Town Council — March 2, 2026
The meeting was generally productive but marked by friction regarding budget accuracy and urgent community safety concerns.
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At the March 2 Town Council meeting, several high-impact decisions were made that affect every resident in Orono, specifically regarding our town budget and infrastructure.
Most notably, the Council approved the FY2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) despite a significant $800,000 increase in projected costs. This jump is attributed to previously unlisted needs for public works and fire department equipment. During the discussion, staff admitted that the town has a history of underfunding these essential capital needs. To make matters more complicated, a totaling error was discovered in the budget's Appendix B. While the Council voted to approve the program, at least one member voiced strong discomfort with the decision, advocating for a re-vote once the figures were actually accurate.
Additionally, residents used public comment to highlight the ongoing 'traffic chaos' on College Avenue, specifically regarding illegal parking and the lack of safe crosswalks near houses of worship. While the Council has assigned staff to coordinate with University partners and promised an update by April 2026, these safety concerns have been raised repeatedly and require a concrete resolution.
We will continue to monitor how the Council handles the corrected budget figures and whether the promised safety updates provide real solutions for College Avenue.
Public impact
An $800,000 increase in projected costs for public works and fire department equipment.
Approximately $3.5 million for design and construction, including an added sallyport.
Topics discussed
Shelley Crosby presented a memo regarding updates to the Town of Orono code of ordinances, specifically Chapter 34, to modernize street/road management, clarify parking restrictions, and address the lack of a taxi cab ordinance.
The community development team presented a prioritized list of traffic safety issues identified through community survey data, using a rubric based on risk to life and safety.
Resident Shane Martin raised concerns regarding traffic chaos, illegal parking during sporting events, and the lack of crosswalks near houses of worship on College Avenue.
Staff provided an update on the phase 2 complete design for the new police building, including details on the sallyport addition, budget (approximately $3.5 million for construction/design), and building layout.
Discussion regarding ADA compliance, parking lot connectivity, and entrance/exit design for a municipal building project, including potential future green space.
Proposal to reallocate funds from construction and maintenance reserves to a dedicated library construction account, including funds for the Helen Park Trust and the Village Green.
Review of the proposed CIP, highlighting a significant increase in projected costs (approximately $800,000 jump in Appendix B) due to previously unlisted public works equipment needs and fire department equipment maintenance.
Discussion on funding for fire department turnout gear, which will be handled through the operating budget rather than capital funding.
The Council discussed a totaling error discovered in Appendix B of a previous vote and discussed the procedural necessity of re-voting on the corrected figures.
Creation of a committee to facilitate a visioning process for the downtown area, including its charge, structure, and member categories.
A notification regarding a municipal transition from Google to Microsoft, noting that email access methods will change but existing data will be preserved.
Discussion regarding the review process for a draft Wabanaki interpretive plan, focusing on how to conduct preliminary discussions with consultants and the Penobscot Nation in a way that is respectful and allows for detailed deliberation before a full public presentation.
Controversy & dissent
Potentially controversial issues
FY2027 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget Increases
College Avenue Safety
Community vs. board tension
Public comment
Decisions logged
Action items
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