It’s official — the town of Brunswick will “Welcome New Mainers.”

The Brunswick Town Council agreed Monday to hang a banner displaying that message prominently in the Town Hall.

Councilor Jane Millett said she received the request from Susan Weems of Brunswick Public Art and sponsored the request.

“I think it’s an important welcoming sign for our community,” said Millett, “something that we talked about extensively on the Human Rights Task Force.”

She wants the banner placed prominently within the vestibule of Town Hall, so people can see it when they walk in the door. A monitor currently on that wall will have to be moved.

Millett also plans to come to the council’s next meeting with a welcoming resolution from another group.

“This has independently come together, so I think it’s a good thing,” she said.

She said the 25-inch-by-72-inch banner will cost $115 at Carrot Signs. Exactly who will pay for the banner will be worked out, she said.

One councilor, David Watson, opposed the motion to hang the banner.

“We’ve had a lot of things given to us for display that have not been displayed,” said Watson, noting other items donated have included art. “Do the other items take priority? For instance, there’s one thing the American Legion gave the town for display, which hasn’t been displayed, honoring veterans.”

“If we as a council need to vote on them so that they go up, then we need to bring that forward,” said Chairman John Perreault, “but this item is before us today and we’ll take a vote one way or the other on it.”

dmoore@timesrecord.com

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