Brewer, Maine
Recent meetings
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing and review proposed amendments to the Land Use Code to create a Waterfront district. The board will then make a recommendation to the City Council.
- Public hearing on ordinance amendments to Chapter 24 for a new Waterfront district
- Amendments to Article 3 (Zoning Districts), Article 4 (Performance Standards), and Article 14 (Definitions)
- Board review and recommendation to City Council
City Council
The Brewer City Council will meet in a special session to consider consent calendar items including accepting a $500 grant from Sam's Club, $18,389 in insurance dividends, waiving sewer liens on three properties, and restating the Health Reimbursement Arrangement plan. Under new business, the council will vote on a series of amendments to the Land Use Code (Chapter 24) covering performance standards, site plan review, mobile home parks, and definitions, as well as a repeal of the separate Mobile Home Park and Camping Park Ordinance (Chapter 25). The council will also convene executive sessions on an economic development matter and a personnel matter.
- Accept $500 grant from Sam's Club of Bangor for Neighbors Helping Heroes fundraiser supporting Waldo County Firefighters Association and Robbins Lumber Mill fire victims
- Accept $18,389 in insurance dividends from Maine Municipal Association for Safety Committee, Parks & Rec garage furnace replacement, and donation to Robbins Mill fire families
- Waive foreclosure on three properties (3 Whitney Court, 11 Garfield Avenue, 323 South Main Street) with $1,775 in unpaid sewer liens
- Approve multiple amendments to Chapter 24 Land Use Code (Articles 4, 6, 10, 14) and repeal Chapter 25 Mobile Home Park and Camping Park Ordinance
- Hold executive sessions for economic development (Title 1 §405(6)(C)) and a personnel matter (Title 1 §405(6)(A))
Culture and Arts Committee
The Culture and Arts Committee will vote on suggested sponsorship levels for events. They will also discuss and decide on participation in Wreaths Across America. Updates on Sundaes in the Park and the Riverwalk Festival will be provided.
- Vote on sponsorship levels for events
- Decision on participation in Wreaths Across America
- Update on Sundaes in the Park (June 14, Riverwalk at Children's Garden)
- Update on Riverwalk Festival
- Discussion of decorating contests for Halloween and Holiday events
Planning Board
The Brewer Planning Board will hold public hearings and reviews for two site plan applications: a change of use at 30 Clisham Road and a business office/wellness center at 613 South Main Street. The board will also consider proposed amendments to Chapter 24 Land Use Code covering multiple articles, with a recommendation to City Council. Public comments on non-agenda items and approval of previous minutes are also on the agenda.
- Site plan review for change of use at 30 Clisham Road (Tax Map 14 Lot 34-A)
- Site plan review for business office/wellness center at 613 South Main Street (Tax Map 22 Lot 131)
- Proposed amendments to Chapter 24 Land Use Code: Articles 4, 6, 10, and 14
- Public hearing on ordinance amendments with board recommendation to City Council
- Designation of associate member to vote if needed
City Council
The Brewer City Council will hold public hearings on a proposed 3% water rate increase (14% for high usage) and a liquor/amusement license for MF Dream, LLC d/b/a Benjamin's Brewer at 46 Acme Road. The council also plans to approve Fiscal Year 2027 budgets, set tax due dates, and amend ordinances on hauled wastewater and park vehicle restrictions. A proclamation for Juneteenth Celebration Day will be read.
- Public hearing on Brewer Water Department proposed rate increase: 3% for most customers, with residential minimum rising $0.99/month
- Public hearing on Class A restaurant/lounge liquor license and amusement license for Benjamin's Brewer (46 Acme Road) for dancing and live entertainment
- Order and resolutions approving City, School, and Water Pollution Control Facility budgets for Fiscal Year 2027
- Order to amend Chapter 31 (Environmental Ordinance) Section 703 on hauled wastewater discharge requirements
- Order to amend Chapter 15 (Parks and Recreation) restricting vehicles in parks
City Council
The City Council will hold a special meeting featuring a presentation of the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 City of Brewer and Brewer School Department budgets, followed by public comments. The primary action item is an order to authorize a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for the Capri Street Park basketball court construction project, committing $29,785 in local matching funds.
- Presentation of proposed Fiscal Year 2027 City of Brewer and Brewer School Department budgets
- Public comments on proposed budgets
- Order authorizing LWCF application and local match ($29,785) for Capri Street Park basketball court construction project (total $59,570)
Culture and Arts Committee
The Brewer Culture and Arts Committee will consider approving the April 2026 meeting minutes, continue discussion on the 2026 Event Calendar and Riverwalk Festival update, and vote on a Holiday Decorating Contest for the winter event. They will also discuss sponsorship levels, planning for Summer 2026, Wreaths Across America, and current BCAC funds.
