Randy Seaver is a veteran journalist who has been covering news and politics in the city of Biddeford, Maine for nearly three decades. He may be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain told the Biddeford Gazette early Tuesday afternoon that he is optimistic about his proposal to bring in a temporary consultant to help city staffers and elected leaders address several critical issues that have been plaguing the city for more than two years.
The city council is expected to vote this evening to approve the hiring of Patricia Finnigan, a well-known and highly experienced municipal consultant for a six-month period.
The city of Biddeford continues to grapple with some difficult issues
Finnigan, whose experience includes more than a decade of serving as the city manager in Auburn, also served as the manager in the towns of Ogunquit and Camden; and served as the assistant city manager in Portland, Maine’s largest city.
“She is certainly qualified and up to the task,” LaFountain said during a brief telephone interview.
According to public documents, the city will pay no more than $36,000 for a six-month period in which Finnigan will help develop strategies and recommendations to address issues at City Hall, including long overdue financial audits that could impact the city’s future ability to borrow money.
Other issues the city is facing include a long overdue update of the city’s comprehensive plan and the potential for significant fines if the city is unable to address outstanding sewer separation projects that are mandated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
“No one should view this as a lack of confidence in our current staff and their abilities,” LaFountain said. “These issues did not happen overnight, and it is not realistic to think that they can be easily solved after the city’s voters decided it was time for change just a few months ago.”
LaFountain said he wants to ensure that the city has all the resources it needs to finally address problems that have been developing over that last several years.
“No one should view this as a lack of confidence in our current staff and their abilities,”
Bennett, hired by the city in 2015, was a brash and outspoken city leader who left a tangled trail of problems in his wake.
“It’s not just important to fix the problems we’re now facing, it’s also critically important to ensure that we can put systems in place to prevent these problems from ever happening again,” LaFountain said.
LaFountain said that he and every member of the city council is dedicated to the idea of leaving the city in a better place than they found it a little more than 90 days ago.
“We are striving for accountability and transparency,” LaFountain added. “That’s not going to happen without some pain and a thorough examination of what’s needed to right the city’s ship.”
Tonight’s special meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers.
UPDATE | The full city council voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Finnegan.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Considering it was the first birthday I was dreading; it turned to be the best birthday week I can remember.
As we age, we are all reminded to focus on friends, family and doing what we love.
Because I love writing news about Biddeford, I was able to accomplish all three of those goals this week.
The Gazette featured some pretty interesting and exclusive content this week, including ourin-depth examination about a so-called buffer zonethat has found the city of Biddeford and the University of New England battling in York County Superior Court.
UNE President Dr, James Herbert and City Councilor Pat Boston listen to several angry residents who expressed frustration during Monday’s public hearing about development at UNE;s Biddeford campus (Seaver photo)
Our contributing writer Jim Krause also offered Gazette readers a carefully researched story that explains what you need to know when a door-to-door solicitor comes knocking on your door.
As an added treat, we had a blast providing video and print reporting of the first Coffee With A Copevent that was held Wednesday at the Community Center in Biddeford. Nice work by the Biddeford Recreation Department in organizing the event!
Joy to sorrow
The very best part of my week was being invited back to the Biddeford Primary School to read to some second-grade students in Jillian Palladino’s class on Monday. The kids surprised me with a special rendition of Happy Birthday to celebrate both my birthday and that of Dr. Seuss (also Jon Bon Jovi and writer John Irving).
But this week ended on a bittersweet note when I learned of Curtis Robinson’s passing while working on this week’s local obituaries.
I did not know Curtis. He was only a few years older than me, but he was a notable, old-school journalist who got to hang around with my idol Hunter S. Thompson.
‘One of the last great newspapermen” | Curtis Robinson (Aspen Daily News photo)
According to a recent feature story in the Aspen Daily News, Robinson was a journalist’s journalist: “dogged and irreverent kind of journalist — the type who wouldn’t take BS if it was served on a silver platter and knew a government meeting was good material if you could write about it with verve.”
Robinson’s sister lives in South Portland. Our condolences to his family and friends
And that’s a wrap for this week! Some good stuff on the horizon, so keep reading and checking back for the latest updates.
Better yet, subscribe to the Biddeford Gazette today! It’s free and certainly worth it.
CORRECTION | In the first photo caption above, one of our readers alerted us that we mistakenly identified Biddeford City Councilor Pat Boston as “Bat’ Boston. It was a typographical error, and we apologize for the mistake.
THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
The York/Biddeford/Old Orchard Beach Boys Hockey Co-Op hockey team won the state championship today, defeating Hampden Academy 3-2 in a thrilling game at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
The team has earned rounds of praise from throughout the Biddeford community, including congratulatory remarks on social media platforms by Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and School Supt Jeremey Ray.
Below are photos shared with the Gazette from Eric Parent of Biddeford, one of the proud parents who attended today’s game!
The new state champs celebrate with their coaches on the ice (Photo provided by Eric Parent of Biddeford)
Connor Parent (left) celebrates Saturday’s championship win with Goalie Connor Thibault (Photo by Eric Parent)
The Biddeford Fire Department helped the new state champs celebrate (Eric Parent photo)
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
A former Biddeford resident who now lives in Ada, Mich., recently sent an email to the Gazette complaining that we have been “unfair and biased” toward the University of New England.
In his March 6 email, Bernard Roy – a 1971 Biddeford High School graduate – expressed disappointment regarding the Gazette’s coverage of issues connected to UNE.
Roy also expressed outrage that the Gazette “ignored” a letter-to-the-editor he sent to us on Feb. 28, somehow missing the fact that his letter was actually published by the Biddeford Gazette three days later, on March 2, 2026. LETTER | City is Treating UNE Unfairly
Is the Gazette’s coverage of UNE biased?
The Gazette regularly and frequently publishes a high volume of news focused on the city of Biddeford. Thus, it is understandable how Roy could have missed seeing his letter published on our site.
The Gazette strongly encourages and promotes transparency and reader feedback regarding our coverage. Go here to submit your own letter
In the interests of transparency and full disclosure, the Gazette is sharing its unedited emailed response to Mr. Roy today, March 7.
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Dear Mr. Roy,
I would advise you to tread carefully before you accuse me and/or the Biddeford Gazette of any negative “bias” toward the University of New England.
1.) We did, in fact, publish your letter to the editor on Monday, March 2, which coincidentally was my birthday and a very busy news day. Here is the link to your piece in the Gazette: LETTER: City is treating UNE unfairly – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
2.) I did feel compelled to attach an “editor’s note” to your submission. I know that you grew up in Biddeford and graduated from Biddeford High School (Class of 1971) so I was quite surprised that you would complain about how poorly your sister was treated by parking enforcement at Goose Rocks Beach. Most Biddeford folks know that Goose Rocks Beach is located in the town of Kennebunkport, not in the city of Biddeford. I also was left scratching my head, trying to figure how that particular incident has any bearing on the issue at hand.
Numerous Biddeford residents shared concerns about development at UNE during a March 2, public hearing, the same day that the Gazette published Mr. Roy’s letter to the editor.
3.) Not only did I publish your letter, I also published your sister’s letter — and another guest column from someone else who is equally upset about how “unfairly the city is handling issues connected to UNE.” If you visit the Gazette’s website and simply use the “Search” function, you will find everything we have ever published about the university.
