2026-10-14 - City Council

01:01Good evening. Welcome to the regular

01:03meeting of the Bangor City Council. It's

01:05October 14th,

01:07uh

01:072026,

01:09and it's 7:00 p.m. We start all of our

01:13um

01:14meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance.

01:16We do have two members,

01:20possibly three, that are not going to be

01:23here with us. So,

01:25I will ask

01:27Councilor Fish to lead us in the pledge

01:29tonight, and then the other two at our

01:32next meeting.

01:36>> I pledge allegiance to the flag

01:38of the United States of America, and to

01:41the republic for which it stands, one

01:43nation under God, indivisible, with

01:46liberty and justice for all.

01:52>> [clears throat]

01:59>> This is the portion of the meeting set

02:01aside for general public comment

02:03directly related to city business for

02:05matters that do not appear on this

02:07evening's agenda. If you are here for a

02:10specific agenda item that is under

02:12unfinished business or new business,

02:14please wait until we reach that item.

02:17Items under first reading and referral

02:19will be discussed when they return under

02:22unfinished business and we will hear

02:23public comment at that time.

02:26Public comment requires a person to

02:27state your name and whether you are a

02:29resident of Bangor.

02:31The City Council has adopted a public

02:33comment policy that we will adhere to.

02:36Statements during public comment should

02:38respect the dignity and seriousness of

02:40the proceeding and individuals will be

02:43restricted to speaking once.

02:45Obscene, truly threatening, or overly

02:48repetitive comments will be deemed out

02:50of order and will be interrupted and

02:52removed.

02:54Topics that are considered out of order

02:56also include matters that are in

02:57litigation,

02:59individual employees or employee groups

03:01discussing matters for which complaint

03:04or grievance procedures are in place,

03:07personal disputes between the speaker

03:09and another resident not germane to city

03:11business, support for or opposition to

03:15any candidate for political office,

03:17and personnel complaints pertaining to

03:19individual city employees.

03:22There is a time limit of 3 minutes per

03:24speaker and the total time allowed for

03:26general public comment regarding city

03:28business will be limited to no more than

03:311 hour.

03:32The public comment period is for City

03:34Council members to listen and not to

03:36respond or debate with persons.

03:39If you do not live in Bangor or own

03:40property in Bangor, please allow those

03:43who do to have the opportunity to speak

03:45first.

03:46If you'd like to offer comment on any

03:49item directly related to city business

03:51not appearing on the regular agenda,

03:54you may approach the podium.

03:55Individuals who have appropriately

03:57pre-registered to give public comment

03:59via

04:00remote means will be given the

04:02opportunity to participate remotely.

04:05Alternatively, councilors may be reached

04:07by email at [email protected].

04:11A link to the adopted public comment

04:13policy can be found on the city's

04:14website.

04:16So,

04:17is there anyone wishing to speak under

04:20public comment?

04:27No.

04:38Is that microphone on?

04:40Can you hit that button?

04:42Okay, there you go. All right. So,

04:44that's for a resident of Bangor. Uh the

04:46opinions I present are my own and not

04:48those of any committee I'm on.

04:50Octo- uh just like to announce that

04:51October is dys- dyslexia awareness

04:54month. October uh a time to increase

04:57understanding of dyslexia and the

04:58importance of helping individuals who

05:01learn differently. Dyslexia is a

05:03language-based learning disability that

05:05affects an estimated 15% to 20% of the

05:07population. It can make reading,

05:09spelling, writing, and understanding

05:11language more challenging. Dyslexia is

05:14often inherited and affects people from

05:16all backgrounds regardless of race,

05:18income, or educational opportunities.

05:21Dyslexia is not a sign of low

05:23intelligence, laziness, or lack of

05:25effort. Individuals with dyslexia often

05:28have average to above-average

05:29intelligence and may possess remarkable

05:32talents and abilities. They simply may

05:34need to learn in different ways.

05:36Early identification and appropriate

05:38instruction are essential to helping

05:40students with dyslexia succeed. Research

05:42supports structured literacy with uh

05:45instruction that is explicit,

05:46systematic, consistent, multi-sensory,

05:48[clears throat] and individualized.

05:51Here in Maine, families have several

05:53options for seeking support, including

05:55school-based services, qualified

05:56specialists, and specialized tutors. The

05:58Children's Dyslexia Center in Bangor

06:01offers individualized tutoring using the

06:03Orton-Gillingham approach, which

06:05emphasizes direct, systematic, and

06:07multi-sensory instruction. Families

06:09seeking assistance may wish to contact

06:11to learn more about eligibility and

06:13availability. Dyslexia is lifelong, but

06:16with timely intervention, appropriate

06:18instruction, and encouragement,

06:19individuals with dyslexia can make

06:21meaningful progress and develop their

06:23own unique strengths. Many excel in

06:25areas such as the arts, drama,

06:27mathematics, engineering, and sports.

