This holiday season, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club once again demonstrated the power of community through its annual Adopt-A-Family Program, ensuring that 200 local children experienced the joy of Christmas morning. Despite the growing need, Rotarians and their helpers remained undeterred—managing every aspect of the program, from shopping and wrapping to organizing deliveries, through a collective effort rooted in service.
Each year, the club partners closely with the Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton School Departments to identify families who may need extra support during the holidays. Parents create wish lists that include clothing, toys, and basic necessities, which Rotarians and community volunteers eagerly fulfill.
Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club continues Adopt-A-Family program. These donated gifts will be headed to the homes of 200 children in the Biddeford-Saco area. (Courtesy Photo)
“This program is about much more than gifts,” said Rotarian Shelley Kane, Adopt-A-Family Program Co-Chair. “It’s about dignity, compassion, and letting families know that their community truly cares. When we see the number of children we’re able to support grow each year, it reinforces just how important this work is.”
The Rotary Club budgets $9,000 annually–or $125 per child–for the Adopt-A-Family Program. The Program is made possible by the club’s annual Mini Golf For Good Fundraiser, which takes place in August each year. Through the generosity of event sponsorships and friends at Schooner Mini Golf, Raptor Falls Mini Golf, and, in recent years, Martel’s Mini Golf, the club is able to support this program year after year.
Many Rotarians and community members independently sponsor children, enabling the club to serve more families and meet growing holiday demand for assistance.
“Time and time again, people step up in incredibly generous ways,” added Jane Foley, Adopt-A-Family Program Co-Chair. “Whether it’s a Rotarian, a local business, or a family member who hears about the program, there’s a shared desire to make sure no child feels forgotten during the holidays.”
In addition to the individual Rotarians and community members who went above and beyond by sponsoring families, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club extends a heartfelt thanks to the Biddeford High Schoo’s National Honor Society and Be The Change Team, Girl Scout Troop 1161, the Family of Maureen Grandmasion, Academy of Dance, Coastal Winair Co., Mick’s Sports Bar, Saco Elks Lodge, Pension Professionals, Rousseau Insurance, and ServPro. Their extraordinary generosity and commitment to giving back to the community are inspiring.
“Our club is incredibly proud of this tradition,” said Haley Thompson, President of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club. “Adopt-A-Family Program reflects the very heart of Rotary—neighbors helping neighbors. The impact goes far beyond December, and it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together.”
For more information on the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club or to learn more about the Adopt-A-Family program, visit: http://www.biddeford-sacorotary.org
You may also visit their Facebook page at: Rotary Club of Biddeford Club of Biddeford-Saco.
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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools. She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me
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Biddeford wastewater customers will now receive their wastewater (sewer) bills from Maine Water Company, a privately owned utility.
According to a recent press release, the city transitioned from in-house billing to using Maine Water’s billing and customer service expertise in order to “stabilize the administrative processes for sewer billing.”
As part of the new agreement, Maine Water Company will now handle all billing, collection and customer service inquiries for the city’s wastewater operations.
City officials and Maine Water representatives both described the transition as “complex,” changeover, requiring migrating large amounts of information from the city to Maine Water’s billing system.
Maine Water consistently receives high customer satisfaction ratings — averaging nearly 90 percent in independent surveys conducted annually since 2012.
“Maine Water takes pride in providing world-class customer service. We’re happy to extend our customer service expertise to Biddeford wastewater customers,” said Maine Water President Mark Vannoy. “We believe in the power of partnerships and look forward to continue working with the city of Biddeford to deliver solutions that make a lasting impact on our community.”
The company recently sent a letter to all wastewater customers in Biddeford, explaining the various payment options now available. Customers should not make any further wastewater payments via the city’s e-billing or e-payment system.
Maine Water offers e-billing, online payment, auto-payment, 24-hour pay by phone, pay by mail and in-person payments at Western Union or any Bangor Savings Bank location. Wastewater customers who are already Maine Water e-billing customers can link their sewer account to their water account to view both accounts in one place.
“It’s important for wastewater customers to know that the city still sets the rates for sewer charges,” said Pam Blackman, Maine Water Revenue Services Manager. “We are simply using the rates provided by the city to deliver efficient and professional billing services. Just like with customers’ water bills, at all times they will now have dependable and easily accessible information about wastewater charges.”
Blackman said if customers have questions about wastewater billing or customer service needs, they should now contact Maine Water, rather than the city of Biddeford.
The company’s customer service team can be reached at 1-800-287-1643 during business hours, from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Customers can also email customerservice@mainewater.com.
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The holiday season can be difficult for many people, but there are resources for those struggling with the extra stress
By State Rep. MARC MALON
The holiday season is a source of joy for many. The lights are pretty, the kids get excited for Santa and families gather in reunion and celebration; and obviously for many, it is an intensely holy and spiritual time of year.
It is also for many a time of elevated stress and emotional turmoil. There is something about the season which brings out complicated feelings. If this is true for you, know that you are not alone.
A 2021 study highlighted by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) found that three out of five Americans feel that their mental health is negatively impacted by the holidays. Some of this can be attributed to simple pressures such as finding presents, and more difficult terrain such as navigating difficult family relationships.
The fact that the holidays coincide with the arrival of winter, literally the darkest days of the year, contributes to seasonal affective disorder in many folks.
Although a time of hope and celebration, the holiday season can be difficult for many people. (Photo: Yale University)
I feel this as well. I frequently feel depressed and melancholy during the Christmas season, even though I love the holiday itself and the social aspect of gathering with family and friends.
Some of this is likely due to the fact that it is a rare time in which I slow down, which gives me more time to reflect and think about all aspects of life; good, bad and ugly. Many classic Christmas songs drive home the melancholy even further (except for “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” – that one just annoys me).
So, as we move through this season, it is important to remember that if you are struggling, you are not alone.
Many – myself included – feel the same, and there are many resources in our greater community which might be helpful while navigating this time.
The rising cost of food can make it difficult for many folks to afford feeding their family on a daily basis, making a special holiday meal outside the realm of possibility. Recognizing this, the Bon Appetit Community Meal Program serves supper Monday through Friday at 4:30 p.m. and a Sunday breakfast at the Second Congregational Church on Second Street from 8 to 9 a.m. The church also serves a community ham dinner on Christmas Eve. If you are interested in learning more, you may call 207-391-6279 or email secondcongbiddeford@gmail.com.
The Biddeford Food Pantry is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. and all are welcome. This volunteer-run organization is not seasonal, it is a year-round miracle.
