The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last week approved an application from the University of New England (UNE) for the construction of a controversial pier proposal on the Saco River in Biddeford.
Although UNE is still required to clear several more permitting hurdles before construction can begin, the Army Corps approval represents a significant boost for the pier project.
Earlier this year, the Saco River Corridor Commission also gave its approval for the project, which includes a permanent pier consisting of a 28-foot long by 24-foot-wide landing; a 90-foot long by 14-foot-wide approach pier; and an 80-foot long by 24-foot-long pier and a floating dock system.
The proposed pier is intended to serve and dock UNE’s 60-foot marine research vessel.
UNE Spokesperson Sarah Delage said the university is “pleased to be moving forward” through the permitting process.
Construction of the pier relies upon a $3.5 million federal grant the university received last year.
When asked about the uncertainty of federal funding created by the Trump Administration, Delage said UNE is monitoring President Trump’s executive orders, but the project is expected to stay on track.
“Like all colleges and universities, as well as other research organizations, UNE is monitoring executive orders and other federal actions closely for potential impacts on the university,” Delage said. “Having said that, we have no reason to believe the funding for the project is at risk.”
But not everyone is celebrating the Army Corps’ decision to approve the project, including John Schafer, a Hills Beach resident and former chair of Biddeford’s Harbor Commission.
“I do not know why, but in this case several ‘powers that be’ seem absolutely determined to exclude local knowledge from the permitting process. That is just wrong.”
— Dan Chadbourne, Saco’s former harbormaster
During a recent telephone interview, Schafer said he is “extremely disappointed” by the Army Corps’ decision.
Schafer — who has been doggedly seeking information about the pier and its review process for more than a year — said the Army Corps made its decision without public comment and without input of “local knowledge,” most notably from the city’s harbormaster, Paul Lariviere.
Schafer also shared several letters from people who have existing moorings that would be impacted by the pier proposal.
As of press time, the Army Corps has not responded to our request for public comment.
However, in an email response to Schafer’s questions about the lack of public comment during the Army Corps’ review, Project Manager Jana Jacobson of the Army Corps wrote that “the project was reviewed for verification under the Maine General Permit, which are issued for use on a five-year cycle. Therefore, there was no public comment period.”
Dan Chadbourne, Saco’s former harbormaster, sent a pointed letter to Jacobson, disputing UNE’s claims that the pier would only impact one existing mooring.
Chadbourne said seven moorings will be impacted if UNE is allowed to build its pier.
“There is absolutely no substitute for local knowledge when evaluating such a sizeable intrusion into a popular waterway like the Saco River,” Chadbourne wrote. “I do not know why, but in this case several ‘powers that be’ seem absolutely determined to exclude local knowledge from the permitting process. That is just wrong.”
Delage said once all regulatory approvals are received — including from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Biddeford Planning Board – the university must then obtain a building permit from the Biddeford Code Enforcement Office.
Delage said UNE will continue to follow the review process, but declined to speculate about how long that process will take.
Randy Seaver is the editor of the Biddeford Gazette. He can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com
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Scores of Biddeford residents turned out Tuesday for the first of two public hearings on the city’s proposed budget.
Only one resident — former City Councilor Michael Swanton — suggested a budget cut, calling on the council to close and sell the city’s public access television station on Pool Road.
“Technology has zoomed by cable television,” Swanton told the council. “That’s $300,000 each year for something that only a handful of people use.”
Nearly 40 other people approached the podium one-by-one to voice support for various social service agencies, including the McArthur Library, Biddeford Community Gardens and the Heart of Biddeford.
Although there are more than 30 social service agencies requesting funding from the city, only three of them were mentioned during the public comment period — and once again — public support for the library dominated the 45-minute public hearing.
In a repeat of last year, the majority of comments came from people asking to fully fund the library’s budget request, which is just over $1 million this year, mainly to support ongoing renovations at the 160-year-old building. According to documents filed with the city, the library’s board of directors indicated that only 25 percent of their funding request would be used for salaries.
The McArthur Library is once again seeking roughly $1 million from the city.
“How we fund these things should reflect our values,” one man told the council.
More than 30 people spoke in support of the library, but 12 people expressed support for Biddeford’s Community Gardens; and one person spoke in favor of the funding request from the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center.
New Bathhouse Should be Ready on Memorial Day
Although the iconic Biddeford Pool Bathhouse in the Gilbert Boucher Park was destroyed during a January 2024 coastal storm, a new bathhouse is expected to be ready by Memorial Day.
After reviewing several bids from private contractors, the city council was poised to spend roughly $222,000 to build a 24 x 24-square foot replacement facility. Councilor Marc Lessard, however, suggested having the city’s Public Works Department submit their own proposal for the project.
Public Works Director Jeff Demers said his department could complete the task and construct a larger facility for roughly $135,000., a savings of roughly $87,000.
According to Recreation Director Lisa Thompson, the new bathhouse will be a 28 x 32-square foot structure that will include two regular bathrooms, a family bathroom, an accessible bathroom for persons with disabilities and outdoor showers.
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With a “challenging” budget hanging over their heads, members of the Biddeford City Council and the Biddeford School Committee participated in a joint workshop meeting Monday to examine the proposed budget.
Monday’s joint meeting was a rare occurrence that has happened only once before over the past 10 years.
“This is an unusual opportunity,” said Mayor Marty Grohman during his opening remarks. “We all share the same goals.”
School Superintendent Jeremy Ray said both the council and the committee are all in a “difficult situation, but we are being very conservative.”
In its current form, the proposed budget for next year shows an increase of 0.53 percent for the city; a 5.10 percent increase in school funding and an 0.08 percent increase in county taxes.
According to Acting City Manager Brian Phinney, every $100,000 of spending requires 2.3 cents on the tax rate.
As it stands now, the proposed budget would require an increase in the mil rate, from $14.22 last year to $15.03 this year.
Members of the Biddeford City Council and Biddeford School Committee discuss the proposed budget for next year. (Seaver photo)
Grohman said Monday’s evening was designed to bring both groups together under one roof so that they could each share their concerns and collaborate with one another about ways to soften the impact on taxpayers.
School Committee member Marie Potvin is a retired teacher who spent many years working in Biddeford schools.
“I was born and raised here,” Potvin said. “Our demographics have been changing significantly, and I am feeling somewhat anxious about all the things happening outside of the city that is creating so much uncertainty.”
School Committee member Megan Desjardins is a social worker. “Every single decision we make is in the best interest of our students,” she said. “Every day, we are being asked to do more for less.”
John McCurry, a former city councilor and current school committee member, described the budget as “quite high” McCurry said the city’s schools are always seeking ways to drive down costs, but he is worried about public perception.
“How do we get citizens involved?” McCurry asked, recalling previous budget debates when members of the public filled the council chamber, spilling out into the hallway.
Almost everyone at Monday’s meeting agreed that an 11.5 percent increase in the overall school budget is going to be a hard sell to voters.
“People just react to the numbers,” said School Committee member Chad Barrs. “There’s often a stark difference between perception and reality. It is much more complicated than it looks on paper.”
“Every day, we are being asked to do more for less.”
— Megan Desjardins, School Committee member
City Councilor Marc Lessard said the council needs to make some “painful decisions,” reminding the group that Biddeford taxpayers have seen a 20 percent increase over the last three years.
“If everyone here is okay with a 5.7 percent increase, then let’s just go home,” Lessard said. “Our work is done,” adding that he will not support a 5.7 percent increase.
“Do we take money away from kids who need funding or do we take it from McArthur Library and the Heart of Biddeford?” Lessard asked rhetorically, suggesting that the city could slash all of its funding for social services requests.
Councilor Doris Ortiz rebuked Lessard. “A lot of those social service agencies help our kids,” she said.
Councilor Norman Belanger said the council should avoid creating an “us versus them mentality.”
What’s driving the school budget?
School Supt. Jeremy Ray pointed to what he described as a “seriously flawed” school funding formula that is used for determining state subsidy amounts.
During his presentation, Ray walked through several charts and spreadsheets that demonstrate how increasing valuations hurts the city’s schools.
One of those spreadsheets shows Biddeford being well behind many other communities when it comes to per pupil cost for education.
Biddeford’s per pupil cost last year was $9,904.76, compared to $16,085.68 in the town of Falmouth or $15, 936.72 in South Portland.