06:29During Dyslexia Awareness Month, let us

06:31remember that learning differently does

06:33not mean being less capable. Every child

06:35deserves to be understood, supported,

06:38and given opportunity to succeed.

06:40Thank you.

06:41Thank you.

06:52>> Good evening. My name is Tyler. I'm a

06:53resident of Bangor.

06:55I'm here to talk about something that

06:57connects the jail, the shelters, and the

06:59treatment system in a way we haven't

07:01addressed yet. A correctional re-entry

07:04center. Every year, people leave the

07:06Penobscot County Jail with no housing,

07:08no job, and no plan for the first 72

07:11hours,

07:12the window when relapse and re-arrest

07:14are most likely. They land on the

07:16streets, in our emergency rooms, and

07:19back in custody. That's the revolving

07:21door, and it's costing this city in

07:24police calls, shelter beds, and human

07:26lives. We see it in the emergency room

07:29visits, the repeated police responses,

07:31and the strain on shelters that are

07:33already stretched thin as winter

07:35approaches. A re-entry center would

07:37break the cycle that would give people a

07:40structured landing spot at release.

07:43Housing navigation, substance use

07:45treatment, mental health care, and job

07:47placement all in one place. Instead of

07:49releasing people into chaos, it would

07:52assess their needs right at the door,

07:54connect them to the right supports

07:56immediately, and give them a real chance

07:58to stabilize before they ever hit the

08:00street or cycle back into the system.

08:03This is the missing piece between the

08:05jail and the community, a bridge that

08:07keeps people from falling through the

08:09gaps we already know exist. On funding,

08:13Main Care's new waiver covers re-entry

08:15services up to 60 days for release. So,

08:18Medicaid is already positioned to pay

08:20for a significant part of this work,

08:22including case management, substance use

08:24treatment, and medications at the point

08:26of release. The county spends over $2

08:29million a year boarding inmates out

08:32because the current jail is overcrowded.

08:34That money could be redirected towards a

08:36center that serves the same population

08:39more effectively and at a lower cost

08:42over time. And the state is actively

08:44expanding re-entry funding through

08:46initiatives like re-entry 2030. So,

08:49there's a real window to capture these

08:52resources now rather than waiting until

08:54the program or problem gets worse.

08:57Uh I'm asking this committee to

08:59recommend that the city explore re-entry

09:02center as part of its strategic plan and

09:05to coordinate with the county so the new

09:07Hamden facility and the community-based

09:09re-entry center work together, not

09:11separately. We have the tools and

09:14funding pathways emerging right now.

09:16Let's use them to stop the revolving

09:19door instead of just managing its

09:20consequences. Thank you. Cody Dinkins

09:23and Pratt, November 3rd.

09:33>> Anyone else?

09:37>> Good evening. My name uh Scott Party,

09:39and I am a resident of Bangor.

09:41If we want to fix I'm going to read this

09:43slow and deliberate. I've made it a

09:45little shorter than usual, so I could be

09:47slow and deliberate. If we want to fix

09:49the homeless crisis in Bangor, we have

09:51to look at the root cause. We can build

09:53shelters, clear encampments, pass

09:55policies, but until we address substance

09:58use disorder, we're just mopping the

10:00floor with a faucet wide open.

10:03Homelessness in our city is directly

10:05tied to addiction. But what's on our

10:07streets today isn't the drug trade from

10:0910 years ago. These modern synthetic

10:11synthetic drugs do immediate terrifying

10:13physical and mental harm. They alter

10:15brain chemistry and literally cause

10:18brain damage.

10:20When someone is trapped in that cycle,

10:22they lose the basic ability to regulate

10:24their life, keep a job, or stay housed.

10:27They aren't just lacking a roof over

10:28their head. Their brains are being

10:30rewired by this poison.

10:33If we don't do something drastic about

10:35the toxic drugs

10:36flooding Bangor, our homeless crisis

10:38will only get worse.

10:41You cannot treat a housing crisis

10:43without treating the brain injury caused

10:45by severe addiction. Here's the truth.

10:48Recovery works, but it takes time,

10:50structure, and direct action.

10:53When someone gets into into true

10:56supported recovery, the shift is

10:57incredible. Their brains begin to heal,

11:00they regain their life, they regain

11:02reconnect with their children, their

11:03parents, their families.

11:05They get back into stable housing, not

11:08because someone handed them a key, but

11:10because they are clear-headed enough to

11:12maintain it. They get jobs, pay taxes,

11:15become productive, proud members of this

11:18community again.

11:20Recovery brings people back to life.

