Bangor City Council Meeting Summaries for December 22, 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.

City Council Workshop

Click here to read the agenda.

Railroad Encampment Update

City Manager provided an update on the clearing of the railroad encampment, which was completed on the day of the meeting.

• Relocation Process: Public Health staff began notifying residents the previous Thursday that the railroad intended to clear the property on Monday. Residents were offered assistance including city-provided cell phones, new tents from a local nonprofit, storage bins, pet boarding, and transportation to shelters.
• Voluntary Movement: Most residents moved voluntarily over the weekend. By Monday afternoon, city staff confirmed all individuals had moved from the railroad property and cleanup was underway.
• City Property: A small, landlocked “triangle” of city-owned land adjacent to the tracks was also cleared voluntarily. Staff planned a cleanup of this area on Tuesday to remove remaining items before upcoming snow.
• Council Concerns: Some councilors reported feedback from displaced residents who felt frustrated, separated from their community, or claimed they did not receive adequate transportation help. There were also reports of belongings being lost during the railroad’s cleanup.

Warming Centers and Strategic Planning

The Council discussed the sustainability of the city’s current warming center infrastructure.

• Capacity: The city currently funds 160 total overnight spaces across three centers: Mansion Church, Brick Church, and Together Place. These centers have recently hovered around half-capacity.
• Sustainability Issues: Staff and councilors expressed concern over the reliance on volunteer staff, noting that the work is “backbreaking” and stressful due to the complex needs and behaviors of guests.
• Advisory Committee: The council is moving forward with forming a committee after the first of the year to develop a strategic plan for addressing homelessness.
• Conflict of Interest: The City Council voted that I have a conflict of interest regarding “Together Place” because my wife received income as a grant writer from the organization earlier in the year. That contract expired August 31, 2025.

Administrative and Project Updates

• Legislative Meeting: A tentative meeting with state legislators is set for January 5th to discuss city priorities for the upcoming session.
• CDC Visit: A federal CDC team has been in Bangor conducting qualitative research on a local HIV outbreak; a formal report and recommendations are expected soon.
• Central Kitchen Project: Following concerns from Councilor Mallar regarding funding and project history, the Council decided to remove the Central Kitchen contract from the consent agenda. The project will be moved to the Business and Economic Development (BED) committee on January 5th for a comprehensive update.
• Remote Participation: A revised policy was presented for a vote to allow remote public comments starting in January.

Regular City Council Meeting

Click here to read the agenda.

All items had passage or referral except the Central Kitchen, which was postposed until January 12, 2026.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Item 26-046: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 123 Husson Avenue
• Item 26-047: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 256 Grove Street
• Item 26-048: Authorizing the Execution of a Municipal Quitclaim Deed for Real Estate Located at 412 Essex Street
• Item 26-049: Appointing Constables for the Year 2026
  • This item was removed from the Consent Agenda. It was amended to include a revised list of names which was provided to Council that night. That amended list received passage.
• Item 26-050: Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate with Sheridan Construction for Construction Manager Services for the Bangor Central Kitchen Project at 50 Cleveland Street
  • This item was removed from the Consent Agenda and postponed until January 12, 2026.
• Item 26-051: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Airport Concession Agreement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company of Boston, LLC, d/b/a Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Item 26-052: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Airport Concession Agreement with the HERTZ Corporation, d/b/a Hertz and Dollar Rent A Car
• Item 26-053: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Airport Concession Agreement with Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company of Boston, LLC, d/b/a Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental
• Item 26-054: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Airport Concession Agreement with AVIS BUDGET Car Rental LLC., d/b/a Avis
• Item 26-055: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Airport Concession Agreement with AVIS BUDGET Car Rental LLC., d/b/a Budget/Payless
• Item 26-056: Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for $7 Million In Grant Funding from the Military Airport Program For the Rehabilitation and Relocation of the Airport Fuel Farm
• Item 26-057: Ratifying the City Manager’s Execution of an Easement to Versant Power at City-Owned Lot Located at 289 Main Street

REFERRALS TO COMMITTEE AND FIRST READING

• Item 26-058: Amending the Land Development Code, Section 165-13 Definitions to Remove Ohio Street and State Street from the Minor Arterial Street Definition and Add Ohio Street to the Major Arterial Definition
• Item 26-059: Appropriating an Amount Not to Exceed $900,000 from the Airport Unappropriated Fund Balance to Fund the Phase I Design of the Fuel Farm Facility

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• Item 25-296: Authorizing modifications to City Code of Ordinance Chapter 165 to Allow City Departments to Review Projects Requiring Stormwater Law Permits
• Item 26-023: 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
• Item 26-024: 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
• Item 26-025: 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
• Item 26-041: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $243,225 in Grant Funding from the Cole Foundation to Support a Community Paramedicine Program
• Item 26-042: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $625 from Maine Health Access Foundation for Bangor Public Health and Community Services’ Time and Effort to Provide Technical Assistance
• Item 26-043: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $150,000 in Grant Funds from Maine Department of Health and Human Services for an Overdose Response Program

NEW BUSINESS

• Public Hearing: Application for Special Amusement License of Bangor Motor Inn Corp. d/b/a Bangor Inn and Suites and Conference Center, 701 Hogan Road
• Item 26-060: Amending the City of Bangor’s Remote Participation Policy

Closing Remarks

At the close of the December 22nd meeting, I expressed my sincere appreciation for the Bangor City Staff, thanking them for their dedicated efforts and hard work during what has been a very long year. I extended warm holiday wishes and a Merry Christmas to my fellow councilors, the staff, and the entire community, noting how much I value the diverse traditions residents share with the city. I concluded by wishing every person in Bangor warmth, food, and joy, while sharing my hope that 2026 brings a better and brighter year for everyone.