“Our focus is always about what our students deserve,” Ray said. “A child in Biddeford doesn’t deserve less than a kid in Cape Elizabeth. We have a tough population, but people still want excellence.”
Ray also provided an 11-year comparison for Biddeford’s school budget, which shows an average expenditure increase of 3.82 percent.
Last year, the school budget came in with a 6.1 percent increase in expenditures. This year’s requested increase is 5.39 percent.
City Council President Liam LaFountain said there is still a long road ahead in what the final budget will look like, including public hearings and additional council review.
“Some of this feels premature,” LaFountain said. “I want to make sure that we’re not just thinking about the short term, but are also considering a lot of long-term impacts.”
Councilor Dylan Doughty said “everyone is being asked to do more with less” on both the city and school side of the budget.
Barrs said the proposed budget is going to be a “tough pill to swallow” for taxpayers and voters who will ultimately decide on whether to approve the school budget in June.
Click on the link below to view/download a copy of the Biddeford School Budget Presentation
An iconic, but long neglected, sign post in Biddeford may be getting a new lease on life.
The former MOBIL gas station sign – nearly 40 feet tall- sits near the center of the Five Points intersection. It is visible to commuters traveling on both Route One and Route 111. It is also visible to drivers entering or exiting the city on both West and Graham streets.
Earlier this week, the city issued an invitation for artists to submit ideas for how the sign could be redesigned as an entry point into the city.
The former Mobil gas station sign may be revitalized (Seaver photo)
In its request, the city says it is seeking an artist to “create a welcoming, community-inspired design for the historic” sign.
According to Mayor Marty Grohman, improvements made to the sign will not involve public funds.
Grohman says he is confident that a private fundraising campaign and perhaps some grant funds could be used to revitalize the sign, which has been an eyesore for more than a decade.
“We’re talking about a project that is located in a key gateway to our community,” Grohman said, pointing out that the city’s growth is edging outward.
Grohman said that the Downtown Development Commission (DDC) has embraced the concept that the city’s downtown area extends well beyond the lower end of Main Street.
The proposed project is getting a mixed reaction on social media. Some residents say the sign should be scrapped, while others say they are excited to see some creativity and new ideas.
According to a press release from the city, the DDC hopes to “transform a key gateway into the downtown with an engaging, vibrant visual statement that reflects Biddeford’s rich industrial and cultural heritage, its creative energy and its commitment to public art.”
“We’re talking about a project that is located in a key gateway to our community.”
— Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman
The project is a direct response to Biddeford’s Cultural Plan and Public Art guidelines.
According to the public invitation, the final design should foster a sense of place, welcome visitors and celebrate the evolving identity of Biddeford as a hub for creativity and cultural exchange.
“This is an open call for anyone interested in making a lasting impact on the city’s visual landscape,” Grohman said.
The selected artist will work closely with city officials and the Downtown Development Commission to ensure that the final piece resonates with community values and meets site-specific requirements, according to the press release.
For more information on how to submit a design, please click this link.
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Despite concerns about a proposed double-digit property tax increase this year, acting City Manager Brian Phinney presented the Biddeford City Council with some good news on Tuesday evening.
Phinney presented a budget that shows a proposed 5.7 percent increase over last year’s budget. That overall increase includes the city’s share of the school budget.
At the start of Tuesday’s budget committee meeting, Councilor Marc Lessard — a self-described fiscal conservative — said he is breathing a sigh of relief, after speculating last week that taxpayers could see a significant, double-digit increase based on last week’s school budget meeting.
“We still have some work to do,” Lessard said. “But we are starting out at a much better place than I anticipated.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, various department heads presented their proposed budget requests to the council.
Next Tuesday (April 1) the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on the proposed budget.
Phinney’s proposed budget shows an increase of 0.53 percent for the city; a 5.10 percent increase in school funding and an 0.08 percent increase in county taxes.
According to Phinney every $100,000 of spending requires 2.3 cents on the tax rate..
Under Phinney’s proposed budget, the tax (mil) rate would increase from $14.22 last year to $15.03 this year.
Last year, the City Council approved a total budget of $61,639,883. This year, Phinney is recommending a total budget of $64,290,945.
For more details or to view/download the city manager’s proposed budget, see the PDF file pasted below or you can find all of the city’s budget documents by clicking on this link.
Last week, more than two dozen people appeared before the Biddeford City Council, each of them requesting varying amounts of public funding for their respective non-profit organizations.
It is an annual process that is just one part of the city’s annual budget.
None of the public presenters were questioned or challenged about their funding requests – except one.
Vassie Fowler, executive director of the Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Resource Center, was questioned about her funding request by veteran City Councilor Marc Lessard.
Fowler told the council that her organization’s budget has exploded over the past 12 months, from a total of $345,000 last year to a projected $1.1 million this year.
Vassie Fowler, executive director, Seeds of Hope
“It’s hard for me to even say that number out loud,” Fowler told the council.
Last year, Fowler asked the council for a $50,000 donation. Ultimately, the council then approved a $28,000 expenditure for Seeds of Hope.
This year, Fowler is asking the city for a contribution of $180,000 primarily to support the installation of fire sprinklers on the second floor of the former church on South Street, where between 40 and 50 unhoused residents stay during the evening.
Fowler told the council that she expects to pay $150,000 for the sprinkler system, and said her organization is in “serious need” to support its daily meals, pointing out that a single gallon of orange juice now costs $8.
Fowler said Seeds of Hope served more than 36,000 meals last year. “We are focused on getting the most out of every dollar,” she said. “At this, point finding solutions to the growing need seems impossible.”
Fowler said her organization was quite different than other organizations asking for funds, such as the Heart of Biddeford, City Theater, LaKermesse or Subscircle, a community arts program.
“What we do is not fun to talk about,” she said.
After Fowler completed her presentation, Mayor Marty Grohman asked if any of the councilors had any questions. Lessard raised his hand.
Lessard pointed out that last summer the city committed $1.3 million to begin a new “test program” to provide structured services for unhoused residents. Almost nine months later, the city still does not have a permanent plan to address the issue.
City Councilor Marc Lessard
“We have no guarantees about what your operation will look like or how it will function after November,” Lessard said to Fowler.
During a telephone interview on Sunday, Lessard said he was simply asking the same questions he asked last year when Grohman and former City Manager James Bennett outlined a plan that would allow the city to close a sizeable homeless encampment near Mechanic’s Park.
“I am concerned that we have no long-term security in how this program will operate in the future,” Lessard said. “There’s nothing stopping them from becoming a for-profit organization or shutting down.
“I just want some assurances,” Lessard said. “I am trying to safeguard the city.”
Growing questions and a growing need
The city began its new “homeless approach” in July 2024, after the annual budget was already approved.
Bennett told the council then that the city could tap into some of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that the city had received.
Bennett laid out a two-phase approach, the first part of which would be to hire a new homeless outreach worker and provide several zero-gravity chairs to Seeds of Hope. The second-phase included funding to make repairs and upgrades to the former church that included the installation of several shower stalls and a new kitchen.
But after learning that the city could not use the CDBG funds for work on an historic building, the renovation project was abruptly halted as the city struggled to find a new way to fund the renovation project.
Fowler said that once Seeds of Hope was asked to provide the city with overnight services, her operating costs skyrocketed because of the need for additional staffing, utility costs and other supplies.
“To me, it doesn’t make sense to fix something that isn’t broken,”
— Vassie Fowler
“I think it’s important to remember that this was the city’s plan,” Fowler told the Biddeford Gazette during a subsequent interview. “We’re just the vehicle the city decided to use to tackle this problem.”
When asked by Lessard about a guarantee or assurances, Fowler said it depends on what the city wants.
“We will always be a non-profit,” Fowler replied. “The answer is that’s a conversation that needs to happen. I’m open to it. I have always been open to it. We’re open to all possibilities.
“To me, it doesn’t make sense to fix something that isn’t broken,” Fowler added. “This is working. We are finding permanent solutions to homelessness in our community. I cannot imagine why we wouldn’t continue to do that.”
As a resident of Biddeford, Fowler told the Gazette that she very much appreciates Lessard and his fiscally-conservative perspective.
“Marc really cares about this city, and we need people like him who are going to keep a close eye on things,” Fowler said.
For his part, Lessard told the Gazette that it is sometimes hard being in the minority on the council.
