Bangor council advances homelessness committee, delays immigration ordinance

The Bangor City Council voted to postpone an ordinance limiting city involvement in federal immigration enforcement until April 13, and approved creating a standing committee on homelessness. Councilors also opened a public hearing on a $75 million bond for a new parks and recreation facility, with residents speaking both for and against sending it to voters.

Key points

• Councilors voted 5-4 to postpone Ordinance 26-095, which would limit city employee involvement in federal civil immigration enforcement, to the April 13 meeting; Beck, Carson, Faloon, Leonard and Walker voted yes, while Deane, Fish, Mallar and Hawes voted no.
• The council voted 9-0 to pass Ordinance 26-107, creating a standing committee on homelessness, which Councilor Fish said would include experts, people with lived experience, and community members.
• The council voted 9-0 to pass Ordinance 26-094, rezoning 26 Walter Street from urban service district to urban residence 2 district.
• The consent agenda passed without objection, including the appointment of Richard Cromwell as human resources director and the sale of 240 Grove Street for $57,000.
• Several residents urged the city to investigate 99 Farm Road, saying plans for a federal immigration facility there conflict with the property's zoning.
• Residents split on the proposed $75 million parks and recreation bond, with supporters citing aging facilities and opponents warning of property tax and rent increases.

Next steps

• The immigration enforcement ordinance (26-095) returns to the council on April 13, with Councilor Beck saying he will provide amendments this week.
• The public hearing on the $75 million parks and recreation bond (26-108) remains open, with a separate order expected to place the question on the June 2026 municipal ballot.
• Ordinance 26-118, amending the land development code to comply with state laws, was referred to the planning board for April 7, 2026.
• Resolve 26-119, accepting $426,533 for a nutrition education program, was referred to the government operations committee for April 6, 2026.

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