NAMI Maine operates a help line for mental health resources Mon. – Fri. from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Simply dial 1-800-464-5767 and then press 1. They can help you navigate options for mental health and substance use treatment.
This part is crucial: If you or a loved one are in crisis, please call or text 988.
These resources only scratch the surface of what is available.
Now, I think we can mostly agree that things in the world could be better. It needs to be easier to find affordable mental health care, both for immediate needs and for ongoing preventative services.
If you have ever tried to find a therapist who takes insurance, you know what I mean. And it would help if Congress could extend the Affordable Care Act health insurance subsidies so working families don’t see their premiums skyrocket at the start of the new year. We have to do better.
But we also must try to find mutual strength and support in each other. We’re often good at providing it to one another in an acute sense – by donating to GoFundMe campaigns or attending a community fundraiser, or maybe even by donating food to a local hunger relief program.
But we should also try to consider what is needed for people we don’t know, especially those who are different from us. Communities are stronger when support is coming from all and available to all.
One of my favorite Christmas carols is a classic, “O’ Holy Night.” It is a religious song, first written by a French poet named Placide Cappeau, set to music by composer Adolphe Adam, and translated to English by John Sullivan Dwight.
Dwight and Cappeau were abolitionists who saw universal meaning in the song, one which could be applied regardless of religious beliefs. The final verse, which is not sung in all versions, contains the following lyrics:
“Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.”
Happy Holidays.
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Rep. Marc Malon is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives, representing a portion of Biddeford. He serves as a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee and the Housing and Economic Development Committee. He can be reached via email at marc.malon@maine.gov
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According to campaign finance reports, a total of more than $14,200 was spent by the three mayoral candidates in Biddeford’s Nov. 6 municipal election.
Yesterday (Dec.16) was the deadline for filing those reports with the city clerk.
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain (City of Biddeford photo)
Former Mayor Marty Grohman spent the most money in his campaign for a second term, a total of $6,539.31.
Mayor Liam LaFountain spent a total of $4,957.13, and former city councilor Norman Belanger spent $3,135 on his campaign.
In terms of votes, LaFountain edged Grohman by a margin of just 212 votes (2,626 – 2,414). Belanger finished in a distant third with 1,273 votes.
Based on data from the finance reports, Grohman also spent the most on a per-vote basis, roughly $2.71 per vote; Belanger spent $2.46 per vote and LaFountain spent the least on a per-vote basis at $1.89 per vote.
As required by state law, all candidates are required to file two reports regarding details about their campaigns, contributions and expenses. The first report must be filed in mid-October.
The second cumulative report is due no later than 42 days after the election. The city maintains public records of all campaign spending by municipal candidates, including city councilors, school committee members and mayoral candidates.
You can view or download the final reports submitted by the mayoral candidates below.
Candidates are required to detail line-item totals for all money contributed to their campaigns by specific individuals or businesses.
Each candidate must also provide details about how they spent their money during the campaign.
All three mayoral candidates had similar expenses, including direct mail, lawn signs, website design and social media advertising.
Campaign signs are a major expense for most local campaigns.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story contained inaccurate information regarding former city councilor Norm Belanger’s mayoral campaign. Belanger spent a total of $3,135. His per vote total was $2.46. We apologize for the error. The story has been amended with the correct information.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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In his letter to the editor, this Red Cross volunteer offers a stark reality about the need for blood donations during this time of year.
Editor:
A few hours into the blood drive, Nancy walked out of the Biddeford Eagles Facility in tears.
I hurried to meet her and asked what was wrong. Through her sobs, she said, “It happened again, my iron count was too low. I wanted so badly to give blood and help.”
Her disappointment was clear, and I gently reminded her that she was already helping simply by showing up. The truth is, I’ve seen this before, no matter how willing someone is, their iron or hemoglobin levels just aren’t high enough to donate that day.
But here’s what’s important: even when you can’t give blood, you can still give hope. A financial donation to the Red Cross helps ensure our lifesaving mission continues every single day.
As a volunteer in the Red Cross Biomedical Services, I see firsthand the difference your support makes. The Red Cross provides lifesaving blood to 38 Maine hospitals and medical centers, and we must collect 130 donations every day to meet patient needs.
The reality is this: The need for blood and platelets never stops. Cancer patients, accident victims, and surgical patients depend on it every day.
Blood can’t be manufactured; it must come from volunteer donors. Any pause in donations puts patients at risk. You can make a lifesaving difference right now.
Donate blood or platelets this month to help hospitals care for patients as we head into the holidays.
Make your appointment today. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or download the Blood Donor App to schedule your donation.
The holidays are also a time when emergencies increase such that home fire responses rise by
nearly percent nationwide, and many Mainers need help recovering. Because of caring donors and volunteers, the Red Cross is always there, providing shelter, financial support, first aid and comfort to families in crisis and to our military members facing challenges.
This holiday season, you can be the reason someone finds hope again. If you’re unable to give blood, please consider making a financial donation at redcross.org.
Together, we can ensure that no one faces their darkest moment alone, whether it’s after a disaster, in a hospital room or right here in our community.
Don Bisson of the Biddeford Food Pantry (far left) receives a $20,000 donation from the St. Louis Alumni Association, represented by (L-R) Richard Dutremble, Paul Therrien and Don Couture. The Association also donated $25,000 to the My Place Teen Center in Biddeford and $5,000 to Apex Youth Connection. (Contributed photo)
“The Association is pleased to provide funding to help these deserving organizations, and we are proud to recognize the much-needed services and support they provide to the community,” said John Thibault, chair of the association’s public information office.
The Alumni Association, known for its on-going support spanning more than 60 years to youth athletic programs and academic scholarship awards in the Biddeford-Saca area, expanded its financial awards in recent years to include other community non -profits like the Food Pantry and Teen Center.
“The Association’s history of giving back to city youth, programs and activities is the focus of our mission statement and we hope to be able to do so for years to come,” said Thibault.
The donations were formally made during a Dec. 6 meeting of the St. Louis Alumni Association.
Since then, the Alumni Association has also donated $5,000 to the Apex Youth Connection program in Biddeford, according to association member Patricia Boston.
St. Louis High School was a Biddeford-based parochial school steeped in Franco culture and heritage. The small school was opened in 1930 but financial strains led to its closure in 1970.
The school’s mascots – The Eagles – achieved near legendary status as an athletic powerhouse, especially during the 1960s as the small school faced local rivals including Biddeford High School and Thornton Academy with grit and determination.
