Tomorrow, October 1, the Biddeford Gazette will officially begin its coverage of the 2025 municipal elections in Biddeford.
It’s hard to explain why I am so excited about this time of year. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning.
After working at other newspapers, I began covering news in Biddeford during the month of October, nearly 30 years ago. I jumped right in with almost no historical perspective.
Former mayor Alan Casavant (right) was not happy when I snapped this photo during a tense city council meeting.
I was immediately hooked and fascinated by the city’s political machinations, the stories and the legends.
I found myself intrigued by long-winded tales about people like ‘Babe” Dutremble, “Papa” Lausier and “Tiny” Frechette.
Sure, I was already a lifelong political junkie. At 10 years old, my parents had to pry me from the television as I watched the culmination of the Watergate scandal.
In middle school, I would brag that I had shaken hands with Ed Muskie and Jimmy Carter. Yup, I was a weird kid.
During my junior year of high school, I found myself working in an actual newsroom during a brief internship at the Journal Tribune. We had IBM Selectric typewriters. Everyone in the newsroom drank coffee, most of them smoked – at their desks.
Bob Melville, the city editor, wore his glasses perched on the end of the nose. He referred to me only as “kid.” He almost made me cry when he questioned my loose grasp of the English language.
We got lunches at Poli’s at Five Points, and profanity was acceptable in the workplace. I was working among titans who kept the city’s political players in check.
It was a glorious time. I knew then and there what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to be the next Carl Bernstein.
I feel a special connection to Biddeford City Hall. I am one of the lucky ones. I still remember smoke-filled, off-the-record meetings in “Ward Eight” with guys like Bob Dodge and Bruce Benway, the city’s first manager.
Secrets were carefully revealed. Suggestions were made. Deals were struck – all behind the scenes.
Former City Councilor George “Pete’ Lamontagne discusses a photo collection he helped curate for the Biddeford Mills Museum. The former president of the local textile workers union, (UNITE) Lamontagne became one of the most respected and well-liked members of the city council (Seaver photo)
Back then, there were 11 members of the city council. The city had four at-large representatives. I still remember the meeting when Mayor Donna Dion appointed Maria Martin to fill the vacancy created by her father’s death.
J. Richard “Dick” Martin was another of those local political legends.
Today, I still love the creak and groan of those old wooden stairs that lead to the Council Chamber on the third floor. The smell is the same. If you pause, silent — you can almost hear the whispers of those now ghosts who were so eager to climb those stairs for more than a century.
Today, I am honored to be entrusted by so many people to report the news that happens in Biddeford. It’s not an easy gig, and that’s what makes it great.
In the 1990s, I and my colleagues from the Tribune and Portland Press Herald sat in the back row during council meetings. We respected one another, but we were fiercely competitive.
We would have stabbed one another in the neck for an exclusive story. The people were well served by the local press. I got to work with top-notch reporters like Ted Cohen and Kelley Bouchard.
Over the years, I became more and more immersed in Biddeford politics. I got to interview people like former mayors Michael Cantara and Bonnie Pothier. I listened as former councilor Kitty Goodreau recalled a story about an angry businessman who threatened to “kneecap” a councilor because of a zoning change.
Former mayor Wallace Nutting (center) and former City Councilors John McCurry and Ken Farley devised a plan to “get tough” on MERC, the former waste-to-energy incinerator located in downtown Biddeford (Seaver photo)
Former mayor Alan Casavant once lost an election by one vote because he did not vote for himself (true story).
I vividly recall the battles like a council order to re-route all trash trucks through Saco and the predictable, regular chorus of “Peaker’s Squeakers,” the three men from Biddeford Pool who were politically aligned with Councilor Ron Peaker.
And I cannot forget the marvelous “after council” meetings that would take place at that round corner table tucked away near the bar at the Wonderbar Restaurant.
I would give almost anything to have Vinny Keely pour me another perfect pint of Guiness while I chatted, laughed and fought with people like Jim Grattelo, Kent Webster, Kyle Noble and even my old editor Bob Melville — who didn’t even remember that I briefly sat next to him in a newsroom.
Yup, I am one of the lucky ones.
The next chapter of Biddeford’s ongoing political story begins tomorrow. I only hope for two things:
First, that you find my coverage to be helpful in making your decisions about who should run our city for the next two years. Secondly, that you are unable to figure out which candidates I am personally supporting. Now, let the games begin.
NOTE:For more information about the local issues, elections and candidates, please click THIS LINK
____________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
According to a press release from the Maine State Police Department, an Ellsworth man was struck and seriously injured by a large truck Sunday evening on the Maine Turnpike, near the Biddeford exit.
Police say that Jared Felling, 39, was attempting to evade Biddeford police by crossing the Turnpike on foot when he was struck by a commercial truck driven by Michael Kilmer, 68, of West Virginia at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Maine State Police found the injured pedestrian in a “marshy area” near the Biddeford exit (File)
Kilmer told police that he initially thought he hit a deer while driving northbound. After reviewing his in-truck camera, he called the Portland Police Department to report the incident, saying the man was running across the Turnpike.
Troopers were able to narrow down the exact location where Felling was struck and directed rescue services to the area.
According to state police, Felling was “seriously injured,” in the tall marshy area just before the exit. Police say he suffered serious injuries to his legs and head and was in the early stages of hypothermia.
Troopers provided aid until Kennebunk Fire Rescue arrived, and transported Felling to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where his injuries, though serious, were considered non-life-threatening, said police.
According to Maine State Police, Felling had a history of criminal activities, having recently been caught stealing from vehicles parked near the Biddeford exit. He was actively fleeing Biddeford Police when he decided to cross the Turnpike to evade them.
Additionally, investigators determined that Felling removed his court-ordered ankle monitor earlier in the day in Ellsworth, and the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office had issued a temporary arrest warrant for Felling for Violation of Conditional Release.
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
The clang of helmets, flashing lights of fire engines and the hum of excited families filled Biddeford’s Central Fire Station on Saturday as the city’s firefighters welcomed the public for their first open house in seven years.
The department, founded in 1855, rolled out trucks, gear and demonstrations to give residents a rare behind-the-scenes look at life on the front lines of fire and rescue.
“We felt it was time to do it again,” Fire Chief Lawrence Best said. “The reception has been wonderful, and we hope to keep this tradition alive year after year.”
