the manager's report. Is there any further adjustments to the agenda? Questions there? No? Okay. Are there any announcements of council? Council announcements. Not seeing any. I'll just make one reminding folks that if you work for a nonprofit that serves the basic needs of Brunswick residents. Um we currently have our social services funding application open. Uh it runs until the end of the month uh is when the due date is. Um, they are small grants of up to $7,500 to support the basic needs of Brunswick residents. So if you're aware of a nonprofit that is doing work, uh make sure to pass along that this is a funding source for them, and they can find their application right on our website. Any other announcements? Great. Um, one logistics, just as a reminder, uh, that I tried to do at the beginning of these meetings. We have a couple of new business items that are to set public hearings. If we are setting a public hearing, we will not be taking public comment on setting the public hearing. We will take public comment at the public hearing. So if you're hoping to talk about items, you know, 98 or 99, we'll take those public comments when the public hearing is actually happening. Great. Uh I will pull us out for public comment. If you wish to speak tonight for on a non-agenda item only, uh, please come up to the podium. You'll have three minutes. You'll have uh we'll do 30 minutes this session, say your name, town of residence, follow the code of conduct that's posted on either side, um, and show your name, town, pronouns if you'd like.

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