The city of Biddeford is now facing roughly $500,000 in penalties and fines from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
According to City Manager Truc Dever, the issue traces back to 2021 when the city failed to submit specific forms detailing employee health insurance.
“Initially, the fines and penalties were approximately $700,000,” Dever told the city council during last week’s meeting.
Dever said the city already paid the IRS roughly $200,000 in fines. She also said that the city is working closely with staffers in U.S. Senator Susan Collins’ office to help rectify the issue.
Dever told the council that she is expecting an answer from the IRS sometime before March.
The issue first came to light in 2024, and several councilors asked whether the issue was isolated to just the 2021 incident.
Dever said the fines are incurring compounded interest payments.
Councilor Dylan Doughty asked whether the city could renegotiate the penalty payments and whether they could be spread over a period of time.
“If the IRS determines that there was no harm, no foul – will we get the $200,000 back?” Doughty asked.
Dever said she was not sure how the IRS will proceed.
City Attorney Harry Center told councilors that the IRS determined the city’s penalties by calculating the number of its employees. The city has roughly 700 employees, he said.
Mayor Liam LaFountain asked Dever if the city could be facing other penalties for different tax years and whether processes have been put in place to prevent the situation from happening again sometime in the future.
Dever told the mayor that the issue was contained to the 2021 filing and that the city is monitoring and updating all of its tax and federal filing obligations.
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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NOTE:This story has been updated in order to clarify that city of Biddeford has not had any formal discussions with the owners of the Biddeford Pool volunteer fire station. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
It is an idea that has been discussed for nearly a decade, but it now appears that momentum is increasing to finally create a full-time substation of the Biddeford Fire Department somewhere on the eastern side of the city.
According to Biddeford Fire Chief Lawrence Best, the overall goal is to reduce emergency response times in areas from the intersections of the Guinea Road, easterly, along both Pool and West streets, toward the coastal neighborhoods of Hills Beach, Granite Point, Fortunes Rocks and Biddeford Pool.
During an interview with the Gazette last week, Best said he is looking at multiple location options.
Biddeford Fire Department Chief Larry Best (City photo)
Two of the most talked about options include converting the privately-owned Biddeford Pool volunteer firehouse; and purchasing a parcel of land now owned by the University of New England (UNE) near the intersection of Pool Street and Newtown Road.
A little more than three years ago, former mayor Alan Casavant created a committee taskforce to review potential sites and various ways to improve emergency response times.
Ward One City Councilor Pat Boston represents that part of the city, a role she held previously before taking a hiatus from serving on the council.
Boston also served on the task force created by Casavant.
“It was always about response times, and that is what drove the bulk of our conversations,” she said.
Best told the Gazette that emergency response times should not exceed a window of more than four to six minutes, at least 90 percent of the time for all calls.
Best also says that the easterly part of the city has seen an increase in demand for service, including an average of 160 calls per year from the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
Boston quoted former city councilor Norman Belanger, saying that public safety is one of the three major functions the city should provide.
“Response times are important,” Boston said. “But it’s also important to remember that there is a substantial cost involved. Whichever option we choose we need to make sure that choice addresses both current and future needs.”
Boston says she likes the idea of converting the Biddeford Pool Fire station into a full-time, 24-7 substation staffed and operated by the city, but said she is also keeping an open mind about other potential locations.
Best describes the 30-acre parcel owned by UNE as his ‘Plan A” site but concedes that there are several potential issues that could limit or prevent future development.
“That site has some vernal pools and wetlands that would not be appropriate for development,” Best said. “As the fire chief, it is my responsibility to keep an eye out for all the options.”
Best said there would be a significant cost associated with converting the privately owned Biddeford Pool fire station into a full-time “livable station.”
“We are not having any formal discussions with the Biddeford Pool Improvement Association at this time, Best said. “I have had a couple of high-level concept discussions, but nothing formal.”
He says that the Biddeford Pool option would not necessarily meet the objectives of reducing response times in other parts of eastern Biddeford, including homes along the Guinea Road and Hills Beach Road, which cuts through UNE’s campus.
Best made a detailed presentation about the ongoing discussions and goals of creating an eastern fire substation a few weeks ago during the Dec. 16 Biddeford City Council meeting.
Best told the council that the UNE property continues to be the preferred location for a substation given its location and travel routes. “A majority of the fire/EMS calls in this area can be reached from this location within the national standard response time of four to six minutes,” he said.
Where are we, and where do we want to go?
Best joined the Biddeford Fire Department as its new chief in 2023.
The city’s Central Fire station still lives up to its name today because of its central location even as the city expands in both an easterly and westerly direction, Best said.
Today, Best describes his department as “fully staffed” with a total of 52 full-time employees, including 48 employees trained as both firefighters and paramedics, including EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians).
“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money,” Best said. “All of our firefighters have dual training. This gives us the flexibility we need to handle every call for service.”
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“I am all about efficiency and saving the city money.”
— Fire Chief Larry Best
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Current response times to the eastern part of the city can take 12 to 14 minutes. “That is a long time to wait if you’re in an emergency situation,” Best said.
Best said Biddeford has “outstanding” mutual aid agreements in place with several surrounding communities.
“This job requires me to be vigilant and always scanning the horizon for new opportunities and planning ahead for potential challenges,” he said.
Best said he is looking forward to an upcoming workshop meeting with the mayor and city council.
“A workshop meeting is a more relaxed setting than a regular council meeting,” Best said. “This will give the council an opportunity to ask questions and for us to make sure that they have all the information they need or want.”
Editor’s Note: You may view and/or download the Dec. 16 presentation to the city by clicking the link below.
Local author Susan Graham discusses her book that recounts devastating damageto Fortunes Rocks and other Biddeford neighborhoods
By RANDY SEAVER,Editor
It would become the largest natural disaster in Maine’s history, and it destroyed dozens of homes in many of Biddeford’s coastal neighborhoods.
Overall, the “Great Fire of 1947” caused more than $30 million in damages (roughly $438 million in today’s dollars) destroying entire towns and leaving more than 2,500 Maine people homeless.
Though the fires caused considerable damage in several communities, including Bar Harbor, York County was especially hard hit.
“It was devastating for so many families, especially in Fortunes Rocks,” says local author Susan Graham.
Graham recently published “Lost Fortunes Rocks: A Maine Summer Colony and the Fire of 1947,” a detailed account of how the devastating fires impacted the city of Biddeford, including its major employers and local government.
Local author Susan Graham holds a copy of her latest book, which offers detailed information about the “Great Fires of 1947” and how they destroyed entire neighborhoods and impacted Biddeford. (Seaver photo)
Graham’s book offers more than 180 pages of historical photos and meticulously researched information about the fire’s impact on local families, including her own parents who had moved to Biddeford from Kennebunkport just before the fire.
“It was a labor of love,” Graham said during a recent interview about her book at the Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. “I just found it fascinating, and I had this personal connection to the fire because of where my family lived at the time.”
Much of Graham’s research was conducted at the McArthur Library in Biddeford during the COVID pandemic.
“The library was a treasure trove of information,” she recalled. “They are such a wonderful resource for the community.”
Graham said it seemed – at the time – that all of York County was on fire. In fact, the fire caused extensive damage in the western parts of the county, including the small towns of Newfield and Parsonsfield – but its most devastating impact in York County happened along the shoreline from Kennebunkport to Biddeford Pool, including the resort villages of Goose Rocks Beach, Granite Point and Fortunes Rocks.
According to Graham, the weather conditions that fueled the fire were quite similar to last year’s drought conditions in southern Maine.
“The summer of 1947 was exceptionally dry,” Graham explained. “It made heavily wooded rural areas into a virtual tinderbox.”
There are many theories about what ignited the blaze that raged for nearly two weeks in mid-October. Graham and other historians say it could have been a combination of things including human activity such as a tossed cigarette or autumn brush burning.
Graham said bucket brigades worked around the clock near Fortunes Rocks Beach, but those volunteers and the city’s firefighting resources were pulled away from the coast and redirected to protecting the central part of the city.