For many, the day was as much about discovery as it was about safety. Children climbed into fire engines, tugged at oversized helmets and tried on miniature coats that hung nearly to the ground. Parents peppered firefighters with questions about equipment, training and what it takes to respond to thousands of calls each year.
The youngest visitors experienced what it’s like to escape a smoky room, crawling on hands and knees through the Fire Safety Smoke House. Others took turns climbing down a second-story window ladder, guided carefully by firefighters waiting below.
“It’s important that kids see these tools in action and know what to do in an emergency,” Best said.
The event featured far more than fire engines and gear. Demonstrations ranged from CPR to fire extinguisher practice, while a “build-your-own” first aid kit station gave families the chance to prepare for emergencies at home.
The day also had lighter moments. Home Depot set up a safety- themed workshop for kids, while balloons and face painting brightened the station floor. Bike helmet fittings encouraged young riders to protect themselves long before a firetruck needs to roll.
Representatives from the Maine Warden Service, York County Emergency Management Agency and the Biddeford Police Department joined in, highlighting the network of agencies that work together when disaster strikes.
This year’s educational theme tied into National Fire Prevention Week, focusing on the hazards of lithium-ion batteries.
“These batteries are everywhere now — in phones, scooters, tools —and if they’re mishandled, they can be dangerous,” Best said. He urged residents to learn safe charging practices, store batteries properly and dispose of them responsibly, adding that anyone uncertain can call the department for guidance.
An increasingly busy department
Behind the community celebration lies the constant reality of an increasingly busy department.
Biddeford firefighters have already answered more than 4,200 calls this year — about 180 more than during the same period last year. The department employs 48 full-time firefighters, 12 on-call staff, four line officers and an administrative assistant. They cover 33 square miles and more than 13 miles of coastline, responding not only to fires but also to rescues, medical emergencies and hazardous materials calls.
Keeping up with the demand is expensive. Outfitting a single firefighter costs about $15,000, and gear must be replaced every 10 years. A new engine runs about $1.1 million, while a tower truck nears $2.5 million. Even ambulances now approach $500,000. Currently a new ambulance and a new engine are on order, but supply chain delays mean it will be about two years before they arrive.
Despite the challenges, the department continues to look outward, offering monthly CPR courses and occasional first aid training to the public.
Inside the Alfred Street station, a museum preserves the history of firefighting in Biddeford. Tours are available by appointment for anyone curious about the city’s past.
For families at Saturday’s open house, though, the day was about something simpler: connection. Children tried on gear, neighbors mingled with firefighters, and parents lingered over vehicle rescue demonstrations that showed the precision behind every response.
“This is what we’re here for — to protect, to teach, and to be part of the community,” Best said.
_____________
Jim Krause is a freelance writer and Biddeford resident.
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
I know this newsletter is long overdue, but I feel as if I have a decent excuse.
As most of you know, I broke my right arm in two places while on vacation a few weeks ago. Since then, I have had surgery and am making good progress toward full recovery.
The accident, however, did impact the Biddeford Gazette in a big way, especially because I was not able to use a keyboard, but we’re getting back on track.
And yes, Laura and I got a new puppy two weeks ago — as if we didn’t already have enough pets. To introduce Moose, I offer her as the featured photo for this newsletter installment.
We have a lot to get to, so let’s get started.
Campaign Coverage:
The local election season is upon us. Every two years, Biddeford voters choose a mayor, city councilors and school committee members. This year, voters will also be asked to decide two significant bond questions and a referendum regarding whether Biddeford needs a fresh look at the city’s charter.
For your convenience, the Gazette has created an entire section of our websiteto be a landing page for detailed information about the upcoming election. Here, you can find Frequently Asked Questions about the election and profiles about the candidates and issues, as well as a list of related public events.
Parts of this section are still under construction, and we plan to officially launch our comprehensive campaign coverage on Oct. 1 (We sure do love alliteration!)
Advisory Board:
I am happy to report that we are now in the process of scheduling and coordinating the very first meeting of our Advisory Board. I am so honored that these nine community members are willing to help the Gazette achieve its mission of being a trusted, community-driven news source.
Continued Growth/New Faces:
Our subscriber list continues to increase by leaps and bounds, but we are also experiencing some internal growth. I would like to introduce you to Jim Krause, a Pennsylvania native who lives in Biddeford. Jim has written a few pieces for us including our recent profile of Biddeford’s new city manager.
Jim Krause, contributing writer for the Biddeford Gazette
The thing that amazes me is that Jim is willing to work without financial compensation. Look for more stories from him in the very near future.
We have also forged a relationship with the Maine Monitor, a statewide, non-profit digital media source that is dedicated to in-depth reporting and media collaboration with independent journalists across the state.
Recent/Exclusive News Stories:
Despite my broken arm, I am proud of the fact that the Gazette has still been able to bring you several exclusive and important news stories over the last few weeks, including:
On a final note, I want to offer a really big shout out to the Gazette’s publisher, my wife Laura. Laura is the reason we were able to keep publishing over the last few weeks. She has been a typist, a therapist and something else beginning with the letter ‘t,” that I can’t think of now. (Yes, we really do love alliteration)
Take care and be good to each other!
_____________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Members of a grassroots coalition that are pushing for a public airing of grievance meeting announced Thursday that they have collected far more than the 100-signatures of registered Biddeford voters they need in order invoke a “General Meeting of Citizens.”
“It really wasn’t hard to get the signatures,” said Carole Alexander, the wife of Biddeford’s former harbormaster, the late Marshall Alexander.
Carole Alexander spearheaded the effort to collect the signatures and force the public meeting regarding the University of New England’s planned research pier on the Saco River.
Carole Alexander (right) drops off more than 100 signatures of registered voters to Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever (Seaver photo)
Alexander told the Gazette she that became angry during the review process of UNE’s proposal, especially when University of New England officials publicly implied that her late husband supported the school’s desired location for their large research pier.
“They just made that up,” Alexander said. “Marshall never approved that site. They [the university] are just trying to cover their butts now because our current harbormaster also doesn’t approve of the site.”
In March 2024, former Biddeford City Manager Jim Bennett removed both the city’s current harbormaster and assistant harbormaster from the review process, stating that the harbormaster demonstrated bias and the city could face possible litigation from the university.
According to city ordinances, members of the public can petition the city council to host a public meeting that will be run by citizens while the mayor and members of the city council listen to the public’s concerns.
