Meeting report · Town Council
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Town Council — May 4, 2026
The meeting featured high-stakes financial debates, narrow split votes, and significant public pushback regarding health, safety, and fiscal management.
Public impact
Issues from this meeting with documented community impact.
01
FY2026 Property Tax Increase
5.18% total tax rate increase Affected: All residential and business property owners in Brunswick
tax increase
02
Firefighter Position Reductions
Elimination of firefighter positions to reduce the municipal budget Affected: General public/emergency service users
service reduction
03
Septic Replacement Grant
$400,000 grant for 16 failing septic systems Affected: Residents of Brunswick Bay Cooperative
other high impact
Decisions logged
Every recorded vote, with timestamps and dissents.
Approval of staff to apply for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Housing Assistance Fund for $400,000 ($100,000 match) to replace septic systems in the Brunswick Bay Cooperative.
Motion by Councilor Ellis, seconded by Councilor Ecker.
Passed unanimously
Approval of an extension on the mobile home park moratorium.
Motion by Councilor Ellis, seconded by Councilor Temme. The extension starts May 16th to provide 'breathing room' for completing the ordinance.
Passed
Approval of an extension on the rural subdivision moratorium.
The moratorium is extended for an additional six months, set to expire November 12th, 2026.
Passed unanimously
Motion to move forward with the Town Manager's proposed budget tax impact as a starting point for further negotiation.
The motion was to accept the manager's proposed tax impact of 5.52% to proceed to the next round of discussions/straw polls.
Passed
Amendment to change the tax rate increase from 5.52% to 4.50% with current splits.
The amendment to move to a 4.5% increase failed.
Failed (5-4)
Amendment to change the tax rate to 5.33%, reducing the school side by $123,240.
This amendment set the municipal rate at 2.02%, the school rate at 2.7%, and the county rate at 0.61%.
Passed (6-3)
Amendment to further reduce the municipal side by $100,737 (eliminating firefighter positions), resulting in a 5.18% total tax rate.
The reduction includes the firefighter positions, resulting in a total tax rate impact of 5.18%.
Passed (7-2)
Amendment to further reduce the municipal side by $91,816 by incorporating fuel cost adjustments, IT add-backs, and use of unassigned fund balance.
This brought the proposed rate to approximately 5.03%.
Passed (5-4)
Amendment to reduce the municipal side by an additional $97,061 (adjusting start dates for Clerk and CEO positions and reducing contingency).
This would have brought the rate to approximately 4.85%.
Failed (5-4)
Amendment to reduce the municipal side by an additional $91,816 by adding back People Plus and Library funding.
The motion failed.
Failed
Motion to support a 5.18% tax rate increase with a municipal reduction of $100,737 and a school reduction of $123,240.
The final approved tax rate impact is 5.18%.
Passed (5-4)
Motion to waive 2026 fines for the rental registry.
The council rejected an amendment to extend the deadline to August 15th, instead passing the original motion to waive the 2026 fines.
Passed 5-3
Amendment to the tax acquired real estate policy.
The amendment changes procedures for selling foreclosed properties, requires real estate brokers for open market sales, and mandates paying original owners market rate if the town retains the property.
Passed unanimously
Approval of committee appointments.
Approved Helene Harrower (Rivers and Coastal Waters), Charles Priest (Sewer District Board), and DJ Shaughnessy (Trust Fund Advisory Committee).
Passed unanimously
Approval of the consent agenda.
The council approved the consent agenda following discussion on housing funds and forfeiture money.
Passed unanimously
Topics discussed
Click a topic to expand quotes and full context.
▶ 02:31 Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) Update
Discussion regarding Superfund cleanup at the Brunswick Navy Air Station, including upcoming meeting dates, wildlife PFAS contamination, and concerns over soil characterization.
Speakers: Suzanne Johnson
▶ 06:54 MIRA Bylaw and Environmental Concerns
Comments regarding MIRA's vote to prohibit elected officials from serving on their board and concerns over environmental stewardship and property transfers.
Speakers: Christine Foster
▶ 09:04 Wildlife PFAS Contamination
Concerns regarding high PFAS levels in local wildlife (turkey, deer, and beaver) and the need for public health notifications for hunters.
Speakers: Suzanne Johnson, Ralph Keys
▶ 11:37 Municipal Budget and Spending
Public criticism regarding recent municipal expenditures (KC Hall, Cressy Road) and questions regarding the upcoming Town Manager search.
Speakers: Jim Cruzani
▶ 18:03 Data Center Development
Public opposition to potential data center developments in the region due to concerns over water, energy, and noise pollution.
Speakers: Catherine Whitaker
▶ 22:34 Public Health and Biohazard Reporting
Allegations of inadequate inspection and potential concealment of biohazards (black mold) at a local Cumberland Farms facility.
Speakers: Richard Mardowian
▶ 40:49 CDBG Grant for Septic Replacement
A public hearing regarding a $400,000 Community Development Block Grant to replace 16 failing septic systems at the Brunswick Bay Cooperative mobile home community.
Speakers: Adam Moetz, Chris Strange, Kirsten Brewer, Jennifer Navarro
▶ 53:00 Mobile Home Park Moratorium Extension
A public hearing to discuss extending the current moratorium on mobile home park rent increases and operations while a new ordinance is being drafted. The Council discussed and voted on extending the current moratorium regarding mobile home park ordinances to allow for further data collection and ordinance refinement.
Speakers: Sally Costello, Carol O'Donnell, Marika Guyason, Unidentified speaker
▶ 61:00 Rural Subdivision Moratorium Extension
A public hearing was held regarding a proposed six-month extension of the moratorium on rural subdivision applications to allow staff to complete development standard revisions and a rate of growth framework.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 87:44 -1 Budget and -4 CIP Discussion
The Council began discussing the upcoming municipal and school budgets, focusing on tax impact percentages and the distribution of funds between municipal and school departments.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 122:15 Public Comment on School Budget
Several residents and school staff expressed concerns regarding the proposed school budget, highlighting classroom budget freezes, the need for support staff (nurses, social workers), and the impact of potential cuts on student learning.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 126:00 Municipal Revenue and Funding Strategies
Council members discussed alternative revenue sources such as parking meters and the use of enterprise funds (e.g., solid waste) to offset budget increases without raising taxes.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 132:50 Discussion on Budget Tax Impact Rate
The Town Council debated various tax impact percentages, including the manager's proposed 5.52%, a 4.5% target, and a 4% target, weighing the needs of the school department against the financial strain on residents.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 183:40 Municipal and School Budget Tax Rate Adjustments
The Council engaged in extensive debate regarding the appropriate tax rate increase and how to split the impact between municipal and school budgets, specifically discussing state subsidies and line-item reductions.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 251:14 Rental Registry Fines
Discussion regarding whether to waive fines for the current licensing year for approximately 200 unregistered multi-unit properties to encourage compliance before enforcing a progressive fine schedule. Discussion regarding the assessment of fines for non-compliance with the rental registry, including mailer effectiveness, potential waiver criteria, and staffing capacity.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 271:53 Tax Acquired Real Estate Policy Amendment
Review of proposed changes to how the town handles foreclosed properties due to unpaid taxes, driven by changes in state law following a court case.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 282:57 Board and Committee Appointments
The council reviewed and approved a slate of recommendations for various town committees.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
▶ 289:54 Consent Agenda Review
Review of various municipal items, including federal housing fund eligibility and the use of forfeiture funds.
Speakers: Unidentified speaker
Controversy & dissent
Where the board, the community, or the agenda diverged.
Potentially controversial issues
01
FY2026 Municipal and School Budget Tax Rates
The council faced intense pressure to balance necessary school funding and contractual municipal obligations against the cumulative financial strain on residents following high tax increases in previous years.
Board position: The board ultimately settled on a 5.18% tax rate increase after a series of narrow votes and amendments to reduce costs.
Internal dissent
The board was deeply divided, evidenced by several 5-4 split votes on various tax rate amendments and the final package.
high concern
02
Mobile Home Park and Rural Subdivision Moratoriums
Residents expressed concern over the use of growth controls ('hammers' vs. 'scalpels') and whether current tools are being applied to the correct areas (rural vs. infrastructure-strained areas like Cook's Corner).
Board position: The board voted to extend both moratoriums to allow for further ordinance refinement and data collection.
medium concern
03
PFAS Contamination in Wildlife
There is significant public concern regarding the safety of local food sources (deer, turkey, beaver) and whether the town is adequately notifying hunters of health risks.
Board position: The board acknowledged the data but did not provide a specific formal response or immediate action plan to the speakers regarding public health notifications.
high concern
Split votes
Amendment to change the tax rate increase from 5.52% to 4.50%
5-4
Amendment to reduce the municipal side by $91,816 using unassigned fund balance and fuel adjustments
5-4
Final motion to support the 5.18% tax rate increase
5-4
Motion to waive 2026 fines for the rental registry
5-3
Community vs. board tension
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Action items
Who owes what, by when.
