City of Bath

The meeting agenda includes a public hearing regarding the discontinuance of a portion of Fisher Court and several consent agenda items, such as the exercise of River Herring fishing rights at Winnegance Lake and Whiskeag Creek. Old business features the finalization of the Fisher Court discontinuance and land use code amendments. New business items cover a request for a Housing Trust Fund, reimbursement resolutions, provisional use permits for Washington Street properties, and ordinance updates concerning vehicle towing, small-scale chicken flocks, and community forestry. The session also includes an executive session to discuss real estate.

The meeting agenda focuses on establishing 2026 goals regarding clean energy, efficient buildings, and resilience, as well as planning monthly workshops. The agenda includes an introduction to MCOG to discuss regional connectivity, updates from various subcommittees including Energy, Transportation, Forestry, and Waste, and a review of communications and engagement strategies such as monthly bulletins and climate conversations. Additionally, a workshop session is scheduled to review the CAP Dashboard.

This document presents the City of Bath's 2025-2026 Equity Assessment, synthesizing data from surveys, community conversations, and discovery analysis. It evaluates how residents experience equity across eight core principles: Identity, Time, Implicit Bias, Support Systems, Transportation, Inclusivity, Monetary Equity, and Efficiency. The assessment identifies strong internal policy frameworks but reveals significant gaps in residents' lived experiences, particularly concerning affordability, accessibility, and trust. The plan outlines key next steps to improve transportation, housing, community assets, communication, workforce compensation, and safety, aiming to bridge the gap between policy and practice and ensure a more inclusive future for all residents.

The meeting commenced with technical checks and the pledge of allegiance. A presentation was made to recognize Paul Perkins as the Citizen Volunteer of the Year for his significant contributions to climate planning initiatives, including the city climate resolution, the formation of the climate commission, and the window dresser program which promotes energy efficiency. The manager's report addressed ongoing matters, including the future discussion of reinstating funding for a crossing guard position and an initial review to install crosswalk signage, primarily near schools. The council also heard updates on transportation initiatives presented at a public meeting. The primary new business item involved approving the bid for the construction of the new fire station, which came in significantly under budget, allowing for the inclusion of all three proposed alternates such as the maintenance bay and radiant heat flooring.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the minutes from the December 9, 2025 meeting. Old business involved a request for site plan approval for 786 Middle Street (Wentworth Partners), which was continued until February to allow the applicant to provide more information. New business focused on several site plan approval requests from Cello Partnership DBA Verizon and Bath Iron Works (BIW). The Verizon request for 200 Congress Avenue involved collocating an antenna on an existing tower as an eligible facilities request, and the board approved it with conditions, including a six-month extension for completion. For Bath Iron Works, the board reviewed proposals for Lot F (700 Washington Street), which included reconstructing a parking area and constructing a temporary occupational health center. Discussions covered the project timeline, waivers, stormwater management (treatment via tree box filters to meet state standards), and design adjustments to incorporate landscaping islands and dedicated off-street bus pull-off spaces instead of on-street parking. The board found the application complete and approved it with proposed conditions, including the six-month extension.