BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Town Council tonight will hold a hearing on a proposal to ban Styrofoam in food packaging.

If they choose, the council could vote to suspend council rules and hold a vote tonight.

Polystyrene, also known by the brand name Styrofoam, is widely used in food packaging. It is a plastic material that does not biodegrade. Proponents say there is no means of recycling it locally, and that foam particles eventually work their way into the ecosystem, where they are eaten by marine and other wildlife.

The proposed ban would apply to restaurants, stores and other establishments such as grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations. The sale and packaging of raw and live seafood would be exempt.

Enforcement of the ordinance would go into effect Oct. 1.

The first violation of the ordinance in a one-year period would result in a warning, the second violation within a year would result in a $250 fine, with each subsequent violation resulting in $500.

A similar proposal, along with a 5-cent fee on single use bags, will also be considered in neighboring Topsham.

School improvements

Also tonight, the council will hear public comments on a proposed ordinance authorizing the issuance of $1.5 million of bonds and notes — nearly $600,000 of which are forgivable — for improvements at Coffin Elementary and Brunswick Junior High schools.

Repairs to the aging schools include roof renovations and sprinkler and fire alarm upgrades. Other improvements would help the schools conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act and improve indoor air quality.

The school board in February voted in favor of receiving state funds for the projects from the state’s School Revolving Renovation Fund.

The council will also receive an update on the high school’s $575,000 boiler replacement project.

Miller’s Point

The council will hear public comments on a moratorium on new development in the Natural Resources Protection Zone and will take any appropriate action.

Earlier this month, the council enacted an emergency moratorium banning development in this zone, which expires 50 days after its March 7 adoption.

The moratorium was in response to the work being done at Miller’s Point, where about 625 feet of shoreline is scheduled to be lined with riprap.

The wording of the moratorium does not include activity that is currently underway and approved by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, which includes the Miller’s Point project. However, the council has determined that the current zoning ordinance is inadequate to meet minimum state law requirements for shoreland zoning.

Meanwhile, Councilor Steve Walker wants the town manager to direct the planning department to require a special use permit review of the Miller’s Point project.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. at Town Hall, following a 6 p.m. executive session.

The council also:

• WILL HEAR PUBLIC comments on a Community Development Block Grant to the tune of $30,000 for Pathways Rehabilitation Services. The Brunswick-based small business provides driving ability evaluations and recommendations, behind-the-wheel driver training and adaptive equipment consultations and recommendations.

• WILL HEAR PUBLIC comments on a proposal to increase the number of food vendors on the Mall from four to five.

• WILL CONSIDER ADOPTING a proposed social service policy to establish guidelines to be used by the council in the review of grant funding requests from nongovernmental charitable organizations.

• WILL CONSIDER A REQUEST for a Sellers of Prepared Food on Public Ways license for outdoor seating for Little Saigon.

• WILL CONSIDER PERMISSION to expend a 2016 Speed Enforcement Grant, allowing spending of this grant for speed enforcement through the Bureau of Highway Safety. The requested amount is $7,000 and the town’s match will be in-kind staff hours.

• WILL CONSIDER ADOPTION of a resolution recognizing National Service Recognition Day.