Bangor meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Bangor Council to vote on $11M sewer bonds, Project HOPE funding

The Bangor City Council will hold public hearings and vote Monday on two sewer infrastructure financing measures totaling more than $11 million, plus a resolution to fund Project HOPE, a housing navigation program for people experiencing homelessness. The council also will consider a credit enhancement agreement for a 30-unit supportive housing project at 205 Corporate Drive. No decisions have been made yet; all recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published.

Sewer bonds and Project HOPE

The council will vote on a $4,455,000 general obligation bond for the KMart Pump Station and sewer/CSO improvements, and a $6,575,000 loan from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank for the Perry Road Pump Station replacement and sewer work. Both are on the Aug. 24 agenda. The council also will consider accepting up to $300,000 from MaineHousing with a $126,000 match from Bangor Opioid Settlement funds for Project HOPE, which aims to serve 90 individuals and place 45 into stable housing in its pilot year.

Supportive housing TIF and credit agreement

The council will hold public hearings on creating a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and a Credit Enhancement Agreement for 30 units of supportive housing at 205 Corporate Drive, with a proposed 75% return of real estate taxes over 30 years. The project is by Bangor Housing Development Corporation. The council previously considered these orders on Aug. 10 and will reconsider them at a special meeting on Aug. 17. A separate workshop on Aug. 10 discussed a similar TIF for the Yellen Pines affordable housing project, with staff recommending a 75% credit agreement over 30 years, down from the 100% requested.

Other recent meetings

• **Aug. 10 School Committee**: Approved student handbooks, financial reports, personnel nominations, and a revised substitute compensation policy. Introduced revised policies on special education child find and child abuse reporting.
• **Aug. 13 Historic Preservation Commission**: Reviewed two facade changes in the Main Street Historic District, including brick veneer and service windows at 73 Main Street and window/door replacements at 139 Main Street.
• **Aug. 14 Bangor Livable Communities**: Heard a scam-prevention presentation from Alexandria Poulin of Cloud Security Partners.
• **Aug. 17 Business & Economic Development Committee**: Considered a third lease amendment with Hannaford Bros. Co. for city-owned office space at 39 Florida Avenue, reducing leased space from 2,579 to about 1,600 square feet and lowering annual rent from $36,792 to $23,553.49.
• **Aug. 17 Finance Committee**: Reviewed four purchases totaling about $403,437, including a fuel dispenser ($32,650), deicer flowmeter ($34,380.36), ranger vehicle ($48,624), and traffic signal improvements ($287,782). Also reviewed the two sewer bond orders.
• **Aug. 17 Government Operations Committee**: Discussed a potential $80,000 appropriation to The Together Place to cover a shortfall threatening its Peer Services and 2nd Street Diner programs, and received an ARPA distribution update showing $13,064,466 of $20,478,297 disbursed as of June 30.
• **Aug. 18 Planning Board**: Considered a 62-unit residential development on Grandview Avenue and a 22-lot cluster subdivision at 375 Pushaw Road.
• **Aug. 19 City Council Workshop**: Toured the wastewater treatment plant and reviewed draft changes to City Council Guidelines.

Upcoming meetings

• **Aug. 24 City Council Workshop**: Discussion of Yellen Pines credit agreement terms and an Ethics Board advisory opinion finding Councilor Mallar violated ethics code sections 33-1 and 33-5.1 for comments made on March 31, 2026. The council may decide whether to conduct its own investigation.
• **Aug. 24 City Council** (regular): Vote on sewer bonds, Project HOPE, and consent items including quitclaim deeds and a police forfeiture acceptance.
• **Aug. 25 Advisory Committee on Homelessness**: Review a Day Center RFP (Proposal No. P26-63) for a low-barrier day space, and discuss three community-submitted plans including The Bangor Opportunity Plan.
• **Aug. 25 Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights**: Discuss naming the Mansfield Stadium baseball field as "Ron St. Pierre Field" and review changes to the city's naming policy.

All meetings are open to the public; agendas and minutes are available on the city's website.

Council to reconsider 30-year tax break for 30-unit supportive housing project

The Bangor City Council will hold a special meeting Monday to reconsider its votes on a tax increment financing (TIF) district and credit enhancement agreement for a 30-unit supportive housing project at 205 Corporate Drive. The proposal would return 75% of property taxes to the developer for 30 years. The meeting is limited to this reconsideration item.

