Brunswick public meetings in 2022
19 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Sustainability Committee
The committee voted to recommend its 2023 goals to the Town Council and elected its officers for the coming year. Members also discussed the administration of a Maine Climate Resiliency Grant and updates to solid waste management.
- Approved November 22, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
- Adopted 2023 goals for recommendation to Town Council (6-0, 1 abstention)
- Elected Jamie Ecker as Chair, Steve Weems as Vice Chair, and Jenn Hicks as Secretary (6-0, 1 abstention)
- Approved Certificate of Appreciation for Harry Hopcroft (by acclaim)
Recreation Commission
The commission approved the minutes from the November 16, 2022, meeting. The remainder of the session consisted of staff reports on winter programming, daycare licensing, and updates on the Midcoast Athletic & Recreation Complex (MARC) and various trail projects.
- Approved November 16, 2022, meeting minutes (4-0)
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved a conditional use permit for a contractor space at 1 Paul St and a sketch plan for a dock at 5 Pearl Dr. A proposal to relocate and resurface athletic fields at 80 Harpswell Road was tabled for further study.
- Approved Conditional Use Permit for contractor space at 1 Paul St (6-0)
- Approved Major Development Review Sketch Plan for dock at 5 Pearl Dr (6-0)
- Tabled Major Development Review Final Plan for Bowdoin athletic fields at 80 Harpswell Road until January 18, 2023 (6-0)
Shellfish Committee (Formerly Marine Resources Committee)
The committee approved the 2023 shellfish license allocations and a research project at Rocky Point. Members also adjusted the winter quahog closure dates.
- Approved minutes for 9/2/22, 10/5/22, and 11/2/22 (unanimous)
- Approved winter quahog closure from January 1, 2023, to March 31, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved quahog research LPA application at Rocky Point (unanimous)
- Approved 2023 license allocations: 57 resident commercial, 6 non-resident commercial, 15 student, and 2 non-resident student (unanimous)
Town Commons
The Brunswick Town Commons Trail Committee is meeting to discuss trail usage and management, including updates on permitting requirements for adopting goat trails. They will also review the current remaining 2022-23 budget and prioritize general maintenance items such as fixing broken trail signs, cleaning debris, removing poison ivy, and restoring American chestnut trees.
- Discussing permitting requirements for adopting the goat trails
- Reviewing current remaining 2022-23 budget
- Fixing/replacing broken trail signs (Committee to approve)
- Removing poison ivy
- Replacing dead tricentennial trees (planned for this fall)
The committee defined procedures for accepting funds and grants through the finance department and Town Council. Members agreed to record future meetings and continue using Zoom. No formal votes were recorded for the budget or trail proposals.
- Established that funds accepted by the town must go through the finance department
- Required Town Council approval for accepting grants
- Decided future meetings will be recorded and default to Zoom
- Deferred bog bridging material purchases until April
- Scheduled budget line item coordination for December via email
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved a four-apartment building complex at 0 Admiral Fitch Ave and a conditional use permit for a dog daycare at 33 Bath Road. Additionally, the board approved sketch plans for athletic facilities at 220 Neptune Dr and a greenhouse and building at 20 Sea Grass Farm Rd.
- Approved Final Plan for four-apartment building at 0 Admiral Fitch Ave (unanimous)
- Approved waiver to remove trees 10-inch and above caliper at 0 Admiral Fitch Ave (unanimous)
- Approved Conditional Use Permit for kennel at 33 Bath Road (6-0, 1 recused)
- Approved Sketch Plan for athletic facilities at 220 Neptune Dr (unanimous)
- Approved Sketch Plan for greenhouse and 2-story building at 20 Sea Grass Farm Rd (unanimous)
Sustainability Committee
The committee unanimously approved the October 25th meeting minutes. Members discussed potential 2023 goals regarding energy, solid waste management, and public education, with a final draft to be circulated before the December meeting.
- Approved October 25th minutes (Unanimous)
Recreation Commission
The Recreation Commission approved recommendations to the Town Council for a $1 million bond and the use of up to $500,000 in residential development impact fees to support the Midcoast Athletic & Recreation Complex (MARC). These funds would serve as a match for an anticipated $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant.
- Approved use of up to $500,000 in residential development impact fees as LWCF grant match (5-0)
- Approved bringing the MARC project into ordinance as an official project (5-0)
- Approved $1 million bond request for the MARC project to be brought to Council (5-0)
- Approved September 21, 2022 meeting minutes (4-0)
- Approved October 19, 2022 meeting minutes (3-0)
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved a Final Plan Major Development Review application for a subdivision amendment at 30 Parkers Way. Approval is contingent upon the owner of Lot 1C obtaining emergency access approval from the Town of Brunswick before a building permit is issued.
