Bangor committee votes to send safe outdoor space directive to City Council

The Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights voted unanimously to submit a legislative policy directive to the City Council, urging the creation of a safe outdoor space for unhoused individuals. The committee discussed the imminent removal of an encampment behind Penobscot Plaza by CSX Railroad and sought to provide a dignified alternative before the displacement occurs.

Key points

• The committee voted 7-0 to approve a legislative policy directive recommending that the City Council direct staff to identify a safe outdoor space for unhoused residents.
• City Manager Carollynn Lear explained that the city-owned strip of land near the encampment is landlocked and unsafe for habitation due to retaining walls and snow plow hazards.
• Public commenters, including Brian Ray and Jamie Beck, expressed concern that removing the encampment without a plan would cause trauma and violate human rights.
• Councilor Michael Beck confirmed that the legislative policy directive requires only one reading and could be placed on the City Council agenda for the following Monday.
• The committee acknowledged that Gabrielle Wiley and Leanna Fellis are departing, with their terms ending after this meeting.

Next steps

• Committee members will finalize the legislative policy directive and send it to Councilor Michael Beck by end of day Wednesday for inclusion on the Monday agenda.
• Committee members will reach out to community partners and nonprofits to gather letters of support for the proposed safe outdoor space.
• Jamie Beck will contact State Representative Sean Faircloth as a private citizen to request a delay in state environmental pressure on the railroad.

Read the full transcript