Affordable housing TIF

The council will revisit Council Orders 26-242 and 26-243, which authorize the credit enhancement agreement and creation of an affordable housing TIF district for the project by Bangor Housing Development Corporation. A public hearing is required under Maine Statute §5250-A. The project would construct 30 units of supportive housing.

At an Aug. 10 workshop, staff recommended a 75% credit agreement over 30 years, down from the 100% originally requested. The council also compared TIF investments in Augusta, Lewiston, Portland, and Sanford.

Sewer and infrastructure

The Finance Committee will review two sewer infrastructure bond orders totaling $11,030,000: $4,455,000 for the Kmart Pump Station and $6,575,000 for the Perry Road Pump Station replacement. The committee will also consider four purchases totaling about $403,437, including a fuel dispenser from Gaftek, Inc. for $32,650, a deicer flowmeter from Global Ground Support for $34,380.36, a ranger vehicle from Quirk Ford for $48,624, and a Broadway/Stillwater signal improvements contract with Dagle Electrical Construction Corp. for $287,782.

Other committee business

Last week, committees met to discuss a range of items, though no minutes have been published yet. The Business & Economic Development Committee reviewed a Bangor Housing Authority TIF application and discussed regulations for keeping chickens in residential zones. The Finance Committee reviewed contracts including a $370,000 sewer earthwork project and a $230,940 SAN disk storage array. The Government Operations Committee discussed a proposed $125,000 city match for MaineHousing's Project Hope and an ARPA update showing $13,064,466 of $20,478,297 disbursed as of June 30. The Downtown Parking Advisory Committee reviewed revenue projections of $454,644 to $528,882 annually from 20 new parking meters and a proposed increase in parking citation fees from $15 to $25.

The Planning Board will meet Tuesday to consider two major subdivisions: a 62-unit residential development on Grandview Avenue (14 single-family homes plus two 24-unit multifamily buildings) and a 22-lot cluster subdivision at 375 Pushaw Road with 15.5 acres of open space deeded to the city.

The Government Operations Committee will also discuss a potential $80,000 appropriation to The Together Place to cover a shortfall threatening its Peer Services and 2nd Street Diner programs, and a proposal to accept $300,000 from MaineHousing with a $126,000 local match for Project HOPE, a housing navigation program.

Coming up

• **Monday, Aug. 17** – Special City Council meeting to reconsider 205 Corporate Drive TIF and credit agreement; Finance Committee; Business & Economic Development Committee (Hannaford lease amendment); Government Operations Committee.
• **Tuesday, Aug. 18** – Planning Board: Grandview Avenue and Pushaw Road subdivisions.
• **Wednesday, Aug. 19** – City Council Workshop: tour of Wastewater Treatment Plant and review of council guidelines.

Bangor Council to weigh sewer contract, housing tax break; no decisions yet published

The Bangor City Council is set to consider a $933,000 sewer construction contract and a 30-year, 75% property tax break for a 30-unit supportive housing project at 205 Corporate Drive. No decisions from recent meetings have been published yet, as minutes for all meetings held in the past two weeks are still pending. The most consequential items are on the agenda for the council's Aug. 10 meeting.

Sewer infrastructure and housing

The council will hold public hearings and vote on creating a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and a Credit Enhancement Agreement with the Bangor Housing Development Corporation for 30 units of supportive housing at 205 Corporate Drive. The agreement would return 75% of real estate taxes to the developer for 30 years. The same meeting includes first readings of two sewer-related financing orders: a $4,455,000 general obligation bond for the KMart Pump Station and sewer improvements, and a $6,575,000 State Revolving Fund loan for the Perry Road Pump Station replacement and sewer work.

Earlier, on July 27, the council discussed a $933,000 construction contract with DBU Construction, Inc. for sewer improvements under I-95 using horizontal directional drilling. That contract is also on the Aug. 10 agenda for approval.

A separate workshop on Aug. 10 will continue discussion of a TIF for the Yellen Pines affordable housing project, with staff recommending a 75% credit agreement over 30 years, down from the 100% requested.

Ethics and personnel

The Board of Ethics is scheduled to approve written findings regarding Councilor Wayne Mallar's March 31, 2026 remarks. The board previously found that Mallar violated ethics codes on impartial conduct and unbiased behavior. The council will also consider an ordinance to establish a 120-day response deadline for the Board of Ethics, and amendments to the city ethics code.