11:23We cannot keep treating homelessness as

11:25just a housing shortage. It's a health

11:27and brain damage crisis driven by

11:29dangerous street drugs. If we want clean

11:32streets and safe neighborhoods, we need

11:34to pour our effort into aggressive,

11:36structured recovery solutions that get

11:39people off these drugs and restore their

11:41lives.

11:43We see this misery every day.

11:46Until such an understanding is reached,

11:49little or nothing can be accomplished.

11:52Thank you.

11:54>> Thank you.

12:01>> My name is Zach Fenness and I live in

12:02Bangor.

12:04Standing before you tonight because like

12:05many of our residents in Bangor keep

12:07watching the sessions of the homeless

12:08community hoping to see concrete

12:11results. Week after week, month after

12:12month, we hear endless discussions,

12:15strategic framework, while the reality

12:17of the streets remains unchanged. As our

12:19elected leaders, you have the authority

12:21to drive decisive decisions. Planning is

12:23necessary, but taking every talking

12:25every issue to death in a committee

12:27without taking real action is just a

12:29delay. While the city deliberates,

12:30people will be sleeping outside in the

12:32cold soon.

12:33I'm not coming at this from a distance.

12:35I'm speaking directly from personal

12:36experience. I'm someone who fought with

12:38drug addiction and relapsed many times

12:40in my life, which has caused many legal

12:41issues.

12:42I know what it's like to be trapped in

12:44the cycle, but I also know that I wanted

12:46to change and I was willing to change. I

12:48wouldn't be standing here today

12:50rebuilding my life without the two key

12:51things that are necessary for recovery,

12:53a strong, solid structure around me and

12:56that willingness to change. Because of

12:58my past, I come here tonight with a deep

13:00deep first-hand understanding of what

13:02people on the streets are actually

13:03facing and what it takes that what it

13:05actually takes to recover.

13:07First, as winter sets in, our warming

13:09centers must have open doors and low

13:11barriers. When temperatures drop below

13:12freezing, a warming shelter's

13:14fundamental job is simple, keep human

13:16beings from freezing to death. When

13:18someone is in with when someone is in an

13:20active crisis, they don't need a

13:21multi-step administration process. They

13:23need immediate warmth, shelter, and

13:24safety. Second, we must tackle the

13:26active drug addiction directly on our

13:28streets. Long-term mental health therapy

13:30and housing programs are critical, but

13:32they cannot hold when someone is

13:34actively in the grips of a severe

13:35addiction. Trying to deliver therapy

13:37without first stabilizing the addiction

13:39is putting the cart before the horse.

13:42When you are trapped in that cycle, you

13:43need immediate structure and targeted

13:45intervention. Once addiction is directly

13:47confronted, recovery, mental health

13:49care, and stable housing can actually

13:51take root and succeed. Bangor needs this

13:53council to lead with urgency. We need

13:55low-barrier emergency beds open

13:57for the for the wintertime,

14:00and we need direct head-on strategies to

14:01tackle the addiction in our community.

14:03Thank you for your time.

14:05>> Thank you.

14:16>> Good evening. My name is Charlie Longo,

14:18and I'm a Bangor resident.

14:20Imagine Bangor tomorrow morning.

14:23A business owner unlocks the door

14:26and finds someone sleeping in their

14:28entryway.

14:29Somewhere else,

14:31somebody wakes up outside with nowhere

14:33to go.

14:35An outreach worker is trying to find

14:36them help.

14:38A police officer may already know their

14:40name.

14:41Their mother may be wondering where they

14:43are.

14:44And across town, a parent wonders

14:47whether they should take their kid to

14:49the park.

14:51Those sound like different stories.

14:53I don't think they are.

14:55I think they're different people

14:57standing around the same problem.

14:59Bangor has good people working hard,

15:02including in this room.

15:04Police, hospitals, shelters, recovery

15:08workers, mental health providers,

15:09prosecutors, and public defenders.

15:12Everybody has a piece of this, but

15:14nobody has the whole picture.

15:16And sometimes the person in crisis is

15:18the one traveling between those pieces.

15:21So, I'm not asking for another program

15:23tonight, and I'm not asking for another

15:26public forum. I realize I'm at a

15:28government meeting asking for another

15:30meeting. That's usually how you end up

15:32with three meetings. Uh so.

15:35But, this one needs to be different. I'm

15:37asking the council to bring the people

15:40responsible for these systems into one

15:42room.

15:43Police, county leadership, the jail, the

15:45courts, hospitals, mental health and

15:46recovery providers, public health, state

15:49agencies, and our legislative

15:51delegation. People who can actually make

15:54decisions.

15:55I'm not particular about the table,

15:57conference table, folding table. If it

15:59wobbles, I'll bring a napkin for the

16:00leg. Uh I just want the right people

16:03sitting around it.

16:05Then, ask some simple questions. Where

16:07does the system break? Who owns that

16:09piece? What can Bangor fix? What does

16:12the county need?

