Bangor council extends public comment, approves airport checkpoint funds

Bangor city councilors voted 5-4 to expand general public comment to up to 60 minutes at the start of meetings, with the chair retaining discretion over time limits. Most of the meeting's public comment period drew residents and advocates urging the city not to sweep a homeless encampment near the railroad tracks before a Dec. 19 deadline. The council also approved a $16.4 million passenger facility charge appropriation for a TSA checkpoint project at Bangor International Airport and extended the Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee through June 30, 2026.

Key points

• Councilors voted 5-4 to amend the public comment policy, allowing up to 60 minutes of general comment at the start of meetings; Beck, Carson, Leonard, Walker and Hawes voted yes, while Deane, Faloon, Fish and Mallar voted no.
• Roughly two dozen speakers addressed the council on homelessness, most opposing the planned Dec. 19 sweep of the railroad tracks encampment and urging more time and a plan; some speakers opposed a sanctioned encampment, and others supported one.
• The council approved Resolve 26-026 accepting and appropriating $16,449,413 in passenger facility charge funds to expand and relocate the TSA screening checkpoint at Bangor International Airport.
• The council approved special amusement license applications for Timber Kitchen and Bar at 22 Bass Park Boulevard and for Bev Inc., doing business as Hilton Garden Inn at 250 Haskell Road, with no public comment offered at either hearing.
• The council extended the Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee through June 30, 2026, to let it finish scoring grant applications and make funding recommendations; City Manager Lear said recommendations should come to the council in January.
• Councilors Walker and Beck pushed for another meeting or workshop on the encampment before the Dec. 19 deadline, and several councilors thanked residents for speaking.

Next steps

• The encampment will be discussed at Monday's committee meetings next week, according to City Manager Carollynn Lear.
• The Opioid Settlement Funds Advisory Committee will score grant applications and bring recommendations to the council, expected in January, followed by a wrap-up report.
• Councilor Walker said she remains in favor of bringing back a Zoom option for public participation.
• Staff will follow up with resident Richard Chaucer about notes he submitted during public comment.

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