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The first regular meeting of the new Biddeford Council — along with a new mayor — should give us a good preview and set the tone for what we can expect from these 10 individuals over the next two years.
I have been through this before. Many times.
Former Ward Five Councilor Neva Gross, one of the councilors I am going to miss as a new administration begins.
I should be better prepared for the transition. In fact, Liam LaFountain is the sixth Biddeford mayor I have covered as a journalist.
I have seen lots of change over the last three decades: Five city managers, six mayors and more finance directors than you can count.
All kidding aside, I am optimistic about this new group, and I expect we’re going to see rigorous and thoughtful debate as this new council tackles a wide range of issues.
I really believe that we are at the beginning of a new era at Biddeford City Hall, but I will miss a few of the councilors who decided not to seek reelection this year.
In particular, I am going to miss former Ward Five Councilor Neva Gross – especially during the roll call at the beginning of each meeting.
During the roll call, each councilor answers the city’s clerk’s question. Councilor Belanger? “Here.”
Councilor Beaupre? “Here.”
Councilor Whiting? “Here.” And so on . . . with one notable exception: Councilor Gross would invariably set her own mark. Instead of saying “here,’ she would always respond: “Present.”
For the better part of two years, her response irked me. I thought she was just being a smartass, making a joke of the roll-call process.
Before we proceed any further, it should be noted that I consider Neva Gross to be a friend. She and her partner are expected to attend my family’s annual Christmas Chaos party.
Neva Gross poses for a picture with Mayor Grohman and other councilors moments after being sworn into office (Seaver photo)
Shortly after she was appointed to the council to fill a vacancy in 2024, Neva agreed to an interview with me.
In that interview – published in Saco Bay News – I described Neva as “somewhat reserved.” I told readers that she “listens intently to discussion, often sitting back with her chair leaning away from the council dais.”
So finally — just a few weeks ago – I got up the courage to ask Gross why she always bucked the roll call trend during council meetings.
She smiled. “It’s something that was literally drilled into me by my drill instructor during basic training,” she said.
“He expected more from us than just showing up,” Gross explained. “He demanded that we were ‘present.’ We were expected to know what was happening next to us, behind us and ahead of us. We were expected to be aware, ready to take action and constantly examining the landscape.
“Simply being here was never good enough for him. I always wanted to be present during council meetings.”
I suspect that Neva will still be present in Biddeford, even though she is no longer a city councilor. Maybe we should all be present instead of just being here.
Regardless, I am going to miss Neva’s smile and her thoughtful approach to governance.
Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is floating the idea of hiring an “in-house” city attorney, a significant departure from the current model of operating under a retainer contract with a local law firm.
Although the concept of hiring an attorney as a full-time city employee was discussed and rejected more than 30 years ago, LaFountain says it makes sense today to at least “explore” the idea.
Currently, Harry B. Center serves as the city’s attorney when needed. Center also has several other clients and is a managing partner at Woodman Edmands, a small Biddeford-based law firm located on Main Street.
City Attorney Harry B. Cnter, II (Courtesy photo)
During the Dec. 16 council meeting, LaFountain will ask the council to approve a six-month contract renewal for Center. Typically, the city’s attorney is appointed for two years.
LaFountain said it only makes sense to keep Center on board while the council digs deeper in consideration of the proposed change.
“We need to make sure that we have stability moving forward,” LaFountain said during an interview with the Gazette. “We have lots of items and issues under consideration. I am not proposing to make any changes without fully vetting the plan with the city council.”
LaFountain said it may turn out that hiring an in-house attorney would not be a good idea. “I just want us to consider the possibility and think about potential benefits and advantages.”
In a memo to the city council, LaFountain wrote: “Biddeford is entering a period of increased legal activity across land use, development agreements, personnel matters, and policy implementation.”
Center says he will continue to serve the city to the best of his ability, regardless of whether the council decides to make a change at the beginning of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2026.
Center says he bills the city at a rate of $225 per hour, a fraction of the billable rates of attorneys working in larger Portland firms.
“It’s just a matter of what makes the best overall sense for the city,” LaFountain explained. “We are in a transition period. We have six new councilors coming on board, a new city manager and we’re looking to hire a new economic and development director and new chief operating officer.
“This may be the exact time to consider making a change in how we handle our legal services,” the mayor added.
On the advantage side, LaFountain says having an in-house attorney could improve efficiency, responsiveness and long-term cost management, similar to models used in other municipalities of comparable size. Both Portland and Bangor have an in-house attorney, he said.
Shortly after graduating from law school, Center was hired by the late Mayor Roger Normand in 1992.
Center resigned his position as city solicitor in 2004 to pursue a new job in the private sector. Center returned as the city’s attorney after being appointed by Mayor Alan Casavant to replace Keith Jacques upon his retirement in 2022.
Over the years, Center has served under five mayors (Normand, Grattelo, Dion, Casavant and Grohman).
A Biddeford native, Center attended St. Mary’s School and graduated from Biddeford High School in 1980.
“I have seen a lot of changes over the years,” Center said. “There are always ups and downs. The bottom line is that I serve at the pleasure of the mayor and city council.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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There is little doubt that 2025 was a year of substantive change for the city of Biddeford. From political fallout to major infrastructure improvements and new business openings, this year featured a plethora of news stories about change.
In fact, even the news/media landscape changed as a new digital news source began operations, and a 36-year-old weekly newspaper ceased printing.
Like all other years, there was good news and bad news. Highs and lows.
So now we invite you to look back on what we believe were the Top-10 news stories in Biddeford during 2025. (Listed chronologically)
Bennett had announced his “phased retirement” in Oct. 2024, saying that he would leave his position in April 2025, with more than a year remaining on his contract.
Bennett subsequently filed a lawsuit against the city. The city opted to approve an out-of-court settlement of roughly $90,000.
Though the Courier is no longer published, its parent company now publishes a weekly, digital only newsletter.
The Courier was originally owned and operated by David and Carolyn Flood, Saco residents who later moved to Biddeford. David Flood was elected to and served briefly on the Biddeford City Council.
In her previous position as public work director in Kirkland, Dever oversaw a staff of more than “170 employees across multiple divisions, including utilities, transportation and capital projects,” according to the city’s website.
School Supt. Jeremy Ray said that moving the city’s youngest students to BPS will give those children more stability and a less fractured learning experience.
