OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

Town Council — Tuesday, September 8, 2026
BodyBrunswick, Maine
SessionTown Council
DateTuesday, September 8, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:47:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good evening, everyone.

0:05

I'm going to officially call the meeting of September eighth, twenty twenty six here to order and doing a roll call.

0:13

We are all currently present.

0:16

Tell Manager, was this meeting properly noticed?

0:18

Yes, it was.

0:19

Beautiful.

0:19

I'll remind our counselors here to please silence your electronic devices.

0:24

Um, and the first thing on our agenda is executive session one, MRSA four oh five six A personnel matters.

0:32

Do I have a motion to go into executive session?

0:36

Motion by Councillor Wilson.

0:38

Is there a second?

0:39

Seconded by Councillor Ellis.

0:41

Any discussion on the motion?

0:44

Not seeing any, I'll call the vote.

0:46

Counselor Ellis.

0:47

Yes, Counselor Ecker.

0:49

Counselor Anderson.

0:50

Yes.

0:50

Counselor Brawl.

0:51

Yes.

0:51

Counselor Hicks.

0:52

Yes.

0:53

Counselor Teamy.

0:54

Yes.

0:54

Counselor Weems.

0:55

Counselor Wilson?

0:56

Yes.

0:57

The chair is a yes.

0:58

That passes unanimously.

1:00

So we're going to enter executive session.

1:01

We'll be back at six thirty.

1:03

Thank you, everyone.

1:30:50

Okay, welcome back.

1:30:53

Thank you again for being here at our September 8th, 2026 meeting.

1:30:58

We already did acknowledgment.

1:31:00

This was properly acknowledged and roll call.

1:31:03

We are missing Counselor Ellis this evening.

1:31:06

As a reminder, please silence your electronic devices at this point.

1:31:10

So if you have that, airplane mode is always a good one.

1:31:14

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

1:31:19

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

1:31:26

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

1:31:36

Thank you, everyone.

1:31:38

As chair that 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.

1:32:08

Is that okay with everyone?

1:32:09

Thumbs up, headshakes?

1:32:11

Cool.

1:32:12

All right.

1:32:12

We'll add that to the consent agenda.

1:32:14

Uh are there any announcements of council?

1:32:17

Do counselors have any announcements to make.

1:32:20

Counselor Reems.

1:32:22

Thank you, Chair McDonald.

1:32:23

Yes, I want to announce a an event coming up at the Curtis Memorial Library.

1:32:30

Um called Community Conversations, Wabinacy, Tribal Sovereignty.

1:32:48

The Panov Scott citizen and the executive director of the Wabanacy Alliance and her associate Sage Phillips, who's also a Panopscot citizen and employed by the Wabinaki Alliance.

1:33:04

Um at the Curtis Memorial Library Wednesday, September 16th at 5 p.m.

1:33:13

Thank you.

1:33:14

Are there any other announcements of counselors?

1:33:18

Counselor Parole.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████████36%
Affordable Housing█████████████████████21%
Public Engagement███████7%
Zoning Regulations███████7%
Public Comment███████7%
Historic Preservation████4%
Community Engagement████4%
Public Safety██2%
Public Works██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Brunswick Town Council Meeting - September 8, 2026

The Brunswick Town Council met on September 8, 2026, beginning with an executive session at 5:00 PM for personnel matters, reconvening at 6:30 PM for the regular meeting. The council addressed public comments, received a manager's report, debated and voted on the Main Street Overlay District amendment, and selected a developer for the Hawthorne School redevelopment project. Appointments and a consent agenda were also approved.

Consent Calendar

  • The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included a resolution related to 9/11.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jim Trusanni (149 Main Street) criticized the council's executive session procedure, citing legal requirements, and expressed dissatisfaction with the Main Street repaving project, claiming it was poorly executed and costly. He also questioned the cost of the Crusty Road project and urged the town to fix the Main Street paving.
  • Paul Whitcomb (Brunswick resident) opposed the public works expansion project, arguing that a proper needs assessment was never completed. He cited a Quebec study showing a 35-55% increased incidence of childhood leukemia within 100 meters of fuel stations and requested the appointment of a pediatric oncologist to the task force.
  • Jane Champ (Jordan Avenue) raised safety concerns on Jordan Avenue, particularly near Kate Furbish Elementary School, citing high speeds, distracted drivers, and narrow sidewalks. She requested immediate speed enforcement, safer crossings, and a full safety study.
  • Connor (downtown resident and business owner) initially deferred his comment on the Main Street overlay to the agenda item. Later, he expressed support for the overlay's protections for historic buildings but strongly opposed relaxing parking requirements, warning of increased parking demand.
  • Jennifer Navarro (candidate for Town Council) described a humanitarian crisis for a Purple Heart veteran with stage 4 cancer living in unsanitary conditions. She requested the town designate a single point of contact to connect the family to appropriate services, questioning the use of human services funds.
  • Stephanie Braun (Brunswick resident) opposed the Main Street overlay, arguing that the 5% open space requirement effectively gives away public sidewalks to private developers and that short-term rentals were not restricted.
  • Sarah Brayman (Brunswick resident) supported the overlay but urged the council to increase the open space requirement beyond 5% to include more public amenities.
  • Phil Carey (Matwood Lane) supported the Main Street overlay, noting that the Village Review Board unanimously endorsed it and that downtown development is modest.
  • Sean Hogan (Brunswick resident) opposed the Main Street overlay, arguing it was developer-driven and would increase traffic and parking problems. He recommended waiting for a developer who can work within existing height limits.
  • Lucas Lincoln (Brunswick resident) supported the Bowdoin College proposal for the Hawthorne School, citing the community benefits of a world-class playground, free community space, and historic preservation.
  • Jessica Factor (Green Street) expressed concerns about the Dooryard proposal's impact on parking and traffic on Green Street, preferring the Bowdoin proposal for its lower density.
  • Nat Shedd (Cedar Street, task force member) supported the Dooryard proposal, emphasizing that the survey prioritized affordable housing and that the daycare could be reconsidered.