16:14What requires Augusta? And when the

16:16meeting is over, don't just leave with

16:18minutes. Leave with names, costs,

16:21responsibilities, deadlines, specific

16:23requests. Set a date for that first

16:26meeting, and tell the public when to

16:27expect an update. Bangor cannot solve

16:30every piece of this. But, Bangor can get

16:33everybody looking at the same picture

16:35because I don't think the person

16:37sleeping outside and the person

16:38frustrated by what's happening outside

16:41their business are necessarily on

16:42opposite sides. I think both want

16:45something better than this. Somebody has

16:47to bring the pieces together. I'm asking

16:49for Bangor to be the one that does that.

16:51Thank you, and thank you for your

16:52service.

16:54>> Thank you.

17:07Hillary Simmons, resident of Bangor. I'm

17:09here

17:10tonight to explain why Bangor should

17:11support a new jail for Penobscot County

17:13and why this issue deserves serious

17:15attention from our local and county

17:17leaders. Public safety and fiscal

17:20responsibility must go hand in hand.

17:22According to the Penobscot County

17:24Sheriff's Office January 25 needs

17:27assessment, the existing jail was

17:28designed in 1869 has a state rated

17:31capacity of just 157 inmates and has

17:35outdated utilities, lighting, doors,

17:37security system. The assessment also

17:39identified concerns with housing units

17:42and facilities that do not meet the

17:43current Maine Department of Corrections

17:45standards. These are significant

17:47challenges that deserve a long-term

17:49solution. The financial burden is

17:51another major concern. In 2024, the

17:53county's average daily population

17:56included approximately 156 inmates

17:59housed at the local jail

18:01and another 69 boarded out at other

18:03facilities. The reported cost of

18:06boarding those inmates exceeded 2.14

18:09million in one year alone. These figures

18:11demonstrate why county officials need to

18:13examine whether continuing the current

18:15arrangement is fiscally sustainable. The

18:17current proposal calls for a 258 bed

18:21facility with estimated construction

18:23costs ranging from anywhere from 72.7

18:26million to 84.5.

18:29This is a substantial investment, but

18:31the taxpayers deserve to know exactly

18:33what they will receive for that money.

18:35Supporters urge that additional

18:37capacity, modern infrastructure, and

18:39medical services can reduce boarding,

18:41maintenance, and transportation

18:43expenses.

18:45Um we must remember that this is a

18:47regional responsibility. A county jail

18:49serves communities throughout Penobscot

18:51County, not just Bangor. Any funding

18:53arrangements should fairly

18:55be distributed or distribute the burden

18:57and clearly explain how each community

18:59will be affected. A new jail should also

19:02provide appropriate medical and mental

19:04health services along with

19:05rehabilitation opportunities that help

19:08eligible inmates return to their

19:09communities successfully. Building a

19:11facility should be about more than

19:13adding beds. It should be about

19:15improving the overall operation of the

19:17correctional system. Members of the

19:19council and fell and fellow residents

19:21supporting a new jail does not mean

19:23giving a government a blank check. It

19:25means recognizing the problems with the

19:27existing facility while insisting on

19:30transparency, responsible planning, and

19:32measurable results. I urge Bangor

19:34leaders to work constructively with

19:36Penobscot County officials to pursue a

19:39safe, modern, and financially

19:41sustainable correction facility. Our

19:43community members deserve a correctional

19:45system that protects public safety,

19:48respects taxpayers, and plans

19:50responsibly for the future. Thank you.

19:53>> Thank you.

19:58Is there anyone else?

20:03>> [clears throat]

20:04>> Adam Baker, Bangor resident. Uh, all

20:06words are my own and do not reflect any

20:07committee I'm on.

20:09Um, I'm here for a little lighthearted

20:12note, as usual. Um,

20:14I've grown up in Bangor all my life, and

20:17I live right on الواي Street and two

20:20streets from the Standpipe here.

20:22And I think it is a very

20:25precious and iconic uh landmark for

20:28Bangor. And I know we're going through

20:30the school system for myself here. I

20:33know either in fourth or fifth grade at

20:35Fairmount uh school that they took us on

20:37a field trip to the Standpipe. Um, and I

20:41remember just looking out at the view as

20:43a kid and seeing how big Bangor was and

20:45how beautiful it was.

20:47And I realized recently in the years of

20:51um

20:51the tours or the going up in the

20:54um Standpipe was discontinued. And I'm

20:59here just to advocate to bring back

21:01those tours and to bring back that

21:03tourism and just that

21:06the

21:06beauty of Bangor and just seeing that

21:08view, I really want

21:12everybody to experience that the way I

21:14did and just to Yeah, please look into

21:18bring bringing back the tours for the

21:20Thomas uh Stanpipe. Thank you.

21:22>> Thank you.

21:31Okay.

21:33Oh.

