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Town Council
The seven members of the Freeport Town Council serve as the chief elected officials of the Town of Freeport. All local legislative powers, including the authority to enact local ordinances, the authority to set an annual budget and capital program for the Town, and the authority to broadly set Town policy, rest with the Council. The Town Council has the sole authority to appoint and remove the Town Manager, and also must confirm the Town Manager's appointees to lead many of the Town's administrative departments.
The Council's members are elected to staggered three year terms, so that either two or three Council seats are up for re-election in any given year. Four of the Council seats are reserved to represent the four voting districts of the Town (one for each district), while three of the Council seats are elected "at large", or by all of the voters of the Town.
Each year the Town Council elects a Chair and Vice-Chair from within its membership. The Council Chair is responsible for the conduct of Town Council meetings and workshops, and often represents the Town as the ceremonial head of the Town government. The Vice-Chair serves in this capacity during any absence of the Council Chair.
Email the Town Council for more information. Please be advised that written communication to or from town officials regarding town business is considered a public record (Site Privacy Policy).
The following details the Town Council's 2025 Goals, adopted at the Tuesday, March 18, 2025 Town Council meeting
Communications
1. Develop, approve, and implement new communications plan to systematically improve modes and frequency of communications with residents, including:
a. Website
b. Email
c. SMS text
d. Social media
e. Direct mail
f. Digital signs
g. Emergency contingencies
Fiscal Planning
2. Maintain stable residential property tax burden, minimizing increases while balancing quality public services.
3. Develop clear plan and timeline for TIF renewal.
4. Plan and analyze financial costs, benefits, and budget impacts of major initiatives such as the Transit Oriented Development District (Dog Bone).
Land Use Planning
5. Develop guiding plan for increased housing, including total goal of housing units by type and timeline to achieve these goals.
6. Complete comprehensive planning process and approve new Comprehensive Plan with designated growth areas for high density housing development, while maintaining the town’s rural character in most areas.
7. Collaborate with Planning Board to consider implementing form-based code in certain zones.
Transportation and Infrastructure
8. Advance Route 1 corridor planning partnership with MDOT, providing increasing accessibility for active and public transportation.
9. Complete new Emergency Management Plan to include vulnerabilities identified in the Climate Action Plan and increase community resilience planning.
Tuesday, January 6 Regular Council Meeting
Wednesday, January 14 Community Workshop on the Village Corridor Initiative 6PM (Freeport Community Services)
Tuesday, January 20 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 27 Council Annual Goal Setting Workshop 5:30PM-8:30PM (Freeport Community Library)
Tuesday, February 3 Regular Council Meeting & 5PM Hold for Council Workshop on the Village Corridor Initiative
Tuesday, February 10 Council Dinner with Committee Chairs
Thursday, February 12 Board/Committee Workshop
Tuesday, February 17 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 24 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, March 3 Regular Council Meeting -Present Capital Program & Budget Workshop
Tuesday, March 10 Board/Committee Workshop
Tuesday, March 12 Board/Committee Workshop
Tuesday, March 17 Regular Council Meeting -Budget Workshop
Tuesday, March 24 Hold Date for Workshop -Hold for Budget Workshop
Tuesday, April 7 Regular Council Meeting -Public Hearing on Capital Program
Tuesday, April 14 Board/Committee Workshop
Tuesday, April 21 Regular Council Meeting -Budget Workshop & Adopt Capital Program
Tuesday, April 28 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, May 5 Regular Council Meeting -Budget Workshop
Tuesday, May 12 Budget Workshop
Tuesday, May 19 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, May 26 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, June 2 Regular Council Meeting -Public Hearing
Sunday, June 7 Community BBQ
Tuesday, June 16 Regular Council Meeting -Annual Budget Adoption
Tuesday, June 23 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, July 7 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 21 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 28 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, August 4 Regular Council Meeting
TBD Annual Bustins Island Trip
Tuesday, August 25 Hold Date for Workshop
Wednesday, August 26 District Meeting
Tuesday, September 1 Regular Council Meeting
Thursday, September 10 District Meeting
Tuesday, September 15 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 22 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, September 29 District Meeting
Tuesday, October 6 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, October 13 District Meeting
Tuesday, October 20 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, October 27 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, November 10 Organizational Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 17 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, November 24 Hold Date for Workshop
Tuesday, December 1 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 15 Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 22 Hold Date for Workshop
Come discuss ideas and concerns with Town Council leadership the first Monday of every month at 8 a.m. at Council Chambers (30 Main Street)
Subscribe to receive agendas and meeting updates
Meetings
- Town Council generally meets twice each month on Tuesdays at 6PM
- Meetings take place at Town Hall, Council Chambers (30 Main Street, Freeport, ME 04032)
- The public is welcome to attend in-person or remotely via Zoom (meeting links are published in the meeting agenda)
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
To get an item on the agenda, the request along with all supporting documents must be emailed by the due date to:
Members
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Joanna Benoit
Council Chair, At-LargeTerm to Expire: November 2026
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Eric C. Smith
Council Vice-Chair, District 2Term to Expire: November 2026
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Dan Piltch
Councilor, District 1Term to Expire: November 2028
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Matthew Pillsbury
Councilor, District 3Term to Expire: November 2026
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Henry "Chip" Lawrence
Councilor, District 4Term to Expire: November 2027
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William "Steve" Brown
Councilor, At-LargeTerm to Expire: November 2027
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Ken Sparta
Councilor, At-LargeTerm to Expire: November 2028
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Town Council
Physical Address
Freeport, ME 04032
Mailing Address
Freeport, ME 04032
Phone: 207-865-4743
- Who is on the Town Council and how do I contact them?
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Refer to the Town Council’s webpage to see current Town Councilors.
Email Town Council at this link
- Can I comment on the Council's proceedings?
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Yes, there is a public comment period allowed at public meetings. You may also send an email to the Council.