The rarely invoked “General Meeting of the Citizens” is allowed if 100 valid signatures are collected. The mechanics of a General Meeting require the city council to listen and not speak — as citizens fully air grievances about the topic at hand.
Former city councilor Kyle Noble, one of the most vocal opponents of UNE’s plan, said many residents — throughout the city — are concerned about what he described as a rushed public review process that “often seemed less than transparent.”
“This is not just a bunch of NIMBYs in the Hills Beach area,” Noble said. “We got signatures from across the city.”
John Schafer – another outspoken opponent of the pier’s proposed location and former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission – said he was able to get dozens of signatures simply by talking to residents who were dropping off trash and recyclable materials at the city’s transfer station on Saturday.
“I was stunned by how many people were so eager and willing to sign the petition,” Shafer said.
“We could have collected a thousand signatures if we had to,” Noble said. “In all my years of public service, I can’t remember any issue galvanizing people like this one has.”
Alexander pointed out that her signatures were collected over a period of just four days. She delivered several sheets of signed petitions to City Manager Truc Dever on Thursday morning.
As of press time, it remains unclear when the airing of grievance meeting will take place.
______________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Bridgestone/Firestone Auto Care opens its first Maine location
Several Biddeford city officials joined with dozens of Bridgestone employees for Thursday’s grand opening event at Maine’s first Firestone Complete Auto Care location in Biddeford.
The auto care store first opened its doors on Alfred Road to the public on August 11, according to store manager Amanda Miller.
Miller said the Biddeford operation employs 13 people and is open seven days per week.
Although it took three attempts, company representatives and local leaders were able to cut the ceremonial ribbon to launch the grand opening. (Seaver photo)
In addition to all the pomp and circumstance of a typical ribbon cutting event, the company also announced a $3,000 donation plus some equipment and supplies for the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT)
The BRCOT serves high school students from Biddeford, Saco, Dayton and Waterboro with several areas of vocational training including plumbing, welding and automotive repair.
During his brief remarks at the ceremony, School Supt. Jeremy Ray thanked the company for their donation, adding that the BRCOT relies heavily on educational partnerships with area businesses.
According to Ray, the BRCOT has its largest enrollment in 15 years, serving more than 530 high school students who are exploring careers in the trades.
“This is a big win for us,” Ray told the crowd. “You often see things on social media pointing out the value of vocational training, but the city of Biddeford has been a proud leader in offering that type of education.”
According to company officials, the Biddeford location’s grand opening coincides with Firestone’s 100th anniversary. The Biddeford store, they said, is the first Firestone Complete Auto location in Maine and joins more than 2,000 other locations across the country.
City Manager Truc Dever told the audience she is in need of new tires after moving to Maine from Washington last month. “At least now I know where to get those tires,” she laughed.
Bridgestone/Firestone representatives said they will continue to provide ongoing support for the BRCOT’s automotive programs.
According to a company press release, Firestone Complete Auto Care is part of the largest network of company-owned automotive service providers in the world, with more than 2,200 tire and vehicle service centers across the United States.
________________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Several city council hopefuls and one of the three candidates for mayor in Biddeford attended an event Tuesday that was billed as a “Community Roundtable” discussion between candidates and members of the public.
The forum was held in an ante room at Pizza By Alex and was attended by 18 members of the public. Delilah Poupore, executive director of the Heart of Biddeford, served as moderator of the 90-minute Q & A session.
The event was organized by Better Biddeford, a non-profit organization focused mainly on residential tenant rights. On its website, the group describes its mission as follows: “to connect, inform and empower the community through shared resources and civic engagement.”
ModeratorDelilah Poupore (far right) kicks off the candidate roundtable meeting
Several candidates were not able to attend the forum. Those who did attend provided short answers to a wide range of topics and questions from the audience, including concerns about affordable housing, ICE enforcement actions, sustainable development and making Biddeford a more walkable community.
Each candidate was also allowed to make brief opening and closing remarks.
Although Mayor Marty Grohman stopped by shortly before the event began, he said he was unable to participate because of a Traffic Committee meeting at City Hall. Mayoral candidate Norm Belanger also did not attend the event, telling the Gazette last week that he will be out of town on vacation.
City Council President Liam LaFountain did attend the event and said he is hoping that candidates will have even more opportunities to connect with residents and talk about their priorities.
Of the three at-large candidates, only Nasreen A Sheikh-Yousef attended Tuesday’s forum. Neither Councilor Marc Lessard nor Lisa Vadnais attended the meeting. The two council candidates from Ward Six — Roger Hurtubise and Jake Pierson – also did not attend. And Ward Two candidate John McCurry said he had a prior engagement.
Ward Seven council candidate Brad Cote pointed out that all Biddeford residents are facing increasing costs for food, utilities and healthcare on top of skyrocketing housing costs.
Council candidate Nasreen A Sheikh-Yousef answers a question while candidates Sam Pecor (left) and David Kurtz (right) listen.
“Sometimes it’s easy to simply say we should spend more on various projects, but we have to balance and prioritize our wants and needs,” Cote said. “We need to be creative in searching for sources of revenue that are not just reaching into the pockets of taxpayers.”
On the topic of how to increase “environmentally sustainable” housing, Sam Pecor, the other Ward Seven candidate, pointed out that Biddeford’s current housing stock is among some of the oldest in the nation.
Pecor — who owns a rental property on May Street – said housing is one of the biggest issues facing the city. “We have to be creative,” he said. “We have to look at different options. This is a really complex puzzle.”
Many of the candidates said the city needs to improve how it communicates with residents.
“As councilors, we have a responsibility to help educate and organize people into action,” said Sheikh-Yousef. “Citizens need to know what is happening in their own community.”
On the topic of accessible public information,” LaFountain pointed to the plans last year to convert apartments into market-rate condominiums at the Pepperell Mill complex.
“What really disturbed me is that we councilors were kept in the dark about those plans,” LaFountain said. “None of us were told about it until the news was dropped on the tenants in that building.”
Mayoral candidate Liam LaFountain (center) and Ward One council hopefuls Jim LaBelle and Pat Boston listen to a question from an audience member during Tuesday’s event.
Ward Five candidate David Kurtz will be unopposed on the ballot. He used some of his speaking time to warn residents that things happening on the national stage could and will impact the city, including federal funding cutbacks.
