NEWS | Mayor sets his mark, outlines his vision

Although Biddeford is still struggling with several internal challenges, Mayor Liam LaFountain says the city is moving in the right direction, and he laid out some bold policy goals

By RANDY SEAVER | Editor

Although it is no secret that the city of Biddeford has been plagued by a seemingly endless list of internal challenges at City Hall, Mayor Liam LaFountain took the opportunity Monday to remind the city council and the public that Biddeford is actually moving in a positive direction.

BIDDEFORD MAYOR LIAM LAFOUNTAIN | Photo courtesy of City of Biddeford

During the tail end of Monday’s special council meeting, LaFountain spent more than 10 minutes reminding his audience of several city accomplishments, and he laid out a bold challenge for the remaining 18 months of his term.

A professional data analyst by trade, LaFountain set the stage by pointing out that he and the city council have participated in 37 public meetings since being sworn into office in December.

“What that means is that we have spent 24 percent of our evenings together doing the work that is important for the city,” LaFountain said.

LaFountain profusely thanked the council and city staffers for their efforts in trudging through a process that has often appeared both overwhelming and unending.

“You have all put in a lot of work, and a lot of effort,” the mayor said. “Our hardworking city staff has done the work necessary to help with the resources and information we need to make good decisions.”

LaFountain also pointed out that more than 100 Biddeford residents serve as volunteers on several municipal boards, committees and commissions and reminded the council that they have approved 80 of those positions in just the last six months.

LaFountain’s remarks and tempo took an upbeat turn as he addressed the things happening at City Hall that are often overlooked or minimized by outside observers.

“We’re doing the city’s business,” LaFountain said. “We’re doing the work laid out by the people of Biddeford.”

LaFountain reminded his audience of his firm commitment to transparency, and he did not mince words when acknowledging that City Hall is still somewhat mired in problems that began long before voters chose a new mayor and city council a little more than six months ago.

“We’ve inherited a lot of issues, and we’re trying our best to address them,” the mayor said. “On some of those issues, we’ve been successful; and on others we have not yet been successful.”

Although LaFountain did not specifically address the abrupt resignations of former city manager Truc Dever and former City Clerk Robin Patterson, he did say that resolving two years-worth of overdue audits and other financial issues will be his top priority over the remainder of his term.

“We’re doing the city’s business.
We’re doing the work laid
out by the people of Biddeford.”
— Mayor Liam LaFountain

The problems started before the November election

**WE NEED TRANSPARENCY** | During the Oct. 2025 mayoral debate, Liam LaFountain (center) talked about addressing the city’s challenges with transparency and accountability. | *Seaver photo*

. . .

The city’s internal problems first came to light almost two years ago as new questions were raised about former city manager James Bennett and his controversial management style that created a revolving door of staff turnover, most notably in the finance department.

Facing increasing public pressure, Bennett reluctantly offered a six-month resignation notice in October 2024. But a few weeks later, he was shown the door, months ahead of his planned resignation date.

Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operating officer, was tapped to guide the city but resigned shortly after the November election. His position remains vacant.

The city is now in the process of searching for a new city manager to replace Dever who decided to quit just nine months after starting her new job.

Before LaFountain and the new council was elected, the city struggled with reconciliation of residential sewer bills, and the city was facing increasing public frustration about a controversial research pier the University of New England intends to construct on the Saco River.

Several weeks ago, the school’s president described the university’s relationship with the city as “broken.”

Despite pressure from UNE, LaFountain has remained firm in his push for transparency and clarity with regards to the review process used during the university’s permitting application. The city filed a legal complaint that was denied by a lower court, and then the mayor and council opted to file an appeal of that decision.

The university, meanwhile, has filed its own lawsuit, alleging that the city is trying to retroactively revoke a plan that was already approved by the planning board.

. . .

Several accomplishments in the last six months

**A WIDE-OPEN ROAD TO THE FUTURE** | Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain says the city, despite some challenges, is on a positive trajectory | *Seaver photo*

LaFountain touched only slightly on UNE issues during his remarks, instead focusing on several accomplishments the city has achieved over the last seven months, including:

Finally updating and submitting the city’s comprehensive plan;

Passage of an especially contentious city budget;

Adopting a solar-power ordinance that has been languishing under bureaucratic red tape;

Updating a household waste ordinance change;

Increased collaboration with the neighboring city of Saco and the purchase of a comprehensive and cutting-edge emergency dispatch system;

Hiring new department heads in the city’s assessing and economic development offices;

The establishment of the Institutional Zone Review Committee;

The mayor also pointed to increased community engagement during the budget process and said the city’s recreation department is experiencing significant growth and public participation.

LaFountain also provided a roadmap for what he wants to accomplish in the next 18 months, including the development of a regional approach to address homelessness; and to finally address long-term planning options for both the former JFK elementary school and the J. Richard Martin Community Center Building.

“There is a lot happening, and we have to narrowly focus our goals,” LaFountain told the council. “But there is quite a bit that is worth our time and work.”

Ultimately, LaFountain said, he hopes to leave the city in a much better place than he found it after being elected.

“We have the opportunity to set the city and future leaders up for success,” LaFountain said. “I am looking forward to working with all of you over the next year and a half to do that.”

. . .

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