No Apologies
4.) I make absolutely no apologies for being a reporter and for rigorously covering this issue, which has been almost virtually ignored by every other media outlet in southern Maine. In fact, I am often the only reporter covering meetings about UNE, including the very first meeting of the newly formed Institutional Zone Review Committee on February 19, coincidentally my mother’s birthday. New UNE oversight committee begins work – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
UNE Is a Big Part of Biddeford
5.) Frankly, I do not understand why issues connected to UNE do not receive more attention from other media outlets, besides the Biddeford Gazette. As you, your sister and others have pointed out — the University is a major and vibrant part of the Biddeford community.
The university is one of the city’s largest employers and offers numerous and quite tangible economic benefits to its neighbors throughout the city. Development on UNE’s campus — most notably its proposed and controversial research pier — will have numerous impacts (positive and negative) on the community, from environmental impacts to public recreation on the Saco River and impacts to commercial fishermen who now lease moorings in proximity to the proposed pier. No one from the university has seen fit to return calls or answer questions from these mooring owners. They remain consistently ignored.
Criticism With a Familiar Theme
6.) Your recent letter has somewhat familiar fingerprints. The same recurring themes — and almost verbatim language — have been used repeatedly to criticize the city. It almost feels as if it’s part of a coordinated attack. You, your sister and others should relax. Despite being told repeatedly that the recent, temporary moratorium on development at UNE’s Biddeford campus has absolutely no bearing on the St. Joseph’s Convent — located roughly two miles away from the campus main entrance — that issue has become a red herring that you and others are trying to exploit. As a Catholic, I find such a move to be offensive.
City of Biddeford is Being Fair to UNE
7.) When he decided to establish a new committee to comprehensively review and evaluate potential changes to UNE’s master plan (last updated nearly a quarter century ago), Mayor Liam LaFountain took great pains to be fair. In fact, his first pick for the committee was Dr. James Herbert, the university’s president. All of the IZ Review meetings are held publicly, televised, and available to watch online. The media and all citizens have complete and unfettered access to the committee’s work and comments. Does this really strike you as unfair, or somehow nefarious?
The Gazette’s Real Relationship with UNE
UNE students help with dune grass restorationUNE students help string downtown holiday lights
8.) It should be noted that I have a friendly, cordial and cooperative relationship with UNE, including its leadership team and members of its communications department including both Vice President Alan Thibeault and Sarah Delage, the university’s senior spokesperson. Over the past few weeks, the Gazette has published several “news releases” sent to us by the university, including a recent announcement about students helping to restore dune grass: COMMUNITY NEWS – BIDDEFORD GAZETTE
9.) I was recently invited to have lunch on UNE’s campus by Dr. Michael Cripps, a professor at UNE’s School of Arts and Humanities. Dr. Cripps and I had a thoroughly enjoyable discussion that culminated with a conversation about having UNE students who are interested in journalism and communications serve as unpaid interns with the Biddeford Gazette. Do you suppose Dr. Cripps was aware of my horrific bias toward the university when he bought me lunch? (In fairness, I only had a salad).
UNE President Dr. James Herbert was appointed by Mayor LaFountain to serve on a new committee tasked with reviewing development on the Biddeford campus
News, Not Public Relations
10.) Yes, I have covered UNE rigorously. There is absolutely no question that the Gazette has taken a leadership role in ensuring rigorous public conversation and overview of these important issues in our community. I am aware that my reporting has perhaps made some folks connected to UNE feel disquieted or otherwise uncomfortable. Tough cookies. I am a journalist, not a PR hack for the university. You may be interested to know that my reporting on these issues has earned accolades and praise from many of colleagues across the state of Maine.
Shoreline Buffer Concerns Are Not Random
Mayor Liam LaFountain is bending over backward to be fair to UNE
11.) Concerns about the “buffer” that will be impacted by the pier have been shared by Mayor LaFountain and each and every member of the Biddeford City Council who voted unanimously to seek relief on that issue in York County Superior Court, an argument supported by City Attorney Harry B. Center, esq. Hardly “random grievances” from one man, who happens to be the former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission
As with everything I publish on the Biddeford Gazette website, I am completely comfortable with my fair, reasonable and dogged approach to covering important issues. If you have a problem with that, I invite you to send us another letter to the editor.
Cheers,
Randy Seaver, editor
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
BIDDEFORD, Maine — For the second year in a row, University of New England students will help the Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust plant dune grass along a section of beach in Biddeford Pool to help make the beaches more climate resilient.
UNE students help with dune grass restoration
On Tuesday, March 10, from 11:30 to about 1:40 p.m. about 16 students from Assistant Professor Will Kochtitzky’s Geographic Information System (GIS) course will aid Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust President Lucie Fontein and around 10 volunteers from the nonprofit to plant dune grass in the three-day effort.
The same volunteer effort was taken last year to address the dune loss that resulted from the 2024 back-to-back January storms that caused an estimated $90 million in damages along the Maine coast, according to the state. This year, the Conservation Trust purchased 66% more dune grass: 20,000 stalks that will cover an estimated 20,000 square feet of beach.
The dune-grass initiative also will launch a new research project. This year dune grass stalks will be planted at both 18 inches and 12 inches apart, two different approaches that Kochtitzky’s classes will study in the years ahead using drone analysis and GPS surveys to determine the most effective method.
The Biddeford Pool Conservation Trust’s volunteer dune grass planting initiative is unique in that many nonprofits and coastal homeowners hire companies to plant dune grass to make beaches more resilient, but the Conservation Trust bought the dune grass independently and then recruited volunteers to assist in planting the grass.
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
This week’s video update offers a recap about our recent local news stories, and a teaser about an Intro to Journalism class that I will again be teaching this spring via the Biddeford Adult-Ed program.
What do you want from your community newspaper?
Check out the video, enjoy your weekend and stay safe!
Even as a lawsuit filed by the city of Biddeford against both the University of New England and the Saco River Corridor Commission continues winding its way through York County Superior Court, a Biddeford resident is ramping up his own efforts to raise awareness about the issue.
John Schafer, the former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission, claims the university misled the public during the application review process of a large-scale and somewhat controversial research pier that UNE is hoping to construct on the Saco River.
Moreover, Schafer is also raising questions about a $3.5 million grant that UNE secured through the efforts of U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
U.S. Senator Collins (R-Maine) ,chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee
Schafer points out that more than three years ago, UNE released a map called “Restrictions on Developable Areas.”
While Schafer says that map clearly shows where construction on the UNE campus was “illegal,” UNE representatives adamantly denied those claims, saying that it is Schafer who is misleading the public.
“The suggestion that we deliberately misled anyone is simply untrue,” said Sarah Delage, a university spokesperson. “UNE has been open and honest with all government agencies throughout this process, including Senator Collins’ office and the federal agency that awarded the grant.”
Buffer Zone | A matter of semantics?
Schafer and others – including Biddeford’s city attorney Harry Center – say the 250-foot buffer zone shown on the map illustrates an agreement that UNE made with the SRCC in 2001 when it wanted to build two new dormitories.
In fact, the so-called buffer zone is a central argument in the city’s lawsuit against UNE and the SRCC.
The map provided by the University of New England
Delage and other UNE officials describe the buffer zone as a “vegetative buffer” that does not preclude certain activities, such as the need to construct a paved access for the proposed pier.
“This type of buffer is not a “No-Build” buffer,” Delage told the Gazette during a March 4 telephone interview. “It designates an area where additional permits and oversight are required for approval to build anything new.
