Bangor · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bangor public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Proposed Bangor Film Office
A resident urged the council to consider a Bangor film office, possibly at 50 Broadway (listed at $1.1 million), to support the film community.
Downtown holiday decorations and banner program
The Downtown Bangor Partnership is expanding holiday decorations beyond the West Market Square core into other parts of the downtown assessment district, adding themed zones like Candy Cane Lane, the North Pole, and a new interactive magic wand light feature. The Partnership funds the effort itself and hopes expanded photo stops will keep drawing the record crowds that spent nearly $3 million downtown last December.
City Bid and Purchasing Process Reform
The committee agreed to skip competitive bidding for a $25,000 water quality management capacity study after discussing the matter in executive session.
Shopping cart accountability ordinance
Councilor Fish proposed an ordinance requiring businesses to retrieve abandoned carts, with registration fees for larger stores and possible impound fees. Councilors debated not penalizing businesses as theft victims or unhoused people who rely on carts for mobility.
Office of New Americans engagement in Bangor
A state office studying immigrants' economic impact is coming to the Bangor region this fall to meet with the immigrant community, businesses, and other stakeholders, and the council will weigh whether to host its own municipal meeting.
Signage for Penobscot River shipwrecks and historic landmarks
Ideas for waterfront signs warning that the Revolutionary War shipwrecks are Navy property (federal penalties apply) plus bronze plaques marking designated historic landmarks, possibly made by UMA art students.
Street renamings: Pleasant View and Lilac Avenue
Two streets don't match what residents actually call them — a 1950s addressing mix-up and an orphaned 300-foot stub road. Renaming them fixes 911 dispatch lookup problems and general confusion.
Household hazardous waste disposal
A resident asked the city to create a local toxic waste take-back day, noting Bangor residents must currently drive two hours to Auburn and pay $50 for five gallons — a fire risk when people dump chemicals in the trash instead.
Paloma Gifts storefront awning at 30 Central Street
A small but visible downtown change: a striped black and white awning on a rare terracotta-clad 1911 building. Commissioners weighed whether it fits the historic character and agreed it does, with an 8-foot clearance required underneath.
Dog Park Improvements and Volunteer Fundraising
The resurrected dog park volunteer committee is fundraising for a small gazebo and training equipment for the three-pen facility, with a festival fundraiser scheduled that Sunday.
Park Signage for Drug-Free Zones and Littering
A committee member noticed Fairmount Park lacks drug-free zone and littering fines signage that Hayford Park has. Staff agreed to look at adding that language to existing consolidated park signs.
Airport land lease and FBO software
GE got a two-year lease on two airport-area lots for storage and staging, and the airport bought a $280,645 FBO software platform without competitive bidding.
Airport Equipment Replacement
The airport is replacing its aging towable air start unit with a $305,280 purchase from TLD America — mid-priced but with the required 270 pounds-per-minute output and extended warranty the low bid lacked.
Roseledge Subdivision Open Space
The developer of the 22-lot Roseledge subdivision off Pushaw Road will deed 15 acres of mostly wetlands to the city instead of leaving it to an HOA, avoiding past problems with unpaid taxes on open space.
Community Development Loan Restructuring
In a closed-door session, the committee agreed to send a staff recommendation to restructure a Community Development loan to the full Council. Details weren't discussed publicly.
Temporary storage ordinance overhaul
The city wants to make temporary storage (like shipping containers) easier to permit — a certificate of occupancy instead of Board of Appeals review, no screening requirement, and a new seasonal category. Board members pushed for clarity on residential use and wheeled trailers before it goes further.
Farmstand and agricultural use flexibility
New rules would let small farmstands sell homegrown produce, flowers, and plants without land development permits, and drop the paving mandate for farm driveways. Board members were enthusiastic, especially about fresh food access for lower-income housing residents.
Paul Bunyan Snowmobile Club funding and trails
The club gets $3,000 a year from the city and used it to rebuild its largest bridge, upgrade signage, and gain a mile of trail connecting to the state ITS network. It couldn't attend but sent a report through staff.
Fourth of July fireworks and parade
Fireworks on the waterfront are now a city function, and the Fourth of July Corporation focuses on the parade. The city is seeking sponsors for the July 4th show and the upcoming 250th anniversary, though no firm commitments yet.