BRUNSWICK

State Rep. Matthea Daughtry, D-Brunswick, has introduced a bill requiring extensive local representation on the board of the agency redeveloping the town’s former naval air base.

If it becomes law, Daughtry said her bill — LD 1549, “An Act to Protect Local Input in Economic Development and Redevelopment Efforts” — would ensure Brunswick, Topsham and several other municipalities are able to voice their concerns or preferences regarding how Brunswick Landing is redeveloped.

Several legislators support the bill, including Reps. Andrew Mason, D-Topsham, Peter Kent, D-Bath, Jennifer DeChant, D-Bath, and Sara Gideon, D-Freeport.

“We are asking the Legislature to recognize that the fates of Brunswick, Topsham, Bath, Freeport, West Bath, Harpswell and Brunswick Landing are intertwined, and that these communities need a voice at the MRRA table,” Daughtry said. “Those towns should have a say in how the base is redeveloped, because it serves a wider audience than just Brunswick-Topsham.”

Gov. Paul LePage decides who serves on the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority’s 11-member Board of Trustees. Ten seats are open to revolving appointment, on staggered, threeyear terms.

Only one seat is permanent and occupied by the chief of the state Department of Economic and Community Development — currently, George Gervais.

Five of the current board members live or work in Brunswick, and three others live in Harpswell, Woolwich and Freeport.

LePage two weeks ago nominated Topsham attorney and Harpswell resident John Moncure to remain on the board; additionally, John Peters — nominated to replace current trustee Don Hudson, of Arrowsic — is a Harpswell resident.

Technically, no prohibition of residency exists. However, there is no requirement, either.

Legislators and town officials want to be able to choose their own nominees, rather than rely solely on the state’s recommendations.

Brunswick municipal officials also have been lobbying the governor to appoint a general resident to the board. For several weeks, Brunswick town councilors have worked to compile a list of potential nominees for LePage’s consideration when the next seat — occupied by Brunswick’s Steven Weems — becomes open in March.

“In recent months, both Brunswick and Topsham have made great efforts to work together to grow the regional economy and responsibly redevelop Brunswick Landing,” Mason said in a statement released Friday.

Municipalities and the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority have made recent strides to improve relations and communication, including formation of a community advisory board to keep townspeople up to date on Brunswick Landing activities, although it has met only once in the past three months.

Under current statute, neither Brunswick nor Topsham — nor any of the surrounding communities — is allowed a representative from the general public on the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority board.

“This bill is really just an effort to get people to work together,” Daughtry said.