“There were concerns that the fires would continue up Rte. 111 from Arundel and cross Five Points, threatening the city’s hospitals, “Graham said. “The city’s fathers didn’t want to risk losing both the Webber and Trull hospitals. Who could question that decision?”
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“The city’s fathers didn’t want to risk losing both the Webber and Trull hospitals.”
— Susan Graham
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Graham says the fire raged from treetop to treetop, fueled by 40 mph wind gusts. Though roughly 50 people remained in Fortunes Rocks to fight the blaze, it was not enough to prevent what she describes as devastating damage to that neighborhood.
Large local employers, including the Saco-Lowell shops, shut down production so that their employees could help the city fight the rampaging fires.
About 60 homes were destroyed in Fortunes Rocks, Graham says, pointing out that eastern portions of Biddeford were at the time a “rural bread basket” that included several farms and a major source of food for the region.
Graham says it took her almost two years to compile the research and self-publish her book.
Copies of Graham’s book – in both hardcover and paperback — are available for sale at the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk and online at grayeaglebooks@gmail.com
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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Finance Committee takes a closer look at how a downtown parking plan was funded
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor
A controversial and temporary downtown parking program will be reviewed by the Biddeford City Council at its next meeting, Feb. 3.
As first reported in the Biddeford Gazette earlier this week, Mayor Liam LaFountain and members of the city council were unaware that nearly $20,000 was being spent to offset parking costs for business owners and their employees during a seven-month long sewer upgrade project in the downtown area.
The parking plan was never reviewed or discussed by the city council or Finance Committee before it was launched last year, but the subject dominated Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting, which raised new questions and drew a sharp rebuke from City Councilor Marc Lessard.
Biddeford’s Pearl Street Parking Garage (City photo)
Subsequent to the Jan. 19 story, the Biddeford Gazette conducted additional interviews and filed a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request for more information, much of which was discussed during Tuesday’s meeting.
City Attorney Harry Center told the Finance Committee that he was “troubled” by how the plan was implemented.
“I’m not a CPA. I’m not an auditor, but it troubles me as a lawyer regarding how the [invoices] were characterized as professional/consulting services,” Center said.
City Manager Truc Dever told committee members that the plan was envisioned to be “net neutral” and would not add additional spending beyond the ongoing subsidy payments that the city gives to the city’s parking garage operators, Premium Parking.
According to Dever, the city makes two payments each year to the parking garage owners so that they are guaranteed a profit — an agreement the city made years ago to entice developers to build the parking garage on city-owned land.
The most recent payment to Premium Parking was $146,570 to cover the period from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.
Brad Favreau, the city economic development coordinator, said that Brian Phinney – then the acting city manager – assured him that the program would be revenue neutral. He said it was Phinney who decided which account would be used to make the payments.
Phinney retired from the city earlier this month.
Favreau told the committee that former mayor Marty Grohman approved the project after some discussion between Grohman, Phinney, Favreau and Delilah Poupore, executive director of the Heart of Biddeford, a private downtown booster organization.
Favreau said only 43 downtown employees took advantage of the program.
Dever — who began her job weeks after the parking program was launched –described the program as “well-intentioned” and said no one tried to keep it a secret.
Dever said flyers about the program were made and distributed and it was posted on the city’s website and discussed during a May 28 meeting of the Downtown Development Commission (DDC).
Poupore told the Gazette that her organization was aggressive in raising awareness about the program and that she and Favreau both handed out flyers to merchants throughout the downtown area.
Former city councilor Neva (Gross) Lance served as the city council’s liaison on the DDC. She told the Gazette on Wednesday that she recalled “some vague discussion” but no official decision or approval was made at that May 28 meeting.
Councilor Lessard – a member of the Finance Committee – said it does not matter if the program was well intentioned.
“The fact that this was done during the city’s election cycle makes me raise my eyebrows,” Lessard said. “If this program was so good, it would have been brought to the council.
“Instead, it was buried in an innocuous budget line. Call me a little bit crazy, but I’m not so ready to say that there is nothing wrong with this. I’m not ready to hold hands and sing Kumbaya,” Lessard said.
Councilor Dylan Doughty said he was concerned that the program was being funded by TIF (Tax Increment Finance) funds, which are strictly regulated.
“As a whole, we have committed ourselves to accountability and transparency,” Doughty said, adding that he thinks the city should take a closer look at how all TIF funds are being used to ensure that the city doesn’t end up in a “questionable position.”
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“The fact that this was done during the city’s election cycle
makes me raise my eyebrows.”
— Councilor Marc Lessard
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Mayor LaFountain told the committee he shares their concerns about how the program was launched and operated.
“My concern is not the intentions of the program,” LaFountain said. “We’re just coming off the review of a FY 23 audit that was quite scathing. When we go down this route, we lose public confidence.”
LaFountain told the city manager he would like to see plans and policies put in place to prevent another similar event. “It doesn’t matter who is sitting in these seats,” the mayor said. “We have process failures that we need to correct.”
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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Those who know Don Creighton will tell you that he is always the first to step up and help others in their time of need.
Unfortunately, Don is now on the other end of that equation and wondering how he’s going to make it through the next few weeks and months ahead.
Creighton, 57, is a beloved security guard at the McArthur Library. Over the last two years, he has developed quite a fan base and has become a well-known fixture in Biddeford’s downtown area.
Don Creighton, a beloved security guard at Biddeford’s McArthur Library, is facing an uncertain future. (Contributed photo)
Don’s co-workers at the library describe him as a “gentle soul,” and as a “man with a very big heart.”
Whether he is greeting an excited second-grader or a struggling member of Biddeford’s unhoused community, Don treats everyone the same: a big smile, a warm welcome and a commitment to respect.
“Everyone deserves to be treated nicely,” Don explains. “I may be a security guard, but I see my role as being a resource. I’m there to greet people and let them know that this a safe and welcoming place, no matter who they are.”
A few weeks ago, Don had a sudden seizure while working at the library. He was unconscious for several moments and was transported to the hospital.
According to his medical providers, Don had what is known as Non-Epilepsy Seizure (NES). During the seizure and resulting convulsions, Don suffered compression fractures along his spine.
Every day since has been an ongoing battle with pain so intense that Don has a hard time moving from room to room in his small apartment on Main Street.
After returning home from the hospital, Don says he avoided eating for several days because “sitting in the bathroom was just too painful.”
Several years ago, Don experienced a similar seizure while working on a lobster boat. “There is no history of epilepsy in my family,” he said, pointing out that he does take medication to prevent seizures.
Don lives alone with his dog, Mya. He describes Mya as his only source of optimism.
He says he misses his co-workers and the people he would see every day at the library.
“I love that job,” he said. “I get to spend a lot of time talking to people, and we also have a great staff – we’re like a big family.”
The isolation, combined with the pain, is taking a toll – physically, financially and spiritually.
Although he has health insurance, he has still racked up roughly $40,000 in co-pays, medicines and day-to-day expenses including rent, utilities and food.
“I live alone, and my family is trying to help me as much as possible,” he said. “I have already drained my savings – and I’m not sure what my next steps will be.”
A community begins to rally
If you visit the library, you will likely notice that Don’s work station has been decorated by colorings and drawings done by some of the library’s youngest patrons.
“Saying that Don is missed at the library is a gross understatement, said Joe Sanderson who is the library’s technical coordinator and sometimes works at the adult reference desk.
Don Creighton’s work station at McArthur Library has been decorated by younger library patrons who miss their friendly security guard. (Contributed photo)
“He is a big part of our community,” Sanderson said. “Almost daily, we are asked about how he is doing – people want updates. They want to see him back at the library.”
Sanderson and some of his co-workers have started a GoFundMe campaign to help Don cover some of his most basic expenses.
“It’s the least we can do,” Sanderson explains. “Don is always so willing to help others. Now it’s time for us to help him.”