“Going forward, students will be in the same building from Pre- K to second grade,” Ray said. “This way, the kids have four years in one building with lots of familiar faces.”
Planning board approves UNE’s pier proposal
The Biddeford Planning Board held a site walk to review the University of New England’s proposed research pier (Seaver photo)
The approval of the controversial project drew the ire of several residents who attempted to appeal the decision. The Biddeford Zoning Board of Appeals, however, voted unanimously (3-0) to stand by the planning board’s decision. The city — in November — filed a formal complaint about the project in York County Superior Court. A judicial review is pending.
During that meeting, residents raised concerns about how the city managed the review process of the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal. Residents’ concerns included the city’s decision to remove the harbormaster from the review process and unanswered questions about impacts on moorings held by commercial fishermen.
Voters choose new mayor, city councilors
Liam LaFountain (foreground, wearing glasses) celebrates his win on election night with several of his supporters. (Seaver photo)
Biddeford voters sent a clear message in November: They wanted a big change in city government.
In a three-way mayoral race, Mayor Marty Grohman was denied a second term by nearly two-thirds of those who cast ballots in Biddeford’s biennial, municipal election.
LaFountain campaigned and won on a platform of more transparency and accountability from City Hall.
Four new city councilors were also sworn into office, including Lisa Vadnais, Abigail Woods, David Kurtz and Jacob Pierson. Former councilors Patricia Boston and Brad Cote returned to the council after an extended hiatus of several years.
Other stories:
Of course, there were several other significant stories that took place over the last year, including a significant August fire that displaced two Biddeford families; a rather scathing report issued by the city’s financial auditors in August and the approval of two significant housing projects near the site of the former MERC trash-to-energy incinerator.
And I’ll go ahead and toot our own horn. The Biddeford Gazette formally began its operations in January and now features a roster of contributing writers, expanded community-based news coverage and weekly obituaries.
Vincent Keely
When Laura and I started the project, we weren’t sure whether the endeavor would last six months. We exceeded all of our expectations, even after breaking my right arm in August.
I also want to note that our community lost Vincent Keely earlier this year. Keely, a former city councilor, was a beloved downtown business owner and reliably ensured the “raising of the Irish flag” at City Hall every year on St, Patrick’s Day. His restaurant – the Wonderbar – was a favorite hangout for city officials, reporters and others who wanted to keep updated about city news and events.
Now we’re looking forward to what 2026 will bring.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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As hunger relief organizations report an increase in demand heading into the winter months, Hannaford Supermarkets is partnering with Youth Full Maine and Wayside Food Programs to provide a critical boost to food access programs this holiday season, according to a company press release.
Dozens of Hannaford associates joined non-profit leaders and volunteers at two events over the past week to pack and distribute 1,000 meal boxes filled with fresh, nutritious and high-quality food for individuals and families across southern Maine.
Hannaford associates assemble food boxes in partnership with Youth Full Maine in Biddeford. In addition to donating more than 10,000 pounds of food, including produce and pantry staples, Hannaford invested $10,000 to bolster Youth Full Maine’s efforts to expand food access this holiday season.(Courtesy photo)
In addition to donating more than 20,000 pounds of food, including produce and pantry staples, Hannaford invested $20,000 to bolster Youth Full Maine and Wayside’s efforts to expand food access this holiday season.
“The holiday season is a time to reflect on the importance of community, and we take our responsibility to care for our communities very seriously,” said Sherri Stevens, Community Impact Manager for Hannaford Supermarkets. “Ensuring everyone has access to fresh, quality food is one of the simplest ways we can nourish our neighbors. We thank Youth Full Maine and Wayside Food Programs for their partnership in fighting hunger in our communities – both during the holiday season and throughout the year.”
Based in Biddeford and serving families throughout York County, Youth Full Maine manages school food pantries and conducts community-wide free food mobile distributions each month.
The organization will host numerous food distribution events this holiday season and will distribute holiday meal boxes to families through school-based pantries.
“We’re grateful to our partners at Hannaford Supermarkets who understand the importance of making sure all Mainers can access food this holiday season,” said Katie Brown, Executive Director of Youth Full Maine. “Throughout the year, Hannaford helps Youth Full Maine get nourishing foods to people of all ages who don’t get enough to eat, from seniors living alone to families with kids who are struggling to make ends meet.”
Hannaford has invested more than $1.8 million in food security programs in its communities over the past year. In 2024, Hannaford donated more than 27.6 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations – the equivalent of 23 million meals – and is on track to meet the same amount this year.
Tomorrow night – Dec. 9 – the new members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting some required “training” for their new roles in city government.
The city council workshop –– ostensibly open to the public, but why? — will feature four breakout sessions, including updates from City Manager Truc Dever, City Attorney Harry Center, City Clerk Robin Patterson and Executive Assistant Shelly MacNeill – the person who answers calls and schedules appointments for the mayor and city manager.
No, I am not making this up.
It’s probably safe to say that veteran councilor Marc Lesard will not be required to attend the Tuesday workshop meeting, given the fact that he’s been serving on the council since before Abraham Lincoln was shot, back in the days before Alan Casavant was Biddeford’s mayor.
(Photo from Wiki commons)
It remains unclear whether Councilors Patricia Boston and Brad Cote will need a refresher course in protocol, since they both previously served on the council – back when Barack Obama was president.
But newbie councilors Lisa Vadnais, David Kurtz, Jake Pierson and Abigail Woods will likely enjoy the various breakout training sessions, learning new skills such as how to control your gag reflexes during public meetings, the secret handshakes used during closed-door executive sessions and the limit of eyerolls that can be used whenever Richard Rhames approaches the podium.
But seriously, there are some protocols and procedures that city councilors must follow. So, it makes sense to learn the ground rules before you can actually start doing some serious damage to the city.
One thing blatantly missing from Tuesday’s training session: how to deal with the media.
A photo of downtown Biddeford taken shortly after Marc Lessard was first sworn into office as a city councilor. This is satire, feel free to smile.
The point Edmund Burke was trying to make back in the late 1700s was that the press held almost as much power and influence in policy as government officials, both elected and appointed.
But let’s turn the tables for a moment and examine first what our new councilors should expect from the media.
First and foremost, government officials should expect members of the media to be accurate. Secondly, responsible journalists should always be fair and strive for objectivity. Thirdly, journalists should treat government officials with respect and basic civility.
Now what does the media expect of government officials?
The top-three things? (in order) 1.) Honesty. 2.) Honesty and 3.) Honesty.