Discussion Items

  • Manager's Report: Town Manager and Clerk provided updates: tax rate set at $13.50 per thousand (lower than budgeted), absentee ballots available October 5, election workers needed (especially Republicans), and upcoming events including the Restoration Advisory Board open house on September 10. Economic Development Director Sally Costello presented plans for Cook's Corner placemaking (three sites, including a pocket park with landscaping) and visitor center improvements (LED lighting, new seating, digital displays). Infrastructure updates: Main Street repaving complete, Lamont Block and Parks and Rec parking lot work started, Old Bath Road delays, Jordan Avenue pending culvert completion and Army Corps permit extension.
  • Main Street Overlay District (MSO): Deputy Director Dielman presented the proposed amendment to allow higher building heights (up to 60 feet) in exchange for stronger design standards, active ground-floor commercial uses, and 5% open space. Parking reduction provisions were removed. The overlay applies to Main Street from Noble Street to the southern end, with most properties already protected by the Village Review Overlay. The council heard public comments and then voted unanimously to adopt the amendment.
  • Hawthorne School Redevelopment: Project Manager Adamowitz presented the task force's recommendation of two top proposals: Dooryard (26 rental units, 18 at 80% AMI, daycare, $925,000 acquisition price) and Bowdoin College (14 rental units for faculty/staff at 100-120% AMI, community space, $705,000 acquisition price). Both proposals included historic preservation and playground improvements. The council heard extensive public comment and debated. Councilor McDonald motioned to select Dooryard for negotiation. After a failed motion to table the item, the motion passed 7-1-1 (Councillor Ellis abstained, Councillor Weems opposed).
  • Appointments to Boards and Committees: Councilor Anderson reported that the committee recommended Blaine Moore to a three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Commission. The council unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Main Street Overlay District: Adopted unanimously (8-0, with Councillor Ellis absent). The amendment allows taller buildings and stricter design standards, with parking provisions removed.
  • Hawthorne School Redevelopment: The council voted 7-1-1 to select Dooryard as the preferred developer and authorize staff to negotiate a purchase and sale agreement, which will return to council for final approval. Councillor Ellis abstained due to missed discussion; Councillor Weems voted no.
  • Appointments: Blaine Moore appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a three-year term (expiring July 1, 2028).
  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Executive Session: The council entered executive session at 5:00 PM and reconvened at 6:30 PM; no actions taken in open session.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. I'm going to officially call the meeting of September eighth, twenty twenty six here to order and doing a roll call. We are all currently present. Tell Manager, was this meeting properly noticed? Yes, it was. Beautiful. I'll remind our counselors here to please silence your electronic devices. Um, and the first thing on our agenda is executive session one, MRSA four oh five six A personnel matters. Do I have a motion to go into executive session? Motion by Councillor Wilson. Is there a second? Seconded by Councillor Ellis. Any discussion on the motion? Not seeing any, I'll call the vote. Counselor Ellis. Yes, Counselor Ecker. Counselor Anderson. Yes. Counselor Brawl. Yes. Counselor Hicks. Yes. Counselor Teamy. Yes. Counselor Weems. Counselor Wilson? Yes. The chair is a yes. That passes unanimously. So we're going to enter executive session. We'll be back at six thirty. Thank you, everyone. Okay, welcome back. Thank you again for being here at our September 8th, 2026 meeting. We already did acknowledgment. This was properly acknowledged and roll call. We are missing Counselor Ellis this evening. As a reminder, please silence your electronic devices at this point. So if you have that, airplane mode is always a good one. And then 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, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, everyone. As chair that 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. Is that okay with everyone? Thumbs up, headshakes? Cool. All right. We'll add that to the consent agenda. Uh are there any announcements of council?

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