“It is not prohibited to build within a buffer, provided you obtain the proper permits,” Delage added. “This is standard practice under Maine’s shoreland zoning rules and is not unique to UNE’s property.”
Center, speaking as Biddeford’s chief legal counsel, told the Gazette that the buffer has indeed become a matter of semantics.
“What’s the point of a ‘vegetative buffer’ if it doesn’t preclude development within that area?” Center asked.
“They [UNE] admitted and acknowledged the existence of that buffer as recently as 2022,” Center said. “It’s an issue that the SRCC ignored in their own review of the proposed pier project.”
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“What’s the point of a ‘vegetative buffer’ if it doesn’t preclude development within that area?”
— Harry Center, Biddeford’s attorney
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Center says the issue will be a statutory matter for a Superior Court judge to decide later this year.
For his part, Schafer points to an Oct. 14, 2025 Biddeford Gazette story and the comments then offered by Delage, saying that the Saco River Corridor Commission did not impose a ‘no-build’ or ‘no construction’ zone within a 250-foot zone from the river.”
“Well, I guess at least now the university is finally admitting that there actually is a buffer zone,” Schafer said, pointing to the university’s own map.
Federal law | Was Collins wrong to provide funding?
Schafer said he is troubled by the fact that Senator Collins’ office announced a $3.5 million grant for the research pier roughly one month after the university released its own map clearly showing the buffer zone.
“Federal grants typically take many months or even years to secure,” Schafer says.
“Two scenarios are possible,” he added. “Either Susan Collins and federal authorities are incompetent, or UNE deliberately withheld information from Collins and the feds as the university chased taxpayer funding.”
Phoebe Keller, a spokesperson for Senator Collins, told the Gazette today that the senator’s office would be unable to provide any “on-the-record” comments regarding this story.
Schafer says he does not believe that Collins or any other member of Congress did anything wrong in supporting the university’s funding request.
Instead, Schafer says he believes the university withheld information about the buffer zone when applying for the federal grants.
Delage, however, says there was no deliberate plan to omit any factual information during the federal application process.
“We did not get into any of those types of specifics because it’s not part of the process of seeking funding for a project,” Delage said. “The use of grant funds for any project is predicated on securing required local and regulatory approvals and securing a grant does not circumvent or negate the need for securing approvals.”
Furthermore, Delage said that “singling out” the SRCC misses the point that the project also required approvals from the Biddeford Planning Board, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Each of those review agencies, Delage noted, approved the university’s proposed pier project.
And Delage said that the map now being circulated by Schafer and others concerned about the project is not a smoking gun.
“It simply shows standard environmental zoning boundaries routinely used by the city of Biddeford, the SRCC and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection,” Delage said.
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“We did not get into any of those types of specifics because it’s not part of the process of seeking funding for a project,”
— Sarah Delage, UNE spokesperson
Schafer says he will continue raising concerns and asking “tough questions” about the university’s pier project.
“I’ve asked the president of UNE [Dr. James Herbert] three times to release the application they filed with the feds,” Schafer said. “The Biddeford Planning Board also asked them to release an exact copy of that application. They [UNE] have consistently refused to answer that question.”
Schafer says that UNE’s consistent refusal to discuss whether they specifically included mention of the buffer zone likely explains how the project received a $3.5 million federal grant.
“Senator Collins is not incompetent, nor is the federal agency that issued the grant, but they were intentionally deceived,” Schafer said.
UPDATE | Phoebe Keller, a spokesperson from Sen. Susan Collins’ Washinton, DC office, contacted the Gazette following the publication of this story, asking to provide updated information .
““Sen. Collins and Sen. King secured $3.5 million for the University of New England to construct a coastal research deployment facility to be located somewhere in Biddeford, Maine,” Keller wrote. “ The senators do not determine the specific location of the project, which is set by the grantee in coordination with all relevant local and state authorities.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
Maine’s manufactured‑home communities are facing pressures that many towns and cities can no longer afford to ignore. When municipalities choose not to adopt basic resident‑protection measures—such as rent‑stabilization ordinances or guardrails on pass‑through utility charges—the consequences fall directly onto residents and, ultimately, onto local taxpayers.
Across the state, residents are experiencing steep, repeated increases in lot rents and fees with no protections in place. These are not luxury communities; they are some of the last remaining sources of naturally affordable housing in Maine. When costs rise faster than wages or fixed incomes, families are pushed into impossible choices month after month.
A manufactured home at Blue Haven in Saco (Photo ReMax Realty)
Without local action, towns should expect to see more residents advocating publicly for relief and more households turning to General Assistance simply because their money no longer goes as far as it used to. This is not speculation—it is a predictable outcome of inaction.
We all understand that mobile home parks are a business, and businesses make money. But when the profits generated from Maine residents do not stay in Maine, that becomes a direct problem for our communities.
If these equity firms were locally owned—if the revenue from lot rents circulated back into our local economy, our infrastructure, and our tax base—this conversation would look very different. Instead, we are watching the opposite happen.
Take Saco as a clear example.
Blue Haven Mobile Home Park’s majority ownership is held by the BRT Charitable Foundation, a California‑based nonprofit with tax‑exempt status. They do not pay state or federal taxes, and their reported donations and contributions are made entirely in California. Nothing we have seen indicates that any portion of the profits generated from Saco residents are being reinvested here in Maine.
When out‑of‑state equity firms extract revenue from Maine communities without reinvesting in local infrastructure, services, or the residents who generate that revenue, the burden shifts directly onto municipalities.
Local taxpayers end up subsidizing the gaps—whether through increased General Assistance requests, strained social services, or the long‑term costs of deferred infrastructure maintenance inside these parks.
Nothing we have seen indicates that any portion of the profits generated from Saco residents are being reinvested here in Maine
This is not just a housing issue. It is an economic leakage issue, a municipal budget issue, and a community stability issue. Maine towns and cities have a choice: put reasonable protections in place now or continue absorbing the financial and social consequences later.
Residents are already feeling the strain. Without action, municipalities will feel it next.
NOTE: The Biddeford Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback and public commentary regarding our coverage and issues directly related to the city of Biddeford. To submit a letter to the editor or guest column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Despite the well-known urban legend that no cop can resist a donut, several witnesses who attended Wednesday’s Coffee With a Cop event at the Biddeford Community Center say none of the officers even touched one of the fine donuts that were provided by Reilly’s Bakery.
Wednesday’s event was coordinated by Recreation Director Lisa Thompson who said she was pleased by the robust public turnout for the event.
Lt. Normand Allaire; Deputy Chief Steve Gorton and Police Chief JoAnne Fisk answered a variety of questions and offered some sage advice, including the hazards of distracted driving. (Seaver photo)
“This is something that has been done in many other communities across the country,” Thompson said. “Many communities – including right here in Biddeford – host Night Out events and other ways to get residents better connected to the law enforcement officers who serve the community.”
Biddeford Police Chief JoAnne Fisk, Deputy Chief Steve Gorton and Lt. Normand Allaire attended the event, fielding a variety of questions from the public and then later posing for photos with folks who were anxious to have their picture taken with a uniformed officer.
“It’s a lot of fun for us, and we enjoy the opportunity to connect with people in the friendly way – in a more relaxed and casual setting,” Gorton said. “Things like this are really the foundation of community policing.”
Roughly 25 people attended the 90-minute event, and the questions were rapid-fire and sometimes complex.
The officers answered questions on topics ranging from appropriate medication disposal to traffic accident investigations and how police handle protection from harassment orders.
