Topsham grants history committee permission to submit a bridge‑naming recommendation to advisory board

The Topsham Select Board on March 19 authorized the town’s history committee to submit a formal letter and supporting materials to the bridge advisory committee recommending a name for the new Topsham–Brunswick bridge.

Board members emphasized that the legislature and state authorities make final naming decisions, but the board voted (3–1) to allow the history committee to forward its nomination (a recommendation identified in the committee’s materials as "Jessica Fallsbridge" in the meeting packet). The select board noted the bridge committee includes representatives of both Topsham and Brunswick and asked staff to contact Brunswick’s town manager and council to explore a joint endorsement.

Select Board members debated whether to open a public naming contest; some members favored a limited process because the town does not control final naming authority and because a broad contest could create unrealistic expectations. The board’s action authorizes the history committee to prepare and submit the materials, not to enact the name unilaterally.

Next steps: Staff will forward the history committee materials to the bridge advisory committee and contact Brunswick officials about their interest in a joint endorsement. Any ultimate naming would follow the state’s required process.