Westbrook roundup: Council set to act on equipment bids and transit pass program; recent meetings focused on housing and ordinances
Westbrook's recent government meetings centered on affordable housing proposals, vehicle purchases, and ordinance reviews, but minutes have not yet been published for any of them, so outcomes remain unconfirmed. The most consequential items on the agendas involved hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment spending and a 72-unit housing project.
City Council — July 6
The City Council agenda listed several expenditure items for final approval, including $287,323 for three replacement one-ton trucks and a $284,932 single-axle plow truck. Also on the agenda were an $11,000 expenditure for the Beaver Pond beautification project and an FY 2027 animal shelter contract with the Animal Refuge League at $27,948.
Two public hearings were scheduled for orders related to the Millbrook Estates affordable housing development district program, including the Millbrook Estates III Affordable Housing Development District.
The agenda also included discussion of updates on the Mountain Division Trail and board ordinance changes.
Minutes for this meeting have not been published, so it is not yet confirmed which items were approved or how councilors voted.
Public Safety Committee — Motorized Scooter Ordinance
The Public Safety Committee was scheduled to discuss amending the city ordinance on motorized scooters, which are currently banned on all public ways and sidewalks. Staff recommended replacing the ban with specific safety and age restrictions to align with state law.
Proposed changes included a minimum operating age of 16, a ban on scooter operation on sidewalks and boardwalks, a 20 mph speed limit, a requirement that operators hold a valid license or learner's permit, and a helmet requirement for riders under 18.
Minutes have not been published, so no outcome is confirmed.
Planning Board — July 7
The Planning Board was set to hold a public hearing and consider a site plan, subdivision, and conditional use application for two 36-unit affordable housing buildings at 300 East Bridge St — a 72-unit project identified as Millbrook Estates (case 26-000401).
The board also planned to workshop three other proposals:
- **26-000527:** Bill Dodge Kia expansion, including a 2,160-square-foot service addition and 3,850-square-foot showroom addition at 3 Saunders Way.
- **26-000530:** Renovation of a triplex to a duplex and addition of another duplex at 146 Bridge St.
- **26-000529:** Rock Row South Campus Buildings Y and YB, with retail and 12 condos.
Minutes have not been published.
Recreation and Conservation Commission — July 16
The commission was scheduled to review the Open Space Plan for 547 Saco Street, including a presentation by Dustin Roma. The agenda also included staff updates on Beaver Pond, the Community Center bike rack, and City BCC ordinance updates. No final decisions or votes were listed on the agenda.
Coming up
City Council Committee of the Whole — July 20: Review of proposed ordinance amendments for the Board of Assessment Review, Board of Trustees of the Woodlawn Cemetery, Fair Hearing Authority, and Library Advisory Board. No final votes are scheduled; the council will discuss changes before later adoption.
City Council — July 20: Decisions scheduled on several orders, including confirmation of emergency expenditures for sewer repair in Vallee Square (Order 2026-78), authorization to close Pierce Street for water main replacement (Order 2026-79), bid awards for a Fire Department SCBA air compressor (Order 2026-82) and replacement aerial bucket truck (Order 2026-83), and an agreement with the Greater Portland Transit District for a student transit pass program (Order 2026-84). The council will also receive an update on landslide vulnerability.