- Determined application materials for 30 Parkers Way were complete for substantive review (unanimous)
- Approved Final Plan Major Development Review for 30 Parkers Way subdivision amendment (unanimous)
Shellfish Committee (Formerly Marine Resources Committee)
The committee reviewed the potential impacts of development in the Maquoit Woods area on the watershed and wildlife habitats. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.
Trust Fund Advisory Committee
The committee reviewed the investment portfolio with Harpswell Capital Advisors and examined the 2021-22 fiscal year disbursements. Members discussed the transition to ESG allocations and the status of the Veteran’s Plaza Fund. The committee agreed to maintain a schedule of two meetings per year.
- Approved March 4, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
- Agreed to continue with two meetings per year
Finance Committee
The committee reviewed the 2021-22 audit process and a budget-to-actual report showing expenditures $4.3 million under budget. Members discussed the Property Tax Assistance Program and the current debt funding limit within the Capital Improvement Program policy.
- Approved meeting minutes from 9/15/22 (unanimous)
- Approved CIP workshop schedule
Planning Board
The Planning Board approved a final plan for a 4-story apartment building with 63 units. The board also approved a plan to replace a retaining wall at 26 Sandpiper Lane. Both approvals included specific conditions that must be met before building permits are issued.
- Approved Final Plan for 63-unit apartment building at 93 Admiral Fitch Avenue (unanimous)
- Approved Final Plan for retaining wall replacement at 26 Sandpiper Lane (unanimous)
- Determined application for 26 Sandpiper Lane was complete for substantive review (unanimous)
- Determined application for 93 Admiral Fitch Avenue was complete for substantive review (unanimous)
Sustainability Committee
The committee unanimously approved a resolution supporting a proposed 180-day development moratorium for the Maquoit Bay watershed. Members also received an educational presentation on vehicle electrification and discussed a potential recycling event with ecomaine.
- Approved statement of support for 180-day Maquoit Bay watershed development moratorium (Unanimous)
- Approved September 27, 2022 meeting minutes (8-1 abstention)
Town Commons
The committee is meeting to finalize recommendations for pedestrian-only and multi-use trail designations. Members will also discuss the remaining 2022 budget and prioritize general maintenance tasks.
- Proposal to officially adopt goat trails between points 24 and 29
- Proposed pedestrian/limited use for trails 12-13, 9-11, and 1-24
- Approval for fixing or replacing broken trail signs
- Plan to replace dead tricentennial trees in the fall
- Discussion of supplies to be purchased with the remaining 2022 budget
Town Commons
The committee is reviewing current projects including design completion, invasive species mapping, and tree restoration. Members are also discussing trail usage, upcoming budget expenses, and general maintenance tasks.
- Design 90% complete with new images and trail map needed
- Invasive species mapping project resuming in the fall
- Pitch Pine restoration resuming in the winter
- Replacement of dead tricentennial trees this fall
- Maintenance including fixing broken signs and hardening wet spots on trails
Town Commons
The committee is reviewing ongoing restoration work and upcoming project timelines. Discussions include brochure redesigns, invasive species mapping, and trail maintenance priorities.
- Current remaining budget of $5240
- Brochure design process
- Invasive species mapping project
- Pitch Pine restoration
- Tricentennial tree replacement scheduled for fall
Town Commons
The Town Commons Committee is meeting to review current restoration projects and trail management. The body will discuss spending from a remaining budget of $5,240, specifically for brochure redesigns.
- Remaining budget of $5,240
- Proposed brochure redesign
- Pitch Pine restoration and Southern Pine Beetle response
- Approval for fixing or replacing broken trail signs
- American chestnut tree restoration
Town Commons
The Brunswick Town Council will discuss an emergency ordinance for public indoor face coverings and a one-year contract for the Brunswick Professional Firefighters Association. The body will also hold a public hearing for a new liquor license and consider several board appointments.
- Liquor license application for Best Thai Express at 216 Bath Road
- One-year contract for Brunswick Professional Firefighters Association with a 3% wage scale adjustment
- $6,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America for Police Department Project Lifesaver equipment
- Proposed extension of the emergency moratorium on new private permanent piers in intertidal waters
- Discussion on moving the polling location to the Brunswick Recreation Center