The Hallowell City Council convenes on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The evening features pivotal public hearings and policy votes directly impacting local business operations, municipal infrastructure investments, and community safety.
A major focus of the meeting will be commercial licensing and public safety. The Council will hold public hearings and votes on the renewal of a marijuana cultivation license for Emerald Bay Farms at 365 Winthrop Street, as well as a high-profile liquor license renewal for The Quarry Tap Room at 122 Water Street. While Emerald Bay Farms received unconditional clearance from Code Enforcement and the Police Department, the Quarry Tap Room faces a formal denial recommendation from Police Chief Zachary Kindelan. Chief Kindelan cited 15 police responses resulting in 11 arrests or summonses during his tenure, persistent issues with the Friday and Saturday night crowds, broken surveillance equipment, unestablished security policies, and an unanswered request for an on-site inspection.
In land use and regulatory matters, the Council will take up second and third readings on a proposed 180-day Moratorium on Data Storage and Data Center Facilities. The measure aims to pause any development while the City studies environmental, electrical, and visual impacts to craft comprehensive land use standards. Councilors will also clarify the charge given to the Property Committee regarding draft ordinances for solar installations and battery storage.
Municipal operations and safety investments also feature prominently. Fire Chief Theodore Marshall has submitted a formal request for Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds to acquire critical firefighter protective gear and response equipment, including particulate-blocking hoods, structural turnout gear, helmets, gloves, combustible gas meters, rescue vehicle stabilization struts, and a dedicated Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) pack. Chief Marshall also requested warning equipment for his response vehicle and proposed joint traffic equipment procurement with Public Works.
Downtown traffic and security infrastructure are also slated for discussion. Councilors will review a proposed speed limit reduction on Water Street and consider City Manager Ross McLellan’s report regarding surveillance systems. The report outlines the current non-compliant City Hall system alongside vendor proposals from CMC Technology Group and Cunningham Security Systems to overhaul recording equipment and install new cameras at City Hall, the evidence room, the voting drop box, and the waterfront.
Rounding out the agenda is the standard consent calendar, featuring the approval of October accounts totaling $784,902.32, departmental updates—including the departure of Code Enforcement Officer Sarah Moore—and committee reports from the Age-Friendly Committee.
(Summary prepared by Gemini from City Documents )
Item-by-Item Agenda Summaries
Items 5 & 8a: Emerald Bay Farms Marijuana Cultivation License Renewal (Original Document)
Overview: Public hearing and Council consideration for the renewal of a commercial marijuana cultivation facility license for Emerald Bay Farms, LLC, owned by Matthew R. Kapinos and located at 365 Winthrop Street.
Status & Feedback: Code Enforcement recommended approval without comment. Police Chief Zachary Kindelan recommended approval, noting all paperwork is in order, state Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) status is current, and the facility is clean, secured, and meets the 1,000-foot setback requirements from public schools and recreational facilities.
Items 6 & 8b: The Quarry Tap Room Liquor License Renewal (Original Documents)
Overview: Public hearing and Council consideration regarding the annual liquor license renewal for The Quarry Tap Room, LLC (managed by Steven Lachance) at 122 Water Street.
Police Department Recommendation: Code Enforcement raised no objections, but Chief Kindelan formally recommended denying the license. His memo cited 15 police calls resulting in 11 arrests/summonses during his tenure (primarily centered around late-night weekend crowds and OUI incidents), broken video surveillance equipment, lack of written security protocols, and failure by management to respond to or attend a scheduled joint inspection with public safety officials on November 4.
Items 7, 9 & 10: Moratorium Ordinance on Data Storage and Data Centers (Original Document)
Overview: Public hearing, second reading, and third reading (under suspension of rules) to enact a 180-day moratorium on the siting, permitting, and operation of commercial data centers and storage facilities.
Purpose: Enacted under Maine home rule authority, the temporary moratorium gives the City time to conduct workshops and amend its 2023 Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Ordinances to include specific environmental, electrical, and visual performance standards before any facilities can be developed.
Item 11: Clarification of Charge to Property Committee (Solar & Storage Ordinances)
Overview: Council discussion to provide formal guidance and clarify expectations for the City Property Committee as it reviews and drafts local ordinances governing solar energy arrays and energy storage facilities.
Item 12: Fire Department Request for Downtown TIF Funding
Overview: Chief Theodore Marshall submitted a detailed proposal seeking Downtown TIF funds to address critical equipment shortages and replace aging gear approaching the end of its 10-year service life.