Sanderson and his co-workers have made flyers and distributed them throughout the downtown area.
“The response from the business community has been great,” he said. “People know Don. They know how important his presence is in our community.”
For his part, Don says he finds it hard to ask for help.
“It’s been very stressful,” he said. “It’s also very scary not knowing if my spine will heal. It’s easy to get stuck in your own mind with a lot of worry.”
Editor’s Note:If you would like to contribute to Don’s GoFundMe page, please click this link: Don Creighton Support Page
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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At the advice and direction of several of our advisory board members, the Biddeford Gazette has created a special page for updates and community information regarding ramped up enforcement activities by the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) in Biddeford.
According to multiple sources, ICE began an operation known as “Catch of the Day” in Biddeford and several other southern Maine communities in southern Maine beginning on Jan. 20, 2026.
“This news has created considerable community concern and some misinformation,” said Randy Seaver, the Gazette’s editor. “We felt the responsible thing to do was to provide a resource page where residents could find more information about what is happening and how it is impacting our community.”
Following more than an hour of passionate and sometimes tense debate, the Biddeford City Council voted 6-3 (Cote, Kurtz and Woods) Tuesday to reject a proposed 90-day moratorium on rental and lease fee increases at mobile home parks in the city.
More than 20 mobile home park residents packed the council chambers, making their support for the moratorium known both in attendance and sometimes emotional testimony before the council.
The moratorium was proposed by Ward Seven City Councilor Brad Cote whose district includes one of several mobile home parks in the city.
Mobile home park resident Chris Parsons addresses the Biddeford City Council saying fee increases should be reasonable, in accordance with “Maine values.” (Seaver photo)
Donna Porter, a resident at the Granite Estates mobile home park, told councilors that most of her neighbors are elderly and on fixed incomes. She said the park was sold to a new out-of-state owner in 2021 and that monthly rent fees have increased dramatically since then.
“Most of us are elderly and on a fixed income,” Porter said, claiming that incremental increases have seen monthly lot fees increase by more than $250 per month over the last five years.
Porter told the council that she and other residents are offered no tangible amenities other than weekly trash pickup and snow removal.
“We pay for our own heat, water, electricity and sewer,” Porter said. “What we are facing now is nothing but blatant corporate greed.”
Chris Parsons, another Granite Estates resident, said he does not object to a private business earning a profit.
A self-described semi-retired, small business owner, Parson told the council that the park’s new owners “are certainly entitled” to making a profit, but it should be done in a “reasonable way” that is consistent with Maine values. “Where are we supposed to go?” he asked the council.
The Maine Legislature is currently wrestling with the mobile home park fee dilemmas across the state.
Alex White, a self-described “real estate professional” cautioned the council against enacting a moratorium, arguing that such a move would have a “chilling effect” on potential investors who are looking to do business in Biddeford.
“I don’t really have a dog in this fight, but at the risk of being tarred and feathered, I would say that a moratorium is an unnecessary step, which should be reserved for real emergencies.”
White said the council could easily consider the issue and possible policy changes without enacting an emergency 90-day moratorium.
The council debate touched on several issues, and Cote was visibly frustrated by the remarks from some of his fellow councilors, most notably commentary from at-large Councilor Marc Lessard, a self-described fiscal conservative.
Lessard described the proposed moratorium as the first step on a “slippery slope” that could lead to the implementation of rent control in Biddeford.
Pointing out that more than 50 percent of housing units in Biddeford are rental units versus owner-occupied homes, Lessard argued that the city should not put its thumbprint on private business.
“Where does this end?” Lessard asked, rhetorically. “Do we tell Hannaford that they cannot raise their costs because food is too expensive?”
Lessard said the city would never approve a moratorium on property tax increases but is trying to tell the private sector how much their prices can increase.
“I empathize with the plight of those who are here tonight,” Lessard said. “There are no easy answers to this.”
Cote said the council is facing a potentially hypocritical dilemma.
“How, on God’s green earth, are we going to claim that this council is going to address affordable housing with a straight face if we can’t pass a simple 90-day moratorium to examine this issue?” Cote said. “You don’t want to see unhoused people downtown. Well, things are just going to get worse.”
Other councilors, including Patricia Boston and Roger Beaupre, pointed out that the 90-day moratorium would have no tangible benefit to either the city or park residents.
“It might look good, but nothing we do tonight would impact these residents,” Boston said, suggesting that the council should consider a broader policy that could include updated state policy recommendations.
“Ninety days is simply not enough time to craft an ordinance,” Beaupre added. “I empathize with the people here tonight. I would like to have a moratorium on my cable bill.”
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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Despite the impassioned pleas of some nuns from the St. Joseph’s Convent, the Biddeford City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to enact a temporary development moratorium on the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
As previously reported in the Gazette, Mayor Liam LaFountain proposed the moratorium and the creation of an ad-hoc committee in order to give the city time and flexibility to review and consider several significant developments planned by the university.
Although not located on their campus, it was recently revealed that the university had ongoing plans to purchase the St. Joseph’s Convent in order to redevelop that property into additional student housing. The convent is located approximately two miles west of UNE’s main campus.
Representatives from the Good Sheperd Sisters of Quebec – the current convent owners — attended Tuesday’s meeting, saying the proposed moratorium would quash their planned sale of the convent to UNE. That sale, according to the Sisters, has been in consideration since 2017 and was scheduled to be finalized next month.
The Sisters said they can no longer afford to operate the convent. They said the moratorium would be “devastating psychologically, physically and spiritually.”
During their discussion of the issue, Councilor Jake Pierson pointed out that the moratorium would do “nothing to prevent the sale of that property.” The moratorium, he said, would only pause the university’s planned redevelopment of the property.
Although the university does not yet own the St. Joseph’s parcel, they already received approval of their reconversion plan from the Saco River Corridor Commission in November.
The St, Joseph’s Convent in Biddeford is slated to become more student housing for UNE
Former city councilor Kyle Noble told the council that UNE is pushing for projects that would be “once in a lifetime, forever decisions” that warrant careful review.
“I find it offensive that this real estate transaction has been known since 2017, and we’re just finding out about it now,” Noble said.
Councilor Dylan Doughty also expressed surprise that the university was able to get approval of their plan from the Saco River Corridor Commission before they actually owned the property.
Alan Thibeault, vice president of operations at UNE, said the city’s proposed moratorium took school officials “by surprise.”
Thibeault told the council that UNE has not built a new building on its campus since 2018. He made no mention of the controversial, large-scale pier that the university is planning to construct on the Saco River. He also did not talk about the school’s plan to add new student housing at the St. Joseph’s convent.
Instead, Thibeault reminded the council that UNE is “a major employer and economic driver” in Biddeford. “We do not believe that we have been a burden on the city,” Thibeault said, pointing out that UNE has its own wastewater treatment facility.
Furthermore, Thibeault said the university has significantly decreased its impact on the city by its decision three years ago to move roughly 360 students and 120 staffers to the school’s Portland campus that now houses UNE’s medical school programs. That move, he said, significantly reduced traffic and other impacts at the Biddeford campus.
Thibeault said the moratorium could place the university at financial risk. He said colleges and universities across the country are closing at a rate of one per month because of changing demographics.
Councilor Brad Cote, however, balked at Thibeault’s concerns about the economic impacts of the moratorium.
“I find it a little offensive that the university would come to us and express financial worries,” Cote said. “Let’s remember that their campus in Biddeford sits on land that has an assessed value of roughly $82 million.”
Thibeault said UNE appreciated that its president – James Hebert – was appointed to the city’s newly created ad-hoc committee.
“We welcome a genuine relationship with the city,” Thibeault told the 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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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According to documents obtained by the Biddeford Gazette, the city of Biddeford is now investigating why more than $16,000 was spent on a downtown parking plan that was never reviewed or authorized by the city council or its Finance Committee.
At Mayor Liam LaFountain’s request, City Attorney Harry B. Center was asked to investigate questions about a temporary program that used various budget lines to fund a free parking program for downtown merchants during last year’s downtown sewer construction project.
