Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Bangor public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
20 issues with low priority
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.
City Bid and Purchasing Process Reform
Councilor Mallar pushed back hard on buying used detective cars, arguing new vehicles with full five-year warranties are a better deal. The committee agreed to revisit the procurement policy that lets staff buy used vehicles without council approval — and to check on dealer documentation fees.
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.
Commission social media access
The commission still can't get into its own Facebook page, which is owned by a former member. It has Instagram access and is looking for volunteers to post about arts events.
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.
Airport rideshare fees and taxiway grant
Uber and Lyft riders trips starting or ending at the airport will cost $1.25 instead of $1, and a $7.3 million federal grant will fund Taxiway Alpha/Mike work with a modest local match.
Hardship abatement application
The committee discussed a taxpayer's hardship abatement application in closed session and voted to accept it afterward — property tax relief granted under state law.
Fairways subdivision plan recording
A 2018-approved lot-line change in the Fairways subdivision was never recorded, blocking a home sale. The board re-signed the plan so it can finally hit the Registry of Deeds.
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.
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.
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.
Temporary storage ordinance overhaul
A code amendment would let storage containers stay on a lot seasonally (up to 180 days a year) year after year, and would replace the unusual Board of Appeals process with a simple certificate of occupancy.
Maine Downtown Center 2027 conference in Bangor
The statewide downtown organization wants to hold its annual conference in Bangor next year — a win for showcasing the city.
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.
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.