21:41>> Good evening. My name is Shay O'Malley.

21:43Um all comments reflect myself and not

21:46any of the several organizations that

21:48I'm affiliated with here in Bangor.

21:50Um I I want to thank everybody here for

21:53all of your service. Um particularly

21:56I know that a lot of you from all sides

21:58get a lot of vitriol from people.

22:01Um personal attacks, threats against

22:03your family. And so I just want to

22:05recognize

22:06the work that you [clears throat] do for

22:07Bangor.

22:08Um and it is appreciated and it is seen.

22:11Uh we had so many great comments here

22:12tonight. Uh and my question is, you

22:15know, do we really believe in redemption

22:17here in Bangor?

22:19Um because I do and I see it every day.

22:21We don't talk about the good news

22:23enough. Somewhere in Bangor today

22:26someone is getting sober. Um many people

22:29are getting sober. Someone is rebuilding

22:32their life from an abusive partner,

22:34building a life for their children. Uh

22:36someone who was kicked out of their home

22:38at 16 is getting their GED.

22:41Um

22:42and uh many people are finding jobs. And

22:45this is happening because we do have

22:47infrastructure here. We do have agencies

22:50here who deliver those services. And I

22:53know because I am a member of

22:55a couple of those agencies. Um

22:59I I the privilege of seeing people go

23:03from the street, um go from a tent in

23:06Dover-Foxcroft where they've lived for

23:07three winters on just a hot water

23:10bottle,

23:11uh into finishing school, into having a

23:13job, into raising a family, into being

23:15productive members of society. So, a lot

23:19of things we have here are working.

23:21There are things obviously that are not

23:24working that need to be done better.

23:26Uh yes, when you look at Davenport Park,

23:28that homelessness is very much uh

23:30related to drug addiction. But, when you

23:32look to the elderly citizen who's in her

23:34car and can't uh can't afford housing

23:37and gas prices,

23:38uh the question was raised in this

23:40council room, who helps that person?

23:42Well,

23:43there are people who do help uh that

23:45person. Uh there are agencies, there are

23:48recovery centers who are there.

23:51Uh and those agencies need support and

23:53they need funding. And they are eager

23:56partners um here to help and here to

24:00deliver redemption to any citizen who

24:02wants it and is willing to make that

24:05change. So, um

24:07don't forget to look at the good news

24:08because there is good news happening

24:10here in the city every day.

24:13Thank you.

24:14>> Thank you.

24:20Big fan, sorry.

24:22Good evening. My name is Katherine

24:23Divine. Uh I'm a citizen of Bangor.

24:27And I do have a happy story because this

24:30November is my 3 years completely sober.

24:34And

24:36uh

24:39I found myself in Skowhegan about 3 and

24:421/2 years ago living exactly how many of

24:45these people are described to be living.

24:48Um couch surfing, even spending some

24:50nights in my car,

24:51uh thinking nothing about my own

24:54personal safety or well-being for the

24:57next day other than getting my next fix.

25:00Uh it wasn't until

25:03April of 2020

25:06three that I went to uh

25:09I'd stopped drinking because of a

25:10dangerous situation that I'd gotten in

25:12November, but I was still struggling to

25:14get back on my feet until April when I

25:16was accepted into a free

25:19program for women called Blessed Hope in

25:21Calvary Chapel.

25:23Um where as I mentioned before, there

25:26are many restrictions and places and

25:29conditions for being there.

25:31Um but I wouldn't have had it them do it

25:32any other way because if I had been

25:34exposed to those substances in that

25:37time, I do not think I would have been

25:38able to remain sober.

25:40Um

25:42and it is the truth for many other

25:44people and I've met so many wonderful

25:46women who have been through that program

25:48and are standing in the same place that

25:49I'm standing now.

25:51Uh I'm expecting my first child, I'm

25:53married, I pay a rent and taxes in the

25:55city.

25:57Uh I shop here.

25:58Unfortunately, I am also a nanny and

26:01working in city of Bangor, but I can't

26:03take my nanny kid to anywhere

26:05uh any public parks or public services

26:08in Bangor because I'm scared he's going

26:10to step on a nail.

26:11Uh so I'll be taking him all the way

26:13down to Winslow to a friend's house

26:16uh or to the surrounding areas.

26:19And

26:21while sometimes the stricter things

26:24seems harsh, it is the best thing for

26:26these people. Um I attribute my sobriety

26:29to the wonderful program of Blessed

26:32Hope, um which if you ever find someone

26:34in need of a place to go, it is free for

26:36women uh and 5 grand for men for an

26:39entire year program uh with a very high

26:42success rate.

26:44And

26:45but I also would tell that to Jesus

26:46Christ because without him I would not

26:48be standing before you.

26:50Uh I have a

26:53political background and what some

26:55people would consider high living, but I

26:56still ended up where I was.