Kurtz also said he would like to see the city “slow down” its push for housing developments. “We are in a much different position now than we were 20 years ago,” he said. “We no longer need to offer commercial and residential developers sweetheart deals.”
LaBelle reminded the small audience that the demand for all types of housing is quite high in Biddeford, and private sector employers are also struggling to find workers who can afford to live close to the city.
Former Ward Four Councilor Bob Mills said he has long been an advocate for rent stabilization programs but found little support for any kind of rent control from his peers during his prior service on the council.
“I am one of those people in Biddeford who is earning more than $100,000 and still feels poor,” Mills said.
On the issue of ICE enforcement actions, all of the candidates said they do not want the Biddeford Police Department to enter into agreements or cooperate with the federal agency’s enforcement activities.
Ward Two council candidate Abigail Woods was one of the organizers of Tuesday’s event, and said the council should always act with compassion, especially for its most vulnerable citizens.
Former Ward One Councilor Pat Boston talked about the difficult realities of serving on the council.
“We have to be fiscally responsible,” she said. “But the hard part is ‘the how.’ How do we balance the city’s needs without pushing taxpayers over the edge?”
__________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Many people get excited about this time of year. They order pumpkin everything, pick apples, decorate their yards with mums and fret about having the cleverest Halloween costume for themselves and their kids.
I get excited this time of year for an entirely different reason. I am a political junkie with a local focus, and every two years Biddeford voters choose who will represent them as mayor, on the city council and as members of the school committee.
Unlike the rather dull 2023 cycle two years ago, this year’s upcoming elections are bringing some heat to the game.
We have three mayoral candidates this year, and almost every ward race will feature two candidates, except Wards Three and Five.
Marty GrohmanNorman BelangerLiam LaFountain
The last time Biddeford had more than two people running for mayor was in 2013, when former mayor Joanne Twomey and former councilor Perry Aberle both tried to deny Alan Casavant a third, consecutive term.
And one of the most interesting mayoral races in Biddeford took place in 2003 when Gen. Wallace Nutting – a Republican and Saco native – upset the ballot with a decisive win over School Committee member Dan Boucher and City Councilor Marc Lessard.
Few people predicted that outcome, and I was not one of them. For the record, that race generated a whopping voter turnout of more than 67 percent of registered voters.
Typically, turnout during local elections rarely break the 45 percent mark.
Today’s political landscape in Biddeford
Voters will also be asked this year to decide the fate of two rather significant municipal bond issues; and whether to convene another Charter Review Commission.
In my opinion, there are at least three significant issues driving more candidates and voters to participate in this year’s election.
First, issues connected to former city manager James Bennett angered many people in the community on almost every front: how federal grant money was being used, excessive staff turnover at City Hall, questions about discrepancies in the Finance Department, a blistering report from the city’s auditors and the city’s inability to pay a private contractor for his services to the city.
Former City Manager James Bennett
And Bennett was also a central figure in the controversy surrounding the University of New England’s plan to construct a large pier on the Saco River. Bennett sidelined both the city’s harbormaster and deputy harbormaster during local review of the pier proposal.
The council finally removed Bennett from office but not before he left a shitty taste in a lot of mouths across the city. Bennett filed a lawsuit against the city.
City officials, in turn, are pointing to concerns about how Bennett used his office for his own gain.
Secondly, the UNE pier proposal raised local concerns on a number of fronts as opponents raised questions about possible conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency during the project’s review.
Members of the public voiced concerns and anger earlier this year about the University of New England’s controversial plan to construct a large pier on the Saco River (Seaver photo)
Finally, continuing property tax increases are always an issue in local elections. Over the last two years, the city has passed on increased spending budgets of nearly six percent per year.
Not surprisingly, several incumbent candidates are now raising concerns about property tax burdens, yet many of them actually approved increased spending over the last two years.
Politicians will be politicians.
How will the Biddeford Gazette cover all the election news?
Our in-depth election coverage will begin on October 1.
We are now in the process of collecting questionnaires that were sent to all city council candidates. We will use those surveys as the basis for upcoming stories about each of the contested ward races. We will also periodically examine each of the races and how they align with public concerns.
The contested ward races will be covered in a single story. For example, candidates Patricia Boston and Jim LaBelle from Ward One will be featured in the same story.
Likewise, the three at-large candidates will be introduced in one story, but we will also do follow-up stories on that race.
When it comes to the mayor’s race, we will publish three separate stories regarding each candidate during the first full week of October.
Profiles and interviews with Norman Belanger, Marty Grohman and Liam LaFountain will be published in alphabetical order on three consecutive days.
Obviously, we will be writing many other stories, especially about the mayoral candidates and their campaigns.
Upcoming mayoral debate
Finally, I am proud of the fact that I was able to organize at least one public debate among all three mayoral candidates. It took a lot or work to get this thing organized but I think it’s well worth the effort.
I am especially pleased that my colleagues from Saco Bay News, and the Biddeford-Saco Courier agreed to participate as panelists with me.
That debate will take place on Friday, October 10, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Biddeford High School’s Little Theater on Maplewood Avenue.
The debate will be streamed live and recorded for later viewing on social media sites.
While there will be no public comment during this event, we are hoping that most of the questions will come from the public in the form of written submissions before the debate.
Up until only a few years ago, the American Legion Post 26 in Biddeford was in danger of closing.
The former schoolhouse building on Route One – almost directly across from the new courthouse complex — was in serious disrepair with a leaky roof.
Other non-profit organizations, such as the American Red Cross, could no longer use the building for activities such as hosting blood drives or community meetings. The group’s membership of roughly 100 veterans was struggling for ideas about how to keep their club headquarters open.
Veterans Richard St.Onge and Ted Sirois stand near the trailer they use to collect redeemable bottles and cans to fund a number of activities at the American Legion Post 26 in Biddeford. Unfortunately, a few individuals — despite security cameras and warning signs — regularly steal some of the donated items (Seaver photo)
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman – then a state legislator who was trying to help a couple of local veterans – came up with a winning idea.
Grohman donated a small garden trailer and suggested that the club should ask for donations of redeemable bottles and cans that could be dropped off in the trailer, parked near the side of the busy Route One corridor.
Grohman’s fundraising idea took off. Soon the veterans were collecting between two and three thousand dollars in donations each month.
They used that money to make long overdue repairs to their headquarters: a new roof, a new furnace and the parking lot was repaved.
But the community’s donations of bottles and cans didn’t just help local veterans. The funds kept alive a regular meeting place for the Girl Scouts and a function hall that is used by other community groups, including local wedding receptions, celebrations and non-profit activities.
But as the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.
On a regular basis, a small handful of people help themselves to the bags of bottles and cans that were intended as donations for the non-profit veterans’ organization.
“It started happening frequently, so we moved the drop-off trailer a little closer to the building,” explained Ted Sirois, adjutant commander of Post 26. “We were stunned, a couple people just kept stealing bags and bottles. They were pretty brazen about it.”
Sirois said the group decided to install exterior surveillance cameras and posted warning signs on the trailer.
But the thefts continued and the bandits were rather brazen, seemingly unfazed by the cameras and warning signs.
“It was really quite unbelievable that the same people would keep stealing from us, over and over again,” said Post Commander Richard St. Onge.
Grohman also said he was discouraged about the ongoing thefts.
“These veterans do a lot of good things for our community, and they are always ready and willing to help others,” Grohman said. “All thefts are bad and unwarranted, but this really is a new low — to steal from people who risked their lives to serve our nation. Moreover, when you steal from these veterans, you’re stealing from the whole community.”
After reviewing some of the surveillance footage, the Biddeford Police Department conducted an informal sting operation.
“We sort of knew exactly who we were looking for, but we are also able to catch a couple of people red-handed,” said Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk. “It really is quite unbelievable how callous some of these individuals were, even after we caught them.”
“It was really quite unbelievable that the same people would keep stealing from us, over and over again,”
— Post Commander Richard St. Onge
Although police cannot be conducting surveillance 24 hours a day, Fisk said that anyone taking bottles and cans from the donation trailer will be summonsed and charged with theft and possible criminal trespass.
Meanwhile, St. Onge and Sirois say they much appreciate how the community has supported Post 26 with donations of bottles and cans.
“But that’s only half the battle,” Sirois explains. “Collecting and transporting those donations takes a real team effort, and we’re lucky to have some hard-working volunteers in our midst.”
In addition to serving as the local American Legion headquarters, the building also houses the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Next week, the Red Cross will be conducting another community blood drive at the post.
“We’re always looking for ways to help the community,” Sirois says, pointing to a recently installed outdoor water spigot. “If some group wants to have a car wash, we can accommodate them right here, in our parking lot.”
The American Legion Post is alcohol free, making them a popular place for hosting family functions and youth activities.
“All we want to do is help people,” St. Onge says. “I can’t understand why anyone would think it’s okay to steal from the community.”
_______________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
You have probably seen the signs as you drive through the city of Biddeford, and unless you’re driving a big truck – you may not understand the impacts of a traffic ordinance that was revised by the city council four months ago.
With very little fanfare, the Biddeford City Council voted 7-1 (Lessard) on May 20th, to extend the prohibition of engine braking on a permanent basis, 24 hours per day.
The city’s engine braking ordinance was revised in May, but caught at least one resident off-guard (Seaver photo)
Engine braking is used to safely increase the stopping power of large trucks with less wear on their wheel brakes. Though engine braking can provide as much as 25 percent more stopping power, the process makes a loud noise.
Previously, operators of large trucks were allowed to use engine braking – also known as “the Jake Brake” – before 9 p.m. and after 6 a.m. because of the noise that is produced when a driver uses engine braking.
John Chretien is the second-generation owner of the family-owned Bob’s Garage in Biddeford, a hauling and trucking company founded by his father in 1961.
A large part of Chretien’s business involves hauling heavy equipment – such as excavators and plows — to and from job sites. The company has also worked as a city contractor for towing and snow removal.
Chretien says the ordinance change caught him completely off guard.
“I knew nothing about it until I got a call from the police chief a few days ago,” he said. “Everything was going fine, and then they [the city] decided to change the ordinance because of just a couple of complaints.
“I don’t understand why no one asked us – or someone else who does trucking – about the ordinance,” Chretien added. “This is a safety issue. What happens if an animal or a pedestrian darts out on the road? Large trucks cannot just stop on a dime.”
John Chretien of Biddeford says the city is sacrificing safety because of occasional nose (Seaver photo)
City Councilor Roger Beaupre is the chair of the city council’s Traffic Committee. He is also the city’s former chief of police, a position he held for 40 years.
Beaupre says he can understand Chretien’s frustration, but also says the ordinance change went through a very “thorough and transparent” public process.
“The [Traffic] Committee received several complaints about engine braking,” Beaupre said. “From there, the committee recommended revising the ordinance. To change an ordinance, the council has to hold two publicly advertised public meetings.”
Beaupre said the council does not have the resources to reach out to every person who may be impacted by a proposed change to the city’s ordinances.
“I can understand why he [Chretien] is frustrated,” Beaupre said. “But there is only so much we can do to make sure that people know what is happening at City Hall. This was a very public and transparent process.”
Chretien’s business is headquartered near the western end of Guinea Road, a quiet residential neighborhood with manicured lawns and single-family homes.
Chretien says he likely knows the “one person” who filed a complaint about his company.
Beaupre, however, says the Traffic Committee received several complaints, most of which came from the city’s downtown area and on the southern side of Elm Street (Route One) near the new courthouse building.
Chretien said he would have been happy to work with the city in revising the ordinance, including an agreement not to use engine braking when a truck is empty.
“I really don’t understand this,” Chretien said. “It seems like we’re willing to sacrifice increased safety because of occasional noise.”
____________________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Something happened at last night’s Biddeford City Council meeting that should be a template for all of us.
In a time of seemingly unprecedented political tension on the national stage, two city councilors showed us all a valuable lesson about respect, collaboration and friendship – despite being almost polar opposites when it comes to political ideology.
Councilors Doris Ortiz and Marc Lessard are the city’s two at-large council members, and they about as different as you can get — but they both love Biddeford and that is what drives their friendship.
Doris Ortiz
Lessard has been a member of the council since the late 1990s. He is the longest serving council member.
Ortiz decided to run for council in 2019, saying she was inspired by my wife’s service on the council.
Like all new councilors, Ortiz recalled being nervous and feeling a little overwhelmed when she was sworn in and later attended her first meeting on the other side of the council dais.
Lessard was her seatmate on the council. He knew they would probably struggle to find consensus, but that didn’t matter. Lessard immediately took Ortiz under his wing. He coached her, advised her and reassured her that she was in the right place.