Officers pose with a few of the residents who attended the Coffee With a Cop event (Seaver photo)
The mood in the room was friendly. And residents listened intently – even when officers were forced to decline talking about specific personal matters or ongoing investigations.
Officers also shared some of their pet peeves.
“For goodness’s sake, please put down your phones when you’re driving behind the wheel,” Allaire told the group of residents. “Even, when I’m off duty, I see it happening all the time – and I yell out ‘somebody call the police.’
Thompson said she was pleased that the event proved popular and said she would like to do another event with the officers.
“I always think it’s a good idea for us to collaborate with other city departments to promote community engagement and hopefully increase understanding of what’s happening in our city.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE |A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
A Grassroots Celebration of Food, Flavor & Community — with a New Digital Passport
Contributed Story | Heart of Biddeford
From bánh mì to barbecue, specialty coffee to steak frites, arcade combos to raclette, Biddeford–Saco Restaurant Week returns March 15–22, 2026, inviting residents and visitors to explore the region’s dynamic and ever-growing food scene.
Organized by Saco Main Street, Heart of Biddeford, and the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Week in Biddeford and Saco has its own personality — distinct from statewide programs that focus primarily on prix-fixe dinners.
Biddeford-Saco Restaurant Week returns March 15 – 22 (Photo: Heart of Biddeford)
“Our Restaurant Week is a little more grassroots,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford. “Not all of our food businesses are sit-down restaurants. We have breweries, bakeries, sandwich shops, sushi counters, an arcade, coffee roasters — you name it. So we leave room for creativity in how businesses participate.” Saco’s executive director, Angie Presby added, “Honestly, we may need to rename it ‘Foodie Week’ because it’s about restaurants but so much more.”
That flexibility allows each business to design an offering that fits their style, their space, and their customers.
A Taste of This Year’s Offerings
With more than 20 participating businesses, Restaurant Week highlights the full spectrum of the local food scene. Diners can find everything from raclette poured over toasted baguette at Nibblesford to a secret Peruvian Steak Frites special at Magnus on Water, comfort classics like Frito Pie at Ore Nell’s Barbecue, and creative multi-course meals at Jin Sushi and Ramen.
Nibblesford in Biddeford will be one of more than 20 participating businesses in this year’s event.
It’s not just restaurants, though. Participants can enjoy bracket-style “Mocha Madness” at Time & Tide Coffee, gameplay-and-dinner combo deals at Rift Arcade, and special deals at Banded Brewing Co. The range reflects what makes Biddeford and Saco unique: a food culture that blends serious culinary talent with creativity, comfort, and fun.
New in 2026: The Brightr Passport
To encourage diners to explore multiple locations, this year introduces the Brightr Restaurant Week Passport — a simple, web-based experience (no app required).
Customers register by scanning a QR code displayed at participating businesses. Once registered, they can view all Restaurant Week offerings and “check in” at each location they visit by scanning that business’ unique QR code. Each day of Restaurant Week, one winner will be randomly selected from that day’s Passport check-ins to receive a $25 gift card, for a total of eight daily winners. At the end of the week, one participant who checked in at three or more businesses will be awarded the $100 grand prize.
Alex MacPhail, the executive director of the Biddeford Saco Chamber explains, “The more places that participants explore, the more chances they have to win — and the more local businesses they support!”
Restaurant Week also features two dynamic ticketed events that bring the community together in creative and unexpected ways.
Food Collider: March 12
An early kick-off to Restaurant Week, the Food Collider transforms Pizza by Alex into a one-night pop-up gallery and storytelling experience. Presented by Art of Biddeford in partnership with Pizza by Alex, the March 12 event blends art, food, and story inside one of Biddeford’s most iconic spaces.
Part art exhibition, part live gathering, each ticket includes pizza nibbles, entry to a curated food-themed gallery, and eight creative “collisions” — five-minute presentations weaving together storytelling, music, history, and reflections on everything from family tables to farms to the systems that bring food to our plates. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Biddeford Food Pantry.
FYOOD Cooking Competition: March 18
BRCOT culinary students will be participating in this year’s event
The week continues with FYOOD (pronounced “feud”), a high-energy cooking competition hosted at the Biddeford Regional Center of Technology Culinary Program kitchen.
Amateur home chefs team up to face off in two mystery ingredient challenges (one savory, one sweet) with just one hour to create and plate their dishes before a panel of professional chefs, local personalities, and Culinary Program Director Chef Steve.
Audience members enjoy front-row views from the dining room, a live video feed from inside the kitchen, and a made-to-order pasta meal from the culinary students.
Meanwhile, competitors battle for the FYOOD trophy and serious bragging rights. Limited to four teams, the event highlights both the creativity of local home cooks and the real-world experience gained by BRCOT culinary students preparing and serving guests in a fast-paced environment.
Tickets and team registrations for both events are available via Eventbrite.
More Than a Meal
Biddeford–Saco Restaurant Week is about connection as much as cuisine. It’s about supporting small businesses, celebrating creativity, and giving people a reason to explore both downtowns — one check-in, one meal, one shared table at a time.
For the full list of participating businesses and complete details, visit the official Restaurant Week webpage
Regular Gazette readers may recall that Eliza Doyon – a 2025 Biddeford High School graduate – was one of only four students in New England who was chosen last year for an annual scholarship awarded each year by FedPoint, a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life & Health Insurance company.
It’s a new year, and once again FedPoint is offering scholarships to qualifying students who are planning to pursue a career in nursing, but the application deadline is soon approaching.
The company will award four $5,000 scholarships, with recipients to be announced in May during National Nurses Week, which occurs from May 6-12.
“Nurses serve as a critical foundation of the healthcare system,” said FedPoint CEO Kevin Hill. “Our scholarship program is designed to attract and develop the next generation of nursing talent and reinforce our communities’ ability to meet future care demands.”
Eliza Doyon of Biddeford was one of four students in New England chosen for the annual FedPoint Nursing Scholarship Program. Doyon is studying nursing at St. Anslem College.
Eligible applicants for the merit-based scholarships include graduating high school seniors, adult learners, and individuals pursuing a career change.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens residing in New Hampshire, Maine or Massachusetts who are entering their first year of an accredited nursing program in the fall of 2026.
More details about the scholarship, eligibility requirements, decision criteria and important dates are available at fedpointusa.com/scholarships.
FedPoint employs several dozen nurses who provide care coordination and planning services to thousands of claimants and their families.
The company introduced the FedPoint Nursing Scholarship in 2023 to promote nursing as a highly rewarding career and help bolster the future nursing workforce in northern New England and beyond.
The deadline to apply for the 2026 FedPoint Nursing Scholarship is Friday, March 20, 2026.
The scholarship review panel will include members of FedPoint’s own care coordination team, as well as nurses from the Cornerstone Visiting Nurse Association.
FedPoint® creates and operates digital benefits marketplaces that make it easy for its millions of federal and military customers to understand, select, and use their benefits. A wholly owned subsidiary of John Hancock Life & Health Insurance Company, FedPoint was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Portsmouth, NH. For more information on FedPoint, visit fedpointusa.com.
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
One by one, more than a dozen area residents approached the podium to offer comments and concerns about development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus during a public hearing held by members of the newly created Institutional Zone Review Committee.
The committee, which includes UNE President Dr. James Herbert, listened carefully to some often-heated public testimony during the hour-long hearing.