The Aug. 10 council agenda includes confirmation of the fire chief appointment, though no name is listed in the available materials.

Finance and contracts

The Finance Committee reviewed multiple equipment and service contracts totaling over $1.3 million. Items include a $230,940 SAN disk storage array for the IT department from Vinebrook Ventures, LLC; two used detective vehicles from Quirk Hyundai of Bangor for $54,411; two patrol vehicles from Quirk Ford for $92,234; and $370,000 in earthwork and directional drill support for the Penjajawoc sewer I-95 crossing from Sargent Corp. A golf course equipment lease from MTE Equipment Solutions was listed at $42,038.92 per year.

Homelessness and housing

The Advisory Committee on Homelessness reviewed data showing 362 individuals without a home in the January 2026 Point-in-Time count, a housing shortage requiring nearly 1,800 units by 2032, and FY2024 program data serving 1,514 households. The committee also discussed a potential $125,000 city match for MaineHousing's Project Hope. The Aug. 10 council agenda includes accepting up to $300,000 from MaineHousing with a $126,000 opioid settlement match for Project HOPE housing navigators.

Other items

The Downtown Parking Advisory Committee discussed converting some on-street spaces to 15-minute parking, installing 20 parking meters with projected annual revenue of $454,644 to $528,882, and raising parking citation fees from $15 to $25. The BanAir Board of Directors voted on reducing board membership from 11 to 8, establishing a quorum of 5, and authorizing the Executive Manager to approve expenditures up to $25,000. The Historic Preservation Commission will review facade changes at 73 and 139 Main Street on Aug. 13.

Coming up

• **Aug. 10** – City Council regular meeting and workshop: sewer bonds, TIF hearings, Project HOPE funding, fire chief confirmation.
• **Aug. 11** – Advisory Committee on Homelessness: public comment forum (1.5 hours) and facilitator RFP update.
• **Aug. 13** – Historic Preservation Commission: certificates of appropriateness for 73 and 139 Main Street.
• **Aug. 14** – Bangor Livable Communities: scam-prevention presentation by Alexandria Poulin of Cloud Security Partners.

Bangor Council Agenda Included $933,000 Sewer Contract and Supportive Housing TIF; Minutes Not Yet Published

Bangor's City Council was scheduled July 27 to act on a $933,000 sewer construction contract and a tax increment financing district for 30 units of supportive housing at 205 Corporate Drive. However, minutes for that meeting and all other recent city meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes cannot be confirmed from the available record.

City Council — July 27

The council agenda listed several consequential items for action:

• A construction contract with DBU Construction, Inc. for $933,000.00 to horizontally directional drill under I-95 for sewer improvements, funded through ARPA.
• An order to create a Tax Increment Financing District for Affordable Housing on a portion of 205 Corporate Drive, paired with a Credit Enhancement Agreement with Bangor Housing Development Corporation. The agreement would return 75% of real estate taxes for 30 years.
• An order authorizing a collective bargaining agreement with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 714 for transit drivers.
• An order to find Councilor Wayne Mallar violated three provisions of the City's Ethics Code.
• An ordinance establishing a 120-day response deadline for the Board of Ethics.
• Public hearings for Special Amusement Licenses for Barliman's (2 Hammond Street) and American Cruise Lines, Inc. (Bangor Wharf).

A separate council workshop the same day included executive sessions on a Public Works fleet maintenance contract, a KRT Appraisal reassessment contract, and a TIF application for real property acquisition.

Finance Committee — July 20

The Finance Committee agenda included authorization of a $933,000 contract for the Penjajawoc Sewer I-95 Crossing, awarded to DBU Construction Inc. (ARPA funded), and the Odlin Road Sidewalk Project with a municipal share of $154,387.50, awarded to LZT Services (total $308,775). The committee was also set to consider waiving the bid process for a Water Quality Management Capacity Study and authorizing a $25,000 capacity study for the Outer Hammond Street area.

Planning Board — July 21

The Planning Board agenda featured a Land Development Permit application for 62 residential units — 14 single-family and 48 multifamily — on Grandview Ave (Map-Lot R41-023-A). The board was also scheduled to discuss potential data center regulations following an April 180-day moratorium, adopt findings for 557 Stillwater Avenue, 200 & 210 State Street, and Milford Street Extension, and review board by-laws and Land Use Plan updates.