Seriously, always be honest, even if it means you’re not able to offer a comment because of state or local laws and ordinances. No one can fault you for following the law.
If a member of the press takes the time to call you, return the call. If you’re busy, ask the reporter if he or she is on a deadline. If you don’t know the answer to a reporter’s question, simply say, “I don’t know.”
Finally, on your way home from Tuesday night’s workshop meeting, maybe swing by Kohl’s and get yourself a pair of big boy pants.
You – despite logic and common-sense – signed up for public office, which means you are now fair game for public criticism. For your own sanity, you’re gonna have to learn how to let some stuff just roll of your backs.
Actually, Marc Lessard provides an excellent example of how to deal with media criticism: You just ignore it. Seriously. It’s not personal. It’s business.
No city official – past or present – (okay, maybe Joanne Twomey) has endured more media criticism and bloviating from me than Marc Lessard.
City Councilor Marc Lessard (official photo)
For nearly three decades, Marc and I have sparred on several issues. I have publicly called him to task on countless occasions and roundly scolded him in long-winded, poorly-written editorials for his positions, comments and actions.
“That’s billion with a B, boys.” (Inside joke probably only remembered by Lessard and Harry Center)
Nevertheless, Lessard always returns my calls promptly. He’s always ready to defend and explain his positions. He is invariably cordial and professional.
Make no mistake. Reporters – especially this one – can be a pain in the ass, but we could all learn a lot from Marc Lessard.
Now, is a zebra white with black stripes or black with white stripes?
Good luck, newbies! And thanks for stepping up to serve the city!
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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A small group of people gathered Sunday morning at the intersection of Foss and Fall streets in Biddeford, where a cyclist was killed on Sept. 26.
Patrick Conlon, a member of Bike BS, a local cycling advocacy group, helped organize the quiet ceremony to remember the life of Heather Hamilton with a permanent plaque and a white “ghost bike” adorned with blue flowers.
Patrick Conlon of Biddeford (left) and Chris Nucci of Saco install a memorial plaque at the intersection of Foss and Fall streets, where Heather Hamilton was struck and killed by a delivery truck in September. (Seaver photo)
Hamilton, 47, was killed in a collision involving a UPS delivery truck.
Hamilton’s daughter, Mallorie, made brief remarks about her mother during the brief ceremony.
“My mom didn’t have an easy life,” Mallorie said. “But she would give you the shirt off her back or the last penny in her pocket. She did so much for her family.”
Mallorie Hamilton, holding hands with her own daughter, Cora, said the last few months have been “very difficult.”
Several people tied blue flowers to the ghost bike because blue was Hamilton’s favorite color, according to her family.
Mallorie Hamilton and her five-year-old daughter Cora (center) join others in attaching blue flowers to the Ghost Bike that was placed to honor her mother’s death earlier this year.
Hamilton said neighbors have long expressed concerns about the safety of that intersection, which features dense housing and a narrow roadway.
Mayor Liam LaFountain and Ward Four City Councilor Dylan Doughty attended the brief ceremony.
Conlon says cycling accidents are on the increase in Maine.
As of late 2025, Maine is experiencing a surge in cyclist and pedestrian deaths, according to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM), indicating 26 total pedestrian/bicyclist fatalities as of December 1.
In fact, the BCM says that Maine is on track for one of its deadliest years for pedestrians and cyclists.
Conlon and other biking advocates say that speeding and distracted driving are major issues, highlighting the need for better infrastructure, like protected bike lanes, and increased visibility for cyclists.
Conlon has testified before the Maine Legislature about the need for increased awareness, and policy changes such as “Vision Zero” commitments, to prevent further deaths of pedestrians and cyclists.
As one of the most rural states in the country, the state of Maine is well known for its so-called “heritage industries” that rely on outdoor occupations, such as farming, fishing and logging.
Those industries have long driven Maine’s economy but they also present a few — somewhat hidden – challenges.
Overall, the bulk of those working in Maine’s “heritage” industries are men, and those physically-demanding jobs often come attached with significant mental health strains.
Workers in Maine’s “heritage industries” face lack of mental health resources. (Associated Press Photo)
“We know from years of statistical data that men are far less likely to reach out for mental health assistance than women,” explains State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford). “And that is having an impact on our economy and our overall quality of living.”
Ingwersen is the senate chair of the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee. He is also a member of the Joint Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.
Those two roles intersect when it comes to addressing the health needs of those who work in one of Maine’s often rigorous and demanding heritage industries.
“Simply put, there are not a lot of mental health resources for people employed in small farming and fishing operations,” Ingwersen said. “Furthermore, men are often reluctant to ask for help.”
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the suicide rate among males in 2023 was approximately four times higher than the rate among females.
Men make up roughly 50 percent of the population but nearly 80 percent of suicides.
To address this issue, Ingwersen plans to submit new legislation when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
State Sen. Henry Ingwersen (D-Biddeford)
That legislation will focus on creating a subcommittee to examine and address the lack of mental health resources in Maine’s heritage industries.
The bill — “Resolve, to Establish a Working Group to Prioritize Mental Health and Wellness Resources Within Maine’s Heritage Industries,” — was approved for introduction by a majority of the Legislative Council in a November 20 meeting.
“As senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, I’ve had a front row seat to the ways health intersects with our heritage industries,” Ingwersen said. “We all know that farming, fishing and logging are physically demanding industries. But there is less awareness of the significant mental strain on these workers, which leads to burnout, stress — or worse.
“It is critical that we take care of the people who power our economy, help us put food on tables and provide the material to build our homes.”
As proposed, the bill would create a working group to convene and work on policy recommendations to address the mental health needs of Maine’s workers in heritage industries.
Earlier this year, Ingwersen attended and spoke at Maine’s first-ever Land and Sea Farmer Wellness Forum, which was rooted in the work of The University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
The Extension recently conducted a survey, revealing that 61 percent of respondents from agriculture, aquaculture and wild-harvest fisheries identified the need for increased public education to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health.
Survey data showed that suicide rates remain higher for agriculture, fishing and forestry occupation groups. Many farmers and fishermen have no employer-provided health insurance.
“These industries are critical to Maine’s economy and yet we are facing some serious vulnerabilities that – as a cumulative effect – could disrupt the flow of the food we eat and the materials we use to build our homes,” Ingwersen said.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Technically speaking, it’s still autumn but it sure feels like winter here in southern Maine.
We’re now deep into the holiday season, and you probably have a growing laundry list of chores and preparations for the season.
But there is also lots of fun and joy to be had in Biddeford. Check our EVENTS page for the latest updates, including Santa’s planned visit on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Biddeford’s Central Fire Station on Alfred Street.
Santa is expected to visit the Biddeford Fire Department on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 5 p.m.
We experienced the first significant snowstorm of the season and the Biddeford Public Works Department once again stepped up to the plate to make sure the roads were cleared as soon as possible.
Public works director Jeff Demers says his department is ready for whatever Mother Nature brings
For example, did you know that Jeff and his crew plow 292 miles of roadways in Biddeford? That’s the equivalent of driving from City Hall in Biddeford to Albany, New York. Also, the city is expecting to use as much as 250 tons of salt on roadways this winter season.
Tuesday’s storm also impacted local politics. For the first time, the city’s biennial inauguration ceremonies were not held in City Theater. The event was online only because of slippery driving conditions and an active snow parking ban.
And even single-digit temperatures didn’t stop this year’s ‘Merry & Bright’ night in downtown Biddeford, complete with a tree lighting ceremony and a visit by Santa Claus.
We have more exclusive news stories on deck. We’re also working on a retrospective of the news and events that shaped 2025 in Biddeford, including our list of the year’s Top-Ten local stories.
Also, we are going to keep tradition alive, and publish our exclusive interview with Santa Claus on Christmas eve.
Once again, Biddeford’s downtown holiday celebration and annual tree lighting ceremony Friday night drew a decent crowd downtown on lower Adams Street.
Poppy (3) was excited to see Santa Claus arrive along with her parents Stephanie and Michael of Biddeford (Seaver photo)
Santa Claus arrived on schedule, escorted by the flashing lights and the wailing sirens of a Biddeford Fire truck. Although the city’s new tree is less than nine feet tall, the crowd let out a roar once it was lit by strands of colored lights.
Santa Claus leads the crowd in a countdown to the tree lighting (Seaver photo)
This year’s event — coordinated by the Heart of Biddeford — offered something for everyone, including the “Merry Makerfair Holiday Market,”transforming the former Adams Street Courthouse into a modern-day North Pole elves’ workshop. More than 50 local vendors and artisans displayed a wide range of unique, handmade gifts.
The Merry Makerfair Holiday Market showcased unique, hand-crafted gifts from more than 50 local artisans (Seaver Photo)
Keeping traditions alive, the Biddeford Recreation Department offered a smores-making station and several firepits and games for younger children.
Micah, 6, from Saco, had some good luck at a fishing station. (Seaver photo)
City Councilor Roger Beaupre and his wife, Penny, attended the event. “Because of the cold, I didn’t expect this many people,” Beaupre said, pointing out that it was somewhat difficult to find a parking space.
Despite frigid temperatures, a good-sized crowd turned out for Biddeford’s annual tree lighting ceremony (Seaver photo)
According to our well-placed, high-level sources at the North Pole, Santa Claus will be making another visit to Biddeford on Sunday, December 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Central Fire Station on Alfred Street.
In related holiday news, on. Dec. 14, Biddeford will also kick off this year’s Hannukah celebration with a downtown Menorah Lighting ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m.; 17 Lincoln Street.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Spend just a few minutes talking with Biddeford’s Public Works Director Jeff Demers and you quickly learn that his department is literally the heart of all city operations.
In fact, Demers and his crew are tasked with taking care of all the things many residents take for granted, from trash collection to snow plowing during winter storms.
But Demers’ list of responsibilities runs much deeper than the large orange trucks we see moving snow or collecting household waste.
The public works department also takes care of all city vehicles, including ambulances, fire trucks and police cruisers – from routine oil changes to tire rotation and fan-belt repairs.
Public Works Director Jeff Demers poses near a fleet of trucks being prepared for the next winter storm (Seaver photo)
Other city departments rely heavily upon the Public Works Department.
“We take care of maintenance of the city’s parks and recreation facilities, and we do the construction of projects coordinated by the Engineering Department,” Demers says. “Yeah, you could safely say we keep the city running and functioning as it should.”
Additionally, the public works department oversees all operations at the city’s wastewater treatment facilities, ensuring that the city meets or exceeds state and federal environmental regulations.
“Stop and think about it for a minute,” Demers explains. “If we stop working, things grind to a halt pretty quickly. What’s going to happen to your trash? You don’t want to see sewer back-ups or snow-covered roads and sidewalks. We keep the school busses running and handle most city repairs.”
Demers says his department would be “nothing” without a team of “exceptional, hardworking employees.”
“Public Works may be the heart of the city, but our employees are the heart of our operations, day in and day out,” he said.
Demers says he has 64 employees, including 14 employees in the wastewater department.
Demers has worked 30 years for the city, the last eight as director of public works. “I am lucky to work with some outstanding people,” he said.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow . . .
Despite our assumptions about the busy season, Demers says winter weather months are a “bit of a lull” that allows his team ample time to catch up on some inside projects.
But when Mother Nature hits, Demers and his team hit back.
Snow plowing services are more complicated than you would expect. Demers has the city divided into more than 10 different zones. Each zone has unique characteristics such as one-way streets, dead ends or especially narrow rights of way and environmentally sensitive areas.
Demers stands in front of a large, 280-ton pile of road salt that should get the city through this winter season (Seaver Photo)
Roughly 35 people are available to work various equipment during the storms, including plows, graders, loaders and sidewalk clearing vehicles.
Each piece of equipment features a computer that tracks the position of all vehicles during a storm event, including data about the amount of sand and magnesium chloride.
“Nothing is left to guesswork,” Demers explains. “We know exactly where and how each piece of equipment is functioning.”
As an example, Demers pointed out that during last Tuesday’s winter storm, roughly 26 tons of salt and 97 gallons of magnesium chloride were used in the Biddeford Pool neighborhood for just one storm.
When calculating labor, fuel and other factors, the city spent roughly $2,161 just to clear public roads and rights-of-ways in Biddeford Pool during one storm.
Without fail, especially during the first storm of the season, many residents complain that they did not know a parking ban was in effect, despite the city’s best efforts of publishing information on social media, and through television news stations. You can also learn about snow bans by signing up for automatic e-mail updates.
“Bottom line, we have to get the roads cleared,” Demers explains. “If the area is expecting more than just a couple of inches, you should probably prepare for an overnight parking ban.”
Demers says he relies on information from NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) and local news channels in determining when to issue a parking ban.
During last week’s storm, which lasted almost 24 hours, Demers said he had crew members working 24 hours through the storm to keep the city’s streets and roads cleared.
In total, Demers says his team plows roughly 292 miles of road (two lanes) in Biddeford. By comparison that would be the equivalent of plowing one lane from Biddeford to Albany, New York.
“Technology is really helping us,” Demers said. “We can report what each storm costs and that helps us when determining our budget request from the city.”
The city’s salt shed has the capacity to store roughly 325 tons of salt. Currently, the city has 280 tons of salt in the garage. “I’m hoping that will get us through the winter,” Demers said while standing in front of large hill of road salt.
“We’re always looking for ways to cut costs.”
Ongoing projects, saving taxpayer dollars
Demers points to a long laundry list of tasks that need his department’s attention, including a sewer upgrade on Lincoln Street to accommodate two new housing projects near the city’s parking garage on Pearl Street.
The intersection of May and Alfred streets is being reconfigured so that traffic from May Street will only be able to turn right onto Alfred Street.
By stepping in and providing in-house services, Demers said his department has helped the city save a lot of money, including a repair of a large, river-side retaining wall (roughly $3.5 million in savings) and rebuilding the destroyed bathhouse at Biddeford Pool (roughly $160,000 in savings).
“We’re always looking for ways to cut costs and improve efficiencies,” Demers said.
But budget realities hit the public works department hard.
“We’re always looking to hire the right people,” Demers said. “We want the skilled workers, the people with carpentry, plumbing or electrical skills but we can’t offer a very competitive salary. Someone with a CDL (commercial driver’s license) can probably earn as much as 30 percent more in the private sector.
“I’m fortunate to have great people working here, but I would say my biggest challenge is figuring out how to keep them here.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved.
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Although the Biddeford Planning Board narrowly approved the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal in August, a required building permit will not be issued by the city until a decision comes down from the York County Superior Court.
The city has filed a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC), a quasi-state agency tasked to review and control development on the Saco River.
The city of Biddeford will not issue a building permit for UNE’s controversial pier proposal until a decision regarding the validity of the review process comes from York County SuperiorCourt
As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette, new questions were raised in October about the review process. Specifically, the city now says that a previous decision by the SRCC — from more than 24 years ago — should have disqualified the project.
In 2001, the SRCC and the university created a 250-foot, no-development zone along the shoreline of UNE’s campus. That agreement was made as a compromise to allow construction of two dormitory buildings that would exceed a 35-foot height restriction.
The university is now hoping to construct an access road for its new pier through that buffer zone.
During their review of the university’s proposal last year, the SRCC failed to consider its previous ruling. “It was a mistake,” said Cheri Dunning, executive director of the SRCC during an October interview with the Gazette.
Dunning described the mistake as an “omission of information.” Because the agency’s approval happened more than 30 days ago, Dunning said there was nothing the SRCC could do to remedy the error.
“Our staff is working hard to prevent this type of error in the future,” Dunning said.
A few days later, Dunning sent an email to Roby Fecteau, the city’s code enforcement officer. In that email, she opined that the SRCC can alter any decision it makes. She also denied saying that the decision was a mistake on the part of the SRCC.
“The condition was created by, and thus can be altered by, the Commission,” Dunning wrote in her email to Fecteau.
When contacted Wednesday, Dunning refused to answer any questions that were not submitted to her in writing.
The Gazette sent Dunning an email, asking for comments and clarification. She did not respond to our inquiry, as of press time.
City Attorney Harry Center said the formal complaint was filed because the city wants to “maintain the integrity of the review process.”
“We’re not seeking money nor damages,” Center said. “We’re simply asking the court to instruct the SRCC to reconsider the permit.”
In early November, the Biddeford City Council voted unanimously to seek “guidance about the permit” from the Maine Attorney General’s office.
The AG’s office declined the city’s request for intervention, citing the fact that the city has its own legal counsel and that the attorney general’s office would likely represent the SRCC in any legal action.
“Municipalities rely on consistent, lawful application of state permitting standards,” said Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain.
“When a statutory buffer required by a prior permit is overlooked, it is essential for the matter to be properly reviewed,” LaFountain said. “Our goal is to ensure that decisions affecting the Saco River comply fully with applicable law and long-standing environmental protections.”
Donald Furman serves as Biddeford’s representative on the Saco River Corridor Commission.
Furman, an attorney, said he had “no knowledge” of the city’s complaint, which was filed nearly two weeks ago.
“This is news to me,” Furman said when contacted by the Gazette.
In the city’s complaint to the court, the University of New England is listed as an interested party.
UNE spokesperson Sarah Delage said the university “respectfully disagrees” with the city’s position.
Delage said the permit issued in 2001 for new dormitory building does not preclude the building of an access road within the 250-foot vegetative buffer along the river.
“It allows for development within that zone if the SRCC reviews the plan and finds that it adequately maintains appropriate vegetation levels,” Delage wrote in a statement to the media. “During the SRCC approval process for this project, the SRCC provided feedback on UNE’s re-vegetation plan. The project that was ultimately approved reflects that feedback.
Delage also said the university never claimed that the University would never propose any activity within the vegetative buffer.
“The research pier is an important educational and scientific asset that will support UNE’s marine science programs and contribute to environmental research benefiting our coastal community,” Delage wrote. “UNE is committed to responsible development and environmental stewardship of our waterfront campus.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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Given increasing complaints, are train horns in Biddeford louder and more frequent?
By JIM KRAUSE, Contributing Writer
People living near railroad tracks in Biddeford are making noise about freight train horns that sound at all hours of the night. Rail officials say they are required by law — and in some cases for public safety.
The railroad through Biddeford dates to around 1842, nearly 20 years before the Civil War.
When the tracks were built, they were mostly surrounded by trees and open areas. As the train approached town, it passed mills and downtown businesses.
The building that now houses Champions Sports Bar once served as the Boston and Maine Railroad’s freight station. A small yard sat alongside the main tracks for switching and storing freight cars headed to the mill complex.
The former Boston & Maine freight station is today the location of Champion’s Sports bar.
But why do the horns seem louder now?
City officials in July 2024 removed a homeless encampment from Mechanics Park. The hope was that displaced residents would move to shelters or other resources. However, many relocated instead to James Street along the tracks.
In July, a CSX train struck and killed a trespasser between James and Main streets.
