BRUNSWICK

Town councilors will tackle major decisions affecting Brunswick’s future tonight as they decide the fate of a $33.7 million school proposal, whether to create a public park at 946 Mere Point Road and how best to combat a browntail moth infestation.

The council may ask voters to approve in June up to $28 million to replace Coffin Elementary School and up to $5.7 million to repair Brunswick Junior High School.

The school board voted on Nov. 9, 2016, to send the matter to the council.

Issues surrounding town-owned property at 946 Mere Point Road continue. The town acquired the waterfront land through a quit claim deed signed by the parcel’s owner. Councilors previously voted 5-4 to sell the property and put it back on the tax rolls. Petitioners want the public to have a say on turning the land into a public park for recreation. Also in need of resolution — allowing shellfish harvesters access to the land via an easement.

Meanwhile, up to $40,000 from the town’s general fund may be used to reduce the browntail moth population by spraying public areas throughout town. These areas include the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path, Edwards Field, Lishness Park, the Lower Mall and Upper Mall and Shulman Park.

State officials expect another infestation of the moths this year in Cumberland and Sagadahoc counties.

The six public parks represent “where the largest number of people congregate on a regular basis and where exposure to toxic hairs emitted from the caterpillars have previously caused skin rashes and other more serious health related issues for both local citizens and area visitors,” wrote Parks and Recreation Department Director Thomas Farrell in a memo to the council last week.

The town hired tree care specialist and owner of Well Tree Inc. Jeff Gillis to analyze the public spaces most in need of care. Treatment options, Farrell wrote in a Jan. 30 memo, include “pruning, spraying, injection and possible tree removals.”

Time is also a factor.

“There is a limited window of time within which this work needs to take place. Treatment should occur shortly after bud break and should be completed within three to four weeks for maximum effectiveness,” wrote Farrell.

The recommended $40,000 would cover work at individual parks for $29,545; $10,455 would be set aside for any additional work.