Business & Economic Development Committee — July 20

This committee's agenda included a continued Land Development Code discussion on data centers, an update on sustainability projects covering energy audits and fleet electrification, an update on the long-term rental registry pilot program, and a presentation from University of Maine–Orono students on economic-development projects. An executive session was scheduled for the acquisition of real property under M.R.S.A. §405(6)(C).

Advisory Committee on Homelessness — July 28

The committee was scheduled to elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary and review city staff data on homelessness. Agenda items included the January 2026 Point-in-Time Count reporting 362 individuals with no home, a discussion of a housing shortage requiring nearly 1,800 units by 2032, and a review of FY2024 program data serving 1,514 households.

Board of Ethics — July 28

The Board of Ethics agenda included approval of written findings of fact regarding Councilor Wayne Mallar's March 31, 2026 remarks, a review of procedural rules, and approval of June 30, 2026 meeting minutes.

Coming Up

• **Aug. 3 — Finance Committee:** Multiple equipment and vehicle purchases totaling over $1.3 million, including $230,940 for IT storage, $370,000 for Penjajawoc sewer earthwork, $54,411 for two used detective vehicles, $92,234 for two patrol vehicles, and a $42,038.92 annual golf course equipment lease.
• **Aug. 3 — Government Operations Committee:** Proposed $125,000 city match for MaineHousing's Project Hope; ARPA update showing $13,064,466 of $20,478,297 in awarded funds disbursed as of June 30, 2026.
• **Aug. 3 — Business & Economic Development Committee:** Bangor Housing Authority TIF application and a discussion on regulations for keeping chickens in residential zoning districts.
• **Aug. 5 — BanAir Board of Directors:** Votes on reducing board membership from 11 to 8, setting a quorum of 5, and authorizing the Executive Manager to approve expenditures up to $25,000.
• **Aug. 6 — Downtown Parking Advisory Committee:** Revenue projections for 20 on-street parking meters ranging from $454,644 to $528,882 annually, and a proposal to raise parking citation fees from $15 to $25.
• **Aug. 7 — Commission on Cultural Development:** Pickering Square art display policy and a $30,000 Arts and Culture Strategy Plan budget from the Downtown TIF.

All recent meeting outcomes remain unconfirmed because minutes have not been published. Readers should consult the city's official agendas and minutes for verified results.

Bangor committees weigh airport contracts, housing grants, and property sales; outcomes pending

Bangor's city committees and councils had a packed two weeks of meetings starting July 6, but as of publication, minutes have not been published for any of them. What follows is based on the published agendas — residents should watch for minutes to confirm what was actually voted on.

Airport contracts and lease renewal

The Finance Committee was scheduled to vote July 6 on three airport maintenance contracts totaling roughly $464,000: HVAC replacement for Building 700 at Bangor International Airport, awarded to AAA Energy Service Co. for $206,057; fire suppression and alarm systems maintenance to Siemens Industry Inc. for $156,051.51; and passenger boarding bridge and baggage handling system maintenance to Vanderlande Industries Inc. for $102,013.

The Business & Economic Development Committee was set to review a proposed five-year lease renewal with Varney Aviation for hangar space at Building #457, at $2,523.53 per month, with CPI or 3.5% escalation. That committee also planned an executive session to discuss acquisition of two undisclosed real properties.

Housing and public health funding

The Government Operations Committee agenda included several large funding items: ratification of a $30,000 John T. Gorman Foundation grant for housing stabilization, appropriation of $1,869,733 from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for the Maine Prevention Network, and acceptance of a $1,144,879 HUD grant for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program. The committee was also scheduled to review a lease agreement with Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at 103 Texas Avenue for public health office space, and a proposed Ethics Ordinance amendment.

City Council: property sales and ethics

The City Council's July 13 consent agenda listed the sale of 45 Allen Street to Rent 207 Properties, LLC for $60,000 and 299 Essex Street to Tong Lu for $35,000, plus authorization to accept $6,440 in state criminal forfeiture funds and apply for the John T. Gorman Foundation housing stabilization grant. A first reading of an ordinance amending the city's Code of Ethics was also scheduled.