The parking project, according to Center’s memo, was allegedly initiated by former Mayor Marty Grohman roughly 90 days before the city’s biennial election. The program was disbanded in mid-November just days after Grohman lost his reelection bid.
The municipal parking garage on Pearl Street (City photo)
When contacted by the Biddeford Gazette on Sunday, LaFountain confirmed that neither he nor any other elected official was told about the parking program.
LaFountain said he asked Center to investigate how the parking program was launched, operated and funded.
“It appears that it was kept within a small circle of people,” the mayor said. “Unfortunately, no one bothered to tell the council or the Finance Committee.”
LaFountain said he only found out about the project when City Manager Truc Dever asked if he wanted the program to continue.
“I didn’t even know the program existed,” LaFountain said. “It’s certainly troubling. The public expects us to be diligent and careful with public monies. Any major expenditures should be approved by the Finance Committee and then the full city council.”
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“It appears that it was kept within a small circle of people”
— Mayor Liam LaFountain
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According to Center’s memo, the parking plan was initiated just weeks before City Manager Truc Dever began her new position with the city.
As part of his investigation, Center spoke with Finance Director Gerry Matherne.
“There was no council approval,” Matherne told Center. “Marty [Grohman] just did it.”
According to Center, Matherne confirmed that the funding source came from the Route 111 TIF (Tax Increment Finance) fund. under a line item known as “Other Professional Consulting Services.”
The funds were disbursed to Premium Parking, the private company that operates the city’s parking garage and several surface lots throughout the downtown area.
The funds were used to offset the cost of parking for vehicles with certain license plate numbers and designed to make street parking downtown much easier during the sewer construction project.
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“There was no council approval. Marty just did it.”
— Finance Director Gerry Matherne
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LaFountain told the Gazette that he was “troubled” by the situation, and said it only further erodes public confidence in City Hall.
Last year, during a review of the city’s FY 2023 audit, the city received a blistering report from its professional auditors who raised concerns about possible mismanagement of federal grant funds and a sloppy cash reconciliation process.
Matherne was hired in February and is continuing her work to address prior problems in the city’s Finance Department.
“Director Matherne is being asked to clean up and reconcile numerous issues that took place before she was hired,” said LaFountain. “Her professionalism and hard work are exactly what the city needs as we try to sort things out.”
Former mayor defends program
Former Biddeford mayor Marty Grohman told the Gazette that he was “unaware” that the city was giving money to Premium Parking to offset costs and provide free parking for certain downtown merchants and their employees.
Grohman said the plan was intended to be “revenue neutral,” and said he never authorized any extra payments to Premium Parking.
Grohman says the paid parking plan came from an idea first discussed during his weekly meetings with downtown merchants and others who were struggling with snarled traffic.
“I didn’t set it up,” Grohman said. “It was Brad Favreau (from the city’s economic development office) who set it up.”
Because of the holiday weekend, City Hall was closed and Favreau was unavailable for comment.
Although Grohman said he thought the program would be revenue neutral, he later said he did “not recall the source of the funding” that would be used.
Grohman said the idea behind his plan was to simply reconfigure spaces and designations of certain downtown parking lots.
Grohman described the plan as a “goodwill agreement” between the city and Premium Parking.
“They (Premium Parking) must have misunderstood the intent of the program,” Grohman said, when asked why the company billed the city an extra $3,170 every month between August and November 2025.
More than two years ago, Grohman was a city councilor and hoping to become the city’s mayor.
Grohman pledged then to “get tough” on the privately operated garage that is still subsidized by the city.
During a May 21, 2023 interview with this reporter, Grohman said the city should not be using TIF funds to make its subsidy payments to Premium Parking.
Grohman then said he considered the use of TIF funds to continue funding revenue shortfalls at the garage as “galling.”
“Our debt service is more than $4 million a year,” Grohman said during that 2023 interview. “I don’t think this [funding of garage revenue shortfalls] is the best use for the TIF funds.”
Next steps
Center’s memo about the parking plan is expected to be addressed during Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. in the council chambers.
From Center’s memo: “In summary, the former mayor on his own initiative –without City Council or Finance Committee vote — directed that the payments be made to Premium Parking for private downtown business employees to park in the parking garage as well as surface lots during the Elm Street sewer construction project.
“Following an initial payment on August 26, 2025, in the amount of $3,690, four additional monthly payments of $3,170 were made from the “Route 111 TIF Fund” totaling $16,370. The payments were for parking but were made from a line item designated “Other Professional/Consulting Service Expense.”
The Gazette has filed a Freedom of Information request for emails that were circulated between July and October between the mayor’s office, Favreau’s office and Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford.
“This situation is outrageous,” said At-Large Councilor Marc Lessard. “You can’t just spend taxpayer dollars to make people feel warm and fuzzy. Our ordinances spell out a process.
“Citizens expect us to adhere to those processes and follow the city charter,” Lessard added.
This story will be updated.
Editor’s Note: The Biddeford Gazette has filed a FOIA request related to this developing story. You may view/download our request by clicking on the link below:
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain is proposing a temporary moratorium on all development projects at the University of New England’s Biddeford campus.
LaFountain is also scheduled to nominate UNE president James Hebert to serve on an ad-hoc committee that will focus on development at the school’s Biddeford campus.
During an interview with the Gazette on Thursday, LaFountain said a temporary moratorium will allow the city to examine and evaluate the rapidly increasing pace and scale of development within the Institutional Zone (IZ).
In December, the city council voted unanimously to create an ad-hoc committee that will review and make recommendations about current and future development on UNE’s campus.
“I want that review committee able to hit the ground running,” LaFountain said, pointing out that the IZ has not been amended or updated for more than 20 years. “We need just a short pause in order to catch our breath. The current language is somewhat vague and needs to be updated.”
Recent projects have highlighted the need for the committee, LaFountain said, pointing to the university’s controversial pier project, plans to develop a fire substation near the campus and a plan to convert a former convalescent home into new dormitories for the university.
LaFountain said he believes that university development will continue to play an important role in the city’s future.
“The question before the council is not whether such development should occur, but whether it should proceed under a regulatory framework that has not been comprehensively examined in more than twenty years,” the mayor said.
UNE President James Hebert is being appointed by Biddeford’s mayor to serve on an ad-hoc committee that will review ongoing and planned development within the city’s Institutional Zone (Photo: LinkedIn
The city needs the time necessary to complete that examination responsibly and to ensure that future decisions are guided by clear standards, shared expectations, and the long-term interests of the city as a whole, the mayor added.
During a previous city council meeting in December, Ed Cervone, director of external affairs at UNE, said the university is supportive of the city’s desire to review the Institutional Zone Ordinance and creation of the ad-hoc committee.
“UNE hopes that the creation of an Institutional Zone Review Committee can bring additional clarity to, understanding of, and confidence in the ordinance,” Cervone said.
During that December meeting, Cervone suggested that the new committee should include a Hills Beach Association representative; the city planner and Ward One Councilor Patricia Boston because of her historical knowledge about the Institutional Zone and a UNE representative.
LaFountain will ask the City Council Tuesday to confirm his appointments to the six-member ad-hoc committee, which will be chaired by Councilor Pat Boston, a Hills Beach resident; Matt Haas, a former UNE employee who first raised concerns about the Saco River Corridor Commission’s approval of the university’s controversial pier proposal; and residents Christine Stone and Betsy Martin.
LaFountain has also nominated Councilor Marc Lessard and James Hebert, UNE’s president, to serve on the committee.
Committee Objectives
In his memo to the city council, LaFountain said his proposed moratorium will accomplish several objectives, including:
• Orderly Review: It allows the Institutional Zone Review Committee, City staff, the Planning Board, and the City Council to complete their work without the pressure of pending applications advancing under rules that may soon change.
• Consistency and Fairness: It avoids applying one set of standards to some projects while others are reviewed under a revised framework, promoting predictability for applicants and the public alike.
• Public Confidence: It acknowledges heightened public interest in institutional development and demonstrates that the city is taking a deliberate, transparent approach to updating its zoning ordinances and policies.
• Long-Term Planning: It ensures that decisions with lasting impacts on neighborhoods, infrastructure, and municipal capacity are informed by a comprehensive policy review rather than piecemeal approvals.
“The moratorium is not intended to halt institutional growth indefinitely, nor to target any single institution, but rather to ensure that future development proceeds under a clearer and more durable regulatory framework,” LaFountain said.
Sarah Delage, a university spokesperson, said UNE’s president is looking forward to working with the city as a member of the newly created ad-hoc committee.
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved, Biddeford Gazette, Inc.
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Contributed Story |Leinani Farnsworth, Heart of Biddeford
It’s that time of years again!
Locals and visitors of all ages are invited to the annual Biddeford WinterFest, a cabin-fever-busting weekend of outdoor fun, live entertainment, and community connection, returning Feb. 6–8, 2026. This year’s theme, “Unplug & Play,” highlights free, family-friendly, screen-free activities on Adams Street in downtown Biddeford.
Now in its 13th year, WinterFest is a collaboration between local organizations, volunteers, and the City of Biddeford. The festival traces its roots back to 2012, when then-Mayor Alan Casavant and longtime community volunteer John Maxson first imagined building a sledding hill in the middle of downtown. More than a decade later, the tradition continues to bring hundreds of residents together each winter.
Friday, Feb. 6 — WinterFest begins Friday evening with adults-only (18+) sledding on Adams Street from 6–7:30 p.m. followed by an après-sledding gathering at Brickyard Hollow from 7:45–9:30 p.m, hosted by Biddeford Recreation. The evening event includes sledding, complimentary food, door prizes, and a cash bar, with $10 tickets required in advance.
Friday night also features a 7:30 p.m. performance at City Theater featuring Piano Men – The Music of Elton and Billy, starring Joey Boucher. The show celebrates the legendary music of Elton John and Billy Joel through a high-energy piano-driven performance. Boucher brings powerful vocals, storytelling, and crowd-favorite hits to the stage in a concert-style experience. Tickets for the performance are available for purchase on the City Theater website.
Saturday, Feb. 7 — WinterFest continues with Winter Fun Time, the true heart of the celebration, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the heart of downtown Biddeford. Centered around the beloved sledding hill on Adams Street, this free, family-friendly event brings the community together for a full day of classic winter fun. Hosted by New Life Church, with activities provided by Biddeford’s Recreation Department and local organizations, the day features sledding, giant outdoor games, a Gaga Ball pit, mascots, and more! Families can also enjoy free food throughout the event, including pizza, hot dogs, walking tacos, popcorn, cookies and hot chocolate.
Live entertainment and activities take place throughout Winter Fun Time, including:
Main Stage performances from Nine Tigers Kung Fu, dance demonstrations and more.
Sparks’ Ark Animal Services demonstration inside the former Courthouse on Adams Street at 11:30 a.m. and 1:p.m.
Attendees can also meet Crusher, the Maine Celtics mascot, and WinterFest’s own Francoise, and take part in a free raffle featuring bikes, gift cards, and other donated prizes—making Winter Fun Time a can’t-miss day of winter fun for all ages.
Families are invited to a free screening of Balto at City Theater from 3:30–5:30 p.m., sponsored by McArthur Library. Saturday evening, City Theater will also host comedian Juston McKinney beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Maine native who has appeared on The Tonight Show, McKinney is known for his sharp, relatable humor and high-energy performances. Tickets for the comedy show are available for purchase on the City Theater website.
Also on Saturday, the inaugural “Big Chill” takes place at the Pepperell Center beginning at noon. Coordinated by Heart of Biddeford, the event features a business expo, art gallery, music, and local food and drinks available for purchase throughout the day. The Big Chill wraps up with a free, public dance party from 8–10 p.m., open to everyone with no tickets required.
WinterFest 2026 is a snow-or-shine event, with both outdoor and indoor programming planned throughout the weekend. “We’re thrilled to have the community return to the downtown to bust that cabin fever,” said Delilah Poupore, executive director of Heart of Biddeford – one of the planning partners. “We know that the community will also enjoy a great day of shopping and dining throughout the downtown.”
Sunday, Feb. 8 – The celebration wraps up on Sunday with one final, free event. The West Brook skating rink on Pool Street will be open for free skating and skate rentals on Sunday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., (weather permitting) offering a fun and relaxed way to close out the WinterFest weekend.
York County Commissioner Richard Dutremble of Biddeford was unanimously voted as chair of the five-member board during its organizational meeting Jan. 7.
Dutremble has served as a York County Commissioner for 20 years – including seven years as chair since 2007 – and said this year will be his last as a commissioner.
“I’m not running for re-election,” he said of the upcoming November vote. Noting two major projects the county has undertaken are winding down – The York County Regional Training Center which recently began offering classes to first responders and the York County Recovery Center, expected to be completed this fall – and with the county in good financial shape, he said it is time.
York County Commissioners Justin Chenette, Donna Ring, Chair Richard Dutremble, Vice Chair Robert Andrews, and Richard Clark. (Contributed photo)
Dutremble represents District 2, which includes Arundel, Biddeford Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.
Robert Andrews of Lebanon, currently vice chair, will serve in that position again in 2026, his fourth time in the role. He represents municipalities in District 1 – Acton, Berwick, Cornish, Lebanon, Limington, Newfield, North Berwick, Parsonsfield, Shapleigh, and South Berwick.
Commissioner Richard Clark f Wells, representing District 5 – Eliot, Kittery, York, Ogunquit and Wells – will continue as a director of Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc., a nonprofit that works to provide access to jobs, skill development and business services vital to the social and economic well-being of the communities in the six coastal counties it represents.
Commissioner Donna Ring of Alfred, who represents District 4 – Alfred, Dayton, Limerick, Lyman, Sanford and Waterboro, was voted as the board’s representative to Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission.
Commissioner Justin Chenette of Saco, who represents District 3 – Buxton, Hollis, Old Orchard Beach and Saco – was voted Maine County Commissioners Association representative as well as York County’s representative to the MCCA risk pool.
The five-member board of commissioners set fees for items ranging from mileage rates to notarization fees. For the most part, the fees remain the same as in past years, with the exception of the administration fee for serving civil papers. Currently at $10, commissioners voted to increase the civil process administrative fee by $25, as allowed by Maine statutes.
Those who need copies of accident reports will pay $20 – the same fee since 2021. Background check fees remain at the 2023 rate of $20; notarization and attestation fees are $5 and $10 respectively – the 2020 rate.
The county mileage reimbursement rate is 67 cents per mile – the same as in 2024, and meals for those on county business reimbursed $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch and $25 for dinner, or a total of $60 per day.
The board approved a contract with Waterboro for deputy coverage. York County Manager Greg Zinser noted two changes – the contract spells out that the York County Sheriff’s Office will provide up to 80 hours a week coverage, and the county will purchase the cruiser and lease it hourly to the town. In prior contracts, the municipality purchased the vehicle. Zinser noted the county has always had the right to pull a deputy from coverage if needed elsewhere, and now the new contract spells it out with the “up to” 80 hours clause.
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Tammy Wells is a media specialist for York County government.
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The newly elected members of the Biddeford City Council will be getting a comprehensive overview of the city’s past, present and future commercial development projects during a special workshop tonight (Jan. 13)
City Planner David Galbraith will walk the council through more than 30 slides that show specifics about ongoing and future development that includes everything from an expanded drive-thru lane at Burger King and a Popeye’s Fried Chicken location to major residential projects aimed for development in the downtown area.
And yes, it looks like Biddeford will get a brand-new Chick-Fil-A restaurant at the location that formerly housed Olive Garden.
For your convenience, we are providing you the opportunity to view or download Galbraith’s presentation.
Beyond the hype and speculation of new restaurants, several large projects and business expansions are also in the pipeline, including an expansion at Fiber Materials and several new affordable housing projects. Even a new parking garage is being envisioned.
The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall.
This story will be updated.
View/download the presentation by clicking this link:
To answer one of our questions, Alex MacPhail patiently scrolls through a series of data on his computer monitor. He seems naturally comfortable and at ease, sitting at his desk and eagerly talking about the “unlimited potential” of the Biddeford-Saco region.
“This is the stuff I get excited about,” MacPhail explains. “This is where the rubber meets the road in terms of community engagement and growth.”
Alex MacPhail is the new executive director of the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce
MacPhail is quick to point out that the Chamber is much more than a business networking group. The membership also includes dozens of non-profit organizations, local government representatives and individuals working on a wide variety of projects.
“We’re not here to just do ribbon cuttings and after-hours social mixers,” MacPhail said. “We’re here to engage and raise awareness about so many of the incredible businesses and organizations that are the backbone of this community.”
MacPhail declined to speculate why the Chamber’s board decided to let go of Lewis. Instead, MacPhail is focused on some changes he’s planning to make.
“In some ways, I am putting things back together,” he said. “We’re working to build stronger relationships – paving the way for our members to be more engaged and more visible.”
The Chamber, MacPhail says, can advocate for area businesses on issues that affect and impact the entire community, such as workforce development and the need for affordable housing.
“Businesses rely on stable, quality employees,” he explains. “We need to partner with government officials and others to make sure that we’re not putting up barriers or ignoring the needs of the private sector.”
In terms of local government officials, MacPhail is married to Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail.
Alex says that relationship does not present any tangible conflicts of interest.
“Sure, we talk about stuff privately,” he says. “But we do a really good job of staying in our own lanes.”
MacPhail previously worked for the Chamber in 2019 as a market specialist and volunteered at the Chamber long before his wife was elected to the Saco City Council and then later as the city’s mayor.
A native of the Boston area, MacPhail said he discovered the Biddeford-Saco region when his family would visit Old Orchard Beach in the summers.
“How can you not love this place,” he says, rattling off the region’s attributes including stunning natural resources, historical attributes and solid infrastructure.
MacPhail is a musician and plays the guitar. After high school, he wound up living in the Los Angeles area where he ended up becoming involved in the music industry and band management.
“Networking and building relationships have always come to me naturally,” he explains. “I see potential, and I get excited about it.”
The Chamber of Commerce works closely with other business advocacy groups including the Heart of Biddeford and Saco Main Street.
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“I see potential, and I get excited about it.”
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All three organizations receive some public funding from the cities of Biddeford and Saco.
When asked if that funding is redundant, MacPhail says there is some overlap but all three organizations have a different focus.
“The Heart of Biddeford is awesome,” MacPhail says. “But their focus is limited to just the downtown area. We represent and work with organizations all across the cities, in the industrial parks, the business parks and different neighborhoods.”
MacPhail says the Chamber offers its members a wide range of benefits, including analytical data regarding local trends and demographics.
“When you join the Chamber, you suddenly become part of a much larger organization. You are connected and have a strong advocate in your corner,” he said.
MacPhail says he is excited about some new projects and resurrecting some former projects such as publishing a regional business guidebook.
“This is the kind of job that you have to love in order to do it well,” he said. “We have a great board of directors that are fully committed. I get up every morning excited to go to work.”
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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[This story has been updated to include commentary from Alexa Plotkin, chair of Biddeford’s planning board.]
By RANDY SEAVER, Editor
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain won his campaign a few weeks ago by promising to prioritize transparency and accountability at City Hall.
As part of that pledge, LaFountain has been seeking and interviewing people who have expressed an interest in serving on any one of more than 20 committees, boards and commissions.
One of the most notable changes being proposed by LaFountain is a slight shakeup on the city’s planning board.
The Planning Board has seven members, including the chair and two non-voting, associate members.
Both Larry Patoine and Susan Deschambault will no longer be serving as regular members on the planning board because their terms expired in December.
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain says periodic “refreshing” can be valuable,
Deschambault said she was ready to step down after more than a decade of service, but Patoine says he would have enjoyed serving another term.
Patoine joined the planning board in 2007 during the Wallace Nutting administration and has been repeatedly reappointed over the last 18 years.
“I really enjoyed it,” Patoine said of his tenure on the board. “Yes, I would have liked another term, but it’s the mayor’s prerogative about who is appointed. I think he (LaFountain) wants to be headed in a different direction.”
A few weeks before he announced his bid to become Biddeford’s next mayor, LaFountain – then city council president — was clearly troubled by the review process of several large projects that came before the planning board.
During a June 17, 2025 city council meeting, LaFountain and other councilors were visibly upset about how two major projects were being presented to the city council.
Both Fathom Development and Westbrook Development Corp. appeared before the council for final approval of credit enhancement agreements connected to two projects near the city’s Pearl Street parking garage.
After a tense, marathon council meeting that lasted until after midnight, the council was evenly split in a 4-4 tie, and credit enhancement agreements were approved after then mayor Marty Grohman broke the tie.
“This makes me ridiculously uncomfortable,” LaFountain said during the meeting, frustrated that City Planner David Galbraith appeared to be taking direction from the developers who were seated in the audience. “This is not a good look for the city.”
The site where Westbrook Development Commission wants to build 90 units of senior housing near the intersection of Lincoln and Pearl streets (Seaver photo)
Within days after winning his election, LaFountain pushed for further review of how the University of New England’s controversial pier proposal was handled.
The pier project was narrowly approved in a 3-2 vote before the planning board on August 6.
Planning board member Roch Angers appeared before the council on the previous day and said “something smells fishy” about how UNE’s application was reviewed by city officials.
Today, LaFountain says there is a benefit to having “periodic changes” on city boards and commissions.
“I think it’s good to refresh things from time to time,” the mayor said.
During his first council meeting as mayor in December, LaFountain appointed former city councilor John McCurry to the planning board.
McCurry – a former city councilor, council president and former School Committee member – said he is looking forward to serving on the planning board. “This mayor is focused on data-driven solutions,” McCurry says. “I think that’s right up my alley.”
On Tuesday, the city council will review LaFountain’s appointment of Leah Schaffer to the planning board.
LaFountain told the Gazette that he is “impressed” by Schaffer’s resume and qualifications.
According to her application, Schaffer is an architect and has a “strong interest in city planning.”
Schaffer has served on the city’s Historic Preservation Commission since 2016 and currently serves as that organization’s chair. She also serves as chair on the Citizen’s Advisory since 2023.
Schafer served as chair and member of the Heart of Biddeford’s Design Committee from 2016 to 2024.
Other members of the planning board include Chair Alexa Plotkin; voting members Roch Angers and Matt Dubois; and associate member Kayla Lewis.
Plotkin told the Gazette that the planning board has experienced a significant increase in both the pace and volume of items requiring review.
“We are seeing a big spike in the number of applications that have come before us,” Plotkin said, pointing to both large-scale housing projects and increasing rebuild/redesign applications from coastal homeowners who are either preparing for future storms or trying to repair weather-related damages to their homes.
“Being on the planning is a constant learning process,” Plotkin said, pointing to numerous policy changes and updated zoning ordinances at both the local and state level.
Plotkin said she feels “a bit sad’ that Larry Patoine will no longer be on the board. “I can see the value of a fresh set of eyes, but I also see tremendous value in having people with lots of institutional knowledge, Plotkin added.
Plotkin’s term expires in December 2027; Angers and Dubois both have terms that expire in December.
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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The West Brook skating rink in Biddeford was first opened to the public roughly four weeks before Warren G. Harding was inaugurated as the 29th president of the United States in 1921.
Although the outdoor rink has undergone some dramatic changes over the last century, the heart of its mission has remained unchanged, and it has become an embedded part of the city’s cultural heritage — kept alive by a small team of dedicated volunteers and the generosity of local businesses.
A recent photo shows a wide age range of kids enjoy the West Brook Skating Rink (Seaver photo)
Mike Bouthillette is one of those volunteers. In fact, Bouthillette – a lifelong resident who grew up skating at West Brook – is today serving as president of the small group of older volunteers who work to keep the facility alive.
“It’s a lot of work, and we really need more volunteers,” he explains.
Bouthillette says the rink is almost part of his DNA, pausing during our interview to remember his late father, Norman who loved skating at West Brook.
“My dad was a big piece of this rink,” Bouthillette explained. “In fact, over there is the spot where he reportedly first kissed my mother,” he said pointing to the far western side of the outdoor rink.
“When I moved back here in 2018, I knew I wanted to give back to the community,” Bouthillette said. “That’s what drives our core group of volunteers. It’s the love of kids and seeing their smiles. That’s what drives us. That’s why we keep doing it.”
Some things have not changed since the rink first opened more than 100 years ago. There is no charge to use the rink. Ice skates – in a variety of sizes – can be borrowed for free.
The rink does accept donations but it’s the concession sales that keep the lights on and the building heated.
But even the concessions are sold with the needs of working families in mind.
“This is basically the only place in Biddeford where you can get in and out for under $10,” Bouthillette explains. “You can get a hot dog or slice of pizza, some popcorn, hot chocolate and candy all for under $10.”
During the chilly days of winter – especially on the weekends – you can expect to find anywhere from 300 to 500 people skating on the large outdoor rink.
“The rink is bigger than our parking lot, and our parking lot is pretty big,” Bouthillette laughed.
Mike Bouthillette talks about the generations of families that have enjoyed West Brook skating rink (Seaver photo)
Fond memories and a lasting legacy
Former Biddeford City Councilor Clement Fleurent has fond memories of skating at West Brook skating rink when he was a teenager in the late 1950s.
“Oh yes, it was quite the spot for young people,” he laughed during a recent interview. “That’s where the boys met the girls.”
Beyond socialization, Fleurent recalled fierce skating competitions on West Brook’s ice.
“I never won,” he laughed. “I always came in second or third. My older brothers – J.P and Jerry — would often win, but not me. They used to laugh a lot about that.”
Fleurent said he recalled hearing about another skating rink across the street from West Brook on the side of Pool Street known as Silver Skate, which was dominated by girls’ skating while the boys raced and did barrel jumping at West Brook.
Fleurent said he learned to skate the same way he learned to swim: trial and error.
“I remember skating at the airport,” he laughed. “There would be a little bit of rain, and it would glaze over. We lived just behind the woods at the airport, so I would just walk over and skate.”
Fleurent also recalled skating on Wilcox Pond near the cemetery on West Street. “We used to skate, regardless of the weather,” Fleurent said. “I remember skating as early as Thanksgiving back then. I would come home basically frozen.”
Fleurent, 90, says he still has his skates, but says his speed skating days are now behind him.
“What great memories we had there,” Fleurent explained. “I remember the parking lot was full and you would see cars parked up and down Pool Street.”
Even then, it was all volunteers who kept the rink operating,” Fleurent said, pointing out that the Laverriere family had a home near the Knights of Columbus Hall, and they would help maintain the ice.
“Kids like Danny Gagne and Henry Paradis were the local legends,” Fleurent recalled. “The only time I come in first is when I’m driving in traffic. I’m always first at the red light.”
A framed collection of photos from the 1940s adorns one of the walls at the West Brook skating rink
Keeping the lights on, and the ice clear
Maintaining the property and keeping the rink open is a challenge, and Bouthillette points out that West Brook is the city’s only self-sufficient recreational facility.
Over the past few years, several improvements have been made at the facility, thanks to the generosity of some local businesses and work completed by students at Biddeford’s Regional Center of Technology (BRCOT).
Bouthillette is a master electrician and a teacher at the BRCOT. He says his students helped install new parking lot lights and a sound system at West Brook.
Students from the carpentry program helped repair the rotting floors in the concession building and built new stairs leading down from the parking lot to the ice, he said.
Jim Godbout, owner of Godbout Plumbing and Heating, donated and installed a new heat pump system. The St. Louis Alumni Association donated roughly $26,000 to obtain a tractor that can be used to clear the rink after a snow storm.
Kim Cocharane, the owner of Biddeford Painting, took care of repainting the building’s interior and never sent an invoice for the services or supplies. Jeff Brochu of Camille’s Electric also donated time and supplies for electrical upgrades.
“It’s just incredible,” Bouthillette says. “We have received so much support from the community, but there is still so much we need to do. A lot of things were put off for many years, and so we’re sort of in a catching-up phase.”
West Brook skating rink is a resource free to use for families and skating enthusiasts
A big bang for the buck
In November, Biddeford voters approved a $6.1 million bond package to be used for improvements and updates at more than a dozen recreational facilities across the city.
How and where those funds will be used has yet to be determined by the Biddeford City Council, which is planning to solicit broad-scale public comment about where and how the money will be used.
Bouthillette is keeping his fingers crossed that West Brook skating rink will get just a small sliver of that money, estimating he needs less than $50,000 to make much-needed repair to the building’s doors and windows, which are made of plexiglass.
“Right now, we’re pretty much heating the outside,” he said, pointing to a visible gap in the building’s main doorway.
While other facilities, including the Biddeford Ice Arena, the Community Center and the shuttered outdoor skate park near Rotary Park, are each asking for hundreds of thousands of dollars in needed repairs, West Brook has a rather modest funding request.
Plenty of skates — in a variety of sizes — are available for community use at West Brook skating rink
City Councilor Marc Lessard – an outspoken advocate for the city’s recreational facilities – says the city can get a “big bang for its buck” by investing a comparatively small amount at the popular skating rink.
“They are doing it all with volunteers,” Lessard said of West Brook skating rink. “When you look at how many people use that facility, it becomes quickly apparent that we can get a lot of citywide value for a pretty modest investment.”
Bouthillette says he knows there are other things that will be much more expensive to repair at West Brook including the dam under Pool Street that is used to help keep the water in the rink.
“We’re trying to be realistic,” he said. “We’re just trying to stay open to serve another generation of Biddeford families.”
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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.) 2026 All Rights Reserved
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Kevin Roche — a former Saco city councilor and current member of the Saco School Board — has publicly criticized Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain and the Biddeford City Council for the way they are handling the review of a large pier being proposed by the University of New England.
In addition to serving on the Saco School Board, Roche is also the president of SOS Saco Bay, an organization formed to address erosion issues in Saco’s Camp Ellis neighborhood.
In a Dec. 19 email to LaFountain that was also sent to Biddeford City Manager Truc Dever and Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, Roche begins by suggesting that Biddeford and Saco officials should be working collaboratively on issues regarding the Saco River.
Kevin Roche (right) stands near a piece of dredging equipment (Facebook photo)
He then asserts that the city of Biddeford is being unduly influenced by a few residents who have raised concerns about UNE’s large-scaled pier project.
Specifically, Roche harshly criticized the city’s decision to file a formal complaint against the Saco River Corridor Commission (SRCC) regarding that agency’s approval of the proposed pier.
The city filed the complaint after learning that a 250-foot buffer zone was created more than 20 years ago through an agreement between UNE and the SRCC.
Roche described the city’s complaint as a “fruitless endeavor” that will surely be rejected by the court.
“We are greatly troubled that the city of Biddeford has now taken the position that NO pier should be allowed due to a misreading of the 250-foot buffer zone,” Roche wrote in his email.
In his email, Roche strongly defended the university against complaints from residents who raised questions about the controversial project.
A view from the Camp Ellis Pier across the river to where the University of New England is hoping to construct a large-scale pier to support its marine research activities (Seaver photo)
Roche pointed out that UNE students regularly volunteer to help put up holiday lights in downtown Biddeford, and how the university is involved in monitoring coastal issues as well as projects to replace dune sands on both sides of the river.
Roche describes the university as a “key partner” in a planned dredging project on the Saco River that is scheduled to begin next year.
In his email, Roche said a “larger pier research vessel is critical in providing even more benefit to our greater shoreline communities.”
Roche says the goal of those opposed to the pier project was never about the location of the pier, “they simply did not want UNE to have any presence on the river.”
It is unclear whether Roche spoke to or communicated with any of those who raised concerns about the pier project.
Roche said opponents of the project “utilized slick PR guys, often posing as the press” in their attempt to derail the pier proposal.
He went on to say that the city of Biddeford has chosen to “govern based on hate and lies.” He provides no details or documentation regarding the “lies.”
Roche advised the city to do things “the right way” and should “follow facts, not fiction.” He also suggested that Biddeford should get rid of its own harbormaster and instead share Saco’s harbormaster for joint jurisdiction of river activities.
LaFountain told the Gazette that he has no plans to change the city’s current course in regard to review of UNE’s proposal or moving ahead in creating an ad-hoc Institutional Zone Review Committee to review development at UNE’s Biddeford campus.
“Our complaint with the SRCC is now before the court, so it would not be appropriate for me to comment on that matter until the court renders its decision,” LaFountain said.
“I believe we did the right thing and we are fully committed to moving forward by following criteria based upon fact, process and law, not inflammatory rhetoric.”
According to their March 20, 2025 quarterly report to their members and affiliates, SOS Saco Bay stated “We have grown our relationship with the University of New England which is doing some amazing work.”
According to that report, SOS Saco Bay was “also invited to participate in the UNE Summer Sustainability Fellowship Program, and stated that “UNE has committed to be a Platinum Supporter at our October Conference.”
Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail told the Gazette that it would be inappropriate to comment on the views of a private organization, saying only that she is looking forward to working with Biddeford’s new mayor.
Roche did not answer any of the questions sent to him by the Biddeford Gazette. He did, however, offer a brief statement, saying “SOS Saco Bay takes no formal position on the pier location debate, but we maintain that a research pier would be a huge asset in our fight against coastal erosion.
“We feel that anyone standing in opposition to the pier is in opposition of what we are trying to do. We have not heard any arguments that a research pier will cause undue harm to our coastal waterways and shorelines.”
You can view/download a copy of Mr. Roche’s Dec. 19 email here:
He’s known by many names. Some call him Father Christmas; others call him St. Nicholas or Kris Kringle. But here in North America, he is best known as Santa Claus.
Just two days before the Christmas holiday this year, Santa made time to sit down for an exclusive interview. He declined to give his age. In fact, he artfully dodged many of the questions our readers have asked.
Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for a photo during a recent visit to Saco.Photo: Joanie Fox
For this interview, we decided to let our readers pose the questions for Santa to answer.
Kelley B. wants to know what you view as major changes to your mission, specifically your annual stop at the Island of Misfit toys that started in 1964?
“Well, let’s get real. In my view, that was a very recent change, and I really owe a debt of gratitude to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for tipping me off about that place. Honestly, we are all misfits – every one of us, even me. We are all different. None of us is perfect. We are not defined by our flaws. We are defined by our capacity to love one another.”
Mark J. wants to know if Hermey the Elf is still practicing dentistry.
“Oh sure. His practice is thriving. In fact, he offers an advanced dental graduate program here at the North Pole. He’s always up my butt about the importance of flossing; as if I need another thing to worry about. (Laughs).
Celeste T. wants to know why she didn’t get an Easy Bake oven when she was a little girl.
“I get that question a lot.”
About Easy Bake ovens?
“No, silly. Lots of people wake up disappointed by something on Christmas morning. I remember when Celeste asked for that toy oven. It sort of broke my heart to see her disappointed that morning. But that was a tough year for Easy Bake ovens. There was a huge demand, and unfortunately my elves just could not keep pace.
“But you know what? Today, Celeste has a wonderful oven that she uses to cook her meals and to make treats for her family and friends.
“Many people all around the world do not have an oven. In fact, many people don’t even have a home. I’m just super pleased that Celeste is still willing to be nice to other people, even though she didn’t get exactly what she wanted on one particular Christmas morning.”
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We are not defined by our flaws.
We are defined by our capacity to love one another.”
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Deborah P. wants to know what kind of cookies are your favorite. She also wants to know whether she should leave carrots or sugar out for the reindeer.
“Well, she’s a very thoughtful young lady. I like all kinds of cookies. Dude, look at me. I didn’t get to be this size by licking icicles. There’s no such thing as a bad cookie, in my humble opinion.
“As for the reindeer, they prefer carrots. Carrots are rich in both calcium and Vitamin K. They promote good bone density and help with your vision, something that is very important if you’re flying all over the world at night.”
Suzanne C. wants to know more about Mrs. Claus and whether she helps you?
“There is no way I could do what I do without lots of love, help and support. Mrs. Claus and I have been married a long time. A very long time. I mean like centuries . . . you get my gist?
“Like most wives, Mrs. Claus is always willing to give advice. Over the years, I have learned that it’s best to listen to your partner. Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do is to listen when someone is speaking to you.”
Jeff R. wants to know your favorite Christmas movie.
“I like all of them, but let’s get real. Die Hard is not a Christmas movie. I suppose, my favorite Christmas movie is “It’s A Wonderful Life.” That movie really underscores the true meaning of this holiday.
“Mrs. Claus likes all those Hallmark Christmas movies. Let’s just say I’m quite grateful that we have two televisions and a Netflix subscription.”
Larry M. wants to know how you leave presents at homes without a chimney or fireplace.
“It’s magic.”
Magic? What do you mean magic ?
“Listen, Jimmy Olsen. There’s a lot you don’t know about magic. Magic is real as the nose on your face. Magic is simply the proper combination of love, faith and hope.
“Imagine a world without magic. A world where every single thing has to be analyzed, studied and proven? What a sad world that would be. Childhood is often described as ‘magical’ because children are willing to believe in things they don’t necessarily understand.
“Whenever you get on a plane or whenever you get in your car, you have faith. At least enough faith that you are going to arrive at your destination. You don’t have to understand aeronautics or how an engine works. You just need faith and a bit of hope. Magic is all around us if we focus on love. If we open our hearts and our eyes, each of us can see unlimited potential in each other and in ourselves.”
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“Imagine a world without magic.
A world where every single thing
has to be analyzed, studied and proven? “
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So, I suppose you’re going to say that magic makes the reindeer able to fly or that you can visit every country in the world in just one night?
“Absolutely. Magic is a wonderful gift. Every time you smile at a stranger, you are spreading love. Every time you pet a dog or hold the door for an elderly person, you are acting out your love. Everyone – – and I mean every one of us – has the power to love. Love does not require anything. It costs nothing but is the most valuable thing in the world.”
Some people say you’re not real.
“Those people are right, but they are also wrong. I am as real as you want me to be. I don’t care if you’re four years old or 40, you can believe in me if you choose. Again, love is a choice. That’s the whole meaning of presents, a practice of showing love. You can’t buy love at the store; it lies within each of us.
“Look; I gotta run. The elves are working overtime, and I need to get ready for a very, very busy night.”
But I have so many more questions. Who are you? And why do you do this?
“Who am I? Take a look in the mirror, sonny. I am you; if you choose to be me. I am your neighbor. I am your co-worker, your classmate, your friend and your enemy.
“I am the guy you are argue with on Facebook. I am your grandfather, your favorite aunt. I am a man, and I am a woman. I am very young and very old. I am simply the personification of love. That’s why I exist.
“Why do I do this? Because I can. Because I choose to love. Because this day – no matter what you call it – no matter your religion, culture or education – – it’s all about hope. About the possibility of a new start, about the potential of unconditional love. Today is a call for us to love one another.
“Now, if you will excuse me, I need to put some fresh batteries in Rudolph’s nose. Ho, ho, ho . . . I’m almost ready to go.”
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Editor’s Note: On behalf of all of us at the Biddeford Gazette, we wish you a safe, warm and festive holiday! Merry Christmas!
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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BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 