Bangor council reviews public works budget, cameras and paving plans

Bangor's City Council held a budget workshop on May 20, 2026, with Public Works Director David Pilon presenting his department's spending requests. Pilon outlined core services, recent accomplishments, and capital requests including fleet telematics cameras, traffic signal cameras, paving, and equipment replacements. Councilors asked questions about paving schedules, camera privacy concerns, and how cost savings would be tracked.

Key points

• Councilor Susan Deane chaired the workshop in place of Chair Susan Hawes, who was absent; Councilors Carson, Faloon, Leonard, Fish, and Mallar also participated.
• Public Works Director David Pilon said the current $1.5 million paving budget covers only about 2.5 percent of the city's 400 lane miles, and he wants to reach 30 to 40 miles per year.
• Pilon requested $249,999 for fleet telematics with in-cab cameras and coaching, citing roughly 100 incidents since he started and potential insurance and fuel savings.
• Pilon requested $297,000 for 32 traffic signal cameras, saying they do not store images, use facial recognition, or read license plates; Councilor Fish noted public confusion with Flock cameras.
• Pilon asked to move $200,000 from a power screen and a traffic signal upgrade to citywide pavement markings after an error in his budget submission.
• Councilor Leonard asked how long a full paving rotation would take; Pilon estimated six to eight years at current funding levels.

Next steps

• City staff will provide an updated capital list and tax rate calculator document before councilors make budget decisions.
• Pilon will work with the paving manager to calculate remaining road miles needing attention and adjust next year's paving request.
• Pilon will work with the city's insurance contact to pull prior accident and incident cost data to track savings from the telematics system.

Read the full transcript