A separate City Council Workshop the same day was set to consider the Ethics Board's decision on Councilor Wayne Mallar's actions, referenced as CO 25-282, along with a presentation on the 4PortLoop event by Mr. Dick Campbell and three executive sessions covering an ATU contract, a consultation with the City Solicitor, and the City Manager's evaluation.

Planning, historic district, parks, and trees

The Planning Board was scheduled July 7 to consider amending land development codes for manufactured home parks and review permits for a shopping center at 557 Stillwater Avenue, a minor subdivision at 200 & 210 State Street, and a 41-unit apartment building at Milford Street Extension.

The Historic Preservation Commission was set to vote July 9 on a Certificate of Appropriateness for a black-and-white striped awning at 30 Central Street (Paloma Gifts) in the Great Fire Historic District.

The Parks, Recreation & Harbor Advisory Committee planned to finalize its mission statement and review the Brown Woods Master Plan. The Tree Board reviewed second-quarter forestry statistics, including Emerald Ash Borer injections for 431 trees and preventive pruning of approximately 900 trees along 23 miles of roads.

The Advisory Committee on Homelessness met July 14 for legal and ethics training and to discuss its mission, with a mandate to create a data-driven strategic plan within 12 months. The School Committee met July 15 to consider teacher nominations and reassignments for the 2026-2027 school year.

Coming up

• **July 20, Finance Committee:** Scheduled to authorize a $933,000 contract with DBU Construction Inc. for the Penjajawoc Sewer I-95 Crossing (ARPA funded) and a $154,387.50 municipal share for the Odlin Road Sidewalk Project with LZT Services (total $308,775). Also considering a sole-source exemption for a Water Quality Management Capacity Study and a $25,000 capacity study for the Outer Hammond Street area.
• **July 20, City Council Workshop:** Two executive sessions — one consulting the City Solicitor on council rights and duties, the other for the City Manager evaluation. No formal decisions listed.
• **July 20, Business & Economic Development Committee:** Continued discussion of data center land development code items, updates on sustainability projects and the long-term rental registry pilot, a University of Maine student presentation, and an executive session on real property acquisition.
• **July 21, Planning Board:** Review of a 62-unit residential project on Grandview Avenue (14 single-family, 48 multifamily), continued discussion of potential data center regulations following an April 180-day moratorium, and adoption of findings for several prior permits.

Bangor committees weigh $3M in housing and public health grants, airport contracts

Bangor's council committees were scheduled this week to review more than $3 million in housing and public health funding, roughly $464,000 in airport maintenance contracts, and a proposed five-year hangar lease at Bangor International Airport. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so final outcomes are not confirmed.

Government Operations: Housing and Public Health Grants

The Government Operations Committee was set to review three large funding items on July 6:

• **$1,869,733** appropriation from DHHS for the Maine Prevention Network.
• **$1,144,879** HUD grant for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program.
• **$30,000** John T. Gorman Foundation grant for housing stabilization.

The committee was also scheduled to review a lease agreement with Bangor Nursing Rehabilitation Center at 103 Texas Avenue and a proposed Ethics Ordinance Amendment.

Finance Committee: Airport Contracts

The Finance Committee was scheduled to vote on three airport maintenance contracts totaling approximately $464,000:

• **$206,057** — HVAC replacement for Building 700, awarded to AAA Energy Service Co.
• **$156,051.51** — fire suppression and alarm systems maintenance, awarded to Siemens Industry Inc.
• **$102,013** — passenger boarding bridge and baggage handling system maintenance, awarded to Vanderlande Industries Inc.

Funding would come from the FY26 and FY27 budgets, with a reallocation for the HVAC project.

Business & Economic Development: Hangar Lease and AI Hub

The Business & Economic Development Committee was scheduled to review a proposed five-year lease renewal with Varney Aviation for hangar space at Building #457, Bangor International Airport, at $2,523.53 per month with a CPI or 3.5% escalation clause.

The committee also planned to review economic development partnerships with Venture Forward/Roux Institute and an AI Hub initiative, and to enter executive session to discuss acquisition of two undisclosed real properties.

Planning Board: Housing and Subdivision Permits

The Planning Board was set to consider amendments to the Land Development Code for manufactured home parks, plus three land development permits:

• Planned Group Development permit for 557 Stillwater Avenue.
• Minor Subdivision permit for 200 & 210 State Street.
• Major Site Development permit for a 41-unit building at Milford Street Extension.