26:59But,

27:01um,

27:03the things that we're suggesting do

27:04work. Uh, the stricter policies, even

27:07sometimes things that we're

27:08uncomfortable with doing. Um,

27:11and it does provide a bed, um, going to

27:14these facilities as well. So, they are

27:16provided with food and shelter.

27:18Um, so, it's just something I'd like as

27:20someone who previously struggled with

27:22addiction for peop- the people to

27:23consider. Thank you.

27:26>> Thank you.

27:27>> Thank you.

27:33>> Okay. Seeing no one else, Madam Clerk.

27:37>> Minutes of Bangor City Council regular

27:39meeting of September 28th, 2026 and

27:41Business and Economic Development

27:43Committee meetings of February 18th,

27:442026 and October 5th, 2026.

27:4826-284

27:49order authorizing the execution of a

27:51municipal quitclaim deed for real estate

27:53located at 117 Buck Street. 26-285

27:58order authorizing the execution of a

28:00municipal quitclaim deed for real estate

28:02located at 137 Main Street.

28:0526-286

28:07order authorizing the execution of a

28:09municipal quitclaim deed for real estate

28:11located at 267 Pine Street.

28:1426-287

28:16order authorizing the appointment of

28:18constables for the year 2026.

28:2026-288

28:22order authorizing the City Manager to

28:24execute a contract with Simserra for

28:26telematic equipment for Public Works

28:29Fleet. 26-289

28:31order authorizing the City Manager to

28:33enter into a design-build contract with

28:36Gordon Contracting Inc. for design and

28:38construction services for the

28:40replacement of a portion of the

28:41Kenduskeag Stream retaining wall.

28:4426-290

28:45order authorizing the City manager to

28:47execute a subcontract with Northern

28:50Light Mayo Hospital in the amount of

28:52$468,197

28:55to provide prevention services in

28:57Piscataquis County as part of the state

28:59of Maine's Maine Prevention Network.

29:0126-291

29:03order, authorizing the city manager to

29:05enter into a contract with Roof Systems

29:08of Maine in the amount of $595,374

29:12for roof renovations. 26-292

29:16order, authorizing the city manager to

29:18enter into a construction contract with

29:20C&C Lynch Excavation LLC for sewer and

29:24stormwater improvements in the amount of

29:25$454,342.

29:31>> Madam Chair, I move for passage for

29:33Council Consent Agenda.

29:35>> Second.

29:36>> The Consent Agenda has been moved and

29:38seconded. Is there any further

29:40discussion?

29:43Any doubt?

29:46The Consent Agenda does have passage.

29:50Referrals to committee and first

29:51reading. Madam Clerk.

29:53>> 26-293

29:55ordinance amending chapter 165 land

29:57development attachment to schedule A

30:00urban developed area to remove floor

30:02area ratio from the downtown development

30:05district first reading and referral to

30:06planning board meeting on October 20th,

30:082026.

30:1026-294

30:12resolve accepting and appropriating

30:14$823,851

30:17for the Nourish ME rural nutrition

30:19education program from the University of

30:21New England first reading.

30:2426-295

30:25resolve accepting and appropriating up

30:28to $6,000 from Johns Hopkins University

30:31as partners on a National Institutes for

30:33Health Arise Grant to increase access to

30:36prep. First reading and referral to

30:38Government Operations Committee meeting

30:40on October 19th, 2026.

30:44>> Move these items be referred.

30:46>> Second.

30:48>> These items have been referred and

30:50seconded to be referred back to

30:52committee. Is there any discussion?

30:55Any doubt?

30:57It will be referred.

31:00No one finished business.

31:04New business.

31:06Public hearing application for special

31:08amusement license of 471 Stillwater

31:10Avenue doing business as Bogey's, 471

31:13Stillwater Avenue. Councillor Beck.

31:15>> Thank you Madam Clerk. Madam Chair, I

31:17move that we open the public hearing for

31:18the application for special amusement

31:20license of 471 Stillwater Avenue doing

31:23business as Bogey's, 471 Stillwater

31:25Avenue.

31:26>> Second.

31:28>> The

31:30public hearing is open for Bogey's, 471

31:33Stillwater Avenue.

31:37>> Seeing no one approach, I move we close

31:39the public hearing.

31:40>> Second.

31:46>> Seeing no one approach,

31:49the public hearing will be closed.

31:51>> Madam Chair, I move approval of the

31:53application for special amusement

31:55license of 471 Stillwater Avenue doing

31:58business as Bogey's, 471 Stillwater

32:00Avenue.

32:01>> Second.

32:03>> So moved and seconded for passage of the

32:05special amusement license of 471

32:07Stillwater Avenue for Bogey's.

