Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Brunswick Buzz as we ramp up the content we think you'll find most useful this month. December is jam packed with the latest and greatest. Don't forget to share with a friend.

New Parking Ban Map

For the upcoming winter season, town-wide parking bans will be declared with a minimum of six hours’ notice for the duration of each storm, except in the Yellow Zone. Parking restrictions in the Yellow Zone would be limited between 12:01am-7am. Learn more about our winter services and and see the new parking ban map: https://brunswickme.gov/272/Winter-Services

Town Hall Food Drive

The Town of Brunswick is holding a food drive from Wednesday, November 12 through Friday, December 19 to help support our neighbors through Mid Coast Hunger Prevention. Donation boxes will be placed under the TVs on the first floor.

MCHPP tells us the top current food needs are: Peanut Butter, Canned Tuna and Chicken, Pasta / Pasta Sauce, Cereal, and Granola Bars. But all canned, boxed, jarred, and bagged items are welcome. Everything donated will be delivered to Mid Coast Hunger Prevention's warehouse. You can check their website for other ways to help.

From the Clerk's Office

Dog Licenses
Dog licenses for the 2026 season are now available for purchase. Please ensure all dog renewals are completed by January 31st to avoid a state-set late fee of $25. To obtain a new or renewed license, you can visit the Town Clerk’s Office with a copy of your dog’s Rabies Certificate, or you may purchase a license online through Animal Welfare by clicking here. For questions, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (207) 725-6658, or email clerks@brunswickme.gov.

Election Day Recap
The relocation of the new polling location was a success, and the Town Clerk’s Office would like to thank the town staff and election volunteers for their contributions. We also appreciate the support and patience shown by residents during this transition. Please remember that the June and November elections in 2026 will be held at the Brunswick Recreation Center, located at 220 Neptune Drive. Absentee ballots can be requested at Town Hall, located at 85 Union Street, starting 30 days before any election. If you're interested in volunteering for an election, we are looking for individuals who are available during office hours in the month leading up to the election. We also need registered Republicans to help on Election Day. Please get in touch with Ali Burnette, Deputy Town Clerk, with inquiries at aburnette@brunswickme.gov.

Shellfish Licenses
Letters of Intent for the 2026-27 season will be available for Resident and Non-Resident Commercial harvesters in mid-December, and Resident and Non-Resident Student harvesters at the beginning of January. Specific dates and deadlines will be posted on our website in mid-December. For questions, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at (207) 725-6658.

From the Planning Department

Rural Subdivision Moratorium
The Town Council passed an emergency 50-day moratorium on subdivisions in the rural area of Town at their meeting on November 17. This means that any proposed developments that include three or more lots or dwelling units within the rural area may not apply for development review within the moratorium timeframe. The Council will take up the item again on December 1 to vote on enacting the moratorium on a regular basis and extending it to 180 days. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow staff time to bring the Comprehensive Plan forward for adoption; address some deficiencies within the Town’s ordinances regarding natural resources protections, street standards and traffic; and explore a rate of growth ordinance in the rural area. If you have questions about how the moratorium is applied, please contact the Planning and Development Department at (207)725-6660 or planner@brunswickme.gov for more information.

Comprehensive Plan Public Hearing
After several years of diligent work, the Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee (CPUSC) has finalized the draft 2025 Comp Plan and has sent it to the Town Council for their consideration. On December 1, the Town Council will vote to set a Public Hearing for December 15 to discuss and potentially adopt the draft plan. The Planning Department encourages you to review the draft Comprehensive Plan online and provide public comment at the public hearing if you so choose. We value your input! Please contact the Planning and Development Department at (207)725-6660 or planner@brunswickme.gov for further information about the Comp Plan.

Recent Planning Board Actions, November 5, 2025 Meeting

Development Review

#25-043: Thomas Point Campground (Phase II) – Major Development Review; Sketch/Final Plan. Approved with Conditions
#25-049: Moody's Collision – Major Development Review Final Plan Amendment. Approved with Conditions

Zoning Ordinance Amendments

#25-044 – Public School Facilities Maximum Building Footprint – Zoning Text Amendment
#25-050 – Hawthorne School Growth Residential 7 (GR7) to Growth Mixed Use 6 (GM7) Zoning District– Zoning Map Amendment
#25-054 – Brunswick Landing Growth Industrial (GI) to the Growth Mixed Use 7 (GM7) Zoning District – Zoning Map Amendment

All Recommended (referred and introduced to Town Council November 17)

Holiday Hours and Dates to Remember

Town Hall

Christmas Eve (December 24) – Closing at Noon
Christmas Day (December 25) – Closed
New Years Day (January 1) – Closed

Recreation Center

Christmas Eve (December 24) – Closing at Noon
Christmas Day (December 25) – Closed
New Year’s Eve (December 31) – Closing at 2pm
New Years Day (January 1) – Open 10am-8pm

Public Works

There will not be Curbside Trash and Recycling Collection on Thursday, December 25, Christmas Day. The make-up collection will be Saturday, December 27 for those who normally have Thursday pickup. Friday's trash and recycling route will be picked up as usual.

There will not be Curbside Trash and Recycling Collection on Thursday, January 1, New Year's Day. The make-up collection will be Saturday, January 3 for those who normally have Thursday pickup. Friday's trash and recycling route will be picked up as usual.

LEAF PILE UPDATE: The leaf and grass pile located at Public Works on Industry Road is closing permanently effective January 1. The location does not meet the requirements of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for such a use, and we are unable to upgrade the site to do so.

Residents have always been able to use the Graham Road Processing Facility to dispose of leaves and grass, free of charge, and that will continue to be the case. The hours of operation at Graham Road will be expanded starting January 1 so that residents will have access Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Although disposal of the leaves and grass is free, we do require that all residents purchase an annual sticker ($5.00) to be able to use the facility.

Climate Action and Sustainability Lecture
Salt Use and Winter Prep
Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Meeting Room
Tuesday, December 2, from 5-6:30pm

Town Council Calendar

Town Council Meetings
6:30 pm, December 1 and 15
In person at Town Hall Council Chambers

Unable to make it in person? You can Zoom!

Town Council Office Hours
Mondays from 10am-12pm
In person, Room 117
December 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29

Upcoming Jordan Avenue Parking Restrictions

Effective January 5, 2026, there will be new parking restrictions on both sides of Jordan Avenue, from Charles Court to Minat Avenue. Under the new ordinance, parking will not be permitted between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday in response to ongoing traffic congestion associated with the nearby Kate Furbish Elementary School, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times.

The goal of this change is to improve safety, emergency access, and traffic flow in the area. We want to assure residents and visitors that parking will remain allowed outside restricted weekday hours, including evenings, early mornings, and all day on weekends.

Job Opportunities

Click here to read more about and apply for employment opportunities at the Town of Brunswick. These positions are currently open:
Systems Administrator
Communications and Marketing Manager
Finance Director
Patrol Officer
Processing Facility Gate Attendant
Detective
Mechanic
Truck Driver Operator
Part Time Gate Closer

Video Highlight

Fire Safety Week and Open House at the Fire Dept. in October was so much fun. Just imagine the smell of popcorn, the sight of families together, the sound of squealing kids as they slide down the fire pole and jump in the bounce house. Check out the highlights here.

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