“I have a very deep appreciation for everything that Vassie and Seeds does for our community,” Lessard said. “I don’t feel as if I’m asking for a lot by looking for some concrete assurances.
“We are facing a budget that is putting a big strain on the backs of most taxpayers,” he added. “We talk a lot about affordable housing but then we go ahead and make housing less affordable. It’s just not sustainable.”
“That’s a good back and forth,” Grohman said of the exchange between Fowler and Lessard on Thursday evening.
Randy Seaver is the editor of the Biddeford Gazette. He can be contacted at randy@randyseaver.com
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The Biddeford City Council was presented Tuesday with preliminary budget proposals from both the School Department and the acting city manager.
There were a lot of grim faces in the room after both acting City Manager Brian Phinney and School Superintendent Jeremy Ray reviewed their budget projections with the council.
Because of a technical glitch, Phinney was unable to provide detailed information regarding salaries, but said that information should be available by early next week.
Ray described the annual budget process as a “Superbowl event” for those who have to develop public budgets.
Much later in the meeting, Biddeford City Councilor Norm Belanger said he felt like he was being served “saltines and cauliflower” instead of chicken wings for this ‘Superbowl.”
The largest number of the evening came from the School Department, which is requesting an 11.6 percent increase over last year.
Acting City Manager Brian Phinney (center) presents the council some grim budget realities (Seaver photo)
Though the city does not have its municipal budget finalized, Councilor Marc Lessard predicted a bleak outlook for the public and his fellow councilors.
Lessard, who has served on the council since 1993, said the upcoming budget review is going to be a “monumental task,” which will require plenty of pain and needed belt-tightening.
“The city council has never been able to shrink a budget request by more than two or three percent,” Lessard said. “Although we don’t yet have the numbers, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a seven to eight percent increase [on the city side of the budget]”
According to Lessard, the city’s combined budgets (School and City) have increased by roughly 20 percent over the last three years.
“This may be the year when we zero fund some social services,” Lessard said.
The social service budget includes funding for non-municipal services and programs, including things such as the library, the Heart of Biddeford, the Biddeford Housing Authority, Seeds of Hope, La Kermesse and the Biddeford Mills Museum.
A few highlights and details
Supt. Ray gave the council an impassioned presentation, pointing out the biggest factor for the school budget was directly tied to dwindling reductions in state subsidies because of the city’s skyrocketing valuation.
“This is the real picture and it’s going to involve some tough conversations,” Ray said. “But I firmly believe that our conversation should be about what is right, not what is on the spreadsheet.”
Ray said the school department is “hanging on” with its proposed budget and operating with minimum staffing levels and supports for students.
While student enrollment has risen only risen slightly since last year, Ray said an increasing number of students are facing significant challenges, including food insecurity and homelessness.
“I firmly believe that our conversation should be about what is right, not what is on the spreadsheet.”
— School Supt. Jeremy Ray
Ray told the council that between 100 and 150 Biddeford students are homeless, and that the large majority of students are living in poverty.
“Roughly two-thirds of our kids are living below the federal poverty line,” Ray said.
Ray told councilors that the school department has also seen a spike in students who need English as a Second Language services, up more than 100 from last year’s total of 300 students needing those same services.
Ray said looming concerns about federal funding for education along with changes in state funding are creating an extraordinary set of challenges, asking councilors and members of the public to show support for two bills now being reviewed by the Maine Legislature.
LD 501 would slightly increase the weighted count in the school funding formula for economically disadvantaged students under the Essential Programs and Services Funding Act, from 0.15 to 0.25 beginning next year.
LD 193 would amend the school funding formula to provide an additional .50 weight to a school administrative unit’s per-pupil count for each student experiencing homelessness.
On the municipal side of the budget, Phinney said he and his staff are presenting a “needs-based” budget.”
Phinney listed five new positions including a deputy fire chief, a fire inspector and a part-time administrative assistant in the fire department. The Recreation Department is requesting a part-time custodian, and the Assessing Department is requesting a “field lister” position.
Of those five new positions, Phinney said he was only recommending the field lister position.
Phinney said the council may want to look at reducing staff and building operations for the city’s public-access television studio that is now located on Pool Street near the West Brook skating park.
The budget process will continue Thursday, beginning at 5:30 p.m. as the council hears directly from those requesting social service funding from the city, including City Theater, the My Place Teen Center, Caring Unlimited, Biddeford Community Gardens and several others.
Randy Seaver is the editor of the Biddeford Gazette, He can be reached at: randy@randyseaver.com
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The seven-month project is expected to have a “significant impact” on local traffic
No matter how you slice it, there is no denying that a major road repair project will significantly impact traffic in Biddeford and Saco.
City officials are asking motorists in the two cities to prepare for significant delays, plan accordingly and try to be as patient as possible during the construction project.
Facing increasing pressure from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the city of Biddeford needs to upgrade a section of its stormwater and sewer infrastructure on a section of Elm Street (Rte. One).
Biddeford City Engineer Craig Chekan presented a project overview
The project will begin in early April and will extend from the intersection of Hooper and Elm streets (near the ‘Black Bridge”) and will continue southbound on Elm Street, past Main Street to Center Street in Biddeford.
While southbound traffic from Saco into Biddeford will not face detours, northbound traffic from Biddeford into Saco will all be redirected onto Main Street for the duration of the project.
The project is expected to take seven months to fully complete, meaning summer tourism traffic will also be impacted.
While the city works to upgrade its sewer separation systems, Maine Water will also use the opportunity to upgrade its infrastructure with new 16-inch water pipes in the construction area.
The project is expected to cost Biddeford roughly $3 million. Maine Water is expected to spend $2 million on its upgrades in the area.
Brace for impact
Biddeford Public Works Director Jeff Demers said the city knows the project will leave people feeling frustrated as they attempt to navigate between the two cities.
“We have been doing as much advance work as possible,” Demers said. “We are working closely with our counterparts in Saco. We have been studying traffic patterns and we’ll be adjusting timing of the traffic lights in downtown.”
During an informal public meeting about the project, City Engineer Craig Chekan said the project has been “in development” for more than a year.
“We really can’t put this project off any longer,” Chekan said. “The DEP is breathing down our necks to get this [sewer/stormwater separation] done.”
As part of the project, existing gas lines in the area will be removed and reconfigured.
During the construction, Hooper Street residents will still be able to receive city services, such as trash and recycling collection. But area residents will likely be impacted by noise as crews work through bedrock in the area.
Hooper Street resident Shawn O’Keefe attended Thursday’s meeting. When asked his opinion, he shrugged his shoulders and smiled. “It is what it is,” he said.
Demers said the project will be conducted during daytime hours to increase efficiency and save a significant amount of money.
“If we tried to do this at night, the project costs would be tripled,” Demers said.
But wait, there’s more
As the city tackles the Elm Street project, public works crews will begin their construction repair project of a retaining wall near the Riverwalk area on lower Main Street in Biddeford.
The parking lot at the North Dam Mill on lower Main Street will be closed so that city crews can get equipment in and out of the area.
Demers said the city was able to secure federal funding for the repair project, but said the city needs to move forward because of concerns regarding federal funding for local and state projects.
Delilah Poupore of Heart of Biddeford and Angie Presby of Saco Main Street attended Thursday’s meeting.
Both Poupore and Presby acknowledged that the project will have a significant impact on downtown businesses and downtown events.
“We’ll just have to pivot,” Presby said.
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After nearly seven years at the helm, Jim LaBelle announced Thursday that he will be stepping down as executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry.
LaBelle, 60, said he plans to stay in place and help the Chamber with its transition to new leadership.
“It’s not an easy decision because I really enjoy what I am doing,” LaBelle said during a telephone interview. “I’m just at a point in my life where I want to take a step back and focus on my personal life and goals.”
Jim LaBelle/ Contributed photo
LaBelle said he is proud of his accomplishments at the Chamber, most notably a significant increase in membership, from the mid-300s to more than 460 members today.
“We have held more than 100 ribbon cuttings, and this community has experienced unprecedented economic growth,” LaBelle said. “I live in this community. I love this community, and I will be forever rooting for this community.”
LaBelle said he believes the Chamber needs to be continually evolving in order to better serve its members and the overall business community.
“The next leader will need to be visionary,” LaBelle said. “Hopefully someone a bit younger with fresh ideas to make sure that the Chamber remains relevant well into the future.”