- Vote on Holiday Decorating Contest for Winter Event
- Discussion of sponsorship levels
- Riverwalk Festival update
- Wreaths Across America discussion
- Current BCAC funds status
City Council
The Council will consider awarding a contract to Acorn Engineering for engineering and design of a multi-use trail system at Pier Park, funded by a $250,000 state grant. Also on the agenda are ordinance amendments to remove yard sale permitting requirements, update zoning use and dimensional rules, and revise hauled wastewater discharge standards. A consent calendar includes purchases of a used ambulance and replacement security system equipment.
- Award $52,700 contract to Acorn Engineering for Pier Park trail design (grant-funded)
- Ordinance to remove permitting requirement for yard sales (Chapter 20 amendment)
- Amend Land Use Code: zoning districts, dimensional requirements, and definitions
- Amend Environmental Ordinance: hauled wastewater discharge requirements for motor coaches
- Authorize purchase of a used 2019 PL custom ambulance from City of Old Town
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold public hearings and review site plan applications for two proposed coffee shops. One is a drive-thru-only on Mullen Way; the other is a walk-in and drive-thru at 972 Wilson Street. The board may vote to approve, deny, or condition the projects.
- Site Plan Review for David Karr: proposed drive-thru coffee shop at Mullen Way (Tax Map 50 Lot 13)
- Site Plan Review for A & B, LLC: proposed walk-in and drive-thru coffee shop at 972 Wilson Street (Tax Map 3 Lot 33)
- Public hearing held for each application before board review
City Council
The council will hold a public hearing and vote on renewing eight amusement licenses for local venues. The consent calendar includes contracts for assessing software and engineering for a stream crossing on North Main Street, as well as a local match for a Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund grant. New business features three amendments to the Land Use Code and a discussion on a proposed Waterfront Zone.
- Renewal of amusement licenses for eight businesses: Between Friends/Next Generation Theatre, Brewer Eagles Club, Brewster’s Fine Food & Drink, Cap’s Tavern, High Tide Restaurant & Bar, Jeff’s Catering + Event Center, Mason’s Brewing Company, and Penny Lane Bar and Grill.
- Authorize contract with Catalis for Assessing Computer Aided Mass Appraisal Software (consent calendar).
- Authorize contract with Woodard & Curran for engineering design and replacement of stream crossing at Felts Brook on North Main Street (consent calendar).
- Commit local match for Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund grant application (consent calendar).
- Three amendments to Chapter 24 (Land Use Code) regarding zoning districts, dimensional requirements, and performance standards, plus a discussion on a Proposed Waterfront Zone.
Culture and Arts Committee
The Culture and Arts Committee will elect officers and vote on amending bylaws. Members will finalize the 2026 event calendar, decide on subcommittees, and vote on the location for the tree lighting. The committee will also vote on a winter decorating contest and consider a banner purchase needing city council approval.
- Election of chair, vice-chair, secretary, treasurer
- Vote on amendment to bylaws
- Vote on location for 2026 tree lighting
- Vote on winter decorating contest with possible entry fee and prize
- Marissa to present cost for banner and request city council approval
City Council
The Brewer City Council will hold a workshop on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and consider an ordinance to eliminate the permitting requirement for yard sales. The consent calendar includes accepting donations, awarding a contract for Stone Street reconstruction, and approving asset forfeiture funds. A resolution recognizing Compotech, Inc. as SBA Manufacturer of the Year is also on the agenda.
- Workshop on Fiscal Year 2027 Budget
- Ordinance to remove permitting requirement for yard sales (2026-C007)
- Contract award for Stone Street reconstruction project (2026-A067)
- Acceptance of $4,103 in asset forfeiture funds for police (2026-A055)
- Resolution recognizing Compotech, Inc. as 2026 SBA Maine and New England Small Business Manufacturer of the Year (2026-B009)
Planning Board
The Board will continue a public hearing regarding site plan review for W & S, Inc. multi-family units at Wilson Street. Additionally, the Board will hold a public hearing and review proposed amendments to several articles of the Chapter 24 Land Use Code.
- Site Plan Review for W & S, Inc. multi-family dwelling units at Wilson Street (Tax Map 49 Lot 32)
- Proposed ordinance amendments to Chapter 24 Land Use Code: Article 3, Article 4, and Article 14