BRUNSWICK, Maine — The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) announced the resignation of its executive director Kristine Logan on Thursday, although the Board of Trustees noted they'd rather Logan continue in her role.
Logan’s resignation comes shortly after Brunswick town officials and state legislators called for her to step aside after a 2023 inspection report flagged deficiencies in the fire suppression system in Hangar 4 at the Brunswick Airport, which is where firefighting foam containing toxic PFAS chemicals spilled in August. Local leaders raised concerns about the transparency of MRRA’s response to the spill and expressed dwindling confidence in the agency’s management.
"After much reflection, I’ve come to the difficult decision that my first duty is to ensure this good work goes on, unimpeded by outside politics and the political agendas of others," Logan, said in a statement to NEWS CENTER Maine. "For that reason, I’ve decided to remove myself as a focal point, distracting from the good work being accomplished to solve this complex, multi-layered challenge."
Logan has been with MRRA for more than nine years and has served as executive director for the past almost three years.
In a statement posted on MRRA’s website, the MRRA's Board of Trustees said they had "full confidence" in Logan's handling of the toxic chemical spill.
In response to the resignation, MRRA Board of Directors Chair Nick Nichols issued a statement to NEWS CENTER Maine outlining the agency’s next priorities. Nichols reiterated that the top focus is finding a permanent solution to the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) foam at Brunswick Landing. He said MRRA will continue working with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Navy, and local leaders to develop a fire suppression strategy that complies with legal standards.
"During this transition period, the Board, the dedicated MRRA staff, and the future interim executive director will work closely together to keep moving forward," Nichols said. "Our commitment to finding replacement fire suppression systems for the hangars, and our current projects including upgrading roads and stormwater infrastructure, working to transfer the domestic water system, designing a customs facility, property sales, working with developers, and updating the airport Master Reuse Plan stay at the forefront, and we’ll ensure that our programs and services continue."
The use of AFFF, a firefighting foam that contains harmful PFAS chemicals, has been at the center of the controversy. PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," are linked to serious health and environmental risks. The foam was spilled in Hangar 4 at Brunswick Landing, which MRRA oversees, prompting criticism of the authority's handling of the situation and a push for more accountability.
In a joint statement, State Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D- Cumberland, and Rep. Dan Ankeles, D- Brunswick, emphasized that both the authority and legislators must ensure that all remaining toxic foam is removed from the site.
"This development absolves nobody—including legislators—of the responsibility to ensure a smooth transition and continue our efforts to ensure that any remaining AFFF firefighting foam is removed from all hangars on the former Naval Air Station. It certainly does not cancel out the need for major structural reform that restores Brunswick’s governance over the Landing. Legislators must deliver both the reform and the resources needed to support that reform and prevent another spill," Daughtry and Ankeles said.
MRRA's search for an interim director is underway, and then it will begin the process of finding a permanent replacement. Logan's last day will be Friday, Oct. 18.