A stalemate is brewing on the Saco River.
Several private mooring owners in Biddeford say they are being ignored by city leaders and will not move their moorings on the Saco River to accommodate the University of New England’s proposal to build a new pier for its research vessel.
The university’s proposal was given preliminary approval from the Biddeford Planning Board on July 16. The issue is scheduled to appear back before the board for final approval on Wednesday, August 6.
The proposed pier would extend from UNE’s riverfront Biddeford campus toward the center of the river near the mouth of Saco Bay. The pier is designed to be roughly 130-foot-long with an 80 by 23-foot pier head section, a floating dock and gangway.
The pier’s location would displace at least two private moorings. But Paul Lariviere, the city’s harbormaster, says the university’s proposal would also adversely impact at least five other private moorings.
The mooring owners say they are frustrated and feeling as if they are being steamrolled by the city and other regulatory agencies.
“Nobody – no one – has talked to us about the impacts we’re going to be facing,” said Capt. Shawn Tibbetts, a commercial fisherman who has owned his mooring on the Saco River for 14 years. “No one will return my calls. No one is answering my questions or telling me what my next steps should be.”
Tibbets and others say they have tried contacting Mayor Marty Grohman, city officials including the former city manager and planning department personnel.
“We even called Senator [Susan] Collins’ office, and no one has even returned our calls,” Tibbets said.
Last week Tibbets and other mooring owners distributed a press release, essentially informing the city and the university that they will not move their mooring locations.
RELATED: Abutters raise concerns about UNE pier
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman refused to answer any questions about the mooring owners who could be impacted by the university’s proposal.
Grohman sent the Gazette a terse email statement on Thursday.
“Based on the advice of the City Solicitor, Harry B. Center, I cannot respond to your question at this time,” Grohman wrote. “There is a pending application before the Planning Board. Following any final determination, the city will act in accordance with the law with regard to any subsequent steps.”
The university has indicated that they would like to begin construction of the new pier later this year, but it remains unclear about how they can proceed if the impacted moorings are not relocated.
Lariviere told the Gazette that he is the only person legally authorized to relocate moorings issued by the city of Biddeford. Lariviere also said he understands the concerns of the mooring owners and that he will not remove or relocate those moorings.
“There is no legal basis to remove those moorings,” Lariviere said, pointing to city ordinances, state law and long-standing maritime rules that have been in place for nearly 300 years.
“Unless the annual fees are not paid, or if the mooring is in disrepair; or preventing public access for fishing, fowling and navigation, my hands are tied,” Lariviere said. “I don’t care what the city manager says. I don’t report to the city manager. I report to the city council.”
AN ABSENCE OF LEADERSHIP?
The mooring stalemate comes at a time when new city manager Truc Dever is expected to begin her work on August 11; and while several city council and mayoral candidates are beginning their bi annual political campaigns.
Former city manager James Bennett – who is now suing the city – removed Lariviere from the review process of UNE’s proposal last year. At the time, Bennett said Lariviere was biased against UNE and that the city could face litigation if the pier proposal was denied.
RELATED: City manager quashes harbormaster
“This whole thing has become a big cluster,” said John Shaefer, the former chair of Biddeford’s harbor commission. “Much of this would not be an issue and could have been resolved if city leaders had just stuck to a review process that is based in transparency and public engagement.”
Shafer said he was pleased by how the Planning Board has handled its review of the proposal.
“They [the planning board] did an awesome job,” Shafer said. “I was not happy with their decision, but they did an awfully good job and provided plenty of opportunity for public input.”
Shafer, however, also said he believes that the mayor has missed an opportunity to “be a leader and to advocate for all citizens.”
“In May, the mayor told me he doesn’t have the authority to change what sodas are available from the soda machine at City Hall,” Shafer said. “He is either too afraid or unable to lead.”
He [Mayor Grohman] is either
— John Schafer
too afraid or unable to lead.”
A spokesperson for the university said it would not be appropriate for the university to comment on a matter regarding city policies and procedures.
“[We are] aware of two moorings that would need to be relocated if the pier is approved,” said Sarah Delage, associate vice president of communications for the university.
Delage said university officials met with the owners of one of the moorings in August 2024 but have not met with the owner of the second mooring because they have not been able to confirm that individual’s identity with any official information from the city.
“If the project is approved, the relocation of the impacted moorings would be the city’s responsibility, and it would not be appropriate for the university to speak on the city’s behalf about that process,” Delage added.
Lariviere said there is currently a list of more than 15 people waiting for an appropriate mooring location. “Even if I was willing to move them, where would I put them?” he asked.
Tom Hatch is a mooring owner who would be directly impacted by UNE’s proposal.
“Moving a mooring is not as easy as it might look,” Hatch explained. “Different vessels need different moorings. The size of the vessel, tide changes and many other factors impact moorings.”
Hatch also said he is frustrated by a lack of communication from the city. “We are being left in the dark,” he said.
Hatch owns a 29-foot vessel that requires a mooring location with a 65-foot diameter. He has owned his current mooring for a little more than four years. “Nobody from the city has reached out to me,” he said. “Nobody seems to care.”
________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
NEVER MISS ANOTHER UPDATE! Subscribe for free today!
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 