LaBelle, known for his trademark optimism, admits that he has always been a glass-half-full person. “It’s easy to be optimistic in this community,” he said.
“He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in. Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”
— Mayor Marty Grohman
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman had nothing but praise for LaBelle and his performance as the Chamber’s executive director.
“Jim has been truly incredible,” Grohman said. “He makes it look easy, but he has done so many positive things for the community.”
A few years ago, Grohman served on the Chamber’s board of directors and today the mayor is an ex-officio member of the Chamber.
“From behind the scenes, I can tell you that Jim is one of those people. He’s the guy with the enthusiasm and the optimism. He’s basically working all alone, and yet he’s always ready to dig in. Always looking for ways to help. It will not be easy to fill his shoes.”
LaBelle said running the Chamber has not always been easy, pointing to the Covid pandemic. “You know, the Chamber is all about bringing people together, and we had to figure out how to do that without actually getting together in person,” he laughed.
LaBelle also looked for ways to capitalize on technology, and the use of social media to promote the community. During his tenure, a Chamber employee created what would become one of the area’s most prolific Facebook community groups. Today, the Biddeford+Saco Community page is no longer managed by the Chamber but has more than 18,000 members.
But for all of its benefits, social media proved to have its own pitfalls, continually requiring more time to moderate and manage the online forum.
For his part, LaBelle said he is looking forward to having some more down time. He’s not exactly sure what his future will look like, but says a change of pace will allow him the opportunity to take stock of where he is and where he wants to be.
“I have been really lucky so far,” he said. “Now, I’m just looking at the future as a blank page, but there is no doubt that I am going to miss the opportunity I had while working here.”
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Less than 48 hours later, we received a detailed and comprehensive reply from Brian Phinney, the acting city manager.
Below, you will find our list of questions along with the unedited answers from Phinney:
Question: According to your comments at Tuesday’s meeting, the city is nearly three years behind on its annual audit obligations, going back to FY 2023. How did we get so far behind?
Given that we have not gone through an audit, how can we possibly put together a budget of more than $40 million with any degree of confidence?
Why was this delay with conducting an audit not addressed sooner?
Can this situation adversely impact the city’s bond rating?
RESPONSE:
“The audit delay is not unique to Biddeford; many municipalities across Maine and beyond have reported delays in completing audits as far back as FY22. The Office of the State Auditor maintains a website of municipal annual audit reports at https://www.maine.gov/audit/municipal/annual-audit-reports.html. It is assumed that these municipalities faced similar challenges due to either a shortage of auditors and increasing complexity in financial reporting requirements or other factors. While I cannot speak to the specific details related to delays in completing audits for other municipalities, it is known that Biddeford’s financials records were not kept current for FY23 resulting in the need to contract with Berry Dunn for services. This has delayed completion of subsequent audits. For reference, Biddeford’s typical audit schedule for each fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30, usually begins in early July. The auditor will perform a pre-audit to perform a high level review of records in preparation for the audit. The audit is then typically started in late August and may run though December resulting in delivery of the audit between December and March. The actual dates vary based on availability of the auditor. As of today the City has two audits pending – FY23 and FY24. The FY25 Audit is not due to begin until July. While it’s not an ideal situation, we are on a tight timeline and fully committed to getting the audits completed as soon as possible.
The budget process is based on real-time financial data, revenue projections, and careful oversight from the City’s finance department, City Council, and professional staff. While an audit provides a third-party verification of financials, the absence of a completed audit does not mean we lack reliable financial information. Our team has continuously monitored revenues, expenditures, and fund balances to ensure fiscal responsibility. Additionally, our budgeting practices have been consistent with prior years, and we have not faced any operational issues as a result of the delay.
The City has been working on this issue for some time, and we have been in constant communication with our auditors. That said, we recognize the importance of getting the audits back on track, and we are exploring all possible avenues—including potentially engaging additional resources—to complete them as soon as possible.
The delay in audits is something we take seriously, and we are aware that financial reporting is a key factor in maintaining a strong bond rating. However, credit rating agencies look at a variety of factors beyond just audit timelines, including our overall financial health, debt management, and economic growth. To date, we have continued to meet our financial obligations, and there has been no indication of an imminent impact on our bond rating. That said, we are prioritizing the completion of the audits to ensure we maintain our strong financial standing.”
Our team has continuously monitored revenues, expenditures, and fund balances to ensure fiscal responsibility.
— Brian Phinney
QUESTION: You also told the city council that the city may have “a considerable exposure” of $790,000 in penalties from the IRS. You said you are “negotiating with the IRS” but the city (combined with school department) could still face a $233,000 liability. Can you provide specific details about how this happened?
RESPONSE: “The issue stems from payroll tax reporting errors that occurred several years ago. These were administrative oversights, and the City is now taking steps to address them. We have been working closely with the IRS to resolve the matter, and our goal is to minimize any financial impact on the City and taxpayers.
The initial penalty amount was $790,000. Absent report data the IRS calculated the penalty based on the total number of W-2 forms prepared rather than the actual number of 1095-C statements issued. Through proactive engagement and a detailed assessment of issue we have calculated a significant reduction in the potential liability. At this stage, the potential remaining exposure is approximately $233,000, though we are continuing our efforts to reduce or eliminate that amount entirely.
It’s important to note that while this is a serious issue, the City has taken corrective action to help ensure this does not happen again. We have additional oversight measures in our payroll and reporting processes and may consider using an outside payroll processing firm. Such a firm would be obligated to meet these IRS reporting requirements, thereby reducing or eliminating this concern going forward.”
QUESTION:HUD funding for Lead abatement: You told the council that the city may be facing a $350,000 penalty for our failure to properly “close out” the 2019 grant. What does this mean, and how did it happen?
RESPONSE:
“The issue with the 2019 HUD lead abatement grant stems from administrative requirements related to the formal “closeout” process of the grant. When a federal grant is awarded, there are specific reporting and documentation steps that must be completed to demonstrate that funds were used appropriately and that the project met all compliance standards. In this case, some of those final reporting requirements were not completed in a timely manner, leading to the possibility of the grant being rescinded.
The City has been in active discussions with HUD to resolve this issue, and we are working to provide the necessary documentation to properly close out the grant. We are optimistic this can happen.
There is no penalty, but rather, as a reimbursement grant the funds that had been expended would not be reimbursed.
It’s important to emphasize that this issue does not mean funds were misused—rather, it’s a matter of ensuring all federal reporting obligations are met. Moving forward, we are strengthening our grant management processes to prevent similar issues and ensure full compliance with federal requirements.”
QUESTION: Last year, the council approved a measure to spend up to $300,000 for an investigation and report concerning irregularities in the finance department. You said you anticipate that report later this month. How much did we end up paying for those services, which are above and beyond the annual audit, which is typically performed by Runyon, Kersteen & Ouellette?
RESPONSE:
“It’s important to clarify that BerryDunn is not conducting an investigation or preparing a report. Rather, they have been providing professional accounting services to help the City catch up on prior years’ financials. This includes tasks such as preparing journal entries, reconciling accounts, and other essential accounting cleanup work needed to get us ready for the audit.
“The Council authorized up to $300,000 for these services, and we are tracking expenses carefully to ensure we use only what is necessary. While this work is separate from the annual audit conducted by Runyon, Kersten & Ouellette, it is an essential step to ensure our financial records are in order and to facilitate the audit process. We will provide a final cost breakdown once all work is completed.
“We anticipate continuing to use BerryDunn’s services as needed until all outstanding financial issues are fully resolved. Their expertise has been critical in helping us catch up on prior years’ accounting work and prepare for the audit. Given the complexity of the work involved, we expect their support will be necessary on an ongoing basis to ensure all financial records are fully reconciled and that we remain on track moving forward, and we will need to approach the Council for additional funding for their work. We will continue to monitor costs and provide updates as this work progresses.”
QUESTION: You told the council “you all know the conditions of our books.” Can you please elaborate and provide some details about that statement?
RESPONSE:
“When I said, “you all know the conditions of our books,” I was referring to the well-documented challenges we’ve been working through in our finance department. The delays in our audits, the need for accounting cleanup work, and the backlog of reconciliations are all issues that the Council has been regularly briefed on. These challenges are precisely why we brought in BerryDunn, a highly regarded and award-winning accounting firm, to assist with financial reconciliation and why we are working diligently to bring our records fully up to date.
“It’s important to note that while there have been delays and areas that need improvement, the City is now taking every necessary step to ensure financial accuracy and transparency. Indeed, with the new Finance Director’s leadership backed up by additional outside expertise, we are making steady progress toward getting everything back on track.
QUESTION: You indicated that there are now two vacancies in the city’s finance department, saying “there’s no capacity down there, but also praised the new Finance Director for her professionalism and accomplishments in just the last few weeks.
You said that you had an applicant interested in one of the vacancies but they decided not to accept the city’s offer. Can you shed any light on why the applicant declined the offer?
RESPONSE:
“Yes, there are currently two vacancies in the finance department, which does present challenges. However, our new Finance Director has already made significant progress in just a few weeks, bringing a high level of professionalism, expertise, and fresh energy to the team. She is actively working to stabilize operations, improve internal controls, and move the City’s financial processes forward. In these roles, the level of public scrutiny can sometimes feel unfair to those simply trying to do their jobs. This is something we have to acknowledge when recruiting, as it can be a deterrent for potential hires.
We recognize that staffing shortages have added to the workload, but we are committed to filling these positions with highly qualified candidates who will contribute to the long-term strength of the department. As noted above, we may also engage outside services, such as for payroll processing, to provide additional support. Also, based on a decision of the Council, we will soon be transitioning sewer billing to Maine Water. Many surrounding municipalities (including Saco) handle sewer billing this way, which reduces errors and improves efficiency, since the sewer bill is based on the water bill, and Maine Water already does the water billing.
Despite these financial reporting challenges, the City remains on solid financial footing. We have a significant fund balance, skilled management, and improved oversight in place to ensure responsible fiscal stewardship. While we acknowledge the need to catch up on financial reporting and complete past audits, these issues do not reflect a financial crisis—rather, they are administrative hurdles that we are actively addressing. With a strong Finance Director in place, additional professional support from BerryDunn, and a commitment to transparency and best practices, we are making steady progress. The City continues to meet its financial obligations, provide essential services, and invest in our community’s future with confidence.
______
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During the March 4 Biddeford City Council meeting, acting city manager Brian Phinney provided the council with some concerning and significant updates regarding the finance department.
According to Phinney’s regular report to the council, the city could be facing:
Potential penalties of $790,000 from the Internal Revenue Service;
Penalties of roughly $350,000 from the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding a 2019 grant for lead abatement.
According to Phinney, the city is also nearly three years behind on its regular audits. He said the FY 2023 audit should be completed this month.
Last year, the city council authorized spending up to $300,000 for an independent, forensic analysis of problems in the finance department. That report, Phinney said, is expected later this month.
Phinney praised the work of Gerry Matherne who was hired just a few weeks ago as the city’s finance director. “She is doing a fantastic job,” he said. “But we don’t have capacity down there.”
Phinney alluded to financial complications by telling the council: “You all know the conditions of the books.”
The city has gone through six finance directors in the last five years.
Below is the text of an email we sent to Brian Phinney today, seeking answers and clarifications regarding these issues. We have shared these questions with every media outlet that covers City Hall.
********
Dear Mr. Phinney,
I recently watched the Biddeford City Council’s March 4, 2025 meeting, and I have a few questions regarding your update as acting city manager to the council.
I know this is an extremely busy time for you and city managers all across the country as you begin putting together the FY 2026 budget.
Further complicating matters are two vacancies in the Finance Department and a rather abrupt transition in leadership.
Considering all that, I thought (and Mayor Grohman agreed) that it may be helpful to put my questions regarding your recent report in writing.
Make no mistake, if you would prefer, I am more than happy to meet face-to-face and anticipate the interview would take less than 15 minutes.
Here are my questions:
Three-year delay on audit: According to your comments at Tuesday’s meeting, the city is nearly three years behind on its annual audit obligations, going back to FY 2023. How did we get so far behind?
Given that we have not gone through an audit, how can we possibly put together a budget of more than $40 million with any degree of confidence?
Why was this delay with conducting an audit not addressed sooner?
Can this situation adversely impact the city’s bond rating?
IRS Exposure: You also told the city council that the city may have “a considerable exposure” of $790,000 in penalties from the IRS. You said you are “negotiating with the IRS” but the city (combined with school department) could still face a $233,000 liability. Can you provide specific details about how this happened?
HUD funding for Lead abatement: You told the council that the city may be facing a $350,000 penalty for our failure to properly “close out” the 2019 grant. What does this mean, and how did it happen?
BerryDunn report: Last year, the council approved a measure to spend up to $300,000 for an investigation and report concerning irregularities in the finance department. You said you anticipate that report later this month. How much did we end up paying for those services, which are above and beyond the annual audit, which is typically performed by Runyon, Kersteen & Ouellette?
Misc. You told the council “you all know the conditions of our books.” Can you please elaborate and provide some details about that statement?
You indicated that there are now two vacancies in the city’s finance department, saying “there’s no capacity down there, but also praised the new Finance Director for her professionalism and accomplishments in just the last few weeks.
You said that you had an applicant interested in one of the vacancies but they decided not to accept the city’s offer. Can you shed any light on why the applicant declined the offer?
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Editor’s note:This is the third and final installment of our three-part series regarding Biddeford’s housing crisis.
When discussing Biddeford’s housing crisis, the bulk of the conversation often settles upon issues of homelessness, low-income housing or so-called “affordable” housing projects.
But there is another important piece to the puzzle.
Over the last few years, pricing for single-family homes has been skyrocketing as the demand for housing continues to soar throughout southern Maine.
According to a recent report by the Westbrook Development Corporation, the average age of first-time home buyers has substantially increased: from people in their mid-twenties in the 1980s to an average age of 38 years old in 2024.
During a Feb. 11 Biddeford city council workshop meeting about housing, George Gervais, the city’s director of economic development, told the council that the housing issue is somewhat “cyclical.”
According to Gervais’ report, almost half of households 55 and older have no retirement savings, and that the median cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home was roughly $93,000/year in 2020. Thus, many senior residents simply cannot afford to leave their current homes. That dynamic, Gervais said, clogs the market for available single-family homes for younger buyers.
A somewhat stagnant supply of single-family homes – combined with a skyrocketing demand for housing – creates a perfect storm scenario.
If young adults are not transitioning from their apartments to homeownership, the availability of apartments decreases, which increases average rental costs.
If someone cannot keep pace with rising rental costs, they are at risk of being homeless or forced to move to a more rural community. That scenario impacts local business owners who struggle with workforce challenges because employees simply cannot afford to live near their work place.
Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman said he and the city council are committed to tackling this complicated issue.
“It’s a very complicated and complex problem,” Grohman said during a prior interview. “There are a lot of moving pieces.”
The average market rate rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Biddeford is $1,450. While that cost is lower than prices in Portland, Portsmouth or Boston, it leaves generational residents wondering how much longer they can live in the same town where they were raised and attended school.
According to local real estate agents, homebuilders and developers, the housing crisis is directly connected to the “Three I’s” Inventory, Interest Rates and Investors.
The local real estate market
Scott Thibeau of Biddeford is a well-known real estate agent who hosts a regular podcast about southern Maine’s real estate market.
A native of Saco, Thibeau jumped into the real estate business in 2013 when he began a partnership with Doug Sanford, perhaps the region’s most well-known real estate developer.
It was Doug Sanford who had the vision to begin turning vacant and deteriorating mill buildings in downtown Biddeford into residential apartments and micro-businesses.
Thibeau says the local real estate has cooled a bit over the last few months, but said southern Maine real estate is still a very hot market that is very attractive to people from other parts of the country.
“The secret of Maine is out, and that has consequences, mainly gentrification. That’s a tough dynamic for people who have lived here for generations.”
— Scott Thibeau
“If you really think about it was social media that changed the whole dynamic about Maine and our quality of life,” Thibeau said. “Suddenly, people from all over started being exposed to everything we offer, shattering myths and misconceptions about life in Maine.”
The new “awareness” of Maine was also fueled by climate change, Thibeau said.
“We offer a phenomenal quality of life in southern Maine,” Thibeau said. “And a lot of people are coming here to escape extreme heat in southern states. Climate migration is a real thing.”
Those people moving to Biddeford for a better quality of life bring with them greater financial resources and the ability to work remotely from anywhere in the country, Thibeau says.
“The secret of Maine is out, and that has consequences, mainly gentrification,” Thibeau said. “That’s a tough dynamic for people who have lived here for generations.”
