BRUNSWICK

An environmental permit for a controversial layover shed to house Downeaster passenger trains is expected to be issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday.

DEP issued its conditional draft approval earlier this month, while leaving open a window for public comment on its draft decision. The department stated it would issue its formal decision in favor of granting a stormwater permit on June 17.

The permit is the final regulatory hurdle for Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority’s proposed $12 million, 52,000- square-foot shed on track between Stanwood Street and Church Road.

The facility, which would allow NNEPRA to bring Downeaster trains indoors and to power down, has been opposed by residents including members of the Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition, which could appeal DEP’s decision.

Proponents of the facility, including the Downeaster advocacy group TrainRiders Northeast, laud the project as one that could mean expanded service while saving NNEPRA $450,000 annually by eliminating deadhead runs.

Proponents state that the facility would eliminate the noise, pollution and vibration that comes with extensive train idling.

Brunswick Town Council Vice Chairman Steve Walker on Monday said he wants a citizens’ advisory committee that would work to “best mitigate” the effect the facility may have on local residents. The committee would be a collaboration with TrainRiders, NNEPRA and neighbors in the area, as envisioned by Walker.

Such a committee would “make sure the facility is done well, done right, and minimizes impacts to the neighborhood,” said Walker.

Until the facility is built, Downeaster engines will continue, as they have been since service came to Brunswick, to idle in the west Brunswick neighborhood. Residents in the area will get some relief after NNEPRA installs an auxiliary power unit later this summer that will allow locomotives to lessen the amount of idling time.

NNEPRA agreed to install the unit along track near Church Road after legislation sponsored by state Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, threatened to ban any passenger train from idling longer than 30 minutes.

The Legislature’s Transportation Committee has been working to find money to pay for an additional piece of equipment — an air compressor “to allow proper brake pressure to be maintained,” Town Manager John Eldridge told the council on Monday.

Such a compressor would also help reduce idling time further.

However, according to Eldridge, the transportation committee has not yet found funding for an air compressor. Installation of the compressor is contingent on funding, said Eldridge.

Create committee

BRUNSWICK TOWN COUNCIL Vice Chairman Steve Walker on Monday said he wants a citizens’ advisory committee that would work to “best mitigate” the effect the facility may have on local residents. Such a committee would “make sure the facility is done well, done right, and minimizes impacts to the neighborhood,” said Walker.

The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu