Brownfield Select Board Adopts Policies, Hears Rail Trail Bid Update

The Brownfield Select Board adopted a revised recreation and community center access policy, a surveillance recording access policy, and a background check policy at its October 6 meeting. The board also opened and closed a public hearing on the General Assistance Ordinance, which was adopted, and heard updates on the Mountain Division Trail construction bidding, town finances, and a planned data center moratorium hearing.

Key points

• The board adopted the rec and community center access policy after removing the phrase "or on its premises" from the loitering provision, with members disagreeing over whether the loitering language was enforceable or targeted specific individuals.
• The board adopted a surveillance recording access and download policy, which the chair said was recommended by the town attorney and requires a logbook for footage requests.
• The board adopted a background check policy covering employees and volunteers who work with vulnerable populations or handle money, with annual rechecks required for those groups.
• A resident announced that construction bids for the Mountain Division Trail are posted on the Maine DOT website and are due October 21, and said the Maine Historical Commission found no adverse effect from removing the rails.
• The tax collector reported $473,262 collected toward taxes with about $1.5 million still due by November 15, and the board discussed sending letters to delinquent taxpayers ahead of a March 15, 2027 foreclosure deadline.
• Residents raised concerns about a proposed community solar arrangement and about the town's toy box fund, which the chair said remains under review by the auditor and town attorney.

Next steps

• The board will send a contract for the public safety building project to USDA for review after committee confirmation, then back to the select board for review and possible signature.
• The town will send letters to taxpayers with outstanding balances ahead of the March 15, 2027 foreclosure deadline.
• A public hearing on a temporary moratorium on data centers is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 at 6 p.m. at the community center.
• The town manager will define the term "press box" in the meeting room policy for further review.
• The budget committee item will be placed on the next meeting agenda in November.

Read the full transcript