Follow up with Town Council regarding a potential tour of the Navy Air Station sites.
Assigned: Suzanne Johnson
Begin the search for a new Town Manager.
Assigned: Town Staff · Due: Next year (search process takes 5-7 months; current manager departs Jan 1, 2028)
Complete a draft ordinance for the mobile home park regulations to bring back to the committee.
Assigned: Housing Committee/Staff · Due: May 27, 2026
Continue drafting revisions to the comprehensive plan, street design standards, wetland protections, and the rate of growth framework.
Assigned: Planning and Development Department Staff · Due: November 12, 2026
Conduct a straw poll regarding the desirability of a rate of growth ordinance to determine if a more robust debate is needed.
Assigned: Town Council
Provide direction/details on municipal side reductions during the upcoming workshop.
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: Wednesday
Investigate the necessity and alternative ways to service rising EMS calls before committing to hiring four new firefighters.
Assigned: Fire Chief
Note the specific budget items (fuel adjustments, etc.) identified by Council for future workshop discussions.
Assigned: Town Manager · Due: Wednesday
Determine the direction/timeframe for rental registry compliance and potential fine waivers.
Assigned: Town Staff
Investigate tax mailing/certification processes to ensure legal sufficiency for potential court actions.
Assigned: a speaker
Investigate whether forfeiture funds can be used for purposes other than law enforcement/crime reduction based on state statute.
Assigned: a speaker
Notable statements
The consumption levels for the deer are above the standard for safe consumption... we need to make [this data] publicly available. — Suzanne Johnson · Discussing PFAS results in local wildlife. ▶ 05:15
The duties of the local health officer... are ministerial. They are not discretionary. — Richard Mardowian · Arguing that the town must follow strict legal protocols regarding biohazard inspections. ▶ 25:12
We feel it prudent to extend that moratorium... we can't have any time lapse in between [the old and new ordinances]. — Sally Costello · Explaining the reasoning for the moratorium extension. ▶ 55:04
I'm going to very much so make the perfect not get in the way of the good. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the complexity of the mobile home park ordinance and avoiding over-regulation. ▶ 62:50
It seems like a hammer. It doesn't seem to be a very fine, like a scalpel approach. — Unidentified speaker · Commenting on the perceived bluntness of a 'rate of growth' ordinance for the rural area. ▶ 68:54
The question becomes, what tool is being applied to areas that are already over capacity? — Unidentified speaker · Questioning why growth controls are focused on rural areas while growth areas like Cook's Corner face immediate infrastructure and environmental constraints. ▶ 75:48
The teachers don't make the decisions, the administrators do. — Unidentified speaker · Speaking during public comment regarding school budget accountability and administrative costs. ▶ 100:59
The accountability has to be rooted in facts, not fear. — Unidentified speaker · Responding to claims of dropping achievement scores in the school district. ▶ 104:34
This meeting needs to be tabled and readdressed... because nobody seems to know what we're discussing. — Unidentified speaker · Arguing that the public hearing lacked sufficient clarity on the specific budget percentages being considered, potentially violating Maine law. ▶ 130:35
The people we have in shop today, it's just giving them the pay raises they negotiated within their labor contracts. — Unidentified speaker · Explaining that the majority of the municipal budget increase is tied to unavoidable contractual obligations rather than new spending. ▶ 175:46
A 5.52% increase is not a small figure when you consider the 12% average impact felt by the average residential rate payer last year. — Unidentified speaker · Highlighting the compounded effect of consecutive significant tax increases on the community. ▶ 168:40
I think it's irresponsible [to propose 4.5%]. I trust our town manager... to make the best judgment as to what the town needs compared to us as counselors who aren't doing this work for the past decade. — Unidentified speaker · Debating the 4.5% tax rate amendment. ▶ 194:49
I strongly recommend against [using paper bag enterprise fees to reduce taxes]... I think it's short-sighted to do that. I think right now we need to just leave the pay-as-you-throw bags paying for our solid waste solution in the long term. — Unidentified speaker · Responding to a motion to use enterprise fund revenue to reduce property taxes. ▶ 235:30
I'm not going to support any further extensions of this past January, the following year. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the rental registry deadline and the impact of potential delays on compliance. ▶ 280:19
It puts burden on us which I don't think is fair but I think it would also seem odd if you could sell my house for 400,000 to get 7,000 in taxes and then you get to keep the difference. — Unidentified speaker · Discussing the fairness of the new tax acquired real estate policy regarding excess proceeds. ▶ 295:17
Public comment
What residents said — verbatim, with timestamps.
