Brunswick Town Council Meeting - September 21, 2026

The Brunswick Town Council met on September 21, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The meeting included public comments, the town manager's report, a presentation on a harmful algal bloom, approval of a $50,000 facade improvement grant program, and a motion to table the disposition of tax-acquired properties for further environmental and legal review. All councilors were present.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Paul Whitcomb (Brunswick) urged the council to reject any site plan including a fuel station at the former Senior Gardens site, citing a Quebec study linking childhood leukemia to proximity to gas stations (35–55% increase within 100 meters). He argued traffic conflict claims at 9 Industry Road are exaggerated.
• Carol O'Donnell (Brunswick) provided housing resources: General Assistance at Brunswick Human Services, Midcoast Youth Center, Preble Street for veterans, United Way of Midcoast Maine's 211.org, and Maine State Housing Authority's eviction prevention program (reopened that day).
• Carolyn Eckland (Brunswick) thanked the town for speed bumps on Spring Street and called for support for two vulnerable groups: working families (ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and older women (50s–70s) living alone on fixed incomes, noting Brunswick's higher ALICE rate than surrounding towns.
• Marika Gaiason (Bay Bridge Estates) stated residents received a rent notice she believes does not comply with state law or local ordinance; she urged council to read their written submission and consider enforcement.
• Jennifer Navarro (Brunswick) raised concerns about transparency and accountability in municipal land use processes, citing the Golak matter at 23 Thomas Point Road (remanded for inadequate findings). She asked who oversees the Planning Board and what mechanisms exist to identify and correct procedural problems without residents having to bear the cost of appeals.
• During the second public comment period (on item 114), Steve Walker (900 River Road, ecologist) urged the council to retain three of the four tax-acquired properties for their ecosystem services (water quality, habitat, aquifer protection), noting the town's climate action plan calls for 40% land conservation by 2050 (currently 11–12%). He warned against land loss like at Mayorbrook.
• Jennifer Navarro (again) asked about a pricing discrepancy in the agenda (tax-acquired property values) and whether the town's oversight costs during ownership should be recovered before sale.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager's Report: Financial reports for August showed property taxes committed at 13.50 per mille (lower than the budgeted 13.90), with some residents seeing tax decreases. The assessor adjusted land values based on sales analysis. A public informational meeting on tax changes was suggested. Absentee voting begins October 5, 2026 (in-person at council chamber through October 29), with ballots requestable now. The town's comprehensive plan won Plan of the Year from the Northern New England chapter of the American Planning Association.
• Phytoplankton Bloom Update: Coastal Resource Manager Dan Devereaux reported a large bloom of Karenia affecting Casco Bay from Cape Ann to Port Clyde. Brunswick, Harpswell, and Freeport were hit hard, with an estimated 80–90% loss of soft-shell clams in McCoy Bay (650 acres). Cell counts peaked at 15 million cells per liter, now down to 500,000, but decaying matter is causing anoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen critically low). An emergency closure of McCoy Bay and part of Middle Bay was enacted by DMR. Disaster relief funding is being pursued with partners. Recovery of clam stocks may take 2–3 years if sets continue.
• Item 113 – Facade Improvement Grant Program: Economic Development Director Sally Costello and BDC President Larissa Darcy presented a request for $50,000 from downtown TIF revenues to support a matching grant program (up to $10,000/business) for facade improvements (signage, awnings, accessibility, safety). Eight businesses have expressed interest, including ADA accessibility projects. The grant is intended to leverage private investment (successful 2013 program leveraged $1.2 million from $250,000). Funds are available in the TIF account ($158,000 currently).
• Item 114 – Disposition of Tax-Acquired Properties: Town Manager explained four small vacant parcels (foreclosed in February 2022) are being considered for sale via realtor or sealed bid. Proceeds above taxes and costs must revert to original owners per state law. Finance Committee recommended authorization to proceed. Discussion ensued about ecological value (Steve Walker's comments) and legal options (conservation easements). The council opted to table the item for further investigation.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval (9-0) of Item 113: motion to authorize $50,000 from downtown TIF revenues for the Brunswick Development Corporation's Facade Improvement Grant Program.
• Unanimous motion to table (9-0) Item 114: to direct the town manager to investigate legal options (including conservation easements) and send to relevant staff and committees (e.g., Conservation Commission) for input, with a report back to council no later than December 21, 2026.
• Next Steps: Town staff will coordinate with legal and environmental planners on the tax-acquired properties; the facade grant program is expected to begin accepting applications on October 1, 2026.