The board was also scheduled to adopt findings for 205 Corporate Drive.

Ethics Board: Councilor Mallar Live-Mic Remarks

The Board of Ethics held meetings on June 29 and June 30 to consider an advisory opinion on Council Order CO 26-152, regarding City Councilor Mallar's remarks captured on a live microphone on March 31, 2026. The agenda included a public hearing, review of voluntary statements and records, and motions on each question referred in the Council Order. Minutes are not yet published.

Other Meetings

• **BanAir Board of Directors** (July 1): Discussed financial status, future direction, and recruitment of additional board members.
• **Commission on Cultural Development** (July 1): Reviewed a fully expended **$3,000** city grant to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra for its Music & Wellness Chamber Music Series, which included four public concerts at Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness and Husson University's Gracie Theatre. Background materials for a new city Arts and Culture Strategy Plan were also on the agenda.
• **Historic Preservation Commission** (July 9): Scheduled to vote on a Certificate of Appropriateness for a black-and-white striped awning at 30 Central Street (Paloma Gifts) in the Great Fire Historic District.
• **Parks, Recreation & Harbor Advisory Committee** (July 9): Set to review a final mission statement draft, an initial overview of the Brown Woods Master Plan, and an update on the Essex Woods Management Plan.

Coming Up

• **School Committee** — July 15: Teacher nominations and reassignments for the 2026-2027 school year, facilities update, and reports on dropout prevention and United Technology Center.
• **Tree Board** — July 15: Plans to inject 431 trees against Emerald Ash Borer in spring/summer 2026, timber harvesting updates for Rolland Perry City Forest and Twining Pit, and preventive pruning of approximately 900 trees along 23 miles of roads.

Bangor meeting roundup: Council agendas list property sales, airport contract; minutes not yet published

Bangor's City Council, School Committee, and several advisory boards met in late June and early July, but minutes have not yet been published for any of those sessions, so final outcomes are not available. Agendas show the council was scheduled to act on property sales totaling $57,200, a $280,645 airport software contract, and a $10,000 state housing grant.

City Council (June 22)

The regular meeting agenda included consent items: sale of 117 Fourth Street to Shannon D. Gallant Smith for $7,200; sale of 45 Allen Street to Todd Latlippe for $50,000; a temporary land lease to General Electric for two lots near Griffin Road and Maine Avenue at $2,833 and $3,652 monthly; and a waiver of bid for a $280,645 contract for X-1 FBO software at Bangor International Airport. First readings were scheduled on an ordinance allowing flexible development standards for manufactured home parks existing as of January 1, 2026, and on an ordinance to expand the Legislative Committee's duties. The agenda also listed acceptance of a $10,000 state housing grant and appointment of Jeffrey Courtney as Information Technology Director.

A separate council workshop agenda included executive sessions on the ICE ordinance and on Councilor Wayne Mallar's actions during an August 14, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission meeting, plus review of an ethics board decision related to CO 25-282.

Board of Ethics (June 30)

The Board of Ethics was scheduled to hold a public hearing and deliberate on an advisory opinion regarding Councilor Mallar's remarks captured on a live microphone on March 31, 2026 (Council Referral CO 26-152). The agenda included review of voluntary statements, records from public agencies, and motions on each question referred in the council order.

School Committee (June 24)

The agenda listed an action item on forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, second readings of revised policies on student cell phone use (Policy JICJ) and student code of conduct (Policy JIC), the May 2026 financial report, new teacher nominations for 2026-2027, and a strategic planning draft analysis presentation.

Other committees

• **Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights (June 23):** review of a draft Language Access Plan, website enhancements, and a Legislative Committee update with Councilor Carson.
• **Historic Preservation Commission (June 25):** final adoption of findings for 43-49 Main Street facade and column repairs.
• **Commission on Cultural Development (July 1):** review of a fully expended $3,000 city grant to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra for its Music & Wellness Chamber Music Series, which included four public concerts at Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness and Husson University's Gracie Theatre.
• **BanAir Board of Directors (July 1):** financial update and discussion of future direction and member recruitment.