12
Total speakers
1
Addressed
4
Partial
7
Not addressed
Suzanne Johnson
Addressed
As co-chair of the Restoration Advisory Board, she invited the public to a meeting regarding Superfund cleanup at the Navy Air Station. She highlighted concerns regarding declining agency participation, land use compliance, and high PFAS levels in local wildlife.
Key concern
Notification of the RAB meeting and concerns regarding PFAS contamination in wildlife and soil.
Board responseThe Chair acknowledged the meeting date and the upcoming tour with the Navy.
The Chair confirmed the date of the RAB meeting and stated they would follow up regarding the potential tour.
Christine Foster
Partial
She criticized the MIRA board's decision to reimpose a ban on elected officials serving on their board, noting it contradicts state law. She also raised concerns about MIRA's lack of transparency and delays in implementing environmental safeguards.
Key concern
MIRA's bylaws regarding elected officials and lack of public transparency/environmental stewardship.
Board responseThe Town Manager later noted they would follow up with the council regarding the MIRA meeting location/transparency.
The board did not address the bylaws directly, but the Manager addressed the concern regarding MIRA's meeting location and transparency.
Ralph Keys
Not addressed
He expressed concern that wildlife testing results for PFAS have not been sufficiently communicated to the public. He noted that while hunting is restricted on certain property, animals move throughout the community, creating a public health risk.
Key concern
Need for public education and signage regarding PFAS levels in hunted wildlife.
There was no specific response from the board to this speaker.
Jim Cruzani
Partial
He questioned several recent municipal expenditures, including the purchase of KC Hall and road reconstruction. He also expressed concern about the lack of a clear budget for the public works redevelopment and the timeline for hiring a new town manager.
Key concern
Fiscal responsibility, specific project costs, and succession planning for town leadership.
Board responseThe Chair clarified that the town had not purchased the two Industrial Way property, and the Chair later provided a PSA regarding the Town Manager's contract.
The Chair corrected a factual error regarding a property purchase and provided an update on the Town Manager's timeline.
Steve Walker
Not addressed
He highlighted the economic and ecological importance of birding and the sandplain grasslands at the Brunswick Executive Airport. He urged the council to protect these natural resources from being used for aircraft storage.
Key concern
Safeguarding natural resources and avian habitats from industrial use.
No response was given by the board.
Catherine Whitaker
Not addressed
She spoke against the expansion of data centers, citing concerns about energy consumption, water usage, noise, and light pollution. She argued that Brunswick needs research and guardrails in place before such projects are proposed.
Key concern
Preventing the unchecked development of data centers due to environmental and utility impacts.
No response was given by the board.
Richard Mardowian
Not addressed
He alleged a discrepancy between a town health inspection and corporate testing regarding black mold at a Cumberland Farms. He argued the town has a ministerial duty to report such biohazards and requested a more rigorous testing process.
Key concern
Alleged concealment of a biohazard and failure to follow mandatory reporting duties.
No response was given by the board.
Sean Hogan
Not addressed
He argued that Brunswick has become a 'service center' for social issues, which is straining local resources and attracting transients from out of state. He urged the council to take action to manage this influx.
Key concern
Resource strain caused by the town being a destination for social services/transients.
No response was given by the board.
Jennifer Navarro
Not addressed
She raised concerns that the town's comprehensive plan was deemed 'non-consistent' by the state, potentially creating legal exposure for current decisions. She also criticized infrastructure failing to keep up with development.
Key concern
Legal and planning risks associated with an incomplete/non-consistent comprehensive plan.
While the speaker asked the board to acknowledge the deficiencies on the record, the board did not respond to her during the public comment session.
Chris Strange
Not addressed
A resident of Brunswick Bay who expressed support for the grant to replace septic systems in the mobile home community.
Key concern
Support for the CDBG grant for septic replacement.
The speaker was providing support for an agenda item, not a grievance/request requiring a response.
Kirsten Brewer
Not addressed
Representing the Cooperative Development Institute, she expressed support for the grant and offered technical assistance expertise.
Key concern
Support for the CDBG grant.
Speaker was providing professional support for a grant application.
Jennifer Navarro
Partial
She spoke in opposition to the septic grant, arguing there was insufficient analysis of long-term infrastructure costs and questioning the equity of prioritizing this private property over other documented needs.
Key concern
Fiscal risk, lack of long-term planning, and inequitable resource prioritization regarding the septic grant.
Board responseThe board listened to the opposition and then proceeded to a vote.
The board addressed the underlying issue by voting on the motion, but did not engage in a debate or direct rebuttal of her specific points during the hearing.
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