In addition to being a real estate agent, Thibeau is currently the president of the Heart of Biddeford’s board of directors. The Heart of Biddeford was created several years ago to help improve and promote the city’s downtown area making it more attractive for investment.
“We’ve seen a lot of success in making our city more attractive and desirable, but I don’t think anyone wants to go back to the days when MERC was still burning trash downtown just to bring prices down,” Thibeau says.
Thibeau says the average rent for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from $2,200 to $2,500 per month. In order to get a home at that same income level, the home price cannot be more than $332,000, factoring interest rates on a 30-year mortgage.
“You’re going to have a hard time finding a $332,000 home in southern Maine,” Thibeau said. “There are only 17 houses currently listed for $332,000 or less in York and Cumberland counties, most of them are in Sanford.
The problem of rising housing costs is impacted by the harsh realities of low incomes that makes it nearly impossible to pay no more than 1/3 of your income in housing.
“Maine is still the most affordable state in New England, but we’re the 17th most costly state to live in nationally,” Thibeau said.
A homebuilder’s perspective
Richard ‘Chico’ Potvin has been building homes in the Biddeford-Saco area for nearly 40 years.
A Biddeford native, Potvin says he has seen dramatic changes in the housing market, including more stringent governmental guidelines, higher labor costs and a much higher expectation of what a starter home should include.
“It used to be that a starter home was something like a two-bedroom, one bath ranch-style home,” Potvin said. “Today, buyers are much more demanding. They want everything from granite countertops and recessed lighting to an attached garage, three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
“Expectations are literally through the roof,” Potvin said.
Potvin says he and one of his partners spent more than four years trying to get approval for a project known as South Street Village, a proposal that included up to 50 single-family homes, a few duplexes and a commercial core for small businesses on outer South Street.
“They [the city] kept changing standards and requirements,” Potvin said. “Every time we felt like we had scored a touch-down, they just moved the goal post further back.”
According to Potvin, roughly 58 percent of Biddeford is zoned as rural farmland (RF). “If the city truly wants more housing inventory, they will need to be very creative,” he said, pointing to the city’s industrial parks and other land the city already owns.
“We need a balance,” Potvin said. “But we also need a more streamlined review process. Every new regulation and requirement adds additional costs to that new home. If you really want affordable, you have to manage your expectations.”
A developer’s perspective
Nathan Bateman literally grew up in the world of real estate development. His grandfather, an architect, formed a partnership to create a real estate development company in the early 1970s
“My brother (Aaron) and I literally grew up in the development world,” he laughed. “I was eight years old and boots on the ground.”
Over the last 40 years, Bateman Partners, LLC has developed properties worth more than $210 million, and currently has more than $140 million worth of projects in development or under construction, according to their website.
Bateman says he is proud of his company’s legacy and its commitment to working collaboratively with communities, but also said developing any kind of significant project is not an endeavor for the faint of heart.
“It’s a very competitive world, even in the affordable housing market,” Bateman said. “It’s almost a bloodsport. “Every project is basically a business unto itself.”
Bateman said some projects are safer than other more ambitious projects, but there are many outside forces that create challenges to creating quality housing that is also affordable.
“Fortunately, we have the experience and know how to get things done,” Bateman said. “But there are lots of factors beyond our control, including interest rates and a limited pool of state funding assistance for affordable housing development.”
Bateman said increasing labor and material costs also put pressure on the costs of any housing project, not to mention rigorous reviews by both local and state regulatory agencies.”
“Safe, affordable housing is always our goal,” Bateman said. “We certainly understand the importance and need for local and state standards and review, but it’s not always the model of efficiency. We literally need to use every tool in our toolbox.”
Bateman said one of the largest challenges in developing affordable housing projects is often created by neighbors and abutters of the proposed project.
“We see it all the time,” Bateman said. “People want affordable housing but not in my backyard. NIMBYism is a big hurdle to clear.”
The city of Biddeford has denied the Biddeford Gazette’s request to release an internal email regarding the abrupt departure of former City Manager James Bennett on Feb. 20.
The Gazette subsequently learned that another internal email was shared among individual members of the Biddeford City Council regarding Bennett’s sudden departure. Under both the federal and state public access laws, the Biddeford Gazette asked for a copy of that second email.
Former City Manager James Bennett
Today, City Attorney Harry Center sent an email, denying the Gazette’s request based on state law that prohibits the city from public disclosure of personnel records. A copy of Center’s letter can be found below:
For the first time since Bennett left office, Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman released a public statement about the issue:
Grohman’s unedited remarks:
“As of February 20, 2025, City Manager James Bennett is on Paid Administrative Leave. This is a personnel matter and pursuant to state statute, Title 30A MRS Section 2702, personnel matters are designated as confidential.
At its March 4 meeting, the City Council passed an Order appointing Chief Operating Officer Brian Phinney as Acting City Manager. With over 20 years of leadership experience in Biddeford, Mr. Phinney is well-prepared to oversee city operations. Additionally, our Department Heads are strong, capable leaders who will ensure that city services continue to run smoothly.
The City and its elected officials are unable to comment further on City Manager Bennett’s leave as it is a personnel matter. However, I want to reassure our residents that the city remains in good hands, and we remain committed to delivering high-quality services and advancing key projects and priorities.
The City Council and I appreciate the community’s engagement and will continue to provide updates as appropriate.”
We learned yesterday that the weekly Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier will no longer be printed and now accessible only in digital form, online.
This is just part of a global trend in the newspaper industry. Let’s face facts. The cost of printing and distribution are significant.
But while technology marches onward, there are still many painful consequences. Nearly 50 employees got layoff notices yesterday from the Courier’s parent company, the Maine Trust for Local News.
Regardless of how you feel about evolving technology, we are entering an era that is making human workers more irrelevant with each passing day.
It’s not just newspapers. There are no more phone books. No more encyclopedia salesmen. EZ Pass reduces the need for human toll booth workers. Self-checkout at the grocery store, shopping online and using ATM cards are all part of the equation.
For older people who may be a bit skittish about apps, streaming television and AI (artificial intelligence), many of these changes (advancements?) are uncomfortable, if not downright terrifying.
When my children were growing up, I often told them: “Your environment does not adapt to you. You must adapt to your environment.” It’s a matter of survival.
But this latest news about the Courier leaves me feeling a bit nostalgic and a bit sad.
I am personally connected to this story nine ways from Sunday.
Let’s backup for a second. For more than 50 years, newspapers have been part of my life, first as a paperboy for the York County Coast Star, the Journal Tribune and the Portland Press Herald.
I dreaded Sundays because the weight of those Maine Sunday Telegram issues were more than twice as thick as their daily counterparts and quite heavy. I had to break my route up on Sundays simply because I could not fit all of the papers into my over-the-shoulder sack.
Even as a young boy, I had a fascination with news and politics. In high school, I even landed a short gig as an intern in the Journal Tribune’s newsroom.
Over the years, I wrote for a few different publications, but it was the Courier where I made my mark.
Today, I own and operate an online-only “newspaper.”
I was lucky enough to work for the Courier back in the good ol’ days, when the paper was still locally owned and operated.
I very much doubt that the Courier’s current owners have even visited Biddeford, but still, they have the audacity to promote the paper by describing its coverage as “hyper-local.”
Ummm . . . not really hyper-local . . . . whatever that is supposed to mean.
It’s been a long time since I have seen a Courier reporter cover City Hall. I did not see a reporter from the Courier at this year’s Winterfest festival.
When Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman scheduled a community event to support the family of a fallen police officer, the Courier was not there to cover it, but did publish a story a few days later. Liz Gotthelf from Saco Bay News was there. I was there, representing the Biddeford Gazette but that was it for media coverage during the actual event.
Make no mistake. It’s not the reporter’s fault. It is a situation playing out in newsrooms all over the country, where ad revenue trumps news coverage.
I very much doubt that the Courier’s current owners have even visited Biddeford, but still, they have the audacity to promote the paper by describing its coverage as “hyper-local.”
I Want To Be Sedated
Sydney Richelieu is today the primary reporter for the Courier. Her editors expect her to cover six communities every single week. Think about that for a minute.
Richelieu is responsible for covering news in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. I don’t care who you are or how hard you work, that beat is a really big nut to crack.
Consider this. When I left the Courier in 2006, we had four full-time reporters (including me) covering the same geographic area.