UNE President Dr. James Herbert and IZ Review Committee Chair Pat Boston listen to public testimony during Monday’s public hearing regarding the city’s Institutional Zone (Seaver photo)
Several residents said they were not there to “bash the university,” but rather to urge the committee for a more thoughtful and deliberate review process when it comes to the city’s Institutional Zone residents.
Many residents expressed anger, frustration and concerns about recent development projects planned by the university.
Gary McMullen of Biddeford told the committee that he hopes they can “do something to improve the process” regarding how development at UNE’s campus is approved.
“I don’t have anything against UNE,” McMullen said. “It’s about the process.”
McMullen talked about how Paul Lariviere – the city’s harbormaster – was removed from the review process of a controversial, large-scale research pier the university is hoping to soon construct on the Saco River.
McMullen cautioned the committee from accepting a false narrative that Lariviere was opposed to the project, saying the harbormaster was only opposed to the exact location being proposed by UNE.
Bunny Wermenchuk of Biddeford told the committee that her family’s property – which they first purchased in the mid-1970s – was then located near the former St. Francis College.
Over the years – Wermenchuk said – her family’s home became surrounded by sprawling growth, after St. Francis College became the University of New England.
“I’m not here to bash the university,” Wermenchuk said. “I’m here to talk about our ordinances for development at the university.”
Wermenchuk remined the committee that it has been more than 25 years since the university’s master development plan has been updated and approved by the Biddeford Planning Board.
“Over the last 24 years, there has been a lot of growth at UNE,” she said. “I support that growth, but I want to make sure it is happening the right way.”
Wermenchuk said UNE’s waterfront location impacts many things that affect the community – from the environment and fisheries to the concerns of mooring owners in proximity to the campus.
Biddeford resident Kelly Mourmouras addresses the IZ Review Committee (Seaver photo)
Kelly Mourmouras told the committee that there is a long history of UNE doing things differently than what was told to Hills Beach residents.
Mourmouras — who graduated from UNE — said her husband served as vice president of the Hills Beach Neighborhood Association when the city’s first Institutional Zone Review Committee was formed in the mid-1990s.
“I want to thank Mayor [Liam] LaFountain for establishing this committee,” she said. “The transparency and honesty in the process are important. We had numerous meetings with the university, and it was always very challenging.”
Diane Doyle, a Saco resident, told the committee she was concerned about UNE’s plans to purchase the former St. Joseph’s convent property, which is located on the shores of the Saco River, roughly two miles west of UNE’s main campus.
Doyle said she and her neighbors across the river have now noticed many “bright lights” being erected on what was once a relatively quiet and hidden property.
“We are concerned about how UNE is going to develop that particular property,’” Doyle told the committee.
City Councilor Pat Boston – the committee’s chair – reminded the audience that the convent property is not located within the city’s Institutional Zone, and thus concerns about that specific property are not relevant to the committee’s work.
Does UNE benefit Biddeford?
Over the last few weeks, the Biddeford Gazette has received and published several letters to the editor and guest columns related to the University of New England and its numerous benefits to the community.
But Biddeford resident Joe Emmons challenged many of those positive assumptions.
“How, exactly, do Biddeford residents benefit from what is happening at UNE?” Emmons asked rhetorically.
Lori Nerbonne described herself as a newer Biddeford resident and raised concerns about a property that the university recently purchased near her Red Oak Lane neighborhood.
Resident Paul Brady, a residential waterfront property owner said Biddeford needs a “watchdog” to monitor “all of us on the river.” He said he hopes communication between UNE and its neighbors can improve. (Seaver photo)
“There has always been a buffer between the university and our residential neighborhood via UNE’s access road’ (to the beach),” Nerbonne told the committee. “Now, there is no buffer because the property they purchased is a home inside the residential zone in our very small neighborhood.”
Shawn Tibbetts – one of seven mooring owners who could be impacted by the university’s pier – blasted the city for a lack of communication about ongoing development at the university campus.
Tibbetts, a commercial fisherman, said no one from the city or the university would even return his calls and emails about how the proposed pier could impact his livelihood.
“At no point, were local harbormasters involved in the review of the pier UNE wants to build, and that was a huge mistake,” Tibbetts told the committee. “This is the stuff UNE doesn’t want to talk about.”
Tom Hatch, another Biddeford mooring owner, said his concerns and questions last year about UNE’s proposed pier project were ignored by the city.
“I reached out to the former mayor, the former city manager and even Senator [Susan] Collins.” Hatch told the committee. “I got a grand total of zero response.
“As a taxpayer and a stakeholder, you expect—at least – to get some kind of response.”
Hatch told the committee he hopes to see a “dramatic improvement” in how the city and the university communicate with residents.
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“As a taxpayer and a stakeholder, you expect—at least – to get some kind of response.”
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Resident Paul Brady – a waterfront property owner – told the committee that “the city needs a watchdog to watch all of us on the river.”
Approximately 30 people attended Monday’s public hearing about development at UNE’s campus. (Seaver photo)
Following the hour-long public hearing, the committee opted to immediately go back to its ongoing review and examination of development issues within the Institutional Zone.
Boston reminded the audience and those watching online that additional comments and concerns can be sent to the committee via a group email at InstitutionalZoneReview@biddefordmaine.org
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Brian Phinney — Biddeford’s former chief operating officer, who also served several months as acting city manager – is today retired “and enjoying it,” but wants to make sure that the current city council will be using correct information at their next meeting, especially regarding materials that contain his signature
Phinney, who retired in January, recently sent a letter to Mayor Liam LaFountain, City Manager Truc Dever and each member of the city council to provide detailed information about an item that the city council is scheduled to consider at tonight’s (March 3, 2026) meeting,
In order to “ensure accuracy,” Phinney also sent a copy of his letter to the Biddeford Gazette and copied Finance Director Gerry Matherne and City Clerk Robin Patterson on his correspondence to provide “verification” of his statement in case questions are raised at tonight’s meeting.
Former Acting City Manager Brian Phinney (center) listens as former Mayor Marty Grohman reads an item during a 2025 council meeting. City Clerk Robin Patterson is seated at Phinney’s right side. (Seaver photo)
Clarifying the city’s audit process
Specifically, Phinney wants to ensure that the council has historical details regarding the city’s FY 2024 audit related to the possible hiring of CBIZ, an accounting firm, that the council is considering for conducting the overdue audit.
The council will be asked whether to approve spending $103,000 to conduct the audit, including both the city and school department.
Phinney says the city is on the verge of a “duplicate” approval.
“The executive summary section states that this is a retroactive approval and discusses compliance with the purchasing policy rules as the basis for the retroactive approval,” Phinney wrote in his message to the council.
“[This] item was brought to the Finance Committee for discussion on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 in the Other Business section [of the meeting] and was subsequently approved by the full council, unanimously, that same evening.”
Phinney suggested that council members review the video transcript of the Finance Committee’s Sept 2, 2025 meeting, suggesting that current city officials to the video time stamp of 22 minutes, 58 seconds.
“At [that] meeting, Gerry Matherne is asked by Mayor LaFountain (at that time, council president) to provide an update,” Phinney said. “She [Matherne] did and the committee members asked questions.
“Funding was discussed as coming from the city’s audit account with an understanding that the expense would exceed the budgeted amount,” Phinney wrote. “This is the same account that is referenced in the March 3 [council] packet.”
Phinney points out that then Council President LaFountain made a motion to forward the item to city council for approval based on the dollar amount.
