Bangor City Council Meeting Summaries for November 24, 2025

Disclaimer: The views I express here are my own and should NOT be construed as speaking for the City of Bangor or the City Council of Bangor.

Council Workshop

You can read the agenda for this meeting by clicking here.

1. Reverting Public Comment Protocols

The Council discussed whether to maintain the current split-time model (15 minutes at the start, the rest at the end) or return to the previous model (60 minutes at the start).

• The Consensus: The Council agreed to direct staff to draft a revision moving the full 60-minute public comment period back to the beginning of the meeting .
• Key Arguments & Perspectives:
  • Simplicity and Respect for Time: I noted that feedback I had been receiving from residents overwhelmingly favored the hour block at the start. Councilor Leonard supported this, and stated the old model was simpler. He emphasized that forcing people to wait until the end of a meeting makes it seem like their opinions matter less, often causing residents to leave in frustration before speaking.
  • Balancing Agenda Items: Other councilors agreed with the Chair having discretion but noted a valid counterpoint: if public comment runs long at the start, people attending for specific agenda items are forced to wait, which can be difficult.
  • Repetitive Comments: Another Councilor noted that while an hour is acceptable, there is a need to manage repetitive comments where different speakers say the exact same thing.
  • Chair’s Discretion: There was broad agreement that the Chair must retain the authority to manage the time, including the ability to close public comment if it becomes repetitive or if there are no new speakers, preventing the Council from “sitting in silence” .

1a. Reinstating Remote (Zoom) Participation

The discussion focused on the timeline and safety mechanisms for bringing back remote public comment, which had been paused due to disruptive “bad faith actors.”

• The Consensus: The goal is to bring a plan for reinstatement to the first Council meeting in January, rather than waiting until later in the month.
• Key Arguments & Perspectives:
  • Urgency: One Councilor stated they only voted to pause Zoom with the understanding it was a temporary measure to fix security issues. Another Councilor pushed for a faster timeline, suggesting the parameters shouldn’t be difficult to establish and requested the item be on the agenda for the first meeting in January.
  • Security vs. Accessibility: I suggested that staff needed time to research legal implications, such as whether requiring cameras is equitable for those who don’t own them. Other Councilors suggested technical fixes like closing the registration link once the meeting starts or using two-factor authentication.
  • Risk Tolerance: It was noted that previous disruptions came from a small group re-entering after being cut off; preventing re-entry would lower the risk, though not to zero. Councilor Carson agreed that zero risk is unrealistic but emphasized the need for a “disconnect button” accessible to the Chair to immediately mute disruptive speakers.

2. The Railroad Encampment (Penobscot Plaza / Washington St.)

The most complex discussion centered on an encampment of 40–50 people along the railroad tracks. The City Manager recommended a vacate date of December 19th, aligning with the opening of “The Well” day warming center.

• The Consensus: The Council supported the City Manager’s plan to set a December 19th deadline due to safety risks, while concurrently working on storage for belongings and a longer-term strategic plan.
• Key Arguments & Perspectives:
  • Safety & Liability: The City Manager highlighted 24 police calls and multiple fire calls since October 1st. Councilor Fish noted safety risks for local businesses, citing instances where clients refused to meet at nearby offices due to fear. The extreme danger of the railroad environment for both residents and first responders was emphasized.
  • The “Sweep” vs. Solutions: I expressed deep concern about displacing people without a place to go, fearing it would just scatter the population and potentially spread illness. I advocated for “Pallet Shelters” (similar to tiny homes) as a transitional solution. In response to sanitation issues, I also mentioned a San Jose model where residents are paid to collect trash.
  • Strategic Planning: There was a strong call for a long-term strategy rather than reactive measures. One Councilor argued that maintaining homelessness is more expensive than housing people. Another Councilor called for “tough love” and clear limitations on what the city can and cannot do, noting some individuals have refused housing because they dislike the rules.
  • Coordination of Resources: Councilor Mallar questioned the effectiveness of the United Way, noting the Council had previously allocated ~$400,000 for them to coordinate nonprofits, yet the city still lacks clarity on who is doing what. The Public Health Director clarified that the issue isn’t a lack of coordination, but a severe lack of resources, noting there is only one PATH team available.
  • Humanitarian Needs: Another Councilor pointed out that if people move, the same problems (trash, hygiene) will follow them unless the city provides trash receptacles and restrooms. The City Manager confirmed the city is looking into storage options for belongings.

3. City Manager updates were skipped due to time constraints.

Regular City Council Meeting

You can read the agenda by clicking here.

Here is the listing of the Orders, Resolves, and Ordinances from the agenda in the first 11 pages of the document, categorized by their respective sections:

Consent Agenda

The Consent Agenda had passage. I made a motion to have Order 26-020 removed from the Consent Agenda and moved to New Business. Explanation below, under the New Business heading.

