BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Town Council will meet today to elect their chairman as well as other appointees to committees and set dates for regular 2016 meetings. In the year ahead, councilors agree there will be some hurdles to overcome.

Council Chairwoman Sarah Brayman said she would like to serve another term. She lauded the work of the other councilors, noting that it takes great passion to put in the hours they do for the betterment of the town.

“It’s been great being the chair the past year and I’m looking forward to building on what I’ve learned and working with the eight other councilors,” Brayman said.

Brayman said she both respects and expects the independent thinking of the council, adding it’s good for the public that they can agree and disagree on issues in the name of what’s right for the town.

Councilor Jane Millett said the council faces a lot of challenges in the new year between school facilities, the budget and the capital improvement plan just to name a few.

“I think (Brayman’s) done an excellent job. We don’t always agree, but I think she’s done a very good and a very fair job as council chair,” Millett said.

“It’s going to be an important year for us to work together — to try and get through some of the problems that we have and do it to the best of our ability with the least amount of pain,” Millett said.

Millett said the town is “very fortunate” to have a working finance committee and Town Manager John Eldridge and Finance Director Julie Henze, who are two of 473 people across the country who are certified public finance officers.

Eldridge and Henze are the only two CPFOs in the state of Maine.

“It’s a pretty rigorous process, so I think we’re in very good hands. We just need to work together toward a common purpose — the board, council and staff,” Millett said.

Councilor Kathy Wilson said the process of putting together a plan for the town’s aging schools has taken too long and that something needs to be passed sooner rather than later.

Wilson also said that incoming Councilor Alison Harris will be a welcome addition to town leadership.

“I think Alison is going to be terrific. She’s very experienced and very sensible — down to earth,” Wilson said.

Although she’s happy about Har- ris joining the council, Wilson said she will miss sitting next to outgoing Councilor John Richardson. She referred to Richardson as a very smart man who has a great deal of knowledge in municipal leadership. Wilson also said she will miss his sense of humor on the council.

Both Wilson and Millett say they believe Brayman will retain her seat as chairwoman on the council.

Councilor Dan Harris laughed, calling the meeting “nothing newsworthy.” He said he doesn’t expect any changes in the chair or vice chair positions.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com

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