Coming up

• **July 6, Business & Economic Development Committee:** proposed five-year lease renewal for Varney Aviation at Bangor International Airport at $2,523.53/month; review of economic development partnerships including an AI hub; executive session on two undisclosed real property acquisitions.
• **July 6, Finance Committee:** votes on three airport contracts — HVAC replacement at Building 700 to AAA Energy Service Co. for $206,057; fire suppression and alarm systems maintenance to Siemens Industry Inc. for $156,051.51; and passenger boarding bridge and baggage handling system maintenance to Vanderlande Industries Inc. for $102,013.
• **July 6, Government Operations Committee:** ratification of a $30,000 John T. Gorman Foundation grant for housing stabilization; appropriation of $1,869,733 from DHHS for the Maine Prevention Network; acceptance of a $1,144,879 HUD grant for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program; and a proposed ethics ordinance amendment.
• **July 7, Planning Board:** review of a manufactured home parks ordinance amendment and permits for a shopping center at 557 Stillwater Avenue, a minor subdivision at 200 & 210 State Street, and a 41-unit building at Milford Street Extension.
• **July 9, Historic Preservation Commission:** vote on a Certificate of Appropriateness for a black-and-white striped awning at 30 Central Street (Paloma Gifts).

Millions in grants, airport contracts top Bangor committee agendas

City committees this week will consider more than $3 million in grants and contracts, including a $1.9 million public health award and $464,000 in airport maintenance work. The spending items headline a full docket that also features a proposed hangar lease, housing policy amendments, and development permits.

This week’s key decisions

The Finance Committee meets Monday, July 6, to vote on three maintenance contracts for Bangor International Airport:

• $206,057 to AAA Energy Service Co. for HVAC replacement in Building 700.
• $156,051.51 to Siemens Industry Inc. for fire suppression and alarm system maintenance.
• $102,013 to Vanderlande Industries Inc. for passenger boarding bridge and baggage handling system upkeep.

The Government Operations Committee the same day will consider accepting more than $3 million in outside funding:

• $1,869,733 from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services for the Maine Prevention Network.
• $1,144,879 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Bangor Rental Assistance Program.
• A $30,000 John T. Gorman Foundation grant for housing stabilization.

The Business & Economic Development Committee will review a proposed five-year lease renewal for Varney Aviation at the airport (monthly rent $2,523.53, with annual escalations) and discuss economic development partnerships, including an AI hub. The committee may enter executive session to negotiate two undisclosed real property acquisitions.

Recent council and committee previews

No final votes were taken in recent weeks, but several meetings laid groundwork for upcoming action.

The City Council on June 22 held first readings on two ordinances: one that would add flexible development standards for manufactured home parks existing as of Jan. 1, 2026, and another to expand the Legislative Committee’s duties. Consent items included the sale of city-owned properties at 117 Fourth Street ($7,200) and 45 Allen Street ($50,000), a two-year land lease to General Electric for two lots near Griffin Road ($2,833 and $3,652 monthly), and a $280,645 waiver of bid for airport FBO software. A workshop included closed-door discussions on the ICE ordinance and an ethics board matter involving Councilor Wayne Mallar.

The School Committee on June 24 considered forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, brought forward a second reading of a revised student cell phone use policy, and reviewed new teacher nominations for 2026–2027.

The Board of Ethics met June 30 for a public hearing on an advisory opinion requested by the council in Order CO 26-152, which concerned remarks by Councilor Mallar captured on a live microphone on March 31. The board reviewed voluntary statements and records, then issued motions on the referred questions.

Other groups that met in late June and early July included the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights (language access plan), the Historic Preservation Commission (façade repairs at 43-49 Main Street), the BanAir Board of Directors (financial update and member recruitment), and the Commission on Cultural Development (review of a $3,000 grant to the Bangor Symphony Orchestra).

Coming up

• **Planning Board** (July 7) will take up the manufactured-home-park code amendment and three permits: a planned group development at 557 Stillwater Avenue, a minor subdivision at 200 & 210 State Street, and a 41-unit apartment building on Milford Street Extension.
• **Historic Preservation Commission** (July 9) will vote on a Certificate of Appropriateness for a black-and-white striped awning at 30 Central Street (Paloma Gifts) in the Great Fire Historic District, and continue a discussion of character-defining features.
• **Parks, Recreation & Harbor Advisory Committee** (July 9) will review a final mission statement draft, an initial overview of the Brown Woods Master Plan, and an update on the Essex Woods plan.

All meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted on the city’s website.