Though the city council is non-partisan, there is no denying that Ortiz and Lessard are fundamentally on different sides of the political spectrum.
That didn’t matter. They just worked together. They listened to one another and they even shared jokes and laughed together.
More than that, they often formed what was jokingly called an “unholy alliance.”
I have been watching their relationship for six years. There were times when you could almost see and feel the tension between them as they tackled a myriad of policy issues, from housing to budgets.
Marc Lessard
But they also found a lot of common ground; and they always acted with respect and civility.
Last night, Ortiz announced her resignation from the council because she is moving outside of the city.
It was an emotional announcement that encapsulated Ortiz’s philosophy and modus operandi: she was humble, authentic and grateful for the opportunity to serve.
At the end of her brief statement, it was Marc Lessard who was first on his feet to offer Ortiz a standing ovation. Everyone else in the council chamber quickly followed Lessard’s lead.
Lessard and Ortiz offered all of us a timely and relevant lesson.
No matter how discouraged we may feel about our nation’s political divisiveness, we can still choose to treat each other with civility and respect.
Godspeed, Councilor Ortiz. Thank you for your service and commitment to our city.
____________
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Even as the University of New England begins construction of its controversial research pier, opponents of the project are ramping up their own efforts and raising new concerns about how the City of Biddeford handled its review of the project.
A group of Biddeford residents are now circulating a petition to require the mayor and city council members to host a citizens’ grievance meeting.
This aerial photo from UNE shows where the university is planning to construct its new research pier
According to the city’s charter, any Biddeford resident can force the council to publicly hear their concerns during a meeting in which only the citizens are allowed to speak if they can collect at least 100 signatures from registered voters.
Carole Alexander is one of the key organizers of the proposed Citizen Grievance meeting.
Alexander is the wife of the late Marshall Alexander who served as the city’s harbor master for 37 years. She says her husband proposed an alternate location for UNE’s pier more than 10 years ago.
“I’m angry,” Alexander said. “The city has bungled the entire process and the truth has been distorted. First, they removed our harbormaster, and now they are going after a planning board member who raised concerns. It’s time for citizens to stand up.”
Alexander says she is more than confident that her group can collect more than 100 signatures in order to force the meeting.
Meanwhile, questions are now being raised about the law firm that the city hired to represent the Zoning Board of Appeals and some potential conflict of interest issues.
Following the Planning Board’s approval of the university’s pier project, John Schafer – one of the project’s most vocal opponents — filed an appeal of that decision with the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.
Schafer said that he and several other residents are appealing the planning board’s decision because it hinges largely on one central point: whether the university’s plan required the expressed approval of a harbor master.
“All I can hope for is that the zoning board will send this item back to the planning board,” Schafer said. “The planning board got bad information about whether a harbormaster approved the project.”
During the planning board’s review of the proposed pier, City Attorney Harry Center repeatedly told the board that the project had been approved by a harbormaster.
This audio clip of a discussion between Planning Board Chair Alexa Plotkin and Center during one of the Planning Board’s meetings shows that the role and definition of the harbormaster was a central issue of the board’s review.
But Schafer and others point to the city’s own ordinances and say the private engineer who was hired to replace the city’s harbormaster does not meet the definition of a harbormaster from both city and state regulations.
According to city ordinances, a harbormaster must meet specific requirements to hold that title, including being a “city resident for no less than five years; must have five years of marine experience and must attend annual Maine Harbormasters Association training.”
Center, however, argues that the engineer hired by the city only needs to “facilitate” the review process and ensure that other local, state and federal agencies have approved the project.
But opponents say the city’s ordinances are crystal clear in what defines a ‘harbormaster’ and what his or her responsibilities are.
Section 74-35 of Biddeford’s ordinances reads: “Permission for the construction of any new wharf or pier within the jurisdictional limits of the city shall not be granted without approval of the Harbormaster, along with federal, state and local governing authorities.”
“The planning board never heard from an actual harbormaster,” Schafer said. “That’s a big oversight that needs to be addressed.”
More conflicts of interest?
Earlier this month, the city hired Archipelago Law, a small Portland-based law firm to represent the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Former city councilor Kyle Noble says that particular firm has several conflicts of interest issues because four of the firm’s 12 employees graduated from the University of New England’s Marine Sciences program.
Keith Richard, the attorney who will be representing the Zoning Board, refused to comment for this story.
Mayor Marty Grohman declined to comment on the matter because it is a pending legal issue for the city.
Council President Liam LaFountain also said he could not comment directly on the story, but did indicate that he is hoping to learn more about the firm and why they were chosen.
In an email response to Schafer, City Manager Truc Dever wrote: “While I cannot speak to your assertions regarding potential conflicts of interest, I will be looking into this in advance of the appeals hearing to ensure there is, in fact, no conflict.”
Next steps?
A UNE spokesperson said the university is currently searching for a contractor and has initiated a bid process for the project.
Sarah Delage, Associate Vice President of Communications, said an actual construction schedule has not yet been established and that the university will need a building permit from the city’s code enforcement officer.
“The total work can be done in six to eight months,” Delage said, pointing out that both the land portion of the project and the water portion can be done in phases, as opposed to concurrently.
Delage said the university has not reached out to mooring owners who may be impacted by the project, saying that responsibility rests with city officials.
Delage also said the university will periodically update construction information on the school’s website.
The Zoning Board of Appeals hearing has been set for October 9 and residents who are now gathering signatures for a Grievance meeting with the council say they expect to have more than the required number of signatures they need within a few days.
Editor’s Note: A copy of the citizens petition may be viewed or downloaded using the link below:
According to a press release issued Thursday, the Maine Water Company and Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) announced a partnership that will permanently conserve more than 250 acres of forest and open space in a key watershed area of the Saco River in western Biddeford.
The signed agreement between Maine Water and MCHT has full support from the city of Biddeford, which helped facilitate the initiative. The Biddeford City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the agreement in 2022.
The protected forest land is located on the southwest side of South Street, adjacent to Maine Water’s new Saco River Drinking Water Resource Center, which delivers drinking water to customers in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Pine Point.
The Maine Water Company and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust have reached an agreement to place more than 250 acres of land near the Saco River into permanent conservation. (Contributed photo)
The 257 acres of land includes 4,000 feet along Swan Pond Brook and a large swath of forest and wetlands, including an exemplary red-maple swamp and a rare oak-hickory forest, providing vital habitat to a suite of Maine’s native species. The agreement will permanently preserve the land and prevent development, thus helping protect the high quality of the Saco River, which is a critical natural and cultural resource and the sole drinking water source for about 40,000 residents served by Maine Water.
