Brunswick residents slam MRRA board and director for handling Aug. 19 toxic foam spill

The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority held an emergency meeting Friday to update the public on efforts to clean up a massive toxic foam spill that occurred Aug. 19, test water supplies and dismantle the remaining foam extinguishing systems at Brunswick Executive Airport.

City officials said it was the largest chemical spill in Maine in 30 years.

Nearly 100 residents attended the meeting, many of whom said they were angry and did not trust MRRA board members or Executive Director Kristine Logan.

Meghan Kissling lives in Brunswick Landing.

“I am so angry and ashamed of all of you, all of you. Especially you, Ms. Logan. You couldn’t be bothered to show up at the city council meeting the day this happened. I hope you were at home in a fetal position crying about how this neglect has hurt our families, our children, our environment, our city,” Kissling said.

Kissling said Logan should resign and the board members, most of whom do not live in Brunswick, should be replaced.

City Council Speaker Abby King agreed that a change in MRRA management was needed.

“(We) call on the Legislature and the governor to permanently reorganize the MRRA board to represent the Brunswick community, including the residents and business owners of Brunswick Landing,” King said.

King said if a similar accident were to happen at Hangar 6, it would be devastating to the city’s water supply. To avoid that, she said the fire system must be shut down by Sept. 30.

MRRA reports that the state fire marshal has recommended the installation of new fire suppression systems, which would cost approximately $5 million.