Equipment Details: Items include particulate-blocking protective hoods ($1,635–$2,625), NFPA-compliant helmets ($2,806–$3,048), structural gloves ($2,630–$3,300), breakaway traffic vests ($578–$999), multi-gas and combustible gas meters ($2,847 total), vehicle rescue stabilization struts ($6,565–$13,039), structural turnout gear replacement sets, and an independent Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) rescue air pack ($5,725–$5,778). Chief Marshall also requested $7,901 for an emergency warning lights/siren package on his personal response vehicle and proposed coordinating with Public Works for joint traffic cone and barricade purchasing.
Item 13: Discussion Concerning Speed Limit Change on Water Street
Overview: Council review and discussion of a requested speed limit modification along Water Street to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow through the downtown commercial district.
Item 14: Video Surveillance Review and System Proposals (Original Document)
Overview: Review of City Manager Ross McLellan’s memorandum regarding compliance with the City’s Surveillance Policy. The current City Hall setup utilizes seven video-only cameras with a 14-day local retention cycle, but lacks user access logging and audit controls.
Proposals Presented: The Council will evaluate keeping the system as-is or appropriating upgrade funds. Estimates include quotes from CMC Technology Group ($17,255 to replace the server and 7 cameras, plus add-on quotes ranging from $890 to $1,984 for the evidence room, voting drop box, or waterfront) and an all-inclusive proposal from Cunningham Security Systems ($24,471.31) to install a 16-channel Hanwha NVR, replace existing cameras, and add coverage for the evidence room, voting drop box, and waterfront.
Item 15: Consent Agenda (Roll of Accounts & Department Reports) (Original Document)
Financials (Item 15b): Approval of Mayor's Warrant Roll of Accounts No. 10/27 for October 2026 totaling $784,902.32.
Department Reports (Item 15c):
Treasurer: Tax collections stand strong at 84.4% of annual budgeted revenues. Treasurer Dawna Myrick provided notice of eight 2025 tax lien properties totaling $20,806.04 facing automatic foreclosure on December 15, 2026, unless paid or waived by Council.
Public Works: Maintenance crews completed Vaughan Field improvements (dog park gate, pea stone, walking trails, and playground wood chips), Middle Street sidewalk paving from Vaughan Woods to Central Street, Sunrise Drive paving, and historical gravestone resets in the cemetery alongside "The Old Codgers".
Police: Handled 263 total calls from October 13 to November 4 (including 142 traffic stops and 4 OUIs). Transitioned staff to a balanced Panama schedule and received newly acquired body cameras.
Fire: Responded to 19 calls, completed DEF system repairs on Engine 4 (returning the entire fleet to 100% operational readiness), placed donated vehicle extrication tools into service, and hosted Fire Prevention Month events and open houses.
Code Enforcement: CEO Sarah Moore issued her final report prior to her resignation effective November 5, noting 13 permits issued ($2,202.30 collected), 20 building inspections completed, and ongoing coordination on the comprehensive eCode ordinance rewrite.
Item 16: City Manager's Report (Original Document)
Overview: Manager McLellan highlighted post-election congratulations, the departure of CEO Sarah Moore (with the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments providing interim coverage), completion of a contract with Harris Local Government to transition to TRIO Web, DECD approval of the City's TIF amendment, execution of the purchase and sale agreement for the Old Fire Station (closing scheduled for November 12), and completed flood intrusion/sprinkler repairs at City Hall.
Item 17 The Age-Friendly Committee Report (Original Document)
The Hallowell All Age-Friendly Committee submitted minutes from its September 9, 2026 meeting, highlighting upcoming community initiatives and partnerships:
2026.11.09_Item_17a_-_Age_Friendly_Minutes_9-9-26.pdf
Age-Friendly Action Plan: The committee reviewed a focus group discussion guide centered on the Domains of Livability for upcoming community listening sessions, and considered hosting an outreach table at the election polls.
2026.11.09_Item_17a_-_Age_Friendly_Minutes_9-9-26.pdf
Transportation & Resources: The group highlighted the ongoing need for volunteer drivers and companions through the SEARCH program, while sharing regional resources from Lifelong Communities and The Iris Network for residents with low vision.
2026.11.09_Item_17a_-_Age_Friendly_Minutes_9-9-26.pdf+ 1