“Our top priority is always clean, high-quality water, which is why we have such a strong drive to protect the resource,” said Mark Vannoy, president of Maine Water. “But we also want this land to be available for low-impact recreational use for the people of Biddeford and nearby towns.
“Working with the city and Maine Coast Heritage Trust has been rewarding, because the result is an environmentally responsible and visionary arrangement that will benefit southern Maine people for decades to come. MCHT is an ideal steward.”
MCHT is a nonprofit land conservation organization that protects and cares for vital lands on the coast of Maine.
“We’re focused on conserving healthy coastal ecosystems, actively responding to a changing climate, and contributing to the wellbeing of people and communities across Maine,” said Chris Schorn, MCHT’s southern Maine project manager. “Protecting a large forest block in this relatively developed part of the state is critical for helping our diverse plants and animals adapt to change, and we’re excited to offer residents of Biddeford and visitors to the city a new opportunity to find connection and wonder in this special landscape.”
Kate Stookey, president and CEO of MCHT, emphasized the value of collaborations like this in the work of protecting and caring for lands and waters in Maine. “We’re honored that the City of Biddeford and Maine Water have put their trust in us. This is a significant piece of land, just miles from downtown, that will be forever protected from development and available for the enjoyment of those seeking time outside in nature,” Stookey said.
An aerial view that shows the land that the Maine Water Company has placed into a permanent conservation easement
MCHT is fundraising to support the long-term care of this land, with goals to improve accessibility and recreational opportunities while remaining mindful of the land’s ecological significance. In the coming months and years, Southern Maine Regional Stewardship Manager Andrew Deci will work with community members, staff, and volunteers to develop an ecologically sensitive trail network.
“For the city, fresh off doubling the size of Clifford Park, this is fantastic news,” said Biddeford’s Mayor Marty Grohman. “It will provide more outdoor recreational access and is sure to be welcomed by residents and visitors. We applaud Maine Water for their dedication to conservation. This is a great example of corporate leadership dedicated to a common goal of preserving open spaces and finding more opportunities for time in nature.”
“We applaud Maine Water for their dedication to conservation.”
— Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman
Vannoy said a historic infrastructure investment helped move the resource protection and conservation measure forward. The preservation initiative is directly tied to building the company’s new $60 million Drinking Water Resource Center, the design and construction of which included many environmental safeguard and sustainability measures.
The Resource Center, a long-term infrastructure investment, began producing water in June of 2022 and replaced a facility that was 138 years old. The old building also sat exposed in the flood plain of the Saco River and had been flooded at least three times in the last century.
“The quality of the water from the river is extremely high and we want to keep it that way,” said Vannoy. “In charting a smart course of reliable water service for the next 150 years and building the new drinking water resource center, we put environmental stewardship at the top our list.”
___________
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Truc Dever – Biddeford’s new city manager – took over the helm at City Hall just a few weeks ago. She sat down with us for a one-on-one interview and happily answered a wide range of questions about her background, hobbies and management style.
Before taking on her new job in Biddeford, Dever served as the public works director in Kirkland, Washinton, a Seattle suburb.
We hear that you are a self-proclaimed Connect Four champion.
(Laughs) Yes! I love social time with good friends and backyard parties; and sometimes you bring out the board games.”
Biddeford’s new city manager, Truc Dever (Krause photo)
My mother was a schoolteacher, and I remember one of her first-grade kids with a similar name and it made me curious, are you familiar with any of the origins or meanings of your name at all?
“So Truc is short for Truc Mai, and Truc is a type of bamboo while Mai is a type of flower [apricot blossom] which normally appears around the Lunar New Year. Bamboo symbolizes strength while Mai adds a little more of a delicate touch to it. Though I have also gone by a few nicknames like 4×4, Mack truck and all sorts of things.”
You made the move here with your husband and your dogs. Are they acclimating to the East Coast?
“I think so. My husband and I moved here with our two French Bulldogs. And I can say that we adopted them before they became known as America’s favorite breed, long before Lady Gaga’s dogs were dognapped at gunpoint, before they got really popular so I can say I fell in love with the breed before it became super popular. They’re old boys, but they still think they are puppies (Laughs).
Hobbies or vices?
“I am an outdoors person, I love paddling on the water, kayaking, I’m a huge hiker. My husband and I did a lot of backpacking as well, off-roading with the Jeep, just all the outdoors stuff. We do also like the arts and music. I would say we are pretty well rounded in our interests.
If New England is playing the Seahawks in the Superbowl, which jersey are you wearing?
“Seahawks! (pounds on her desk) I know it’s not gonna fly here, I met with all of the firefighters, I get it, but Seahawks all the way!”
What is it about Biddeford that brought you here?
“My husband and I have been very fortunate. We have travelled all over the country as well as around the world. When we came out here to Maine years ago, we just fell in love with it. We both love the outdoors, the history, the people and the nature in Maine so when we decided some years ago to buy a place to vacation, we chose a camp in central Maine.
“We knew that we wanted to retire out here and with my husband working remotely when this job opportunity came up, we decided to jump at it. We have our camp up north, but we also just purchased a home here in Biddeford, we are invested in this community.
Your work experience includes job in the media. Was that your original plan in life or was it a basis for what you were eventually aiming for?
“When you’re in your youth, and you are pursuing the job options out there, you sometimes find opportunities that come along and change your path. I worked as a news reporter, a news producer, a news editor on an assignment desk and had the good fortune to work with some really amazing and talented people covering some hard-hitting news.
“I worked in San Diego and Los Angeles, and it gave me some exceptional experience on the communications side of things. At some point, I realized how different and challenging the lifestyle is. You work long hours, holidays and weekends and it’s a tough schedule.
“At some point, I decided to make the pivot to the public sector. I started off working as a public information officer, then moved to director of communications for a large public agency.
“I realized I enjoyed working for the community, working for a bigger cause and so I pursued my master’s degree in Public Administration and work in executive management.”
Kirkland’s population is about four times larger than Biddeford. Kirkland’s budget is about $1.1 billion biennial compared to Biddeford’s roughly $100 million (municipal and school). The two cities are quite different, with Kirkland being considerably more modern and populated. What is it about Biddeford that brought you here?