Officials from CSX and Amtrak — CSX owns the tracks and Amtrak leases the right to use them — say train crews are trained under Federal Railroad Administration regulations. Those rules (49 CFR Parts 222 and 229) require the use of horns or bells near crossings and whenever there are obstructions or people close to the right of way.
“One engineer described the area as ‘like dodging raindrops.’” Engineers say distractions such as headphones pose dangers, leaving horns as their only warning tool.
Another factor: a phenomenon known as temperature inversion.
On clear, calm nights, sound waves can bend downward, making horns seem louder. With fewer competing noises at night — traffic, sirens, kids playing — the horns stand out even more. And with most leaves off trees during fall and winter, fewer barriers exist to absorb sound.
Are we hearing train horns more than before? Probably.
Are train crews sounding them simply to keep residents awake? Probably not.
These tracks existed long before most nearby homes and businesses. Anyone moving into the area should expect an active railroad.
In a sense, the public has built around the railroad, so it makes little sense to blame crews for loud horns and weather conditions that amplify them.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a longtime railroad employee put it this way:
“People assume train crews are cold and emotionless machine operators. They don’t know what it’s like to sit in that seat, knowing you are about to hit someone and can’t do anything but blow your horn.
“I can hit the brakes, but the train isn’t stopping for half a mile or more. So yeah — if I’m going through an area where I know there are homeless people camping along the tracks, I’m blowing that horn. A lot.”
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Jim Krause is a freelance writer living in Biddeford. He can be contacted at jiggyjim@live.com
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The city of Biddeford’s 153rd inauguration ceremony was markedly different than in years past.
For the first time, the ceremony was held online because of inclement weather.
Although typically an evening of pomp and circumstance, including an emcee and reception, this year’s ceremony – held on the Zoom platform — took less than 10 minutes.
Mayor Liam LaFountain takes the oath of office from City Clerk Robin Patterson (top left) while School Committee member Michelle Landry looks on during an online ceremony via Zoom.
City Clerk Robin Patterson first administered the oath of office to school committee members and then moved on to the city council members before swearing in Mayor Liam LaFountain.
The new mayor – wearing a jacket and tie – offered brief remarks, congratulating the members of the city council and school committee.
LaFountain urged the new councilors and school committee members to “govern with courage,” ensuring that “the public interest must be at the center of every decision we make.”
“I look forward to working with each of you as we address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” LaFountain said while invoking his campaign promise to ensure city government is held to strict standards of accountability and transparency.
The new mayor highlighted several policy goals and priorities for the new administration, including housing, affordability, good schools and accessible parks and open spaces.
“Biddeford has always been a community of giving,” the mayor said. “Let us continue that tradition of giving as we move forward.”
The new city council features three returning members: Councilors Marc Lessard, Roger Beaupre and Dylan Doughty. New members include Patricia Boston in Ward One; Abigail Woods in Ward Two; David Kurtz in Ward Five; Jake Pierson in Ward Six; Brad Cote in Ward Seven; and Lisa Vadnais as an at-large councilor. Both Boston and Cote previously served on the council.
The new school committee includes Emily Henry, Tim Stebbins, Michelle Landry, Megan Desjardins, Amy Clearwater, Marie Potvin and Karen Ruel.
The requirements of the city’s charter prohibited rescheduling the event. The public was invited to join the meeting as observers.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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The Apex Youth Connection in Biddeford offers a wide range of programs to help teens transition to adulthood
ByRANDY SEAVER,Editor
It’s quite common to hear about after-school programs that get kids off the streets and into a productive, structured setting.
Apex Youth Connection (AYC) in Biddeford, however, takes a different approach to nurturing and empowering teens. Apex is all about getting kids on the street and engaged in their community.
APEX is a nonprofit organization that grew from rather humble roots and today serves hundreds of kids between the ages of 10 and 18 with after school programs between 3 and 6 p.m.; and a variety of free programs throughout the summer.
Founded in 2001, Apex was formerly known as the Community Bike Center (CBC), a project that began in founder Andy Greif’s garage, where kids could earn a bicycle by helping rebuild donated bicycles with spare parts.
Students learn valuable life skills while repairing and rebuilding bicycles at the Apex Youth Connection facility in Biddeford (Courtesy photo)
With broad support from the community, the CBC was able to grow and purchase its current facility on Granite Street in Biddeford. The property encompasses six acres, abutting Clifford Park. It includes a rock-climbing wall and a bike skills course.
Executive Director Michael Chapman said several programs have been added over the years. Apex today is much more than a clubhouse for kids who love to ride and work on bicycles, he said.
Chapman said the majority of kids served at Apex are students at either Biddeford Middle School or Saco Middle School.
“That age group seems to be the real sweet spot for us,” Chapman said during a recent interview. “We are all about building relationships, teaching kids the skills they will need as adults.”
The organization’s mission statement is straightforward
“Apex is dedicated to enriching the lives of youth through hands-on activities and outdoor adventure, while fostering meaningful mentorships in an environment where every child feels safe and valued.”
Chapman says Apex relies on a wide range of community partners, local businesses and donors to keep their programs accessible for all kids.
“If you’re thinking about Giving Tuesday, we’d love to have your support,” Chapman said.
Chapman says Apex offers young people an opportunity to get a head start on job readiness, providing the larger community with young people who are prepared for workforce development.
“It’s about much more than turning a wrench,” Chapman said. “We teach responsibility, goal setting and even customer service. You cannot teach anyone unless they respect you. We earn that respect by empowering these kids.”
Sarah Hoover is the program manager at Apex, one of four full-time employees.
Hoover said Apex is constantly looking for community partnerships. “Our goal is to be embedded in the fabric of this community,” she said. “To do that, we rely on volunteers and community connections.”
“You cannot teach anyone unless they respect you. We earn that respect by empowering these kids.”
— Michael Chapman
Kids at Apex learn much more than about how to rebuild or repair bicycles. They learn about good behavior; and about being good citizens within the community.
Although Apex offers several different programs and events, they are perhaps best known for their Apex Bike Factory program.
The Bike Factory program is at the center of Apex’s ongoing activities and skills training programs and “is the core of our Job Readiness Program.”
The bike factory is a full-service bike shop run by middle and high school students and is open to the public for bicycle repairs and tune-ups.
“We’re able to provide work experience and skills that these kids can take forward into their adult lives,” Chapman says. “Every kid has a spark. You just need to light that spark and watch them grow into the person they were meant to be.”
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be reached by email: randy@randyseaver.com
c.) 2025 All Rights Reserved
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 