Today, the Maine Trust for Local News expects one reporter to cover the same beat that was previously covered by four reporters. The Maine Trust for Local News has set Sydney up for failure even before she inherited the beat last year.
The folks at the Maine Trust for Local News love to bloviate about their dedication to “local journalism,” but maybe they should put some of their money into the newsroom, you know? Local journalism?
The Courier and the Portland Press Herald are both owned and operated by the same company, so don’t expect the state’s largest daily newspaper to step in and fill in the cracks. The way they see it, Biddeford and Saco are already covered.
Newspapers – including both tabs (tabloids) and broadsheets — are printed in four-page increments. In order to cover costs, roughly 60 percent of the newspaper needs to be covered by paid advertisements.
When I left the Courier, we were consistently publishing 44-page papers. Today, the Courier is merely a shadow of itself, hovering around 16 pages (not including advertising inserts).
I’ll close with some good news for the Courier. This move by their parent company removes their handcuffs of being published just once a week. Now they can more effectively compete with the other digital publications in this area, Saco Bay News and the Biddeford Gazette.
Being online allows journalists to be nimbler, to be in a better position to scoop some breaking news. Something that hasn’t happened at the Courier in a long time.
As a Biddeford resident who appreciates and values local news from a variety of sources, I hope that this recent transition returns the Courier to its rightful position as a competitive, local news source.
We’ll see.
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The Courier and many other newspapers throughout southern Maine, including daily and weekly publications, are owned by the Maine Trust for Local News.
Carolyn Fox, executive editor of the Maine Trust for Local News, said the decision was “difficult,” but pointed out that a dwindling number of people rely on printed publications as their primary news source.
“To sustain and grow impactful journalism in Maine, we have to meet our readers where they are,” Fox said. “Our digital expansion creates a stronger foundation for the Maine Trust, and we’re excited to build on that in partnership with the communities we serve.”
The move to a digital platform will result in 49 layoffs of employees who print and distribute the newspapers. Fox said her company is planning to add employees to its newsrooms later this year.
The Biddeford-Saco Courier — a free weekly publication — was created and launched by David and Carolyn Flood of Saco in 1989. The paper was distributed in residential neighborhoods and available on newstands.
The Floods — who now live in Delaware — sold the Courier and several of its sister publications to the publishers of the Journal Tribune in 2007. The daily Journal Tribune newspaper closed its doors in 2019.
Flood said he was surprised by the announcement but acknowledged the industry trend. “Personally, I think printed papers are easier to read,” Flood said.
Liz Gotthelf, the publisher of Saco Bay News — another online news source in the Biddeford-Saco area — said she was not surprised by the announcement.
“To sustain and grow impactful journalism in Maine, we have to meet our readers where they are,”
– Carolyn Fox, executive editor, Maine Trust for Local News
“I think publishing local news online is a way to reach a wider range of readers,” Gotthelf said. “By focusing on a digital platform, it makes things so much easier and less expensive. Also, there are not many places that have a printing press.”
Currently, the Courier’s online presence is connected to its parent company’s web site, which can only be accessed with a paid subscription. The Courier has always been a free publication, so it remains unclear if readers will be able to access the publication without a subscription.
Both Flood and Gotthelf say they will be closely watching the Courier’s transition.
People seeking local news and information in the Biddeford-Saco area will now have three online media outlets to choose from, including the Biddeford Gazette and Saco Bay News.
Laura Seaver, publisher of the Biddeford Gazette, said the announcement was expected for a long time. “This puts everyone on a level playing field,” she said.
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More than 48 hours after the final buzzer, Coach Jeannine Paradis’ voice is still hoarse, and she jokingly said that her blood pressure has not yet returned to normal.
Paradis is the head coach of the Biddeford High School Girls’ Basketball team, and unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few days, you already know that Paradis and her players have been very busy over the last few days.
HeadCoach Jeannine Paradis
On Saturday – for the first time ever – the BHS Lady Tigers played in the state championship game, a thrilling and yet heartbreaking display of courage, tenacity and skill.
Trailing the Caribou Vikings for much of the game, the Tigers rallied in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to overcome a 12-point deficit and force overtime play, where the Tigers grabbed the lead. But in the end, the Vikings were able to clinch the win with just a one-point difference, 49-48.
Paradis grew up in Biddeford and played field hockey, basketball and ran track at Biddeford High School before graduating in 1994.
Ayla Lagasse looks for three during Saturday’s state championship game (Photo: Maureen Grandmaison Photography)
She then went on to study rehabilitation services at the University of Maine Farmington. During her senior year in college, she was recognized as being a hard worker and landed a job as the junior varsity boys basketball team at Morse High School.
She has now been the head coach in Biddeford for four seasons.
Biddeford’s Gabby Silva drives under the boards (Photo: Maureen Grandmaison Photography)
You were still in school and got a coaching position for a boys’ team with no coaching experience.
“I think it was my professional attitude that got me the job,” Paradis said. “There were several applicants interviewed, but I was the only one who dressed up for the interview.
“Some of the candidates went to the interview wearing jeans with baseball caps turned backward. I think my eagerness and professionalism stood out. I’m a hard worker. It’s a pride thing that was instilled in me when I was young.”
Gabby Smith maintains possession for the Lady Tigers (Photo by Maureen Grandmaison Photography)
This was the first time that the Lady Tigers every played in a state championship. Were you feeling lots of pressure?
“Coming into the season, there was always a lot of talk about this particular freshmen group. When we look back at the basketball program, we’ve always had a lot of athletes, but never true basketball players.”
“I felt good about how our kids were reacting throughout the whole tournament season, and how they just got better with each game. Going in, I figured we’d be a little nervous, anxious and excited.
— Head Coach Jeannine Paradis
What’s the difference between an athlete and a ‘true basketball player?”
“These kids will pick up a ball. They’ll do the extra. They’ll play travel ball and tournaments and spend hours shooting baskets in their own driveway. Just completely committed to the game of basketball.”
You had a very young team for a state championship game.
“I brought 14 players up to the tournaments. My original roster was 13 girls, but I brought along one standout from our junior varsity team. I had three sophomores, one of whom was injured and could not play and three seniors. The rest were all freshmen.”
Biddeford’s Jordyn Crump goes for two ( Photo by Maureen Grandmaison photography)
What was running through your head on Friday evening, the night before the big game?
“We had practiced hard on Wednesday and Thursday, so I wanted to keep Friday pretty light; working on ball handling, shooting. We talked about our game plan, in terms of what we were going to do when we got on the bus, what we were going to do when we got to the [arena].
“I felt good about how our kids were reacting throughout the whole tournament season, and how they just got better with each game. Going in, I figured we’d be a little nervous, anxious and excited. So, we talked about having all those feelings, and letting them know it was okay to have those feelings, but once the game starts, and that clock starts ticking we all needed to be focused and serious.
“I had a really good feeling waking up that we could compete. I’ve seen our kids compete against some pretty talented players in the SMAA. We had a tough schedule, and they stepped up every single day. If one of our top shooters wasn’t shooting well, somebody else picked up that slack. So, it was really great to see how they would play for each other.”
Anna Smyth puts up two for Biddeford (Photo by Maureen Grandmaison Photography)
How long do you think you’re going to replay the final 20 seconds of that game in your head?
(Laughs) “I’ve heard from several of my colleagues and other people that it will take at least a couple of months before I stop analyzing every little detail. It was a learning experience for our players, but it was also a learning experience for me.”
Did you and your team have a sense of how much the larger community was supporting you?
“You know, growing up in Biddeford during the 1990s, you know that this is a football town, and football gets a lot of the attention.
“I wasn’t sure how much support we would have. Our gym wasn’t always full. But unlike other more rural communities that don’t have a center, our community has a core. To see the City Hall clocktower lit up in orange, all the things being shared on Facebook, I think the girls felt the support.
“Even though we lost, they still did something amazing, and the community really had our backs.”
Natalie Silva drives past heavy Viking defense (Photo by Maureen Grandmaison photography
Have you now set the bar of expectation so high that it will be tougher next year?
“I think there’s always a downside, but I’m always up for a challenge, good years or bad years. My commitment to the program and the kids is about a lot more than just winning or losing.
“It’s more about the kids and having them grow and find some success even if the record doesn’t indicate that, if I can do that then I have done my job.”