32:14Public hearing application for special

32:15amusement license of HC Bangor LLC doing

32:18business as Hollywood Casino Hotel

32:20Raceway, 500 Main Street. Councillor

32:22Beck.

32:23>> Thank you Madam Clerk. Madam Chair, I

32:25move we open the public hearing for the

32:27application for special amusement

32:28license of HC Bangor LLC doing business

32:31as Hollywood Casino Hotel Raceway, 500

32:34Main Street.

32:35>> Second.

32:37>> The application has been moved and

32:38seconded for special amusement license,

32:41Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway.

32:48>> Seeing no one approach, I move we close

32:50the public hearing.

32:51>> Second.

32:54>> I'm moved and seconded to close the

32:56public hearing for Hollywood Casino

32:57Hotel and Raceway.

33:00>> Madam Chair, I move uh approval of the

33:02application for special amusement

33:04license of HC Bangor LLC doing business

33:07as Hollywood Casino Hotel Raceway, 500

33:10Main Street.

33:11>> Second.

33:12>> The application for special amusement

33:14license of HC Bangor LLC doing business

33:17as Hollywood Casino Hotel Raceway, 500

33:20Main Street uh does have passage.

33:30>> 26-296

33:31order authorizing the appointment of

33:33student election clerks for the November

33:353rd, 2026 election. Councilor Maller.

33:40>> This order will uh

33:43Again. This order will authorize the

33:45appointment of student election clerks

33:47for the November 3rd, 2026 election.

33:51Maine law governs governing elections

33:53allows municipal offices to appoint

33:55residents of the municipality

33:58or county that are 16 years of age or

34:00older who are conditionally registered

34:03to vote to serve as election clerks.

34:07Bangor High School government class has

34:08volunteered to assist at the polls on

34:10November 3rd.

34:12This will provide a great opportunity

34:14for the students to learn about the

34:16various duties involved with an election

34:19as well as the laws that govern the

34:21administration of an election.

34:23I move passage of order 26-296.

34:28>> Second.

34:32>> Order 26-296

34:34has been moved and seconded. Is there

34:36any further discussion?

34:40Any doubt?

34:43Seeing none, the order has passage.

34:47And that is the end of the agenda.

34:54So, let's see. Where do we want to

34:56start?

34:57Councilor Carson.

34:59>> Thank you, Madam Chair.

35:01Um okay, I think I have to do four

35:03things for this. Um so, first, I do want

35:06to thank everybody that comes in and

35:08continues to comment on city business,

35:11um whether you do that here, whether

35:13that's through email, sending us text

35:15messages, finding us in the streets. I

35:17certainly appreciate all of it. Um I I I

35:21do maintain a difficult schedule, and so

35:23I don't always get to respond to

35:25everybody, but I promise you I

35:26absolutely read everything.

35:29Um and so, just want to continue that

35:31appreciation. I also just want to shout

35:34out that we are going into the cold

35:36season, and so if you have not yet had

35:38the opportunity to check on your smoke

35:40detectors at your home, your carbon

35:43monoxide detectors, your furnace, your

35:45boiler, to take the opportunity to

35:48remember to do that as we approach cold

35:51weather because your life matters.

35:54I want to appreciate the business and

35:57economic development team community and

36:00team. Uh last week I had the

36:02pleasure of attending the Maine

36:04Municipal Association's 90th annual

36:07convention. And throughout that

36:08convention, there were a number of

36:10um breakout workshops presented by a

36:12number of municipalities on topics

36:15ranging from, you know, municipal fraud

36:17events that occur, which was a really

36:19great uh workshop. But I had the

36:21opportunity at the end of the first day

36:23to attend a workshop on the tools

36:25available to municipalities

36:27around housing.

36:29Land development code, different laws

36:32that have come through that we're

36:34working on implementing and I just

36:35wanted to shout out that team director

36:38Krieg and all of the staff there who

36:40really just did a fantastic job

36:43presenting the tools that are available

36:44to municipalities and doing that in a

36:47way where it wasn't like look at Bangor,

36:49look at the you know how great we are,

36:51but just these are examples of tools

36:53that are available

36:55to you out there. And then of course I

36:58will be away at the end of this month so

37:00I do have to do this now,

37:02but to my good friends counselor Dean

37:05and counselor Fish who will not be

37:07joining us in the next session.

37:11I have appreciated the opportunity of

37:13being to work getting to work alongside

37:15both of you, learning from both of you,

37:19sharing jokes and laughing and having

37:21difficult conversations and I certainly

37:24I'm going to miss both of you being

37:26here. I hope that you will keep in touch

37:29and that we will be friends and I want

37:31to thank you for your service to the

37:33city and to the people of Bangor and I

37:36wish you the best in whatever comes next

37:38for both of you. Thank you and good

37:40night.

37:43>> Councilor Betts.

37:45Um

37:48I just want to say my my heart's with

37:50the family that was affected by the fire

37:52this morning.