The motion passed unanimously (Lafountain, Beaupre, Lessard), Phinney noted, emphasizing that item was listed in the Finance Committee’s packet under Other Business as a discussion item.
The Finance Committee, Phinney said, voted on the item and advanced it to the council agenda.
Later that same evening (Sept. 2, 2025) – during the City Council meeting — Mayor Marty Grohman made an adjustment to the agenda, adding the item at the request of the Finance Committee, Phinney wrote, again suggesting that councilors watch the video transcript of that meeting, beginning at timestamp 7 minutes, 55 seconds.
“The item was discussed at timestamp 30 minutes, 28 seconds,” Phinney wrote, adding that the vote of the full council was unanimous. “Because this item was advanced by the Finance Committee the Order was created in series after the fact.
Phinney says the he signed the CBIZ agreement later that evening, but only after Finance Committee and City Council approval — and in full compliance with the purchasing rules in effect at that time.
“I am bringing this to your attention so that you do not waste time at the meeting duplicating previous approvals,” Phinney wrote. “And [I want] to ensure that the record accurately reflects the conditions supporting my signature.”
Following the city council’s decision to suddenly remove former City Manager James Bennett from office, Phinney served as Biddeford’s acting city manager from Feb. 20, 2025, until City Manager Truc Dever began her duties in August 2025.
Correction: In an earlier version of this story, we indicated that Phinney served as the city’s chief financial officer. That is incorrect. Phinney — in addition to briefly serving as acting city manager — was Biddeford’s chief operating officer. We apologize for the error.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
I understand there is a moratorium on UNE initiated by the mayor and city council. UNE is an institution that is a huge plus for Biddeford. They hire professionals as professors, adjunct professors and administrators who live in our community. More importantly, UNE educates young people from Maine who aspire to better themselves and get good paying jobs.
In addition, UNE provides jobs for residents from Biddeford and surrounding areas to maintain the building, grounds and services. UNE is not a burden to residents of Biddeford.
The Portland Press Herald had an article (Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026) about the moratorium, which revealed the hidden agenda for this moratorium.
It appears the Hills Beach residents want to constrain development and growth of UNE. They are more interested in keeping people out and the coastline to themselves for nothing more than selfish reasons.
Biddeford has failed to provide public parking at every beach in Biddeford for all the residents. When I drive through Biddeford Pool these days, I noticed all the places I had parked to go scuba diving when I was in high school are now blocked or have no parking signs, essentially keeping city residents out.
The Biddeford City Council recently enacted a six-month moratorium on continued development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus to allow city officials and a new subcommittee time to review and recommend potential changes
If you drive to Goose Rocks Beach, you are welcomed with a sign that says, “welcome to Goose Rocks Beach, no parking on any street any time”. When you drive through, you can see a beautiful beach near the road.
Most of the time there are very few people on the beach. But there is no public parking anywhere. Instead, you find a pseudo security guard following you to make sure you leave. He essentially chases you out.
My sister stopped there last year to show her daughter the beach and was rewarded very quickly with a parking ticket. I thought, here I am a resident of Biddeford and could not go to one of our beaches.
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Editor’s Note:Goose Rocks Beach is located in and controlled by the town of Kennebunkport, not Biddeford)
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Driving through, I noticed most of the license plates are from out of state. Is this where Hills Beach is going to not provide any public parking?
We see our coastline being bought up by many who are from out of state and moving to Maine to retire. If you read the Portland Press Herald article on February 18, Maine has become the oldest state, where people over 65 outnumber the people under 18 in Maine.
It is one thing to buy up the coastline, but another when these people do whatever they can to prevent Maine residents from accessing the beaches in order to keep the coastline to themselves. I have 22 nieces and nephews and only two still reside in Maine. The others all had to go out of state to find good paying professional jobs.
If you watch the video of the public hearing meeting just before the city council voted for the moratorium, you will see there was absolutely no interest of any city council member to listen to public inputs. They were simply going through the motions and had their minds made up.
It will be interesting to see if the public hearing meeting (March 2) will be a repeat of that or whether anyone on the city council will listen to public inputs and take them into account.
Council members should be representing all city residents, not just a handful in Hills Beach.
When one sees the committee made up of three city council members who live in Hills Beach and Patricia Boston, a Hills Beach resident heading up the committee, there is little faith they will do their job of representing all residents of Biddeford, but more for their own benefit.
I believe this committee is a serious conflict of interest and unethical. I hope the mayor and other city council members choose to do that right and just thing and abandon this moratorium.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Bernard Roy is a former Biddeford resident, and 1971 graduated of Biddeford High School. Today, he resides in Ada, Michigan
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NOTE: The Biddeford Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback and public commentary regarding our coverage and issues directly related to the city of Biddeford. To submit a letter to the editor or guest column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Students at Biddeford Primary School wish the Gazette’s editor a happy birthday.
What a truly awesome way to celebrate your birthday!
I used to be a second grader in Biddeford — a long, long time ago, And that — along with the fact that today is also the birthday of Dr. Seuss, I thought it was fitting to read “Oh the Places You’ll Go’ as part of the Read Across America initiative.
Thanks, kids! You made me cry!
Randy Seaver reads “Oh the Places You’ll Go” to some second graders at Biddeford Primary School
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
It’s been an interesting, busy and somewhat exhausting week here at the Biddeford Gazette.
In fact, I was moving in some many directions that I forgot to send out this newsletter on Saturday.
My former boss David Flood always used to say there’s a lot more to running a newspaper than just writing and publishing news stories. I never appreciated that fact until I decided to launch my own publication.
Spreadsheets, meeting with our attorney, tracking expenses, insurance, content distribution, reviewing analytics and coordinating other people’s work.
It’s a lot. And I’m not getting any younger. More about that in a moment.
Running a news organization involves a lot more than writing news,
Beyond all the tedious business stuff (all of which is well outside of my comfort zone), our news and editorial content is growing by leaps and bounds.
Consider this: In February 2025 – about three months after the Gazette was created – we published 14 items on our website, not including our weekly obituaries.
Flash forward one year, and we have seen an increase of more than 300 percent! During the month of February 2026, we published 49 items on the Gazette’s site.
The good news is that nearly 40 percent of that material was generated by the community, not by us.
These community contributions include several letters to the editor, guest columns and high-quality news and feature pieces, such as last week’s story from Tammy Wells about a new partnership between the Catholic Church and the York County Jail, allowing inmates to celebrate weekly Mass.
State Rep. Marc Malon and State Sen. Henry Ingweresen also publish their regular monthly columns in the Gazette. Former mayor Marty Grohman submitted his own op-ed last month in the Gazette.
We are honored that so many people in the community regard the Gazette as a reliable and trusted source for community news and information.
Getting older; Biddeford Primary School Fun
On a personal note, this is my last day of being 61, and tomorrow (March 2) will be the first birthday that I wanted to avoid.
Every Sunday morning for the past 14 months, I spend a few hours editing, formatting and publishing local obituary notifications.
With increasing frequency, I am posting the obituaries of people who were younger than me at the time of their passing.
Statistically speaking, the average life expectancy of an American man is 76 years.
That means I likely have only 14 years or fewer remaining — for the rest of my life.
I remember clearly where I was 14 years ago today. It goes by really fast. Really fast.
All the advice from my friends, family and the expert gurus suggests that you should live each day to its fullest and focus on the things that make you happy.
So, I am pleased to announce that I have once again been invited to read to students in Ms. Jillian Palladino’s second-grade class at Biddeford Primary School. It’s the one part of my upcoming birthday that I am actually excited about.