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Earlier today, the Biddeford Gazette learned that an email regarding the abrupt departure of former City Manager James Bennett was sent from one member of the Biddeford City Council to Mayor Marty Grohman and every other member of the council.
According to our sources, the email was sent at 7:05 a.m. today (Feb. 27, 2025).
The city has been tight lipped ever since we reported Bennett’s abrupt and surprise departure. That action by the mayor and council has led to speculation throughout the community. Thus, the Biddeford Gazette filed a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request with the city.
All the President’s Men/ New Yorker magazine photo
In October, Bennett announced his resignation. He said he would stay on the job until Apri with 14 months remaining in his current contract, leaving a $15,000 retention bonus on the table.
Last week, all city employees were sent an email announcing that Bennett was being immediately replaced by Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operations officer.
Today’s email from one member of the council to all other members of the council and the mayor is now a public document. The Biddeford Gazette believes the people of Biddeford deserve to know what is happening, especially given many irregularities in the city’s finance department over the past two years.
Per state and federal law, some issues such as current legal matters or personnel issues are exempt from FOIA requirements. However, once those documents are distributed (electronically or otherwise) to several elected officials from another elected official, they become public documents.
Our Feb. 27, 2025 FOIA request is copied below:
_____________________
February 27, 2025
To: Mayor Marty Grohman, City Council, Harry Center, esq; City of Biddeford, Maine; et al.
Re: FOIA request
Pursuant to and under the Maine Freedom of Access Act § 402 et seq., I am hereby — on behalf of myself and the Biddeford Gazette — requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of the following:
A copy of an email that was sent to you and every current member of the Biddeford City Council at approximately 7:05 a.m. today (February 27, 2025) from a city councilor regarding the appointment of Brian Phinney as acting city manager and regarding former City Manager James Bennett.
2..Any other written correspondence between members of the council and mayor between Wednesday, Feb. 19 and today regarding the leave of the former city manager.
If you believe that this request is invalid and not the purview of the general public, please advise and explain with your specific objections in writing.
Please also provide whatever other documents (as outlined above) even if you deem other parts of this request to be invalid as defined by the State of Maine.
I believe these requested records should be provided free of any monetary obligation, given the nature of this request. However, if you anticipate a cost associated with gathering these materials, please advise me of those costs in advance.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Randy Seaver
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Bennett, well-known in several communities throughout Maine, capped off his nine-year stint in Biddeford under a cloud of mystery. Six days ago.
I understand why the city is keeping tight-lipped, but I cannot believe that I am the only reporter in southern Maine asking questions. Six days!
The rumors are swirling, and yet every other media outlet in southern Maine is either unwilling or unable to cover the story.
If I had not published my story, the people of Biddeford would have almost no way of knowing what is happening at City Hall. Six days! Really?
I get that I have an unfair advantage because I have been covering Biddeford longer than anyone else and have developed a healthy Rolodex of sources, but six days??
This is a disservice to the people of Biddeford. This community deserves better than just my reporting.
I understand, maybe it’s difficult or embarrassing for other media outlets to acknowledge that I have been running circles around them on a zero-dollar budget for the past two months while only wearing boxer shorts in my basement and often forgetting to put in my dentures . . . but come on! Six days!
No wonder local government officials think they can do whatever they want. No one is apparently watching.
Yesterday, there was a glimmer of hope. A reporter from the Portland Press Herald sent me an email, asking me if I would share my source of the e-mail that was sent to city workers last week. I declined but offered to point her in the right direction. Then? Silence.
Seriously? Six days?
Pathetic.
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Every year, the city makes difficult choices about where to invest tax dollars — from public safety and road repairs to parks and essential services. Budget season is when those decisions take shape.
The city budget is more than numbers — it’s a fiscal statement of what Biddeford values and how much we value it. It determines funding for schools, emergency services, infrastructure, and other priorities. Every dollar spent reflects a choice about the kind of city we want and the future we are building together.
Biddeford’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30, meaning we are currently operating under the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The budget now under review will determine spending for FY2026, which begins July 1, 2025.
Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain (Courtesy photo)
Over the next few months, elected officials will balance priorities and make difficult choices. This process is one of the most comprehensive and consequential in local government, and understanding it empowers residents to engage effectively.
How the Budget Process Works
Each department submits a budget based on projected needs for the next fiscal year. Department heads submitted their requests in January. For example, Public Works must estimate how much salt will be needed for winter storms, a costly but essential factor. The Fire Department may request new life-saving equipment for emergency response. Other departments, from Police to Recreation, have needs ranging from staffing to facility maintenance, utility costs, and programming that must be balanced with competing needs and limited resources.
These requests go to the City Manager’s Office and Finance Department, which review and adjust them to balance needs with available revenues. This process, completed in February, ensures the proposed budget reflects department expertise and fiscal oversight before being submitted to the City Council in March.
How the City Council Reviews the Budget
Once submitted, the City Council forms the Budget Committee, which includes all councilors, to review the budget in depth. The committee meets regularly — typically on Monday and Thursday evenings for several months — to refine the budget.
The first few meetings provide an overview of each department’s budget, where department heads present their proposals and answer questions. These meetings, held in Council Chambers, are open to the public. The city’s website will provide a calendar of meetings, public hearings, and deadlines, ensuring residents have multiple opportunities to follow the process and provide input.
Every budget should reflect the values of the people it serves. This is your money, your city, and your budget.
— Councilor Liam LaFountain
Key Cost Drivers: Why Costs Rise
The FY2025 municipal budget totaled $44.8 million, with the largest shares allocated to Public Safety ($14.2M) and Public Works ($5.9M). This does not include the $47.3 million school budget, which is managed separately by the School Committee.
Property taxes remain the primary funding source for municipal operations, as other revenue sources do not fully account for the level and quantity of services the city provides. While Biddeford also relies on state revenue sharing, tax programs like Homestead and BETE, and other revenue such as building permits and user fees, these sources covered only 35% of municipal expenses in FY2025, leaving property taxes to fund the remaining 65%.
As state revenue sharing and school funding formulas shift costs to municipalities like ours, Biddeford taxpayers have absorbed a greater financial share. Rising wages, energy expenses, and infrastructure needs continue to drive costs higher annually.
Additionally, unfunded state and federal mandates require municipalities to cover new expenses without additional funding, adding to financial pressures. Balancing rising costs while maintaining essential services is a key challenge.
How to Engage in the Process
Public input is crucial. Residents can participate by:
Attending public hearings and Budget Committee meetings (dates available on the city’s website).
Reviewing budget documents, available on the city’s website.
Contacting city councilors with questions or concerns.
Following updates through city communications and local media.
Every budget should reflect the values of the people it serves. This is your money, your city, and your budget. The choices made in this municipal budget will help shape Biddeford’s services, infrastructure, and priorities. Your engagement ensures a more informed and responsive budget.
If you have thoughts on priorities or questions about the budget process, please contact your city councilor. These discussions help shape the decisions that will impact our city’s future.
The views expressed in this column are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Biddeford City Council.
According to multiple sources, embattled Biddeford City Manager James Bennett will not be returning to work after his brief vacation this week.
Employees report receiving an email Thursday from Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operating officer, that Bennett will not be returning to his post to finish out the remainder of his employment term.
Former city manager James Bennett
Phinney, apparently, will now serve as acting manager while the council continues its search for a permanent replacement.
Facing increasing public pressure, Bennett announced his resignation last October. In a deal he worked out with the City Council, he was scheduled to leave his post in April.
Bennett, hired in 2015, was the city’s fourth professional manager.
We have reached out to Mayor Marty Grohman and Council President Liam LaFountain for additional comment.
This story will be updated.
UPDATE:
Here is a copy of an email sent from Brian Phinney, the city’s chief operations officer, to all Biddeford city employees at 3:37 p.m. today.
“Good afternoon,
On behalf of the Mayor and members of the City Council, I want to take a moment to update you on a leadership transition development.
As you know, the City Council has begun the process of selecting a new city manager, with a decision expected late spring or early summer. In the interim, the Mayor and City Council have elected to begin implementation of the transition plan.
As part of the transition I have been asked to serve as acting city manager to ensure continuity in daily operations. In accordance with this plan, Jim will be on leave from this point forward.
We have every confidence in your abilities and know we have a shared desire for a smooth transition. Thank you all for your continued dedication to the city and the community we serve. Your work remains vital, and we appreciate your continued dedication during this time of change.”
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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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