• 26-012 Order: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 11 James Street.
• 26-013 Order: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 183 Parkview Avenue.
• 26-014 Order: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 536 Union Street.
• 26-015 Order: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 745 Hammond Street.
• 26-016 Order: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 1818 Ohio Street.
• 26-017 Order: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Bangor and AFSCME Council 93, Representing Ramp Attendants and Shift Leads.
• 26-018 Order: Accepting the Director of Engineering’s Report and Ordering Discontinuance of a Portion of Miller Street, Westerly of Hildreth Street.
• 26-019 Order: Accepting the Director of Engineering’s Report and Ordering Discontinuance of a Portion of Gilman Road, Northwesterly of Stillwater Avenue, West End of Gilman Road.
• 26-021 Order: Authorizing an Amendment to the Employment Agreements of City Assessor Philip Drew and City Clerk Lisa Goodwin.
• 26-022 Resolve: Ratifying the City Manager’s Action to Apply for a Passenger Facility Charge Application to the Federal Aviation Administration for Collection of $16,449,413 to Provide Funding for the Transportation Security Administration Terminal Security Screening Checkpoint Expansion.

Referrals to Committee and First Reading

All items were referred without objection.

• 26-023 Ordinance: Amending Chapter 165, Land Development Code, District Map to Re-zone a Property Located at 38 Blue Hill East from Urban Service District to High Density Residential (First Reading and Referral to Planning Board Meeting on December 2, 2025).
• 26-024 Ordinance: Amending Chapter 165, Land Development Code, District Map to Re-zone a Property Located at 195 Thatcher Street from Industry and Service District to Urban Industry District (First Reading and Referral to Planning Board Meeting on December 2, 2025).
• 26-025 Ordinance: Amending Chapter 165, Land Development Code, District Map to Re-zone a Property Located at 557 Hammond Street from Contract Urban Service District to Urban Service District without Contract Conditions (First Reading and Referral to Planning Board Meeting on December 2, 2025).
• 26-026 Resolve: Accepting and Appropriating $16,449,413 in Passenger Facility Charge Funds to Expand and Relocate the Transportation Security Administration Terminal Security Screening Checkpoint (First Reading).

Unfinished Business

• 26-009 Resolve: Accepting a $7,500 Donation from Fidelity Charitable on Behalf of the Lise and Myles Striar Charitable Fund to Provide for Bangor Residents In Need of Assistance through the Department of Public Health & Community Services.
  • This item was passed without objection.

New Business

All items under New Business had passage.

• 26-020 Order: Accepting the Director of Engineering’s Report and Ordering Discontinuance of a Portion of Pushaw Road, Northeasterly of Finson Road.
  • The incorrect map was included as Exhibit A in the agenda packet. Per staff direction I requested it be moved to New Business.
  • Once called under New Business I made a motion to amend by substitution with the correct map provided to Council by city staff.
  • All related motions and the amended order had passage.
• 26-027 Order: Authorizing a Commission on Cultural Development Grant of $1,500 to Bangor Authors’ Collaborative for the 4th Annual Bangor Authors’ Fair and Literary Festival and the Holiday Literary Kick-Off Party.
  • Councilor Mallar raised a concern about alcohol being served at this event in the Public Library – a building that is welcoming to children.
• 26-028 Order: Authorizing a Commission on Cultural Development Grant of $3,000 to Bangor Symphony Orchestra for the Music & Wellness Program.
• 26-029 Order: Authorizing a Commission on Cultural Development Grant of $2,500 to Penobscot Theatre Company for the Production of Two Plays (Almost, Maine and Darker the Night, Brighter the Stars).
• 26-030 Order: Authorizing a Commission on Cultural Development Grant of $1,500 to Robinson Ballet for the Production of Play!.
• 26-031 Order: Authorizing a Commission on Cultural Development Grant of $2,000 to Some Theatre Company for the Purchase and Installation of New LED Stage Lighting Equipment.
  • Councilor Mallar raised a concern about these grants being used to purchase fixed assets.

Good Night Message

At the end of the meeting I spoke about two things:

1. How wonderful it was to have the New England Association of City and Town Clerks have their annual meeting at the Cross Insurance Center last week. Our amazing City Clerk Lisa Goodwin was the President of the Association and now fills the role of Immediate Past President.
2. Regarding the opening of My immense gratitude to:
   • The Brick Church and Together Place for getting their warming centers open
   • The City Manager and staff who found the funding, brought the option to City Council, and ensured the funding was dispersed
   • My colleagues on City Council who approved this funding.

I wished all of Bangor a Happy Thanksgiving, and I wish all of you the same!