Coincidentally, March 2 is also the birthday of Theodore Geisel, more commonly known as Dr. Seuss . . . what a wonderful confluence of events!
Quick recap and preview
Ward Five City Councilor David Kurtz (Seaver photo)
My favorite story this week comes from my thoroughly enjoyable interview with City Councilor David Kurtz. I will be doing similar interviews with each member of the city council over the next few weeks. (Chatting with City Councilors)
Our goal is to peel back the perfunctory layers to give our readers some deeper context about the men and women running our city.
Our most popular story this week – by far –was our exclusive coverage and tour of the Adams Point Family Housing project that is scheduled to open in April. That story blew up our email and social media accounts, underscoring Biddeford’s pressing need for more affordable housing.
What’s coming up?
I will cap off my birthday celebration tomorrow (March 2) by attending the first public hearing for the Institutional Zone Review Committee, which will be making recommendations about ongoing development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
That meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Biddeford City Hall.
Hope to see you there! Have a great week!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
On Monday, March 2 at 6 p.m., the Institutional Zone Review Committee will hold its first public hearing at City Hall. The meeting begins the public input phase of a broader review of how Biddeford regulates institutional development.
For many residents, the term “Institutional Zone” may not be familiar. In practical terms, it is the zoning framework that governs development at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
UNE’s campus sits largely within an area that, under typical zoning rules, is generally limited to single-family houses.
In 2001, the city created a dedicated zoning district to allow the university to build and grow in ways that no other entity could within that setting. The ordinance established a structured process requiring a comprehensive Institutional Master Plan, a document outlining anticipated growth over five to ten years and analyzing impacts on traffic, parking, infrastructure, municipal services, and campus design standards.
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain, City of Biddeford photo
The University of New England has long been an important part of Biddeford’s civic and economic fabric. It is one of the city’s largest employers and contributes to the local economy, research activity and cultural life.
Students, faculty, and staff are neighbors and active participants in Biddeford. The relationship between Biddeford and UNE has evolved over time, shaped by growth on both sides.
The City’s zoning has long provided a clear pathway for institutional growth. However, the Institutional Zone ordinance has not been comprehensively updated in nearly 25 years. As both the university and the city have evolved, it is reasonable to review whether that framework remains aligned with current conditions and future expectations.
In recent years, several development projects within the Institutional Zone have generated strong reactions. Often, disagreements have centered less on whether development should occur and more on how clearly the ordinance defines what is permitted, how impacts are evaluated, and how decisions are made. When expectations among the university, the city, and residents are not fully aligned, even well-intended projects can become contentious.
That context, in part, led the city council to establish the Institutional Zone Review Committee at the beginning of this council term.
The committee serves in an advisory capacity. It does not approve projects, determine property sales, or make final legislative decisions. Its responsibility is to review the ordinance, gather public input, and recommend whether revisions are warranted. Any proposed changes will proceed through the standard public legislative process before the Planning Board and City Council.
Formed through the regular public appointment process, the committee operates in open session under Maine’s Freedom of Access laws. All members are Biddeford residents. The membership includes two city councilors, the president of the University of New England, the president of the Hills Beach Neighborhood Association, a facilities manager who previously worked for UNE and is a UNE graduate, and a local real estate professional. Together, they reflect a range of civic, professional, and neighborhood perspectives within the city.
Meetings are open to the public, materials are posted online, and the process is structured to ensure transparency, accountability, and broad participation before any ordinance changes are considered.
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The process is structured to ensure transparency, accountability,
and broad participation before any ordinance changes are considered.
As part of this review, the City Council adopted a temporary six-month moratorium on new institutional development and university uses. The pause is not directed at any single proposal and does not prohibit the purchase or sale of property within the Institutional Zone, nor does it prevent any property owner, including the University of New England, from entering into a real estate transaction.
It applies only to new development activity or changes of use during the review period, allowing the city to evaluate and, if necessary, update the ordinance before additional projects proceed under standards that may soon change.
Zoning ordinances shape municipalities for decades, influencing infrastructure investments, traffic patterns, public safety demands and neighborhood character.
Recent institutional projects have underscored the need for clearer expectations and a more consistent and transparent framework. As public interest has grown, so too has the expectation that development decisions be predictable and participatory. Reviewing the ordinance openly and deliberately is a responsible step toward that goal.
Public comment from Biddeford residents on March 2 and in the months ahead will help inform this work and strengthen the final recommendations. The objective is a regulatory framework that provides clarity, consistency, and confidence as institutional growth continues in Biddeford.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Liam LaFountain is serving his first term as Mayor of Biddeford and previously served two terms on the Biddeford City Council. He welcomes questions, comments, and ideas and can be contacted directly at liam.lafountain@biddefordmaine.org. The views and opinions herein are solely those of the author.
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
City is on the right track in its thoughtful, measured review of UNE development plans
I read the recent letter regarding the University of New England review committee with concern, but also with a sense that the issue deserves a more balanced perspective.
It is important to remember that residency alone does not disqualify someone from serving fairly or objectively. Hills Beach residents are citizens of Biddeford, just as much as anyone living downtown, in the mills district, or elsewhere in the city. Suggesting that they are inherently incapable of acting in the broader public interest risks dividing our community rather than strengthening it.
The committee’s role is to review plans and gather input — including through a public hearing — not to act as “plaintiffs” or to obstruct progress. The public hearing itself is evidence of a transparent process that invites participation from the entire community.
The University of New England is indeed an asset to Biddeford. Its educational, economic, and cultural contributions are significant. At the same time, thoughtful review of development proposals is not the same as impeding progress. Responsible growth benefits from careful consideration of environmental impact, neighborhood character, traffic, infrastructure, and long-term planning. That is not obstruction — that is governance.
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“Thoughtful review of development proposals
is not the same as impeding progress.”
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If residents are concerned about representation, the solution is engagement. Attend the hearing. Submit comments. Volunteer for boards and committees. Run for office. Democracy functions best when more voices participate — not when we question the legitimacy of neighbors simply because of where they live.
Biddeford is stronger when we work together — university community, beach residents, mill district entrepreneurs, and long-time families alike. Let’s focus on collaboration rather than division.
Mark Poirier,Biddeford
NOTE: The Biddeford Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback and public commentary regarding our coverage and issues directly related to the city of Biddeford. To submit a letter to the editor or guest column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
David Kurtz takes in a deep breath – pauses – and looks away, toward the coffee shop’s window before answering one of our questions during an informal and candid interview.
Kurtz, 39, is one of the three new Biddeford city councilors who were each first elected to office in November.
Despite the relaxed setting on a Tuesday afternoon at the Time & Tides coffee shop on Main Street, Kurtz approaches our questions with the same style of deliberative and thoughtful responses that are becoming his public trademark.
He is a serious man but is also equally funny and somewhat self-deprecating.
Biddeford City Councilor David Kurtz (Seaver photo)
Our hour-long conversation is free-wheeling. At times the mood is light and jovial. But Kurtz also doesn’t pull any punches when talking about growing up as “a geek” with divorced parents in southern Maine.
And he is as serious as a heart attack when discussing some of the issues now facing the city of Biddeford.
“There is absolutely no question,” he said. “We need to do better, but I also think we’re on the right track.”
Kurtz’s childhood was much less than anything that could be described as idyllic. His father struggled with a drug addiction. His mother did her best to raise her son alone on a meager income.
