Negotiations are under way between town and Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority officials regarding the details of newly approved tax increment financing districts at Brunswick Landing and Brunswick Executive Airport.

Town councilors approved the two TIF districts in March.

The redevelopment agency requested the districts almost two years ago, saying they would help attract new commercial tenants to the former naval air base.

State law allows municipalities to declare such areas, to boost economic development. Towns can retain a percentage of the taxable value of commercial development within those zones and use it for reinvestment into infrastructure, education and other projects to benefit their respective communities.

Ben Tucker and John Richardson, local lawyers who also serve on the Brunswick Town Council, were appointed to hammer out the tax-sheltering agreements between the town and the Authority.

Tucker and Richardson have met once already with their counterparts: MRRA Board of Directors members Sandy Updegraph and Steve Weems. The quartet is scheduled to meet again May 2 to continue discussions.

Future meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday of each month.

Because past relations between the town and MRRA have been stormy, both sides are making efforts to keep discussions positive and productive, Richardson said.

Meetings are held on a neutral site and in executive session. Only the four liasions are allowed in the room. Likewise, no details will be released until both sides can agree on the finished documents, Richardson said.

He gave no timetable or deadline for finalizing the municipal agreement, which ultimately will require approval from the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development.

jtleonard@timesrecord.com