“You know, I wouldn’t say it was so different. I think the principles and values of those that live and work in Biddeford are not so dissimilar from Kirkland. We are experiencing the same challenges here.
“Kirkland was a smaller community with waterfronts and open areas that just exploded in growth. It became more attractive to industry and tech sector companies. With that comes people, and the need for housing. The city staff were trying to deal with the growth with limited resources and trying to look at infrastructure and the challenges that come along with it.
“Here in Biddeford. we are faced with the same things, a growing city with limited resources and expanding issues requiring study and action. In the end, I feel that there is a lot I can bring to Biddeford with my experience dealing with the growth, the unhoused community, and with the infrastructure.”
When your predecessor left the office, many residents felt as if the city went backwards from where it started under his management. There are still many questions about his 10-year tenure, and those questions are probably going to linger for a while.
What do you feel you bring to the office that will assure Biddeford residents that the city is back on an even keel?
When I interviewed for the position and I spoke to council, obviously I didn’t know all the history, I just knew what I could bring to the table. I feel that council chose me for this position because of what I bring to the table.
“I operate with transparency, honesty, integrity, compassion; these are principles that I live by. This is what the city needs and what the staff need. I learned a long time ago from my mentors that what I should lead by is to make sure that I am serving this community and do what is in the best interest of this community, the people I serve, and the people I work with.
“It’s not about individual needs or individual power or authority or whatever else. As a public servant, I am here to do what is in the best interest of this community and here to serve the council that is elected by the community members.
“Today we are trying to move past what has happened and we don’t want to make the same mistakes. We are looking at recruitment and retention, figuring out why do people stay, why do they want to come work here.
“I operate with transparency, honesty, integrity, and compassion; these are principles that I live by”
— Truc Dever
Biddeford is facing several controversial issues, and public confidence is low. We are seeing high employee turnover, overdue audits and questions regarding several development projects.
“My job right now is to figure out the lay of the land. We have a governing body in council. They have deliberated, made decisions and made policy. My job is to carry out and operationalize those policy decisions.
“If there are things that are within my purview in terms of contracts, these are the things that I am very quickly trying to come up to speed on. My job isn’t to push back on our governing body, I’m here to support them. The comprehensive plan has just been posted on the city’s website, and I would encourage everybody to look at it.
There are also two very important bonds that will be on the ballot in November. First is the combined sewer overflow project and second is the recreation bond. These are important issues and it is important for the community to make their decisions on them. It’s our job as government to “information share” and get the word out there.”
Homelessness is a growing problem throughout the country, and in Biddeford we see it on almost every major street and in every public space. Is Biddeford dropping the ball somewhere, and are we losing both residential and commercial opportunities because of it?
“What I am learning as I am delving deep into this with staff is there is a lot of effort happening, and most residents aren’t going to see all the internal workings of it.
“We have a very active General Assistance program, and we have two coordinators out of the police department that work with people with substance abuse and with people with behavioral health issues. There is a program we are working on internally that we will be rolling out in the coming months to assist from an interdepartmental and interagency approach.
“We need to look at solutions instead of pushing people across the river or across the train tracks. It’s going to be an effort that requires intense cooperation and to solve the problem we have to put resources behind it. And yes, that might mean some property tax dollars would have to go towards it. We look at every grant possible out there, partnerships with non-profits and churches, and whatever we can do.”
Winter is coming, which will bring the dreaded parking bans in Biddeford. What can the city and residents do to make it easier and less stressful overall?
“When the community was developed for the mills, it wasn’t a “master plan community” and that leaves us with very narrow roads, especially in the downtown area. We need these bans during snow events for the safety of our public works staff.
“This is an old city and parking is an issue. There isn’t even enough parking here at City Hall for our own staff. There just isn’t enough parking in general in the area and it’s something that we have to tackle.
“I believe in solutions over problems, so bring some ideas. What can we do to make the garage more accessible during inclement weather? I don’t have the answer now, but we have to come up with solutions.”
__________
Jim Krause is a freelance writer and Biddeford resident.
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman seems ready to take another bite at the apple when it comes to ousting Roch Angers from the planning board, despite broad public opposition.
On Tuesday, Grohman presented the council with his recommendation to remove Angers from the Biddeford Planning Board. Only councilor William Emhiser was willing to take up the matter, but his motion failed to get a second from another member of the council.
While most people considered the issue dead on arrival, Grohman says he is still exploring ways to remove Angers from the board.
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman
On August 5, Angers, a member of the planning board, brought his own personal concerns to the council regarding how the city was handling the University of New England’s proposal to construct a large pier near its Biddeford campus.
When contacted by the Gazette on Friday, Grohman remained steadfast in his effort to remove Angers.
“I don’t think it is something that can be ignored,” Grohman said. “We can’t have people doing whatever they want on boards and commissions, there are rules that need to be followed.”
Grohman says the complaint, which was lodged by Alexa Plotkin, chair of the planning board, should be heard before the council.
Several councilors we spoke to say they do not understand why or how the mayor intends to move forward.
When asked that question, Grohman acknowledged that he does not have an approach or plan worked out. “I’m not sure, I’m not going to do it. I think it has to come from the council chair or someone else.”
Emhiser was unavailable for comment as of press time. He was the only councilor willing to bring the mayor’s proposal forward. Emhiser represents the city’s coastal area including the University of New England’s campus. He is not seeking reelection.
Other members of the council say that they are somewhat baffled as to why Grohman is pursuing something that has so little support.
Councilor Marc Lessard said the mayor has the prerogative to pursue the item, but he also said “It’s really weird. It’s got me scratching my head.”
It’s really weird. It’s got me scratching my head.
— Councilor Marc Lessard
Council President Liam LaFountain said “It’s perplexing, but it’s the mayor’s prerogative.”
Councilor Norman Belanger echoed what Lessard and LaFountain said.
“I don’t get it,” he said. “Under Robert’s Rules of Order, it can be brought back up, but I don’t see this as proceeding forward.”
When contacted by the Gazette, Angers said he also does not understand the mayor’s dogged approach to remove him from the planning board.
“I have no clue why he is continuing to go after me. I see it as Marty just being Marty,” Angers said.
Angers added that he has no plans to step down from the planning board but did say that his relationship with Board Chair Alexa Plotkin feels strained and awkward.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email at randy@randyseaver.com
Never miss another update! Subscribe for free today!
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 