BRUNSWICK

To fund their opposition to a train maintenance facility near their homes, a group of west Brunswick residents has begun a direct public appeal for donations.

The plea went out by email Wednesday, signed by Brunswick West Neighborhood Coalition president Dan Sullivan.

In the solicitation, Sullivan urges people to attend a Sept. 26 public hearing on the proposed layover facility and speak against its presence. The hearing is scheduled from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. at Brunswick Station, in the secondfloor meeting room.

In the email, Sullivan promises to present “a huge record” of “outright malfeasance by certain officials,” but needs money first to hire an attorney.

However, speaking on condition of anonymity, one coalition member told The Times Record in May that the group already had consulted an attorney and learned that the case would cost an estimated $25,000 to $30,000 to litigate, “with no guarantee of winning.”

However, Sullivan’s email claimed that an anonymous donor had pledged $5,000 if matching funds could be raised.

On Sept. 14, the Federal Rail Administration approved an environmental assessment submitted by Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority. In its ruling, the FRA effectively endorsed the tract of land between Stanwood Street and Church Road and parallel to Pleasant Street as suitable for the building. At $12 million and 60,000 square feet, the building essentially would be a twostory garage long and wide enough to hold three complete Downeaster train sets.

Copies of the assessment are available to read at the 28 Federal St. municipal building, at Curtis Memorial Library on Pleasant Street, and on the town’s website, www.brunswickme.org.

The assessment also is posted on the NNEPRA and Federal Rail Administration websites, www.nnepra.com and www.fra.dot.gov.

The FRA will accept public comment on the assessment and facility until Oct. 13. After the comment period ends, a public hearing will be scheduled to address the comments received.

An agenda item allowing coalition and neighborhood residents to address the Town Council has been added to the its Oct. 7 meeting, as well.

jtleonard@timesrecord.com