Brunswick Council Swears In New Members, Elects Young Chair Focused on Housing

The Brunswick Town Council opened 2026 by swearing in four newly elected members and selecting its leadership for the year at a meeting on Jan. 6. Councilors unanimously chose Nathan MacDonald, Councilor-at-Large and former vice chair, as chairperson, and Jennifer Hicks of District 5 as vice chairperson.

MacDonald, who said he plans to lead with “care, openness and respect,” also noted he believes he is both the youngest person and the first out queer person to serve as council chair. His professional background includes serving as director of the Family Violence Project, a role that observers say will bring a focus on social services and community safety to council deliberations.

The meeting included the swearing-in of three new councilors, Richard Ellis, Corinne Perreault and Ramona Thieme, alongside other newly elected members. The change in membership expands the range of experience and perspectives around the dais as the council addresses housing, affordability and planning matters that affect Brunswick and the surrounding Sagadahoc County communities.

Education governance saw continuity: new and returning school board members were sworn in, Beth Bisson was reelected school board chair, and Elizabeth Sokoloff will continue as vice chair. That continuity at the school board comes as discussions about school budgets, enrollment trends and facility planning remain prominent for families in town.

MacDonald has signaled that housing affordability will be a leading priority. For residents, the chair’s dual emphasis on affordability and social supports suggests future council agendas will include zoning, development permitting and partnerships with county and regional agencies aimed at expanding housing options. Decisions made by the council in coming months could affect property owners, renters, and local employers seeking to hire and retain staff.

The unanimous vote for council leadership and the mix of new and returning members set a tone of cooperation as Brunswick moves into a year of local planning and budget decisions. With new voices on the council and steady leadership on the school board, community members can expect public meetings to be important venues for shaping policies on housing, services and education in 2026.