37:54You know losing someone to the fire and

37:57all of the tragedy that comes with that.

37:59It's unspeakable, unimaginable and I

38:01just want that family to know that you

38:03know my thoughts and my prayers are with

38:05them. Good night Bangor.

38:08>> Councilor Dean.

38:10Hello Bangor.

38:12I want to thank you for your kind words

38:14counselor Carson. I've had the pleasure

38:16of sitting next to you at many committee

38:18meetings and I feel we've had quite a

38:20bit of fun despite all the challenges we

38:22faced. And I will also miss you, wish

38:25you well, and very pleased that you have

38:27joined this council.

38:29I also want to thank Suzette Ferrar for

38:31bringing to light the fact that October

38:33is Dyslexia Awareness Month. I was not

38:36aware of that. I will be particularly

38:38interested in bringing that to a few of

38:40my friends who do suffer from dyslexia

38:43and have had challenges in the past and

38:44have made it through this life very

38:46well. Um and I I just um

38:50I'm sorry that I didn't know that it was

38:52uh Dyslexia Awareness Month, but now

38:54that I do, I'm not sure what I'll do

38:55with it, but it's it's up there. Thank

38:57you.

38:58And with that, I will say thank you for

38:59everyone who's turned out tonight, and

39:02good night, Bangor.

39:04Councilor Leonard.

39:07>> I'll just do a quick PSA. Uh there are a

39:10lot of people from away that are here to

39:13witness the peak foliage of the uh

39:15autumn season right now, so just be

39:18aware that there is an increased amount

39:19of traffic on the roads, and uh be uh uh

39:23cognizant of your surroundings. You

39:26know, those people from Massachusetts,

39:28they just don't know how to drive. I

39:29don't know what can we say. Uh good

39:31night, Bangor.

39:33>> Councilor Fish.

39:36>> Uh thank you, Councilor Carson. I've

39:38enjoyed getting to know you this year in

39:40our many chats, um and your humor, and

39:43thanks for bringing a little light,

39:44which we need sometimes at council. Uh

39:47I've enjoyed it very much, and I look

39:48forward to watching you for the next few

39:50years, and thank you.

39:51Um I also want to shout out to um the

39:54people that are watching tonight, um the

39:57elderly that sometimes have a habit of

39:59being too proud to reach out for help,

40:01that may not have heat, and may be on

40:04the brink of perhaps themselves being

40:06homeless. Um and our homeless that are

40:09out on the street, we're we're cognizant

40:11of them, and we're working on trying to

40:13provide um

40:14uh warming shelters for them. There's a

40:16lot of outreach for them. But I really

40:19also worry about our elderly that just

40:21are from a different generation and they

40:23don't They're They're hidden. They're in

40:25their homes. They're They're not seen

40:27and a lot of them are lonely and don't

40:29have people checking on them. So,

40:31please, if you're listening, call

40:33somebody. Go to your neighbor. Call the

40:35city. Call someone. There can be help

40:37out there for you. So, um I'm very

40:40concerned as the weather does get colder

40:43and

40:44to also kind of piggyback on counselor

40:48Leonard's comment, I have seen so many

40:50people drive through stop signs this

40:53past couple of weeks on the tree

40:54streets. I mean, I I I I expect it now

40:57every day and they're just oblivious and

41:00how many wrong-way drivers have we

41:02found? So, uh

41:04just try to pay attention out there,

41:06people. We need We need your safe. And

41:08with that, good night, Bangor.

41:10Councilor Maller.

41:12Good night, Bangor.

41:15Councilor Walker.

41:16Good night, Bangor.

41:18Councilor Flagg. Thank you.

41:20Uh thank you everyone who showed up and

41:23especially to everyone who had something

41:25really positive to say because we don't

41:27hear enough positive things and I know

41:28there are some issues and we do need to

41:30hear that stuff, but it's nice to hear

41:31the positive stuff. Um and I just want

41:34to mention um counselor Leonard

41:36mentioned the foliage. I flew into

41:39Bangor International Airport just a

41:41couple hours ago and the foliage was

41:44spectacular. So, uh if you you know, get

41:47a chance to get out and see it, um I

41:50highly encourage it cuz it is gorgeous.

41:52And then it also reminded me that there

41:54are so many exciting things going on at

41:56the airport and that's such an asset to

41:58our city. It was bustling. Like the the

42:01airport was packed. They've um expanded

42:04over into the international area and

42:06that whole area was bustling as well and

42:09I just you know, the um Jose uh and

42:13everyone at the airport has just done

42:14such a great job growing that and that's

42:18such an asset to our city. Um, and with

42:21that I guess I'll just say good night

42:22Bangor.

42:24>> Thank you all for joining. It is 7:41

42:29and we are adjourned. Good night.

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