Despite those somewhat gritty circumstances, Kurtz heaped praise on both of his parents.
“They both loved and supported me unconditionally,” he recalled. “They were doing the best that they could do. Yes, my father had a substance use disorder, but he read to me every night when I visited him on weekends or vacation days.”
Here are three things everyone should know about David Kurtz.
First, he wore open-toed sandals to the interview, despite piles of frozen snow on the sidewalks and mid-February freezing temperatures.
A few hours later, he was dressed in a jacket and necktie for a meeting with his constituents at City Hall to discuss priorities for the city’s recreational assets. No sandals. Polished shoes.
Secondly, Kurtz worked in a liquor store when he was just 17 years old. “I looked more like 39 back then, than I do today,” he laughed.
Finally, Kurtz is often accompanied by his mother, Cynthia, during public events, including last week’s ward meeting and while enjoying the city’s annual downtown Winterfest celebration.
Sometimes people need to be willing to grab a shovel and help pick up some shit.”
In his very first bid for public office, Kurtz was unopposed in his quest for the council’s Ward Five seat.
Kurtz received 553 votes – a little less than 73 percent of the total ballots cast in that council race. According to the city clerk’s office, 211 voters in Ward Five left that particular ballot choice blank.
Ward Five – previously represented by Neva Lance, Julian Schlaver, Victoria Foley and Amy Clearwater – includes the city’s downtown area and a sprawling collection of repurposed former mill buildings.
While Biddeford is, in fact, Maine’s youngest city (35.6 median age), Ward Five is also arguably the most diverse, youngest and politically progressive of Biddeford’s seven voting wards.
Kurtz is a corporate lawyer. He graduated from the University of Southern Maine’s Law School in 2016.
Today, Kurtz is employed as a corporate lawyer for Robert S. Gitmeid & Associates, a New York-based firm with offices in all 50 states. Kurtz runs the firm’s Maine and Vermont offices.
Kurtz “shares a bed and custody of two cats” with his girlfriend, Dani, a veterinarian. The couple lives in a newly constructed residential building on Upper Falls Road (formerly Gooch Street).
Meet the new guy
Kurtz takes a sip from his coffee as we begin the Q & A portion of our meeting.
“Okay, I’m ready,” he laughed. “Let me have it.”
You double-majored in economics and bio chemistry at Hampshire College. Bio chemistry?
“All my friends were pre-med. I couldn’t keep up with their conversations, so I decided to try a new tact.” (Laughs)
How and why did you get involved in city politics?
“I served on the Recycling & Waste Management Commission. I found it fascinating. I got to work closely with [Public Works Director] Jeff Demers. Man, that guy knows a lot.”
“On that committee, I worked alongside [city councilors] Brad Cote, Jake Pierson and Abigail Woods and with Liam [LaFountain] before he became mayor.”
You’re not a Biddeford native.
“No. Almost, but not quite.” (Laughs) “I wasn’t born here, and I’m a bit self-conscious about that. I am from Maine, if that helps. (Laughs). My dad lived in Biddeford. My mom lived in Kennebunk. I commuted between the two communities during my childhood.”
You say you grew up in a financially challenged household, yet you ended up at Waynflete, a prestigious private high school. How did that happen? Good grades?
“Exactly. I was as shocked as anyone that I got in.”
Serving on the city council is often a thankless and tedious endeavor. Did you think it through before taking out nomination papers?
“Oh sure. I talked with [former Mayor] Marty Grohman and Norm [Belanger] and Liam – the three guys running for mayor. They didn’t try to talk me out of it.”
What motivated you to run?
“I saw where the city was heading, and I had my own concerns, I’m of the belief that sometimes people need to be willing to grab a shovel and help pick up some shit.”
What are your current committee assignments?
“I serve on the Policy Committee, the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. I also serve as the city council liaison on both the Biddeford Housing Authority and the Heart of Biddeford.”
You’re keeping busy.
“Pretty much. I also have a pretty time-consuming job. Dani and I are planning a vacation in 2028.” (Laughs)
You seem to be a good fit for this particular ward.
“Well. Thank you for that, kind sir. I feel at home in this ward. Many of my constituents are just like me – – relatively new arrivals in the city. I want to make sure their voices are heard.”
Future political plans?
“Nope. This is the end of the line for me.”
Your father read to you nightly. What books?
“Rudyard Kipling, Robert Heinlen, Issac Asimov – all the good Jewish writers.” (Laughs)
Hobbies? Background?
“I’m a big fan of long-distance hiking. I was actually a ‘ridge runner’ with the Appalachian Mountain Club.”
Is gentrification a concern for Biddeford?
“I think so, and I’m part of the issue. Higher-income, newer professional resident. We have to work through it without denying the challenges.”
You describe yourself as a “political leftie.” What’s your mission statement as a city councilor?
“I want the lowest taxes possible without cutting essential services.”
Note:The Biddeford Gazette will be conducting similar interviews with the other eight members of the city council over the next few weeks.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He has been covering Biddeford news and politics for nearly three decades. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
Weighted UNE committee is appalling and patently unfair to UNE
By DIANE SNOW, Special to the Gazette
A recent Portland Press Herald story regarding the committee set up to review the plans for University of New England [Biddeford Committee plans public hearing, Feb. 24, 2026] left me appalled because the committee is comprised primarily by Hills Beach residents.
That the chairman of the committee [Councilor Patricia Boston] is a Hills Beach resident was surprising enough. Now to find out that three of the six committee members are Hills Beach residents, was not just surprising, it was shocking.
How can anyone expect an honest and objective assessment when the “plaintiffs” have become the “jury”?
This issue affects not just the residents of Hills Beach; it affects the entire community.
The university is a major prize in Biddeford. Most cities would give their right arm for this privilege.
A more disturbing question: Whose welfare do our elected officials represent? The wealthy beachfront residents or the community at large?
Members of the newly former Institutional Zone Review Committee held their first meeting on Feb. 19, 2026. The committee’s first public hearing will be held on Monday, March 2, beginning at 6 p.m., at City Hall in Biddeford (Gazette photo)
That the Hills Beach residents wield outsized power is clear. How long has this been going on? Do we need to remind city officials that the taxes in the city are paid by all property owners, not just the beachfront owners?
There is plenty of real estate in vacant mills that need interested entrepreneurs willing to establish flourishing businesses. A university, with its educational and cultural benefits, is a major attraction.
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The university is a major prize in Biddeford. Most cities would give their right arm for this privilege.
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Impeding the progress of UNE is harmful to Biddeford. This outsized influence of a small, privileged group has also clarified the means by which beach access has become so restrictive.
Has anyone noticed how difficult it is to access our beaches? I once received a parking ticket at Goose Rocks beach when I stopped there to give a young girl from New York City — who was staying with us through the Fresh Air Fund — a chance to put her feet in the ocean for the first time.
The beauty of the world does not only belong to a select privileged group.
The mayor and city councilors were elected to represent the interests of the entire community, not just a single group.
It is time to address this travesty. Citizens of Biddeford, know whose interests your elected officials represent. Let them know of your concerns, and above all, think carefully next time you are at the polls.
Diane Snow was born and raised in Biddeford. Today, she lives in Cumberland, Maine
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NOTE: The Biddeford Gazette strongly encourages reader feedback and public commentary regarding our coverage and issues directly related to the city of Biddeford. To submit a letter to the editor or guest column, please contact us at biddefordgazette@gmail.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE | A Legacy of Trusted, Independent Journalism
BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 